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Post by janebanks on Jun 18, 2024 10:38:24 GMT -5
We arrived at Disney's HHI on Sunday, after flying in to Atlanta on Saturday and meeting up with family. Flight in was on Delta from San Antonio and non-eventful. We drove to Mcdonough GA to overnight before heading on to HHI. Dinner was at a place they were familiar with called Buckner's, a family style restaurant with giant lazy susans in the middle of the table.
We had about a 45 minute wait, so everyone was well ready to eat, and eat we did. My husband and I thought every dish was good, the fried chicken and pulled pork in particular.
No traffic issues heading on to HHI. We did stop at Costco in Pooler GA to stock up on non-refridgerator essentials like water, juice for kiddos, snacks and such.
We arrived just after 4pm to check in. They were running low on room keys, so we only got two and they asked us to check back the next day to get the rest.
I had requested lowest floor, my only request, and booked a 2 bedroom for this crew. We have our four grandkids and their parents in tow.
Our villa was ready. We are in an accessible unit with one of the new elevators. I was a little hesitant on the accessible, we don't quite need that yet, but it has worked fine for all of us. We just have to remind grandkids when they shower to make sure the curtain is before the silicone water strip on the floor, otherwise it's a mess.
The room redo is lovely, though we miss having a desk in the bedroom. DH works remote, and with the grandkids, working at the kitchen table doesn't work. His make-do is using the ironing board as his work station lol.
CM's have been lovely as always.
Check in day dinner was at Poseidon's, and nobody left hungry or disappointed. Crab cakes were fantastic, in fact I had my leftovers for lunch yesterday and still just as good. Since it is part of the Serg Group, they give a 10% discount to guests at the resort.
Grandkids all got a Shirley Temple in their souvenir cup, which is really cute with a sea turtle on top.
Yesterday was all about the pool, with just a brief dip in the ocean for me. Surf was coming in strong, so I got in a bit of wave jumping before the rest were ready to head back to the beach house pool. They played musical dots, and all had to cannonball in to the pool when they were out. Did the resorts Salt Scrub activity and played Bingo as well. All in all a fantastic day, we were all exhausted. Ordered pizza and wings from Guiseppe's.
Will report back more, but now it is time to head to the pool!
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Jun 18, 2024 14:42:17 GMT -5
Love HHI!! Have a great trip !
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Post by janebanks on Jun 19, 2024 7:50:46 GMT -5
I forgot to include that they brought back the cannonball ice cream drop! I had heard from other DVC members that they haven't done it since before Covid.
We just happened to go out on the balcony and saw them, so I sent the grandkids over to see if it was too late to join, and they were able to get in on a second round. So much fun!
The CM's said this was their very first time doing it since pandemic days.
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Post by baymaxfan on Jun 19, 2024 8:07:24 GMT -5
I forgot to include that they brought back the cannonball ice cream drop! I had heard from other DVC members that they haven't done it since before Covid. We just happened to go out on the balcony and saw them, so I sent the grandkids over to see if it was too late to join, and they were able to get in on a second round. So much fun! The CM's said this was their very first time doing it since pandemic days. What is the cannonball ice cream drop? Please elaborate. |
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Post by sherrih on Jun 19, 2024 8:25:42 GMT -5
HHI always sounds like a wonderful resort. I hope I'm able to try it sometime. Following along...enjoy your stay.
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Post by eandjmom on Jun 19, 2024 9:11:16 GMT -5
oh we love HHI! Have a wonderful time!
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Post by Brian5581 on Jun 19, 2024 12:14:58 GMT -5
Enjoy!
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Post by janebanks on Jun 19, 2024 22:18:12 GMT -5
What is the cannonball ice cream drop? Please elaborate. In teams of two, one person lays on the ground with goggles on and has to hold an ice cream cone in their mouth. The second person then has to drop scoops of ice cream and try to land it in the cone. The team with the most ice cream in the cone wins. It's silly, messy fun. My grandkids loved it. |
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Post by Hi from RI on Jun 22, 2024 15:35:16 GMT -5
Oh my.... sounds like fun!!!
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Post by janebanks on Jun 24, 2024 11:30:18 GMT -5
Our second full day (really day three) was mostly at the Big Dipper Pool.
The CMs here are fantastic, engaging with everyone.
Grandkids met Chip and Dale, and somehow I missed it! They have made friends at the pool, and look forward to seeing them every day.
We had picked up some breakfast and lunch food stuffs at Kroger, and these kids are working their way through it quickly. I forgot how much kids can eat!
In the afternoon I took a walk around the resort by myself. So quiet and peaceful. Sat in the wooden swing overlooking the marsh. I noticed you can no longer use the boat ramp at the end of the resort, it's been filled in with rocks. My understanding is they did this to protect the oyster beds.
I also have noticed there are not as many activities with a naturalist this time. Previously we had done marsh walks early morning, but they don't have anything like that on the activities sheet.
After their afternoon swim, I took the two middle grandkids on a walk around the resort. We were looking for birds and tiny fiddler crabs.
They asked if we could go catch big ones, so I bought a net and the CM gave us a bag of bait for free to go try our luck.
We walked down to the fishing dock, and I showed them how to attach the bait and throw in the net.
We were successful in catching one. I made the mistake though of trying to help the crab off the dock, and it's back leg cut me. So off I went back to the room to clean my wound and bandage it up.
I brought back the tongs and a spatula to the dock to assist with any more crabs.
There was a man fishing as well, and when he caught one he showed it to the kids.
And we saw two dolphins right near the dock. So that was an exciting afternoon for them.
After getting cleaned up, we walked over to Shelter Cove for dinner and fireworks. Tuesdays there is music, activities and the fireworks.
Kids got to ride a little train.
Dinner was at Top Dawg. Every place had about an hour wait.
We all thought the food was pretty good. Our server was attentive. Would eat here again.
Walked around for a bit, listened to Shannon Tanner sing, and then watched the fireworks. The older three grandkids weren't really interested by then, but our 20 month old grandson thought they were hysterical. He would laugh every time one would go "boom".
Towards the end, one of the kids said she wasn't feeling well, so I offered to walk her back to the resort and everyone else followed.
Really we should have watched from near the bridge to the resort. Less crowded and better view I think.
That was it, we called it a night.
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Post by janebanks on Jun 24, 2024 12:05:44 GMT -5
Third full day. I woke really early thanks to a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep.
So I got up and dressed around 7am, which is very early for me. Decided to go for a walk. Husband woke up, asked me what was happening, and decided he would walk with me. We meandered around the resort, and then made our way to Big Murggies Den so he could get a (free) cup of coffee. They have coffee set up between 8 and 9am for guests.
Everyone went to the pool early, while I stayed in the room while husband was working. We had a squirrel that kept coming to the back door and knocking. It was so cute.
Husband decided to take a half day from work since it's a slower day for him, so he can get in some play time with the grandkids.
When he was ready, we headed on down to the pool.
He taught the 20 month old how to jump in the pool.
CMs passed out popsicles during the afternoon, much to the kids delight.
At 3pm, I asked if anyone wanted to walk with me to get cookies, and the oldest took me up on that offer. Free cookies every day in Big Murggies Den from 3 to 4pm. She brought back cookies to the pool for everyone.
Husband and I decided to drive over to the beach house for a bit before heading to dinner.
As soon as we reached the edge of the surf, it started to rain. The sky turned dark gray. We dipped our toes in, then turned around back to the beach house pool.
No lightning, so they didn't clear it, and some people did stay in to swim. Winds picked up though and we had some fat rain drops coming down.
Husband decided to grab food while it rained, so we went in to the quick service there. He had a burger, I had a dole whip. Typical disney burger.
It had calmed down, so we stayed to swim for about thirty minutes before heading back to get ready for dinner.
Family said it barely sprinkled over at the resort.
Nobody really wanted to drive far for dinner, everyone was pretty exhausted from the pool. So we just went to Shelter Cove to San Miguels. While they seemed happy with the food, husband and I were not impressed. I knew as soon as the chips and salsa came out. We live in San Antonio, so the bar is pretty high for any type of Mex or Tex Mex. Personally we would not eat there again. Although I will say our server was great, again very attentive.
Everyone was winding down and getting ready for bed.
At 9pm, husband and I went for a stroll.
We returned with a surprise, our son who returned from 15 months in Korea! He had been waiting on his orders back to the states, and wouldn't you know, his return was actually the day we departed for this trip! Husband offered to fly him in so he could enjoy at least a few days of family vacation. He flew in to Savannah/HHI Airport and took an Uber to the resort. We walked down and met him at the gate.
The look on the grandkids faces when they saw their uncle walk through the door was priceless. The three oldest ran and jumped in his arms. It was his first time meeting the baby, so for the baby there was some hesitance, but that faded over the next couple of days.
The kids had questions, and giggles, and it took a while to get them all calm enough to go to bed.
The adults took to the deck to catch up and enjoy a few drinks, while I got kiddos off to sleep.
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Post by eandjmom on Jun 24, 2024 13:16:53 GMT -5
My brother is in the Air Force so I absolutely love this story!!!
The naturalist who at been at HHI for many years (Cassie) seems to no longer be at the resort. Offerings on the naturalist side seem to have dwindled since she left...
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Post by Hi from RI on Jun 24, 2024 17:39:51 GMT -5
You make me want to go back!! Was there in March..
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Post by janebanks on Jun 25, 2024 17:46:31 GMT -5
My brother is in the Air Force so I absolutely love this story!!! The naturalist who at been at HHI for many years (Cassie) seems to no longer be at the resort. Offerings on the naturalist side seem to have dwindled since she left... Cassie! Yes, I was trying to remember her name. She was amazing on trip eight years ago. |
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Post by janebanks on Jun 25, 2024 17:47:30 GMT -5
You make me want to go back!! Was there in March.. How is the weather there in March? |
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