The Truth About Hilton Head

[gscott8075]

This is a letter I sent to all of the Disney Big Guys:


My wife and daughters are Disney fans of the highest degree. We have been to Walt Disney World several times and stayed in many of the resorts. Last year, we became members of the Disney Vacation Club. We have been on five Disney cruises in the past three years and we have two more planned in the next year. My family just completed our second vacation at the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. It is truly a gem among your properties. My children, ages seven and nine, now prefer Hilton Head to Disney World!

Each part of the Disney family has its icons – Mickey is the icon for the entire company; Epcot has Figment and Spaceship Earth; Magic Kingdom has Cinderella’s Castle. The Hilton Head resort is tucked away by itself – and has shaped its own identity. Unlike the preceding examples, the major players are not a character or a building – but the incredible staff.

There are two employees of the Hilton Head resort who are evolving into icon status – B’lou Crabbe and Chef Gordon.

B’lou is one of our favorite personalities at any Disney park or resort. He has a wonderful, witty way about him. His events include the One Fine Day Promenade (which he proudly described as Hilton Head’s answer to the Main Street Electrical Parade) and wonderful magic shows and musical programs. He gives the terrific setting of the resort a history and sense of purpose. I am still trying to determine which is part of the act and which is really him – and his ability to confound me adds to the fond feelings I take with me when we return home.

Chef Gordon also provides a unique perspective on the resort. We have participated in several of his events – and he does them with grace and tremendous knowledge of his craft. The presentations we have attended have been professional, informative, and fun. He presents with a sense of humor and zeal for cooking as well as for Disney.

The rest of the staff is beyond compare. I would rank them at the top of any service staff I have experienced anywhere – including Disney properties and elsewhere. The recreation staff takes the time to get to know the children. They made it a point on both trips to learn their names and to interact with them. The intimacy of the Hilton Head resort is enhanced by these fine folks. And, it does not stop there – the front desk employees and room service staff are very friendly. Every single one of them waved and greeted me wherever I went.

Needless to say, my family is endeared to the Hilton Head Resort. B’lou, Chef Gordon and the entire staff have turned this into our favorite destination.

[vernon]

When was it you were promoted to manager of the HH resort ? LOL. ;) .
I do agree with your sentiments though, IMHO it's a great resort and the staff were as good as any at WDW.

[RLevy29]

I am glad that you had such a wonderful time at HHI. I agree with everything that you said about the staff. We were there at Christmas and loved it. Just another example of what makes DVC so great.

[WebmasterDoc]

I'm glad you shared your thoughts both with us here and with Disney. I completely agree with your sentiments about the resort staff. They really do go the extra mile to get to know the guests and encourage the "magic" to happen.

Thanks for sharing!

[sgtpet]

I am in complete agreement with you. The only thing lacking for me was the lack of souvenirs for the Hilton Head Resort at Hilton Head.

[TnRobin]

I totally agree with your analysis of Hilton Head and its staff. We had such a wonderful experience when we went, we added on as soon as we got home.

sgtpet - I second you on the lack of souveniers.

[gscott8075]

When we were there last week, all the "old stuff" was 50% off. The cast member indicated that a whole new line was coming out. Question is - will the"line" be 2 items or a nice assortment?

I agree - Disney misses the boat in this area.

[LindaDVC]

Heading home to HH in 73 hours!!

Linda

[Doctor P]

Thanks for the great endorsement. I hope we can stay at HH in the near future (I have even contemplated buying points there from time to time, as I am an avid golfer).

[Terry S]

It is really nice to see people sending a letter of praise instead of always complaining.

You make me want to try HH, we have never been but I worry there isn't enough to do for our 5 and 6 year olds, so I wasn't planning on going until they got older.

[sgtpet]

Terry


There is plenty of things a 5 year old and a 6 year old at hilton head in the warmer months. I highly recommend going. My favorite way to describe it is its Disney but not WDW.

[disneychic]

We LOVE HIlton Head so much, that we added an additional 100 points on there! I wish that we visited HHI as much as we visit WDW! We love it so much that we never want to leave. The staff is really great there. Check in/out is always a pleasure :p

[Lesley]

Wow...definitely have to get to HH one of these days.

Actually dh and I have discussed getting a resale there if we ever get ourselves moved to SC...perfect for short getaways or hosting family visitors!

[DeeP]

What a nice letter! I have been meaning to try HH and now I want to even more so!

[sweetp0618]

>>Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. It is truly a gem among your >>properties.

Without a doubt, DVC-HH is a gem!! It is my favorite DVC resort. My 10 yo DD also prefers HH vs. WDW (that doesn't stop us from going to WDW and having a great time)!

I, too, am glad you took the time to write to the Big Kahunas at Disney. The CMs do a great job, work hard, and deserve praise. Disney makes a big deal when guests write to them expressing their pleasure with the CMs--the letters are read at staff meetings and they also factor into compensation and promotions.

The CMs are the best I've seen at any Disney resort, especially Chef Gordon, B'Lou, the recreation staff, and Shere (front desk manager). We've been fans of the resort since our first visit, just after it opened. We spend about 3 weeks a year there, and would love to spend more. Only 16 days to go until our next visit! Not that I'm counting or anything.

My (not-so-secret) dream in life is to live at the resort (in a GV, of course) and have Chef Gordon cook for me every night!

Happy travels!
sweetp0618
Patti

[Paula H]

I loved seeing your post. We're doing our first trip on points in September and it's to HH. I was at first a little nervouse about going to a Disney resort other than WDW (especially since this is our first trip on our "investment) but your post, and those of many others, have me counting the days.

[deerh]

What a great letter to send them! I just got back from HHI, and loved it to! We loved the weather, the golf and the staff was nice and the 2 bedroom villa wasn't bad either!!!!!!!
LOVE HHI!
deerh

[Jacksmom99]

My favorite way to describe it is its Disney but not WDW. [/B]

This is the perfect way to describe HH. I've been twice and absolutely love it there!!!! I'm trying to talk DH into going at least every year as our second Disney vacation.

[sumessefui]

We too fell in love with Hilton Head resort. After one visit we added on 100 points there and then another 50. Can't hardly wait until we will be there again in March.

[Rob Mixon]

We agree completely. We're at Disney's Hilton Head Resort right now and its great as always. We've got a couple more days then back to the real world.:bounce:

[baileybrad]

For all of the above mentioned reasons this is why HH is our home resort.....the best part is no park passes required.

[Sammie]

You will find this high level of service throughout South Carolina, it's just the way they do things. Southern Hospitality.

Hilton Head Island is the number one (repeat) destination of vacationing families.

WDW resorts would do good to learn something from them about service, and attitude.

[BounceyOne]

We will be visiting HHI for the first time in August. I was looking forward to it before, but now I am really looking forward to it.

[Luv2Dream]

We visited HH for the first time in May and we truly loved the resort as well. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Chef Gordon but B'Lou Crabbe is truly a gem. I have to agree that this resort is "Disney" but then again it's not. The head honchos of DVC should be proud of this resort. :cool: :D

[ZerasPride]

Hilton Head is my home resort and I am so happy that it is for all the reasons stated above. We will have our first visit "home" in November as members and I cannot wait to show off the resort to my family. I know we will have a wonderful time. I think the comment that its Disney but not WDW is exactly right. DH would not have agreed to purchase on property as he doesn't care for Disney all that much but he loves Hilton Head so we both got what we wanted.

Counting down the days until we can return!

[Val]

My family and I just returned from Hilton Head also, and we enjoyed stay very much also. In fact the smaller childeren in the family were very very upsett about leaving. We felt right at home. The CMs were so great. B'Lou was very good. When he brought out Shadow my brother became distressed because we had had a dog die in the family, which happened to be a golden, like Shadow. B'Lou was so nice about it, and he even gave him a post card of Shadow to cheer him up. I also thought that the life gaurds and CMs working the reception desk were great, especially Todd, Mac, Crystal, John, Greg, Bryan, and Erik. I would personally have to say that they are what made my vacation a vacation. If you are looking for a more relaxing vacation then Disney, I highly recomend Hilton Head.

--Erin Dougan

P.S. Sheri at the front desk was also very friendly and helpful!

[sueg]

We are long time OKW owners (bought when it was just Vacation Club) and we wanted to add pts. This was before I knew about these Bds. (or maybe before they existed!) I really didn't understand the 11/7 mo. windows or the advantages of a home resort. Our guide persuaded us to buy HH pts., mainly due to the lower monthly maintenance. We bought sight unseen, w/o a clear plan as to when we would actually vacation there. We always go to WDW in March & we used to go "somewhere else" (read non-Disney) in Aug. So I casually decided in April or so that we would try HH at the end of Aug. Imagine my surprise when we had to wait list to get a full wk. After our first trip, we were hooked & now its HH every Aug. We now devise different ways to add side trips into our long drive to HH. We've enjoyed Washington DC, Richmond and this year we are spending a few days in Baltimore. I can't really explain why we love HH so much, bit it was the best uninformed decision we ever made!

[LUVDVC]

Gosh, I couldn't agree more and I'm so glad to hear that you sent a letter. We visited HHI for the first time last year, and were immediately hooked. After our trip last month, I too wrote a letter to let the management know just how important the staff is there. What an incredible group of people. They are entertaining, educating, dedicated, enthusiastic, and caring. Our family thinks Disney's HHI resort is just a little piece of heaven! Can't wait to go back!

[goofydadeo]

Have to agree with all of your kudos as well. Just came back from HH last week and just did added on HH pts. during our last cruise in May '02. My DW took a group of her girlfriends to HH last winter (by the way HH is great in the winter - warm sunny days, crisp nights, much less crowed and it's take so few points that time of year). Anyway to make a long story short the girls went to rent Legally Blonde from the giftshop and since it is not a Disney move they did not have it. Later that evening the girls return to their room after dinner to find Legally Blonde hanging in a bag on their doorknob. Apparent the CM that was helping them in the giftshop took it up herself to go home and get the movie for my DW and her girlfriends. How's that for service???

[Anne34]

Can anyone tell me about the weather on HH in March. We would like to go during spring break from school. Is it warm enough to swim and do they have many children's programs at that time (or only summer)? Thanks.

[baileybrad]

The ocean could be a bit on the chilly side especially in early March. The pools are heated but your air temps could really vary. The ocean pool area with its accompanying winds could be a bit too cool. They do have a children's program year round. There tends to be a bit more going on during the busier months of the summer but that is only natural.