Tell me all the reasons I should buy HH

[CMedley78]

Okay, so I am on the verge of buying 80 pts for April UY at HH....remind me why I am doing this again.....I just need some affirmation that I am doing it for all the right reasons....
Colleen

 

[Dean]

One should only buy HH points for one of two reasons. They want to stay at HH from March through Oct (not long weekends) or they are adding cheaper generic points to supplement additional ownerships. There is no other situation where buying HH is reasonable and that includes those that are "flexible" on where they stay.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

If you plan to stay at HH for the overwhelming majority of your stays that is the place to pick-up your points.

If not, don't do it.

If you plan on staying at Disney World most of the time, buy into one of the Disney World resorts. Exchanging a lot? Get another timeshare.

 

[CMedley78]

Dean-
Those are my two reasons....I like to travel during April and during the summer (I teach) and the points are cheaper. I am actually leaning more toward buying 65 points right now, because we are looking at an every other year vacation to HH.

 

[Dean]

Dean-
Those are my two reasons....I like to travel during April and during the summer (I teach) and the points are cheaper. I am actually leaning more toward buying 65 points right now, because we are looking at an every other year vacation to HH.

Or you might consider a non DVC timeshare if you plan to go during the summer every other year.

 

[deerh]

I am a teacher as well, and if you like the beach, and in the summer, then buy there, as it is hard to get into HHI with the 7 month timeframe. I bought 85 pts to go every year/every other year for 5-6 nights per year. I, and my family love the beach, so we bought a small add-on there.

HTH!
deerh

 

[OneMoreTry]

I've often wondered if we should've bought HH instead of OKW. I bought to go to WDW, but it seems everyone else -- kids and DW -- likes HH better. So we're going there a lot. I have to admit I enjoy HH as much as WDW, and there are times we'd like to have the option to nab a GV to treat the inlaws.

I think you'll always be able to get something at WDW at 7 months if you'renot too selective.

IMHO.

 

[senecabeach]

They want to stay at HH from March through Oct (not long weekends) or they are adding cheaper generic points to supplement additional ownerships. There is no other situation where buying HH is reasonable and that includes those that are "flexible" on where they stay.

I agree. HH may be a "Disney" resort...but its not like being in "Disney". There are certainly "cheaper" beach resorts/timeshares out there.

Do you really want to pay mtc fees to a resort that's in "Hurricane Alley"??
Look what happened to VB's mtc fees after last years hurricane season....

Year OKW BWV VB VB(sub) HH VWL BCV SSR

2006 4.24 4.69 5.27 4.12 4.34 4.61 4.48 3.98

I see you have SSR....add on there and have more "power" to make upgraded ressies...and at either the 11th or 7th mo. window...and make ressies "only once" !!!

Good Luck !!

 

[Doctor P]

I agree. There are certainly "cheaper" beach resorts/timeshares out there.

It only sometimes seems like that on the face and it depends on circumstances. I researched other resorts extensively before we bought our HH points. If you want a 2BR all the time, yes, there are cheaper resorts. If you want to stay in a studio or even a 1BR, then Disney's HH is a pretty good option. In fact, I was just looking at timeshares at HH again yesterday to see if there were any good deals out there that we might look at when we were there. There were several in the $3000-6000 range for Christmas weeks and a few for summer weeks. However, each had maintenance fees in the $600-800 range for each year, and these cheaper ones were also off the water (i.e., comparable to Disney's resort). When we bought we ended up getting 60 points at HH which costs us a little more than $240 each year in maintenance fees and allows us pretty much to get 5 nights in a studio every year or a full week in the Spring every other year or 5 nights in a 1BR in the summer every other year. Total purchase price (because we went directly through Disney) was $5340, a good deal compared to other resorts of comparable quality on HH. We intend to use our points at HH (we are leaving for a trip in a few days in fact), but we used some "extra" HH points to extend our WDW stay last Christmas without cutting into our future OKW or BCV points.

 

[RobDoc]

I agree with Dr. P's assessment of HH. We also have looked at other options in that area and still find the DVC resort a good fit for us. As Dean noted, if you plan to go to HH from March - August- ownership there provides a greater level of reservation opportunity than depending on the 7 month window.

For those that demand to be "on" the beach, there are certainly other choices - at HH and many other locations - but HH has a lot to offer due to it's location.

For those that demand to be "on" the beach, the "Hurricane Alley" comment would be even more of a concern wherever you purchase. I can't think of any location along the Atlantic or Gulf cost that is immune from that possibility. As a matter of fact, HH is the ONLY resort in the DVC family that has not been directly affected by hurricanes in the past 3 years. (HH has never had a hurricane hit since the resort opened.)

In the case of VB, there was no assessment to owners due to the hurricanes - all recovery expenses were covered by insurance. Dues at VB have been highest for a number of years now. HH currently has the third lowest annual fees.

 

[CMedley78]

I just purchased 65 points at HH. Thanks for all the feedback, HH is definitely the right choice for me. I need the priority booking, I love the Hilton Head area, and I need a break from all the hustle and bustle of life (and WDW!) at times. I can't wait to make my first trip "home" there this summer.
Colleen

 

[Doctor P]

Congratulations and welcome home, new neighbor. I love WDW, but HH might be my favorite of the DVC resorts, and in just a few days I'll be there!!!

 

[Dean]

It only sometimes seems like that on the face and it depends on circumstances. I researched other resorts extensively before we bought our HH points. If you want a 2BR all the time, yes, there are cheaper resorts. If you want to stay in a studio or even a 1BR, then Disney's HH is a pretty good option. In fact, I was just looking at timeshares at HH again yesterday to see if there were any good deals out there that we might look at when we were there. There were several in the $3000-6000 range for Christmas weeks and a few for summer weeks. However, each had maintenance fees in the $600-800 range for each year, and these cheaper ones were also off the water (i.e., comparable to Disney's resort). When we bought we ended up getting 60 points at HH which costs us a little more than $240 each year in maintenance fees and allows us pretty much to get 5 nights in a studio every year or a full week in the Spring every other year or 5 nights in a 1BR in the summer every other year. Total purchase price (because we went directly through Disney) was $5340, a good deal compared to other resorts of comparable quality on HH. We intend to use our points at HH (we are leaving for a trip in a few days in fact), but we used some "extra" HH points to extend our WDW stay last Christmas without cutting into our future OKW or BCV points.

DVC is certainly more flexible than some, such as Marriott. For a 2 BR summer for a week, A top Marriott would be slightly cheaper to slightly more up front but would be significantly less yearly on fees and give you far more options from a trade standpoint. It would not be as flexible from a usage standpoint. But there are other options including other points options that would be MUCH cheaper both upfront and yearly. They would not be as luxurious however. Ultimately the dollar value depends on how and when you'll use it and what unit size you need. For 5 days avoiding weekends, DVC will be competitive but there would still be cheaper options.

 

[CHEBJO]

Congratulations!!! We bought our first contract at HH, then added on there, and then added on at BWV's. HH is wonderful, it has such great atmosphere and no place better than on that balcony in a rocker in the summertime! Hope you have wonderful trip home and maybe we will see you there some summer!!!

 

[rwcmath]

Congratulations for buying the points!

Has anyone ever gotten 3-5 studio nights in the summer without owning there? I would like to try it, but it doesn't seem likely, does it?

rwc

 

[Sammie]

Have to agree with DoctorP. As much as we love WDW, lately the shine is looking a little less bright. I can forsee some seperation needed in our future.

HH, however is our oasis in the desert of stress. We can so see ourselves retiring there many years from now.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[dizzynee]

We don't own there and were able to get a room in the summer from 1999-2004. After that it got hard to get a room in the summer unless you owned there or called every day at the 7 mth window.

 

[CMedley78]

I booked a studio room earlier this year for five nights (Monday through Saturday) right at my seven-month window. I have been told on various occasions that I was really lucky, because not even a week or two later, the resort was booked for the summer! Since then, I purchased points for HH so that I can book at 11 months out because I want to travel at those peak times since I teach. I would say call at the seven month window, or buy a small point package if you would like to book annually at HH. My DH and I bought 65 points, but you can buy as little at 25 (currently $87 a point) just to get home resort advantage.
Good luck!
Colleen

 

[apulk]

I totally understand and endorse the idea of buy where you will most likely stay. We own Hilton Head (since 1997) and have visited it every year since but we have also used our points at WDW resorts -- and NEVER have had a problem getting a room.

At HHI -- the 11 month booking is nice but not required (unless you are doing Christmas day or something like that). We always go in June, July or August but generally don't book until December or January. This year we wanted to go in July so I started calling in December -- June was starting to fill up by then. I've noticed that I tend to then book at my home resort at the same 7 month window. When we have used our points at WDW we have had stays at the Wilderness Lodge villas, Beach Club, Boardwalk and Old Key West. Last year did Vero too in June and booked at 7 months out. I did say "if" we use points at WDW -- lately, we have not been. At HHI and Vero -- it's so relaxed and is really a beach vacation -- the room matters. At WDW -- we've stayted at just about every resort (except Poly and All Stars) -- we've been staying at Pop (twice in 2004 and 4 nights last year) and have loved it. We have 4 kids so we need two rooms but we've always been under $200/night.

HHI maintenance is cheaper I'm pretty sure which adds up. The real reason to buy HHI is that you will love it -- OK, I'm biased since we do. It has the Disney feel/magic but is a very, very relaxing vacation -- very different from WDW. Never a need to set the alarm clock there.

andy

 

[ktmmt]

I bought HH and have had all the benifits as any one else when staying at WDW. If you are not going to stay at WDW during the peek time then there is no difference. The HH resort is great and the island it self is even better.
also the maintenance dues is one of the lowest also.