Sooooo diasppointed :-(

[dizneefamily5]

Called this morning at 9:00 to get HH reservations for Spring Break. Everything is booked. How can that be? My girls are going to be so sad. We did HH last year for Spring break and it's all they've talked about since. Is there any chance of the waitlist coming through? I know this is going to sound over-dramatic but I really don't know if DVC is for us if we can't book at 9 am at the 7 month mark. Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[bookwormde]

For the high demand weeks, having 11-month priority is important.

Certainly there is a chance of the waitlist, although for holiday weeks the depth of waitlist typically is deeper.

bookwormde

 

[RobDoc]

HH is the smallest DVC resort (102 units) and is a very popular family destination. It's not at all unusual for that time of the year to be fully reserved before 7 months by owners using their 11 month priority.

I would certainly suggest getting on the waitlist since there is plenty of time for cancellations.

Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

What size room? Hilton Head is mostly 2 bedrooms.

Easter is April 4, did you call to arrive on Easter? That would make it harder.

 

[dizneefamily5]

We did put ourselves on the waitlist. There are 6 of us, so we did request a 2BR. Yes, we were coming in on Easter Sunday. We have no other choice. The whole week was full except Friday.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Easter is one of the more popular times at HHI, from what I hear. Not nearly as popular as summertime, but popular. Have you considered checking on member's cash? Is that an option? I remember we were on the waitlist one time for months. Out of desperation, I called and asked about member's cash. "Oh, Yes-that's available". And I think the prices at that time of year are pretty low as I remember.

 

[rhonimouse]

If HH does not come through, maybe trying another resort (vero Beach) would make your girls happy- still a visit to the beach, just a little further south...that way you still make the best of a great vacation... Hope your wait list works out for 1st choice though

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I know this is going to sound over-dramatic but I really don't know if DVC is for us if we can't book at 9 am at the 7 month mark. Thanks for letting me vent!

I'm sorry your plans haven't worked out for you. I wouldn't let it discourage you from being a DVC member. We all know that booking a non-home resort at the 7 month mark is iffy. If this is a trip you want to do every year, you might want to consider buying points there so you can book well in advance? Where is your home resort?

 

[dizneefamily5]

Thank you for the suggestions! I hadn't considered Vero Beach. The reason they love HHI is not the beach but the "camp" atmosphere there where they hang with friends they meet during their stay. Does VB have that same atmosphere?

I have also considered renting points and using cash to reserve the time at HH - just not something I thought I'd HAVE to do. Unfortunately, we did not know that the 7 month window booking was iffy. We've had two different guides, BOTH of which told us that booking at 7 months is not a problem as long as we call the day or even week of our 7 month window. I know they were just trying to make the sale but it really bothers me. I guess I was a sucker and I hate that.

BTW, we own at AKV and at BLT.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thank you for the suggestions! I hadn't considered Vero Beach. The reason they love HHI is not the beach but the "camp" atmosphere there where they hang with friends they meet during their stay. Does VB have that same atmosphere?

I have also considered renting points and using cash to reserve the time at HH - just not something I thought I'd HAVE to do. Unfortunately, we did not know that the 7 month window booking was iffy. We've had two different guides, BOTH of which told us that booking at 7 months is not a problem as long as we call the day or even week of our 7 month window. I know they were just trying to make the sale but it really bothers me. I guess I was a sucker and I hate that.

BTW, we own at AKV and at BLT.

What about WLV or even the campground at Disney World...I think that would be fun! You don't have to go to the parks, and they would have a lot of activities to do.

 

[fers31]

There are a couple of posts with people being locked out of the 2BR right at Easter this week. They went on the waitlist...and it already came through for them. There is still hope for you. Don't give up just yet.

 

[dizneefamily5]

Thanks fers....I got a little teary at your post. Maybe our waitlist will come through!

I hadn't thought of WLV or any WDW resort for that matter. I'll ask them what they think.

 

[Pixieflip]

The 7 month window is not too bad unless you are talking about a holiday week - which you are for this trip. VWL and VB are a great idea! But do check on other resorts. Sometimes my kids are just so happy to be on vacation and in a pool! "Seriously, guys, we could swim at home anytime"..."oh mom, this is the best vacation ever!"

Good luck and let us know where you end up!

 

[toniosmom]

I agree with previous posters who suggested Vero or VWL. Do you have a backup booking at one of your home resorts?

I'd like to try all of the WDW resorts, So I plan to book at my home resort at 11 months and then call at 9am at the 7 month mark to see if I can switch to a different resort, waitlisting if necessary. Then at least we have a backup plan. My home resort is AKV and I won't ever mind "getting stuck" there.

Good luck with your waitlist.

 

[5forDiz]

Don't give up on HHI, there was a thread here this week where poster called on day 7 mos window opened for same time you are trying for too & couple days later was able to book all the nights she wanted so Keep trying or waitlist, it can't hurt and your never know, cancellations do happen. Or maybe you might be successful with both points and cash reservation ( if you can book some nights cash you can waitlist those for points then ).

Good luck and post back how it goes.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well this is the problem with HH. There is only one HH (well two if you include VB) type resort and DVC keeps building all of these new WDW resorts. All that does is increase the competition for those HH and VB rooms. As a HH owner I run into the same problem. I only have enough points to make reservations for a studio and have to call back at 7 months to change it to a 1BR. As time goes by this is getting harder and harder to do. We just spent 2 nights in a studio there and that was all that was available for the entire September-October timeframe.

 

[fers31]

Don't give up on HHI, there was a thread here this week where poster called on day 7 mos window opened for same time you are trying for too & couple days later was able to book all the nights she wanted so Keep trying or waitlist, it can't hurt and your never know, cancellations do happen. Or maybe you might be successful with both points and cash reservation ( if you can book some nights cash you can waitlist those for points then ).

Good luck and post back how it goes.

I think there's an echo in here.

 

[Donna]

Thank you for the suggestions! I hadn't considered Vero Beach. The reason they love HHI is not the beach but the "camp" atmosphere there where they hang with friends they meet during their stay. Does VB have that same atmosphere?

I have also considered renting points and using cash to reserve the time at HH - just not something I thought I'd HAVE to do. Unfortunately, we did not know that the 7 month window booking was iffy. We've had two different guides, BOTH of which told us that booking at 7 months is not a problem as long as we call the day or even week of our 7 month window. I know they were just trying to make the sale but it really bothers me. I guess I was a sucker and I hate that.

BTW, we own at AKV and at BLT.

that's what we love about HH too; the "camp" atmosphere is great! We found Fort Wilderness at WDW to be like a larger version of HH, even the same types of trees. have you guys ever stayed there? you can use points there too!

 

[islandtimect]

Is HH also hard to get at 7 months for April school vacations? Is it warm enough to relax and swim at the pool and beach?

 

[photobob]

I haven't had much luck with HHI. I tried to get my son and room for his honeymoon and no luck. I called the morning of 7 month window opening and waitlisted for the the entire 7 months, no dice. We were trying to get the second week of August. Thankfully we were able to get Vero Beach for them which they were more than fine with.