Hilton Head in December

Hello All,

My wife, mother and I would like to travel to Hilton Head. We are thinking of traveling in December. Can anyone give me any insight and suggestions as to what there is to do at Hilton Head in December? What would we be missing staying at DVC in December vs. a time in summer?

Thanks

I live in the same county as Hilton Head Island (Beaufort County, SC). In general December and January are the two "icy", "colder", rawer months in the area (think consistent 40's to 50's- and even down to 30's). It is also when we can get a fair amount of rain. So- not the best weather to begin with- and any beach or most "on water" or pool activities would be out of the question. Golf is still possible- but you may need to "bundle up" (at least by southern standards).

The pluses I would see are that the weather is more "bearable" and even festive in December with all the decorations out and about (including what are usually pretty good ones at HH). There are incredible shopping and dining options on HHI- and nearby Bluffton, SC and Savannah, GA (great traditional decorations, historic mansions, public squares too) if you are adventurous.

All in all- if you are thinking about a "cold weather" month trip to HH- I would probably roll the dice on February (can get some warm days) or early March before the real crowds start descending. That said- I'm sure you guys could have a great time in December with the right expectations, etc. The remodeled resort looks great (IMHO)- and it's Disney after all!

We travel to HH every November, and sometimes our stays overlap into December. However, we've never gone in the summer so I can't compare. There's always a full compliment of activities at the resort, regardless of the season. However, you may be the only person on the activity. Yes, they run it even for just one person. Restaurants are still open, but a few have "winter hours", which we find means that they may be open only for dinner, although they're open for both lunch and dinner "on season". Christmas decorations are put up before Thanksgiving, so it's really pretty. IMO, HHI anytime is always the best. Oh, and don't miss the warm apple cider and cranberry nut cookies they serve in Big Murgie's Den off-season.

Summer can be very difficult to book there if you don't own. So while Summer is a great time to visit, it may be more realistic to do a Winter trip. We are from Minnesota, and right now, I think that a January where it gets down to the 30s and I don't have to shovel sounds fantastic. And a warm 50 degree day sounds like a great beach walk.

My cousin and I veered off of our road trip to Port Canaveral in December because we wanted to check out the resort. We met Simba's mom and Shadow at one of Blu Crabbe's presentations. Definitely worth the ride. We had a great 1 bedroom with this view:

We were there this past Dec-- the weekend between Christmas and New Years- as well as last week. During the summer we typically hang out at the pool and beach. We don't usually venture out much more than that. If the weather is 'iffy' we might go into Savannah but that's rare.

When we go in December we spend more time exploring the island and take day trips into Beaufort, Old Town Bluffton, and Savannah. We sign up for the nature hikes and programs offered at the resort.

The pools are open in December and are heated. They will close them if the temps get below a certain point.

GREAT resort..here now! If you are looking for great warm ocean water, great pool swimming then I would never come in the "colder" weather months. If not, lovely relaxed setting, great restsurants, biking, walking etc. Expect cooler weather though.

jerseygal said:

GREAT resort..here now! If you are looking for great warm ocean water, great pool swimming then I would never come in the "colder" weather months. If not, lovely relaxed setting, great restsurants, biking, walking etc. Expect cooler weather though.

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Exactly. As long as people don't make the mistake of "Hilton Head! Palm trees! Beaches! Golf courses! Great winter escape!", etc. they'll be happy. Still going to be warmer/more bearable than great swaths of the country in December/January- just NOT a tropical paradise or anything that time of year. Lots of great shopping, dining, sightseeing to do though and the remodeled resort looks fantastic (IMHO).