DisneySunflower’s HHI Plus Trip Report

[DisneySunflower]

Day 1 – November 8, 2009

Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son

Plan: Check-in Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Actual: We left Indianapolis 2 hours behind schedule and what a HUGE difference that made. There was a rock-slide a few weeks back and I-40 was closed with a detour – a 50 minute extra detour. We arrived to Hilton Head Island around 8:00 pm. Checked in at the resort about 8:30pm and check in was a breeze. (I totally forgot to check-in online before we left home) We received our Keys to the World, even though we were on the Island, member perks book, maps, weekly activity sheet, and tour books. Our ‘home” – 1623. We were amazed at the size of the 2 Bedroom Villa. For a family of 5, spacious! By the time we unloaded the car it was about quarter past 9. We headed out for Walmart. I thought “great we can get the grocery shopping done, they close at 11pm”. But, where are the grocery aisles? Is this all the eggs? Where is the meat? No vegetables? :confused24: So, we asked someone was this a Walmart with a grocery store? Oh no, you need to go to Publix, but they close at (look at watch) 10 pm (scrunch face). Why? Because it is 9:45 and there is no way I can get there and get groceries in 15 minutes. No amount of Pixie Dust could help me at this point. So, we bought a few things and came “home”. Everyone was pooped. Night Night.

[DisneySunflower]

Day 2 – November 9, 2009

Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son

Plan: Relax and Enjoy Hilton Head Island and the Resort

Actual: DS wakes up and runs to my room, “It’s morning time!” DH quickly tells him to “watch TV in your room”, it is too early to move. I woke up at 8 something, threw on clothes, did the tooth and face thing and grabbed keys to go to Piggly Wiggly. DD (12) wanted to come, so I checked my Blackberry for missed calls and emails from yesterday. While we are driving, I try to keep to my family and enjoy talking with my husband – uninterrupted. Yes, the kids are watching movies, sleeping, video gaming or listening to music and not listening to us.

Anywho, we shopped, cooked breakfast (biscuits, eggs, bacon), ate and headed for the Big Dipper Pool. Woo-hoo, we had the entire pool to ourselves. At this point, I know that Disney built this resort for me and only me! We had a great time, even in the rain. We dipped into the hot tub for a few minutes, bought refillable mugs, checked out the Broad Creek Mercantile store, Community Hall, and Shuffle Board. We have a Horseshoe Pit and Basketball Court near us. We returned “home” for lunch (soup and sandwiches). Then we were off to see the Island. We went to the Beach House. Absolutely wonderful! We were only going to take photos, it was after 4pm and cloudy. The view of the ocean – WOW! Next, we went to the Mall and shopped. Headed back “home” for dinner. Ratatouille! Peach Cobbler for dessert. Yummy! Watched the Wizard of Oz (DH’s choice) and went Night Night.

[DisneySunflower]

Day 3 – November 10, 2009

Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son

Plan: Travel to Savannah, GA, Eat at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, Tour the Birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (Founder of Girl Scouts of the USA)

Actual: Hurricane Ida was to hit HHI, so we thought we better not stray to far from “home”. The girls agreed that we would make a special trip to Savannah, GA and they even mentioned making it a troop outing. I will definitely have to talk to each troop’s Moms and Do-Dads about that! So, we lounged in the AM, ate breakfast (French Toast and sausage patties), got ready to go to the Beachhouse, and then… I got a call! I have been selected to participate in the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel! I cried and kept smiling. We were so excited. We missed our window of opportunity to get some time at the beach house before Ida hit. So, we ventured out on the Island – in the rain. (But, how cool was it to find out I was selected while at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort? Way Cool! :yahoo:)

We went to the Porsche and Jaguar/Land Rover dealerships. We were headed to Target for umbrellas and a toothbrush. DD (8) left her toothbrush at home and did not tell us until this morning! GROSS! And she has braces, you can only imagine. But, DVC Son fell asleep on the way, so we went “browsing” in Ida for a while. The new Porsche Panamera is pretty slick! My DH loves the new Jags, I think it is because he attends IUPUI and they are the Jaguars! Ha! We sat in a really nice Range Rover, just sat and enjoyed a dream. Then reality plopped us back into the Suburban and we were off the Target. :)

Of course, Ida hit the hardest as we got out to go into Target. I thought we cold do with one umbrella and realized that I was crazy! Three umbrellas, UP on DVD and digital copy, toothbrush, toothpaste (don’t ask), baby lotion (really don’t ask) and candy purchases later, we were outta there and on our way “home”

The girls helped me prepare Pepper Steak, Rice and Pan Rolls. We had Rootbeer Floats for dessert. Then, I could tell the world of my wonderful, exciting, marvelous news!



I am a 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panelist!




:cheerleader:




Happy, so very happy! My DH has been the greatest. He held me when I cried and laughed with me for over emoting! He is awesome. BTW, my DD (12) came to show me that Disney published the series of books she is reading – The Van Alen Legacy: a Blue Bloods novel. :) Night Night!

[DisneySunflower]

Day 4 – November 11, 2009

Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son

Plan: Relax and Enjoy Hilton Head Island and the Resort

Actual: Hurricane Ida gave us an early morning break, so we headed over to the Beach house before breakfast. It was a cloudy 72 degrees. We went out to the Atlantic Ocean first. Absolutely beautiful and serene. I felt so close to heaven and at peace. The water was COLD, but we had a good time catching waves and playing in the sand.

We decided to head back to the Beach house to swim before the rain. We had too much fun! A little volleyball and a lot of water play. Then the rain came, but we were already wet, so, Hakuna Matata! We agreed that as long as there was no lightening, we would stay. The water was a warm 83 degrees, so we were great! We finally were hungry enough to leave.

We came “home”, showered, dressed and made breakfast- no, it would be lunch (eggs, bacon, grilled cheese). My DH and I checked a few emails and then we left to explore the island. We went to a few local shops and got souvenirs. We ran into the grocery store, because DH wanted jalapenos for Taco Night. Yes, tonight is Taco Night – taquitos, tacos, salsa, guacamole, tortillas, and toppings galore. DS proclaimed that we would watch UP for Taco Night and everyone agreed.

So, back to earlier, we decided that we would visit Harbourtown and the Lighthouse. We really enjoyed the self-tour. There was great history. Even though it was windy, the view was awesome. We got more souvenirs. We enjoyed riding around the Island.

By the time we got “home”, it was time to prepare dinner. Taco Night is always a big hit! UP was good. We went to see it opening night in 3D, but I always enjoy watching a movie the 2nd time. I seem to catch so many things that were missed with the excitement of the 1st viewing. We started packing up for our departure in the AM. We all agree that next time we need to stay 7 days and 6 nights. We also missed a lot of the outdoor activities because of Ida. I think we will try for a late Spring/Early Summer trip next time. Of course, I will need all the Pixie Dust I can get, because, I know that a 7-month window to book will be a challenge.

[DisneySunflower]

Day 5 – November 12, 2009
Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son

Plan: Check out of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Actual: We said good-bye to our HHI “home” at about 10 am. This would be 1 hour behind schedule. Plus, DH insisted we stop at the “Island Car Wash” for an Express Car Wash, so $9.00 later, we were on our way to Orlando.

Photos from our vacation can be found:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1747595015/a=11879337_11879337/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast/

Thank you for reading my First Official Trip Report for this November 2009 DVC trip!


(Trip Reports for Days 5 -8 of the remainder of my trip have been omitted from this DVC report, because we did not utilize our DVC membership)

[newjerseynick]

I am a 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panelist!


:cheerleader:


Happy, so very happy! My DH has been the greatest. He held me when I cried and laughed with me for over emoting! He is awesome. BTW, my DD (12) came to show me that Disney published the series of books she is reading – The Van Alen Legacy: a Blue Bloods novel. :) Night Night!

Congratulations!

Enjoying the TR.

Nick

[idratherbeinwdw]

Super duper report, I enjoyed reading it very much. :goodvibes: Lots of great details and it sounds like you had a really nice trip. And thanks for the link to the photos, what a bonus! :rocker:
Hearty congrats on being a Moms panelist! I hope that you post a separate thread about it, as not eveyrone reads trip reports and that is AWESOME news!
Now if I could only get my act together to finish my DL report--definitely by the end of the weekend! :tomato:

[dchubirk]

Now if I could only get my act together to finish my DL report--definitely by the end of the weekend! :tomato:

Uh Oh, here we go with the DizNeE 08 Warning Shots again...:oweye:

[idratherbeinwdw]

Uh Oh, here we go with the DizNeE 08 Warning Shots again...:oweye:

I think you're right Dan, as here it is 11:25 on Sunday and I still didn't finish the report. :tomato: