Just back (tonight) from HH, drove from NJ

[BWVDenise]

Sigh.... we're home. We left on Thursday at 4 a.m. It took us 12 1/2 hours, door to door (and the kids did great!) We got really lucky and had beautiful weather on Friday. We spent the morning at the beach (where I got a sunburned face) and the afternoon at the main pool. The beach was so beautiful and the water was still warm enough to go for a swim (and yes, this comes from a chicken who gets cold very easily). Had lunch at Signals and I can't wait to go back for a cheeseburger there!Spent some time at the pool and had a pizza delivered by Guiseppe's. The kids (9, 6, and 5) did the Disney Discovery Club on Saturday and had a good time. Major tip here---- attn parents!!!! bring clothing that they can paint in and you won't care if it gets ruined!! This was a nice 3 hour activity with local teachers and we had a chance to go shopping at the outlets by ourselves. We wanted to try San Miguel's for dinner, since we had never gone there. It was okay but I wouldn't go back. The margaritas weren't all that good and the food was just so-so. We went to B'Loue Crabbe's magic show and had a GREAT time there! The kids loved it and we were quite impressed! The weather turned on us Sunday and it was so cold and windy that we didn't do much other than take the kids to the toy store and hang around indoors. We did go to Christopher's "meet the naturalist" talk on seashells in Big Murggie's Den, which was quite informative. Monday morning the kids did Gyotaku, which they thoroughly enjoyed (but again, parents, OLD CLOTHES! as the paint does NOT wash out). Then we went on a Beach Nature Walk with Christopher which the whole family enjoyed. I could have walked the beach all day and I have never thought of myself as a beach person. The kids loved it, and dh found a huge shark's tooth. We went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner which was quite enjoyable. Kid's night out was cancelled, so I was glad we hadn't signed up for it that night. We took a dip in the pool and hot tub since it was our last night. The moon was wonderful and the sky was so black. We weren't looking forward to coming home at all!! But here we are, safe and sound and the return trip was again 12 1/2 hours. The kids were excellent in the car and it was the first time our 9 y.o. made it w/o getting carsick thanks to Benedryl instead of Dramamine. The kids can't wait to go back, and neither can we. We were in building 26, poolside, second floor. I hope my mini report is helpful! OH, and the unit was in excellent condition, housekeeping was the BEST!!! We go back in August and we can't wait!!!!

 

[floridafam]

Wow. Great Report!

Glad you had a good time.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Great report Denise
Is HH your home resort or were you lucky enough to get a ressie ? I see "BWV" in your sign on name. I'd love to stay here one time. Is the weather usually like this in late Oct/early Nov for HH ?
Thanks

 

[ZerasPride]

DH and I leave on Saturday for HH and we can't wait! Your report makes me even more excited. It sounds like your family had a great time. We'll be in a one bedroom and we requested the main lodge so hopefully we'll get it. It takes us about 13 hours to get there and I'm actually looking forward to the drive. Was the resort full? Any other tips you'd like to share? Thanks so much!

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like you guys had a great time!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Great Report!!! I love HH!!!! Going back @ the end of May!!! Can't wait.

Allison an associate

 

[PinkConch]

our 9 y.o. made it w/o getting carsick thanks to Benedryl instead of Dramamine.

Is that regular Benedryl or do they make a motion sickness pill? I might have to try that, as Dramamine makes me really sleepy.

 

[BWVDenise]

Zeraspride: No, the resort wasn't full at all. The beach was so wonderful since there were so few people on it!

PinkConch: Just regular Benadryl, every 4 hours. It did make him a little sleepy, but the Dramamine and Bonine make him sleepy AND don't control his "problem!"

 

[Donna]

Be careful with requesting a 1 br in the lodge, that's where the handicap units are (i know from experience in getting one). Unless this is something that you DO want. I didn't like having one as it was inconvenient the way things were layed out and the studio "buzzer" next door rings in the 1 br for some reason. Also, didn't like taking a room from someone that might really need it.

 

[CK1]

Can I be so rude as to ask how much the kids' activities cost? We too have 3 kids and I'm trying to budget for a future HH trip!

How did the kids rate HH versus a trip to WDW?

And as for the Benedryl... interesting. Ds (almost 9) has battled carsickness increasingly, and like your child, the dramamine doesn't always do the job. Bonine may as well have been a tic-tac. I too get car-sick (only when others drive -- if I drive, I'm ok... something about knowing where the turns in the road are, etc.) So I just usually do the driving, or end up pitching my cookies -- what a trade-off. I once had a pediatrician tell me he always gave his motion-ill kids Benedryl before any trip. I discounted the info because this doc was a real jerk, but maybe his advice was good despite him! Will give it a try...

Thanks for the info -- glad your trip was good! (BTW -- did you guys see the eclipse over the wkend? You mentioned moon-watching... Sat night's lunar eclipse was awesome up here in WV... Just wondering!)

 

[BWVDenise]

I don't think you are rude! The gyotaku was $10 each, the Discovery Club was $20 each plus $7 if you wanted them to stay there for lunch (which bought an additional hour!). The Kid's Night Out is $20 each (but we didn't do that as it was cancelled and we were leaving the next morning). There are also some free activities.
My kids LOVE going to HH for vacation. Sure, they love WDW also and I don't know if they could really say which one they prefer... we're just glad we can do both!! They were really sad to leave!
We didn't see the eclipse because of thick cloud cover. It's a shame because Christopher was going to set up a telescope on the beach.
Any more questions, fire away!

 

[dyingtodisney]

So glad to see your post! I've been contemplating a trip to HH with kids 8 and 4 ( would be 9 and 5) when we go however on the dvcmember site the activities listed were for kids 6 and older. Did they let your 5 year old participate? How strict are they on this? THere's no way we would go until my 5 year old could participate, he doesn't deal well with "sissy" being able to do things he cannot!

 

[BWVDenise]

Stephanie, there was no problem with having a 5 yo. Most of the activities listed on the recreation sheet state "ages 5 & up." They just wanted us to stay nearby during the Gyotaku, which we wanted to watch anyway. The ONLY thing I see on the recreation sheet that is different is the Junior Golf Outing, which is for ages 7 to 14. Even the Kids Night Out is for ages 5-12.

 

[Disneyaholic]

If you're interested in the resort activities, they will be happy to send or fax you the current activity schedule so you can look it over.

Of course, at this time of year, the activities are more limited than during the high season, but it will give you an idea of what's offered and how much it costs. Don't plan your schedule around it though, because they literally change week-to-week!

Give them a call and have fun planning!

 

[July]

Sounds like a Fun Trip..

July

 

[Maria395712]

could you tell me what part of jersey you are from ? we would like to go too, but the drive I'm from deptford ,gloucester county
maria

 

[BWVDenise]

Hi Maria! I'm a stones throw from you! Turnersville

 

[dyingtodisney]

bwvdenise- Thanks for the info re: kids activities!

 

[Maria395712]

wow you are a stones throw I live on the washington twp boarder,so only....121/2 hrs ? maybe I could make it maria

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Welcome home, Denise! Glad you had a great time!