Just returned from HH/DVC-Random comments-any questions?

[Simba's Mom]

Since this was our first trip, I remember beforehand how many questions I kept coming to these boards with. Now that we're back, the least I can do is give others some comments on what we learned. First, we absolutely loved it! We spent time in both a 1-BR and a studio so that we could see what they're both like. Our first room, a 1-BR, was on the top floor of the main lodge (wish we'd started with the studio, then moved up, but this is how our ressies went). I'd requested Marsh view and non-smoking for both rooms-this was non-smoking, over looking trees, not marsh. But we loved the one bedroom. Mickey woke us up 3 of the 4 mornings, he forgot once although I left a wake up call every day, and he was 1/2 hour late one morning. Fortunately, all I "needed" to get up for was the birds on our balcony, but if it had been something important, Mickey's unreliability would have been a small disappointment.
Our last night was spent in a studio-the biggest DVC studios I've seen-even bigger than OKW. This room was neither marsh view nor non-smoking. So we didn't do too well on room requests. Hope the luck is usually better.
One of my main concerns beforehand had been the cost of going out to dinner all the time. Well, on 3 nights, we just wanted to stay at the resort and enjoy the balcony, so we had soup or pizza. The few times we did go out we had (all excellent meals)-Captain's Seafood (not fancy, very good seafood and reasonable), Hilton Head Diner (wish there hadn't been that time-share guy outside), Hofsbrauh, and It's Greek to Me (locals eat there-great if you like Greek food).
Activities-renting bikes is great! Secrets of the Marsh tour (1 hr., free) great for adults that are steady on their feet, Beach Nature Walk (2 hrs., free) great for families who like to look for shells-Brian does an especially great job with this, Members "Behind the Ears" tour (1 hr.,free) is a must, Longview Cooking club get-together for members (1.5 hrs, $15) a great way to mingle with other members-wonderful to meet you, "Patsy from Delaware").
Last comment-we stayed at Holiday Inn Express the first night, next year we'd probably stay at a studio at the resort for the first night, but definitely a 1 BR after that, hopefully in the main lodge.
Sorry this is so long. I'd be happy to try to answer any questions.

 

[Candace]

Thanks for the report and the names of the restaurants. I am leaving Sunday for 5 days at HH in a 1BR and can't wait. I always like to hear of restaurants people have tried. What was the weather like while you were there? thanks

 

[Simba's Mom]

Actually the weather was a little warmer than we expected, and about 5 degrees above normal. I hadn't expected it to get much above 70, but it reached upper 70s. Even though we're from where it's real hot, so we didn't feel it was warm enough to swim, we wished we'd brought shorts and sandals.

 

[cgcw]

Glad you had a good trip!

 

[VMS]

Was B'Lou Crabbe (not sure of the spelling) still there?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although we did not see him, I'm pretty sure I saw his name listed as giving a few activities (I think he was the one scheduled for "Music and Lore of the Low Country"). Our recreation activity sheet is still packed away somewhere(!) so I'm going by memory here, but I also think I remember Alisa, the recreation director mentioning him the day I talked to her.

 

[Candace]

Thanks Simba's Mom - I am so glad to hear about the warm weather. I was not planning on going in the water, but I will take shorts. I am packing tonight and getting so excited!

 

[Beast fan]

Next time, try the cayaking trip! I tried it last May there (DW had to watch our 2 young DS's) and it was an experience I will never forget!

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by Candace
Thanks Simba's Mom - I am so glad to hear about the warm weather. I was not planning on going in the water, but I will take shorts. I am packing tonight and getting so excited!

Note to others planning a trip to HH. Always pack at least one outfit for warm weather. We have been there for Thanksgiving when it was warm enough to sit out on the beach!

This past Thanksgiving and New Years, the shorts and sandals stayed in the suitcase, unfortunately, but they were there, just in case!

So glad to hear your HH trip was a success!

 

[wdw1972]

We arrived on HH late this afternoon. Tonight we're staying at the Quality Inn and tomorrow (Sunday) we move into a grand villa for 5 nights. It won't really feel like we're at HH until we get to our DVC resort!

 

[Candace]

Sue - I will be there tomorrow too. What is the weather like?

 

[stonewall]

I was so happy to see information about HH. We bought into the DVC in February when we were at WDW, and I selected HH because the Magical Beginnings rebate made the difference for me. HH looks beautiful and I am looking forward to going, but so far, we are on the waiting list for this summer. Hope we get our 1BR...

 

[zuzu]

We got back Sunday from HH (3/17). It was just a short 4 day trip for us but very relaxing. What a difference a few days make! We were booked in a 1-bedroom non-smoking but because of maintenance going on in many of the 1-bedrooms, we were placed in a 2-bedroom in building number 27 which is a smoking optional building. We were told we could check it out to see if the odor was too strong because there was another one available in non-smoking but without the lovely marsh view. I'm glad we stayed in #27. The smell wasn't bad at all but we did go ahead and open the doors to the deck and let the unit air out while we unpacked. It was so nice listening to the sounds of the marsh that we both wished there had been screens on some of the windows that we could have left open.

We packed shorts too but they only ended up going along for the ride. Most of the activities we wanted to do were cancelled due to wind or rain. No "Secrets of the Marsh" on Thursday because of a thunderstorm. We did go out kayaking Friday morning but the trip was cut short due to high winds. No Dolphin Discoveries either for the same reason. At one point we tried to go walking on the beach but the wind was making the sand painful. The campfire that night had to be cancelled also (wind and cold) but they did have a movie instead. Saturday was cold and stormy so no kayaking or dolphins again but we did go to Pinckney Island for some birding and nature. It stormed big time! Thankfully we had our handy, dandy plastic Wal-Mart ponchos that always make the trip to Disney World and never get used. Boy did they get some use! Saturday night we went to "Evening of Magic" with B'lou Crabbe. He was great with the kids (we forgot to pack any though). Sunday the weather turned nice, of course. We did Tommy's treasure hunt (thanks again, Tommy).

I definitely want to go back maybe right after Labor Day when it should still be warm or maybe right before Memorial Day.

My only complaint is that I wish there were more activities that weren't dependent on good weather for those of us that are childless (no children at home anymore and no grandchildren yet). I am glad we had a good view since we were in the unit more than we had planned. It was wonderful sitting out on the deck and relaxing. We did take some VHS movies just in case and I'm glad we did. They do have some for rent ($3.00 for non-DVC members).

All the cast members we interacted with were great! They were all so pleasant.

One more thing that's very important for some...the coffee maker used basket type filters.

zuzu

 

[burnsoc]

Hi,
I'm glad you had a nice trip. My DW and I went to HH for the first time in January and loved it. I was glad to hear you mention Captain's Seafood. We went there on a reccomendation from Chef Gordon, and while it was definitely nothing fancy we found the food to be excellent for the price. If you go back I highly suggest you try any of the activities with Chef Gordon. They tend to be more adult oriented. If you have a special occasion to celebrate "A Private Affair" is a memorable evening.
-Chris

 

[Simba's Mom]

Zuzu, I can see what you mean about activities for us "empty-nesters", no grandchildren (we're also at that stage). Thinking back on it, we were very fortunate then. I agree that that Members get-together, it was March 12, is a lot of fun. Thursday morning, when you had the thunderstorm-that's the day we left and we sat in It's Greek to Me resturaunt probably the only ones glad for the weather-it made it easier for us to leave! I don't envy you with the weather, I've heard it's been raining there almost constantly since then.