Wooo hooo

[Crazyseany Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crazyseany]

Ok .... Might not be as exciting for anyone else but we booked our 1st trip using our sampler!

We are going to Harbour lights after Christmas till new years eve. We booked a 2 bedroom villa for the 4 of us....

No one in our family has ever seen the ocean so hopefully will be a good time and fun to get out of the house for the week.

Sean

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Just remember, seeing the ocean and going into the ocean are very different as you will find out when you stick your toes in it.

We have been to Shorecrest a few times, but always in March. Sometimes it has been CanAm week (Canadian / American). Those northern kids handle the cold water better than I can.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Sean,

Congratulations. I remember my first timeshare vacation. It was a thrill as well. Harbour lights is a nice resort. Just remember that Harbour Lights is on the intracoastal and not the ocean. It's just a few miles from the Ocean, so you will see it.

Have fun.

Jim

[Crazyseany Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crazyseany]

The ocean doesn't contain enough chlorine for my wife to swim in it anyways....lol

I know its gonna be cold... We were actually able to book at 2 other of the MB resorts (carolina grande, and seaglass) but felt since HL has a large indoor pool it was best... Also we overbooked the size of room... Maybee take some friends or family? Who knows.

Everyone we have talked to on the phone has been great!

You never know with kids... They are nuts so I might just toss them into the ocean....lol

Anyone suggest some "budget" minded activities for us? We are planning on doing ripleys aquarium as our splurge day..lol
Thinking that going out one of the piers and walking / maybe fishing would be fun...

Any other ideas?

Thanks
Sean

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

No suggestions here, just a congratulations on booking your trip.

Trust me you did not overbook. You will love the space. Think long and hard before you overinvite and then can't enjoy your space. Before you know it you'll be spoiled and staying in 3 bedrooms.

Congrats again. Have fun.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

Anyone suggest some "budget" minded activities for us? We are planning on doing ripleys aquarium as our splurge day..lol

You can get free state park passes from the desk at Harbour Lights - Myrtle Beach state park is about 20 minutes away. I dunno what kind of programs they have that time of year but worth looking into I suppose. There's a beach, hiking trails, a nature center (which has limited hours that time of year), playgrounds, a pier, etc. Oh, and there's a "Scavenger Hunt" worksheet you can download off the Internet. There's another state park about a half hour away - Huntington Beach - that's right by Brookgreen, which is what I'd like to splurge on but somehow it isn't the kids' first choice. *sigh*

Our splurge is going to be Alligator Adventure, which my brother-in-law recommended (he lived in Myrtle Beach for some years). One advantage to that is that you can get a second day free, if so inclined (it's not that big, so we probably won't be inclined, but something to consider). And you can get a discount on the tickets if you get them in the Internet. OTOH, I've been to the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, which is supposed to be bigger than the one in South Carolina, but I expect is much the same thing, and I loved it. So not trying to talk you out of that.

Cheaper options are hitting Barefoot Landing and feeding the fish and turtles or riding the carousel or window shopping (cheaper for hubby and I; the kids tend to buy stuff...). Another shopping area that's supposed to be nice for strolling and exploring is The Market Commons, which according to Googlemaps is about 20 minutes away (everything is 20 minutes away from Harbour Lights except Wal-Mart - six minutes!).

Another possibility might be shelling, although the winter isn't the season for it. But if you have never been to the ocean, I'm guessing your kids will think it keen to find the most common intact shell, and going on Lake Michigan beaches that can usually be done. If you want to make it easier, get a cheap pack of beach toys one of those sifter thingies. Just don't take home any living animals in your shells!

You can rent bikes at Harbour Lights for $3 an hour or $8 a day, and there will most likely be things to do at the clubhouse (they should give you a schedule when you check in), although sometimes there isn't much if you're enough off-season. Bluegreen resorts sometimes have games to check out and stuff, too, and my kids enjoy just walking down to the clubhouse for the free drinks or whatever. I've heard they have foosball and whatnot but that was before the remodel so who knows. Supposedly Harbour Lights is sheltered enough that if you're coming from somewhere north of there you may find yourselves fairly comfortable wandering around.

We're going to Harbour Lights in September, so maybe I'll have more to say after that. The clubhouse and indoor pool were just redone so I plan on taking a lot of pictures and posting them to the Yahoo Bluegreen group. Not that these plans always come to fruition.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I am not familiar with the area, but wanted to congratulate you. Both on your first timeshare booking, and your upcoming first glimpse of the ocean. Nice combo!

Many of us here continue to be thrilled when we successfully book our t/s vacations, sounds like you're in the right place

[Crazyseany Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crazyseany]

We will definitely be going shelling....lol.
Were already discussing how big of a box each kid gets to bring home (I've raised lil pack rats)

I will check into the Alligator thing too. I know alot of time will be spent in the pool... And we are thinking about taking the Xbox and rockband with us....

We had asked my sister and her family to go but if she don't have $1000 to spend I guess its not worth it to her so ... Oh well we will enjoy the extra space ourselves!

Thanks for all the comments and also for the ideas... & more ideas if you have them.

Sean

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

You will find that a 2 bedroom for the four of you is the perfect size.

[iceeu2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close iceeu2]

Harbour Lights is GREAT! You will love it!

[motomem Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close motomem]

Battleship North Carolina will not be that far from you in Wilmington, NC. If you like touring battleships...... Battleship NC

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

We toured the ship a couple years ago. I was watching some show and saw that Kate and kids of 'Jon and Kate plus 8' was there recently. The DW reminded me that Brookgreen garden is a good price. They have the garden section with lots of plants, flowers and some sculptures, but also have a small zoo section too.

There are other links about the area. Search for Myrtle Beach and I am sure you will find a lot of suggestions and activities.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

Bluegreen resorts typically have some planned activities for the kiddies that adults sometimes enjoy. Usually free, if they have a price tag, it's minimal. Consider taking at least one day to just hang out at the resort.

[whand Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close whand]

Myrtle Beach

We have been twice to Myrtle Beach and have loved each trip.

Pier 14 which is across from BG Seaglass Tower has a resturant on it and a great menu too. You can eat outside with just apps and sandwiches or inside at a window for the full seafood / steak menu.

We have always hung out on the beach (winter brr) or at the condo relaxing and enjoying the time away.

Wendell

[VA_Traveller Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VA_Traveller]

The ocean doesn't contain enough chlorine for my wife to swim in it anyways....lol

I know its gonna be cold... We were actually able to book at 2 other of the MB resorts (carolina grande, and seaglass) but felt since HL has a large indoor pool it was best... Also we overbooked the size of room... Maybee take some friends or family? Who knows.

Everyone we have talked to on the phone has been great!

You never know with kids... They are nuts so I might just toss them into the ocean....lol

Anyone suggest some "budget" minded activities for us? We are planning on doing ripleys aquarium as our splurge day..lol
Thinking that going out one of the piers and walking / maybe fishing would be fun...

Any other ideas?

Thanks
Sean

I don't know if it will be running in the winter, but there are casino cruises just up the coast. They cost like $20. DO NOT GO FOR THE SLOTS OR GAMBLING!!!. (The gambling sucks). But, for $20, you get a meal and a really nice cruise. Although it may be a bit chilly on deck in Dec...