No Characters at HHI

[DiznyMagic]

If HHI is considered a Disney resort why are there no characters? Just wondering if anyone knew.

 

[Laurabearz]

B'lou is a character..... Shadow is a Character....

 

[Beast fan]

Other than the characters mentioned by Laurabearz, why should there be at just any place that posts a "Disney" name on the front? We've been to HHI, and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, sans "typical" Disney characters. We enjoyed the spacious rooms, the wonderful pool (only went to the beach for a few hours on the last day of the trip), and the entertaining children's activities.
IMO, HHI truly allows you think like a kid again. Here's what I'm trying to get at...... remember when you were a kid (I don't know your age, I'm 36), and there was no cable TV. What did you do? I played sports (constantly), or played in the woods behind our house. If I wasn't doing that, I rode my bike. HHI allows one to get BACK to that frame of mind (of course, they have cable TV).

That said, I didn't really appreciate HHI until we got back from our trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

At least HH has the "Mickey wake-up call". The first time I heard that there, I was so excited, the lack of characters didn't bother me a bit. Just as long as Mickey wakes me up.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Beast Fan - we are the same age and I know exactlyl how you feel!! Where I grew up, we had this novel thing called a neighborhood. All the parents were friends and got to know each other, so did the kids. We had an old ship bell, another Mom had a whistle, another parent had a loud yell!! when it was time for dinner or bed, these were the sounds that rocked the neighborhood telling us it was time to go home for dinner time (remember that, a time when the family ate together). Now, my daughter won't ride her bike on our road because some idiot caused her to almost crash, people won't slow down, and we are on a quiet country road. The neighbors don't bother with each other, her friends are too busy with organized sports, and summer leagues, "can't play today, have to rest for a game at six!" Well I just dropped her off at "the barn" her and her horse are off on a quiet trail ride, granted with todays conveniences of a walkie talkie that the barn manager has, and a Nextel phone conected to me!!!!

But anyway, I won't rant anymore, I find the characters to be one of the obnoxious things I don't like about Disney, don't miss them at Vero (though max and goofy were there for breakfast), and if I'm able to make it to HH, won't miss them there either!!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Simbas Mom - I love the Mickey Wake up, we would have him call us every morning to just hear his voice!!! Even didn't tell my parents and gave them a wake up call!! They loved it!

 

[RobDoc]

HH has lots of Hidden Mickeys- ask for a list at check-in and spend the rest of your trip trying to find them.

There are Disney touches throughout the resort and there is no question that the "characters" are alive and well at the HHI resort.

In addition to the Hidden Mickeys in the landscaping and exterior decor at the resort, there are some in every room. Check out the picture of the lab puppies in the villas, try to find them in Murggies den, look at the photos and pictures in the lodge area.

No lack of Disney magic at HH!

<img width="300"src="http://www.disneydoc.homestead.com/files/shadow.jpg">

<img width="300"src="http://www.disneydoc.homestead.com/files/hhmikmin.jpg">

<img width="300"src="http://www.disneydoc.homestead.com/files/HH_cookies_6_28_03.jpg">

<img src="http://www.disneydoc.homestead.com/files/Shadow_marsh2.jpg">

Enjoy!

 

[Pa@okw95]

There should be plenty of characters on the golf courses there. Golfers are noted for it, especially at the 19th hole, but as far as Mickey goes he is probably out golfing. Hilton Head is noted for its beautiful golf courses. The whole area is known as a golf resort. Bring your clubs, you may see Mickey or Donald out on the links.

 

[Donna]

If you ask anyone at the resort that works there, they will tell you, how can mickey be at wdw AND HHI at the same time? I love mickey to death but I don't miss him at DHHIR. I don't even hear him on the phone because at HH, I'm so relaxed that I wake up early and rested for the fun day that always follows. Ahhhh, can't get there soon enough!

 

[gscott8075]

I just got back from HH today. I will share my thoughts later.

I agree with everyone's comments. HHI is my favorite resort.

HOWEVER, I think the shrimp boil and other "big activities" are lacking a bit.

Wouldn't the kids be thrilled with a once a week visit from Mickey or another character? As far as being concerned about the characters being here or there, Disney places all of the characters on both ships and WDW. For the many folks who do the land and sea trip, they see characters in both places. It seems to work.

The problem in WDW is the lines to see anyone in Mickey toon town.

What a special hour it would be. HH is so small that each kid would have a lasting memory.

They could even have it at the beach house one night to keep the critics at bay.

Anyway, I have lots to share about another amazing trip.

 

[Donna]

I think that's an excellent idea. They could say (to the kids) that Mickey is taking a vacation too. He could be all dressed in flowery tropical clothes, beachwear and such. Surely they can spare a mickey costume or so!
Back in the early days of DHHIR (aahh, the good ole days), when they had the family picnic (it was free too) with fried chicken, lemonade, boiled peanuts, watermelon, they hinted that there'd be a character visit but it never did happen. I was one of the "kids" that was sitting there anxiously waiting, loll

 

[linco711]

As a former disney insider, I can tell you one of the reasons the characters are not at off site resorts. Basiically DVC is an offshoot of Disney. When they have characters there, like they had at their grand opening, they pay their parent company to have them and it is exorbitant! They bring them up from Orlando at prices I was shocked to hear. My memory is a little fuzzy, but something like $5000.00 per day. That just doesn't fit into DVC's budget.

 

[Ksp]

Originally posted by linco711
As a former disney insider, I can tell you one of the reasons the characters are not at off site resorts. Basiically DVC is an offshoot of Disney. When they have characters there, like they had at their grand opening, they pay their parent company to have them and it is exorbitant! They bring them up from Orlando at prices I was shocked to hear. My memory is a little fuzzy, but something like $5000.00 per day. That just doesn't fit into DVC's budget.

Ouch!!! There goes my wallet....
Guess I'd save character visits for special events, too.

 

[mbhoxsie]

They bring them up from Orlando at prices I was shocked to hear. My memory is a little fuzzy, but something like $5000.00 per day. That just doesn't fit into DVC's budget.

I'm not suprised that DVC would have to pay Disney for character rights, but that price sure seems high to me... VB is able to bring up Goofy & Max for at least one character breakfast per week.. That's $10,000.. (I know that during the last character breakfast I went to at VB, they were not pulling in enough customers to hit that mark...)

I can see $5000 a day for a character for a non Disney ran function, like a city parade, sporting event, convention, or the such, but on a DVC managed property, I am sure there has to be some sort of discount.. (Especially since the costume(s) could be kept onsite, and they could train one or two of the resident CM's the acting skills to fill the parts..)

 

[WDWNewbie]

Our daughter loved B'Lou and Shadow. One day after one of the magic shows our family stayed and chatted with B'Lou for a while. He is a really interesting guy! (I wonder how old Shadow is??)

On another note... has anyone tried the Gregg Russell Bubble gum cruise? It sounds interesting--the website mentioning singalong, treasure hunt and dolphin spotting for the whole family.

We are considering trying it in August, and would love to hear some feedback.

 

[gscott8075]

We enjoyed both Greg Russell and Shannon Tanner.

We have talked about both cruises and they never fit in with the schedule.

I would have to imagine if you like their shows, you would probably like the cruise. The Tanner cruise was $14 pp

 

[linco711]

Vero's costs are different since it is in Florida. They can get the same ice cream bars that are sold in the parks...but HHI can't. They're are a lot of variables with being an offsite out of state property. It's really pretty interesting. Disney characters rent at a high premium. Have you ever checked on what it costs to have them at you wedding in Disney????? You'll be surprised!

 

[gscott8075]

If a Disney entity has to pay $5000 to use its own characters, then Roy is correct and Disney is going to implode on itself.

That is bureaucracy at its worst.

Disney is Disney whether its the cruise line or DVC.

 

[DiznyMagic]

Thank you gscott8075 for your reply. Geez I felt almost attacked by some of the other comments. I dont know about all the other members but I know we can't afford to go to Disney World every eyar or more often so I don't have the opportunity to get tired of the characters, and I was just wondering what was the "logistics" of this. I'm sure that any new member would have wondered the same thing.

Anyway with that being said what I meant by Characters were the "originals" one would expect to see when at Disney. Since this year we are taking our 3 year old daughter for the first time and were unable to do an all out Disney trip I just thought how magical it would be for her to see Mickey etc (and not know that she wasn't at the Park).

I am looking forward to going to a place where it is more relaxed and you don't feel like you have to do it all to have a good time. She enjoys the water and at her young age anything is new and exciting so I'm sure she will and us will have a good time regardless of who is there and who isnt. Thank you once again for your comments.