2013 Hilton Head lovers thread

[jheltz27]

What nite is the Pirate BBQ and how early can you make reservations? We are going July 22-26, using pts for 2 nts and DVC cash pricing for the other 2 (gulp!). Was hoping for at least 1 of those 2 nts to come thru for pts (waitlisted since beginning of Jan), but looks sold out Will the Shrimp boil still be going then or not, and if so which nite? How difficult was it to snag a dolphin cruise reservation, and can we call ahead for that?

TIA!!! Really looking fwd to our 1st DVC trip.

The Pirate BBQ is usually Tuesday nights during the summer. The Low Country Boil doesn't happen during the summer. This is from the resort website:

Weekly Outdoor Dinners:
Edmunds Family Low Country Boil
A good ol fashioned gathering of friends at Disneys Beach House overlooking the Atlantic Ocean! Enjoy an authentic low country shrimp boil, live entertainment and face painting for the lilones!
Offered once a week from April through May and September through November. Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Adults: $24.95 Children (3-9) $10.95

Pirates BBQ
Come enjoy an old fashioned barbeque; an evening of great food, fun, and family time. From the chicken to all the trimmings we will fill you to the brim. Join in fun pool side games and activities and end the night with a dance party pool side. Children from 1 to 100 will enjoy the festivities. We cant wait to see you.
Offered once a week from June through August. Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Adults: $24.95 Children (3-9) $10.95

We made our BBQ reservations the night before but I think you can do it up to 2:00 the day of. I think it's just so they know how many people to cook for. We had little problem making our dolphin reservation on Wednesday (for the DVC Member discount) but I highly suggest making them as soon as you arrive. We waited 1 day and were only able to get the afternoon session. I believe Captain Scott said for high season (starting this week) they ran 6 boats - once every 2 hours. It's hard to judge by our experience as it was apparently the last "slow" week before it gets crazy for the summer.

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[jheltz27]

Less than two weeks until we arrive. You sound exactly like us and why we booked at a Disney resort too.

What exactly do they do at the Pirate BBQ? Do they show movies every night outside? Did you do a tour in Savvanah? If so which one? I found three different ones we are considering.

They had the food buffet setup and you can start signing up for the various games which go very quickly. They had ice cream games, best pirate sword fight, a water balloon throwing game and others. Most games were for paired teams. They showed movies 3 nights of the week though 2 got moved inside the Community Hall due to the weather. We did the Old Town Trolley Tours which was pretty highly recommended. I thought they were pretty good but we didn't get to experience much of the city with the rain. I wouldn't suggest it with young children. There just wasn't enough to keep them interested.

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[txsoccermom]

Thank you!!! Was hoping we would get both nites of the buffet, but no biggy. Pirate nite sounds like a blast - can't wait! Where are the best places to go for seafood, with the best prices? We are going to Savannah the day/nite before check-in, so then we will have time to just spend on the Island, and at the resort.

Looking forward to every minute of this magical vacation

 

[belias21]

On the road this morning!!! HHI here we come!

 

[mickeyplanner]

The Pirate BBQ is usually Tuesday nights during the summer. Pirates BBQ
Come enjoy an old fashioned barbeque; an evening of great food, fun, and family time. From the chicken to all the trimmings we will fill you to the brim. Join in fun pool side games and activities and end the night with a dance party pool side. Children from 1 to 100 will enjoy the festivities. We cant wait to see you.
Offered once a week from June through August. Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Adults: $24.95 Children (3-9) $10.95


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Do they close the pool area then for the priate BBQ on Tuesday nights?

They had the food buffet setup and you can start signing up for the various games which go very quickly. They had ice cream games, best pirate sword fight, a water balloon throwing game and others. Most games were for paired teams. They showed movies 3 nights of the week though 2 got moved inside the Community Hall due to the weather. We did the Old Town Trolley Tours which was pretty highly recommended. I thought they were pretty good but we didn't get to experience much of the city with the rain. I wouldn't suggest it with young children. There just wasn't enough to keep them interested.

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Old Town Trolley was one of the tours we were thinking about. Now I wonder if we should reconsider going to Savannah because of children are 2 and 6?

 

[jheltz27]

Do they close the pool area then for the priate BBQ on Tuesday nights?

Old Town Trolley was one of the tours we were thinking about. Now I wonder if we should reconsider going to Savannah because of children are 2 and 6?

No, the pool is still open and I believe you can still do the games. When you purchase the BBQ they give you wristbands to make sure only those people are getting the buffet. The BBQ ends around 8 but the pool games are until 9 or so.

We have a 4 & 8 year old and I think the rain had a lot to do with their boredom. I think 3 & under were free so keep that in mind.

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[jheltz27]

Thank you!!! Was hoping we would get both nites of the buffet, but no biggy. Pirate nite sounds like a blast - can't wait! Where are the best places to go for seafood, with the best prices? We are going to Savannah the day/nite before check-in, so then we will have time to just spend on the Island, and at the resort.

Looking forward to every minute of this magical vacation

We ate seafood at Kingfisher the 1st night right next to the resort (I was not very impressed & the 10% discount only applies to food and doesn't include any early bird specials) and Skull Creek Boathouse (very good but not cheap). San Miguel's in Shelter Cove right there was pretty good too for Mexican food. Wanted to try Scott's Fish Market but never got a chance.

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[donalduck]

I never been to hilton head. Is going to hilton head worth it?

 

[lubyshell]

Hello everyone,

I am a new HHI owner planning a first trip to Hilton Head without the kids to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and 25 years together.
I have much to learn about HHI and am therefore sponsoring the 2013 Hilton Head lovers thread!

Please let me know when you'll be there and I will do my best to update a list of guests in post #2.

If you are looking for additional tips & tricks, be sure to follow the 2012 Hilton Head Thread-Tips, Tricks, Roll Call:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2898168&goto=newpost

Hi there we will be going from the 9th to the 14th. It iwll be our first time there and we are very excited

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I never been to hilton head. Is going to hilton head worth it?

I think especially on this thread, most of us would say it is definitely worth it! It's a very beautiful and relaxing place!

 

[mickeyplanner]

No, the pool is still open and I believe you can still do the games. When you purchase the BBQ they give you wristbands to make sure only those people are getting the buffet. The BBQ ends around 8 but the pool games are until 9 or so.

We have a 4 & 8 year old and I think the rain had a lot to do with their boredom. I think 3 & under were free so keep that in mind.

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Thank you for all the recent opinions and information. We are definately going to pass on the Pirate BBQ. I am still on the fence about Savannah. I would really like to go since we are so close but I am worried about the kids. Has anyone done the pirate restaurant in Savannah?

We ate seafood at Kingfisher the 1st night right next to the resort (I was not very impressed & the 10% discount only applies to food and doesn't include any early bird specials) and Skull Creek Boathouse (very good but not cheap). San Miguel's in Shelter Cove right there was pretty good too for Mexican food. Wanted to try Scott's Fish Market but never got a chance.

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Glad to here that San Miguel's was good. WE plan on trying it out. I would like to also try to find One Hot Mama's one night. Any good ice cream places you would recommend?

 

[NJDVCmember]

Scott's right across at Shelter Cove is very good!!


The Sea Shack .... Have to drive to is excellent and very very inexpensive. Was on the Food Network....

Our favorite is The Black Marlin

 

[mickeyplanner]

Scott's right across at Shelter Cove is very good!!

The Sea Shack .... Have to drive to is excellent and very very inexpensive. Was on the Food Network....

Our favorite is The Black Marlin

I saw that Scott's and the black marlin offer the 10% discount. Never heard of the sea shack...I'll have to look into that.

 

[dizneefamily5]

We are here now! Hilton Head Ice Cream on New Orleans Road is delicious, although a little pricey. Lots of new frozen yogurt places have popped up this year as well.

I just wanted to add, please be respectful of your building neighbors. I wish Disney would look at the room members and ages when assigning room. We are on the bottom floor. The family above of has a small child and a baby. That kid runs the floors all hours of the night, waking us up constantly. Then mom takes screaming baby onto the porch, waking up everyone around. We have never had this happen before so maybe this family is just extremely rude and inconsiderate. But, they need to be on the bottom floor at least. My preference would be in a whole different resort.

We still love it here and would love for this to become our annual trip as opposed to WDW now as our kids get older.

 

[BigEeyore]

Pirate BBQ - to us the buffet was not worth the $, but you can eat earlier and then come for the party and games, which are a ton of fun!
We did the Savannah trolley tour with my kids a couple of years ago - they were 6 and 2 at the time. They did fine and we really enjoyed it - it really is the best way to see Savannah in just a couple of hours!
Cannot wait to be back in HHI next month!

 

[lorenni]

I just wanted to add, please be respectful of your building neighbors. I wish Disney would look at the room members and ages when assigning room. We are on the bottom floor. The family above of has a small child and a baby. That kid runs the floors all hours of the night, waking us up constantly. Then mom takes screaming baby onto the porch, waking up everyone around. We have never had this happen before so maybe this family is just extremely rude and inconsiderate. But, they need to be on the bottom floor at least. My preference would be in a whole different resort.
.

Am I missing something? Is the toddler then one screaming? Is the toddler running around the halls or just their villa?

I wouldn't consider any of what you listed to be inconsiderate at all. Babies cry - we've all been there. Sometimes a walk outside is the only way to calm them down.

 

[quentina]

Am I missing something? Is the toddler then one screaming? Is the toddler running around the halls or just their villa?

I wouldn't consider any of what you listed to be inconsiderate at all. Babies cry - we've all been there. Sometimes a walk outside is the only way to calm them down.

We are a large family....I always request lower level. I would have to be the family under us!

 

[dizneefamily5]

The toddler is running all around the villa, which is directly upstairs from us. Sounds like a herd of elephants...at 2:00, 4;00, 6:00.....am. I don't know if you have not been to HHI, but back in the 2BR villas there are no halls. The baby could not be heard until she went outside, at 2:30 am. Their balcony is directly above ours and adjacent to several others. Yes, I have had babies and I guarantee you they never ran the entire villa during the night, or anytime we had people below us. We always requested first floor so as not to disturb others. After discussing with our other neighbors, who have also been awakened every night, this is more than just normal childhood behavior. It's bad parenting. Seeing the kids at the campfire tonight reinforced that.

 

[belias21]

Just got home from HHI today. We had a very short trip (just two nights) but we had a lot of fun. A couple of things...

-We had a 3rd floor studio in the 1100 building which is the same building as Live Oak Lodge (check-in). Convenient to the Den, but a long walk to the pool.
-The pool is hoppin' on Tuesday nights! We didn't "technically" do the pirate party (b/c we didn't pay for the buffet), but the pool party and night slide were awesome - and free! Our kids (ages 2,4,8) had a great time. The cast members at the pool and Broad Creek Rentals are amazing and very fun.
-One Hot Mama's has some of the best BBQ ever. It's about 3 miles away right on the main road. Got there around 5:15 and sat right down with a party of 5. Looked to be a bit more crowded when we were leaving.
-Our kids enjoyed making Mickey tie-dye shirts on Wednesday afternoon down by the pool.
-We grabbed some fried chicken at Publix and ate dinner down at the beach house one night. Nice to go at that hour. There was nobody there and the beach was quite empty. Also, on this very hot week, the early evening sun was much more tolerable than morning or noon.
-It was HHHOOOOOOTTTT and humid.
-The Big Dipper pool slide is awesome. Our 8yo did it no less than 100 times.
-The Funny Bunny Hunt was moderately fun, but I think our kids were a little bored with it. It didn't help that it was 100 degrees out.
-Regardless, B'Lou and Shadow definitely add to the charm of this resort. He's an amazing storyteller and great with the kids.

All in all, I give this resort high marks and can't really muster up a complaint (I guess the pool could be a little bigger - there you go, there's my one token complaint). I'm in a serious DVC point deficit right now, but I can't wait to be able to stay here again!

 

[VG9493]

Heading back to HHI in a few weeks. Can anyone tell me how much the weekly member rate is for the bike rentals? For the life of me I can't remember. Thanks!