We just returned from a six night stay at HH (4/9 - 4/15). This was our fifth trip at this time of year -- we stayed one extra night (on cash), and still the trip seems too short. The weather was beautiful -- we now have stayed there for 31 days without one rainy day. Apparently they had a major brief storm (heavy rain, high winds, hail) the day before. We noticed as we approached the resort (and by the way, the Disney sign on 278 is no longer there) some tree branches down. A tree had fallen on building 28, and they were working on that on Sunday morning when we arrived. I heard they moved some people to the Westin. We checked in at 10:30, and our room was ready - 1522. We were in 1521 last year. We love the location of 14 and 15 -- right on that boardwalk.
As usual, the CMs there are the best. Last year they were in-between naturalists, now they have two and they are very good. A number of new activities. B'Lou was greeting the guests outside the lodge on Sunday afternoon as they went in to check in. No Shadow -- couldn't find him. Said Shadow also did not make it to "Shadow's Tale's" on that Thursday before, and they also could not round up Shadow for our "Shadow's Tale's" on Thursday. I noticed on the activity sheet for this week, for "Shadow's Tale's" they changed it and eliminated the bit about meeting Shadow and having your picture taken with her. This was the first year we were not able to do that -- we have one from every year. We missed her.
We did kayaking -- a little windy but fun -- saw dolphins along the way. Lots of bike riding, my daughter did some crafts and the unbirthday party, we did the DVC Micks "ear" (met Cuise-o-matic and his wife), the kids did the kids night out movie. Places we ate were Fuddruckers (have to have one of those burgers when we are there), Aunt Chiladas, Wild Wing (lost a retainer there), Old Fort Pub (went on kid's night out -- a top-notch restaurant), Sea Shack (great seafood -- we went twice we all liked it so much), Just Pasta (a must every trip followed by Rita's for dessert), Signe's bakerey (brough home some pound cake for souvenirs). This was the first time we did not go to Captain's Seafood. We like it there a lot too, but we opted for Sea Shack a second time. Captain's has now moved to Coligny. Also, we never go there, but they were all talking about how the Cracker Barrel is no longer open, that it just suddenly closed.
As said, the CM's are the best. They really go out of your way to make your stay special. I am always amazed at how they learn the kid's names with so many kids flowing in and out of there. My daughter still loves the campfires. She got to ring the bell on the night we got there, that made her really happy. They had some new songs that were really fun too.
The resort is pretty much always at capacity each year we go (one year we had a March break, and I don't think it was sold out). It never before seemed "crowded". This year it definitely seemed like there were many more people there. There were many more kids than the past years. My only complaint is the people who obnoxiously "save" the pool chairs. They go down and throw towels and other items to "reserve" them for some later time in the day. I am not talking about people who have gotten up to swim, get something at the snack bar, play ping pong, etc. I am talking about people who do not show up for hours. It was a glaring fact our first day at the pool, when just about every chair was "taken", and I estimate about only 20% of the people actually at the pool area. We would see people at the pool, "save" chairs, and then go back to their villa for hours. What is that about? I think the CM's at Disney are going to have to address this. When needed, we did move the towels and take the chairs. That was my only complaint about the vacation -- otherwise another wonderful trip.
Happy to answer any questions.
As usual, the CMs there are the best. Last year they were in-between naturalists, now they have two and they are very good. A number of new activities. B'Lou was greeting the guests outside the lodge on Sunday afternoon as they went in to check in. No Shadow -- couldn't find him. Said Shadow also did not make it to "Shadow's Tale's" on that Thursday before, and they also could not round up Shadow for our "Shadow's Tale's" on Thursday. I noticed on the activity sheet for this week, for "Shadow's Tale's" they changed it and eliminated the bit about meeting Shadow and having your picture taken with her. This was the first year we were not able to do that -- we have one from every year. We missed her.
We did kayaking -- a little windy but fun -- saw dolphins along the way. Lots of bike riding, my daughter did some crafts and the unbirthday party, we did the DVC Micks "ear" (met Cuise-o-matic and his wife), the kids did the kids night out movie. Places we ate were Fuddruckers (have to have one of those burgers when we are there), Aunt Chiladas, Wild Wing (lost a retainer there), Old Fort Pub (went on kid's night out -- a top-notch restaurant), Sea Shack (great seafood -- we went twice we all liked it so much), Just Pasta (a must every trip followed by Rita's for dessert), Signe's bakerey (brough home some pound cake for souvenirs). This was the first time we did not go to Captain's Seafood. We like it there a lot too, but we opted for Sea Shack a second time. Captain's has now moved to Coligny. Also, we never go there, but they were all talking about how the Cracker Barrel is no longer open, that it just suddenly closed.
As said, the CM's are the best. They really go out of your way to make your stay special. I am always amazed at how they learn the kid's names with so many kids flowing in and out of there. My daughter still loves the campfires. She got to ring the bell on the night we got there, that made her really happy. They had some new songs that were really fun too.
The resort is pretty much always at capacity each year we go (one year we had a March break, and I don't think it was sold out). It never before seemed "crowded". This year it definitely seemed like there were many more people there. There were many more kids than the past years. My only complaint is the people who obnoxiously "save" the pool chairs. They go down and throw towels and other items to "reserve" them for some later time in the day. I am not talking about people who have gotten up to swim, get something at the snack bar, play ping pong, etc. I am talking about people who do not show up for hours. It was a glaring fact our first day at the pool, when just about every chair was "taken", and I estimate about only 20% of the people actually at the pool area. We would see people at the pool, "save" chairs, and then go back to their villa for hours. What is that about? I think the CM's at Disney are going to have to address this. When needed, we did move the towels and take the chairs. That was my only complaint about the vacation -- otherwise another wonderful trip.
Happy to answer any questions.
We were there last week also! It was a beautiful week and it flew by. We can't wait to go back again. I have not gathered everything up to post a report just quite yet. Our gang was real sad about Shadow also. 
We were hoping B'lou was going to have the kids call for Shadow and she was going to come out. 
