Questions about HHI

[mla973]

We're thinking about HHI for an early summer trip next year (gosh - I think we're into the booking window already...). What do I need to know?

Would you advise having a car there?
What is there to do in late April/early May?
I think we'd go with a studio - is there anything specific we should request?
What would you budget for meals per day? (we're pretty simple - don't like anything too fancy)

I suppose I should check the trip report thread...

Thanks in advance!

[SusieBea]

I would absolutely advise having a car there. There is a tram from the Resort to Disney's pool complex on the beach or you can rent bikes, and you can easily walk from the Resort to Shelter Cove where there are several good restaurants. Over in Palmetto Dunes, the plantation in which the beach pool complex is located, there are lots of areas to bike, plus you can rent canoes and kayaks, I think, for the 11-mile lagoon. There is also a tennis complex there. Oh, and Alexander's is a good restaurant in that area. Disney can set you up w/ dolphin and other cruises into Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound. BUT, you may want to drive to a grocery and I would suggest going to Coligny which they call the "downtown of Hilton Head Island." There are a lot of shops and fun restaurants there. Plus, off island in Bluffton there is an outlet mall if that appeals to anyone in your party.

April/May is a perfect time to go. The weather has warmed but not yet become oppressive. The landscape is especially beautifuly and the crowds have not arrived yet. Just be careful not to go the week of the Heritage Golf Tournament. It will ruin your vacation unless that is the event for which you are going.

I would ask for a marsh view, and I prefer not to be in the Lodge, but that's just me. The Lodge is what many people do prefer.

Happy planning! It's a great place.

[sjdisneywedding]

i guess you COULD go without a car, but I wouldnt.

BEACH: is a few minutes from the hotel so usually we would load up the car and drive to the beach house. There is a shuttle bus that goes back and forth that you could use if needed.

FOOD: mostly all off site. They do have a small snack type bar at both the resort and beach. so you could eat there and maybe eat the rest of the time at the marina resteraunts which are walking distance(no traffic and only about 2 minutes)

Airport: not very close, so you would have to make arrangements for that

I guess if you really didnt have a car in the budget you could do it. just alot easier with one

[mla973]

Thanks for the info. HHI is about 18 hours from us, and I'm trying to decide if it's worth the drive. We have driven to WDW before, but mostly we fly. It sounds like there are some outdoorsy things to do (fishing, kayaking, golf) and then some fun shopping/eating things as well. I've never been to SC, so it sounds like a nice change of pace from a commando WDW vacation.

[SusieBea]

Depending on who's in your party and what your personal preferences are, I'd consider a day trip to Savannah and/or Beaufort, SC. Have a great time!

[emma'smom]

Definitely drive or rent a car...we asked this question before our first trip last year and I'm so glad we decided to drive. We drove back and forth to the beach house and we used our car daily to go all around the island (shopping, ice cream trips, and into Harbor Towne for dinner, lighthouse, Greg Russell, and the Salty Dog Cafe).

We did a lot of the activities at the resort (including the off-site ones for which they provide transportation). We were in the Lodge and I liked it. Parking was really easy and there was an elevator (and free cookies and lemonade).

This year, I plan to do more grocery shopping for picnic lunches, etc. We did get sick of the snack bars for lunches (mosty fried food...and it was really hot when we were there in June). We can't wait to go back though! One trip...and we were smitten!

[sjdisneywedding]

yep we were in the lodge as well. It was kind of cool, being able to go right downstairs for the lemonade and snacks. easy parking right under the lobby and we still had great views of the marsh

the only drawback was that we were far from the pool, snack bar and pier
but then again closer to the marina for food and shopping