2013 Hilton Head lovers thread

[scottb8888]

As promised, here is the monthly update of the seasonal forecast for Hilton Head.

The colder winter which was forecasted in August is less likely to materialize, as El Nino conditions have not yet developed in the Pacific. While an El Nino winter is still forecasted by dynamical models, it is not expected to be strong. Above average temperature are still predicted for the summer of 2013.

So here is my temperature forecast for 2013 in Hilton Head (issued Sept. 20th, 2012):

Jan-May: average
Jun-Sep: warm (above average)
Oct: average

These are **average** forecasted conditions for each month, (compared to typical temperature for the month). Even when the forecast is correct, weather on individual days can be quite different from the average.

More details here:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/outlook.php?wfo=chs&site=384169

How about the end of March?

 

[MEK]

I'm in. We will be there April 7th - 12th in a 2BR villa. This is a return trip for me, but the first trip for DH and another couple we are traveling with. I absolutely fell in love with the island last October. I can't wait to go back. I also can't wait to see Savannah again and we will be spending a night in Charleston on the way home.

For those of you are contemplating a Savannah visit - do it. It is literally a 45 minute drive from the resort and there is free parking at the visitor center. There are also a number of ways to explore the city and most of them depart from the visitor center.

 

[okw2012]

How about the end of March?

Toss a coin!

The current rationale for the forecast is this:

1) a mild El Nino over the winter is forecasted. El Nino conditions are linked to colder temperatures in the southeast US (in particular for Florida) and warmer temperatures in the northeast US. Hilton Head would likely behave like Florida in a strong El Nino year, but is difficult to predict in a mild El Nino year. So we don't really know for this winter.

2) For summer there has been a good trend of above average weather for a number of years, so it is safe to bet that this will continue.

Now end of March is between the two seasons. Truth is we don't know. You'll need to wait at least until the next update!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We just booked our 1st visit for 7/21-7/26! We are meeting family that goes every summer! We can't wait!

 

[cktrotter]

We live off HHI on the bluff so if I can be of any help please let me know.

 

[missycj96]

February? Our school is closed pres week in feb. has anyone vacationed pres week at hhi? Are the resort activities different in the winter. I know weather can vary so im wondering with no pool/beach how it is for kids (almost 2 and 7)

 

[kristenrice]

We bought a small add-on at HHI so that we could travel the first week of April every three years and stay in a 1BR for Sunday-Thursday. We have a 15-point cushion to allow for point reallocations, but since that first week of April often falls aroound Easter, we knew we'd need the 11-month window. For next year, we offered to bring my parents along and book a 2BR. We had enough points to book 4 nights at 11 months and planned on booking the last night at 7 months. Well, my dad (God bless him!) would like to stay on Saturday night as well. So, I booked a cash reservation at 11-months for Saturday and (Easter) Sunday with the plan of switching Sunday to points (only 25!) when the 7-month window opened. Well, I work nights and didn't set my alarm so by the time I got around to calling (at noon), there were no 2BR's available for Sunday. This is the first time I have not been on the phone at 9am sharp and now I'm paying for it. I did waitlist for that one night, but I really doubt it will come through.

(I'm getting to my questions...hang on...)

So, now our budget has jumped considerably since we will have to pay cash for two nights at a rate of about $500/night. This will be my parents' first trip to HHI. Dad loves to golf (mom just likes it) so they want to play at least one round, possibly two. I don't know the whole "handicap" thing but dad's 18-hole rounds are generally high-70's to low-80's...mom's like me and lucky if she breaks 100. They both golf fairly regularly so there would not be an issue with etiquette or falling off a pace. What would be some good courses to try out? We're looking for a balance of affordable price, reasonable difficulty and decent amenities.

Second question...we're considering a day-trip to Savanna. We've never been there so we would like to do a "guided" tour. I looked at some of the "on-and-off" trolley tours and those look perfect. My question is, where EXACTLY do you go to "start" one of these tours? How much time should we allot? Do you need reservations and if so, how far out? What is the approximate cost? Parking fees? Can/Should we bring a picnic-type lunch? Or is there an eatery (budget and family-friendly) that you'd recommend? Tell me everything.

Third question...Nature stuff...kids love everything in the outdoors! DD's will be 7 and 9 and so I'm interested in aga-appropriate, low-cost nature "stuff". Pinckney Island? I've read very little about it but IIRC, there is a "tour" that you can do. I'm not completely against the self-guided stuff, but the kids love interacting with the naturalists at the resort so a "guided" expedition would be preferred. On our last trip, we did the dolphin tours and the girls combed the beach for "critters" but that was it. We'd like to do a little more this time.

My dad is a little concerned because he is a WDW park commando. He is "afraid" that there just won't be enough stuff to keep him occupied at HHI. I tried to explain to him that that's the beauty of this vacation....there's enough to do to keep you occupied, but not so much to do that you feel the need to go, go, go!

 

[okw2012]

February? Our school is closed pres week in feb. has anyone vacationed pres week at hhi? Are the resort activities different in the winter. I know weather can vary so im wondering with no pool/beach how it is for kids (almost 2 and 7)

Pool is open year round but not heated to 90, closer to 70 I'm afraid. Your kids might still enjoy it! My wife actually enjoys the colder water temperature.

 

[okw2012]

HHI Food & Wine festival will be 1st week of March in 2013:

www.hiltonheadhospitalityassociation.com/

See you there!

 

[okw2012]

February? Our school is closed pres week in feb. has anyone vacationed pres week at hhi? Are the resort activities different in the winter. I know weather can vary so im wondering with no pool/beach how it is for kids (almost 2 and 7)

You also may want to check this post about things to do at HH in February 2012:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2868826

I know, wrong year but that still will give you an idea.

 

[okw2012]

Dad loves to golf (mom just likes it) so they want to play at least one round, possibly two. I don't know the whole "handicap" thing but dad's 18-hole rounds are generally high-70's to low-80's...mom's like me and lucky if she breaks 100. They both golf fairly regularly so there would not be an issue with etiquette or falling off a pace. What would be some good courses to try out? We're looking for a balance of affordable price, reasonable difficulty and decent amenities.

Here is a ranking of HH golf courses according to different criteria:

www.golflink.com/golf-vacations/hilton-head/Hilton-Head-Top-5.aspx

I'm not a golfer, but my parents are. Their opinion is (a) that it's pricey pretty much wherever you go, and (b) courses offering ocean views really don't, it's just too flat.

 

[Girlie1]

We will be there from 6/23-6/29. This will be our fourth consecutive summer there. I can't wait

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We are considering HHI for our March Break vacation one week in March, sometime between March 2 and 17... but DH is very allergic to the pollen from Southern Pine trees. I have seen oak and palm trees in the pics, but are there Southern Pines too?

Basically the kids and I are great with anything Disney and DH wants a break from the parks. We did VB last year after WDW and loved it, but HHI is so much cheaper (and yes, I know, chillier) in March!

Thanks!

 

[okw2012]

We are considering HHI for our March Break vacation one week in March, sometime between March 2 and 17... but DH is very allergic to the pollen from Southern Pine trees. I have seen oak and palm trees in the pics, but are there Southern Pines too?

Basically the kids and I are great with anything Disney and DH wants a break from the parks. We did VB last year after WDW and loved it, but HHI is so much cheaper (and yes, I know, chillier) in March!

Thanks!

Do you know which exact species of pine he is allergic to? Here are the pine species found in South Carolina:

Loblolly Pine
Longleaf Pine
Pond Pine
Shortleaf Pine
Slash Pine

The pine trees on HHI are mostly Loblolly Pines. Pollen season is February and early March. There is also Pond Pine, which grows in areas that are wet much of the time.

More info here:

http://www.state.sc.us/forest/reftree.htm

http://www.hhisleinfo.com/nature.htm

 

[iloveokw]

In 2011 we had to move our annual June HHI trip to March....the pollen was AWFUL! Would never go back that time of the year again, but that's just our opinion.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Welcome to the Low Country! Most of the pine on HHI is loblolly, but, you might find something else. You should be over here in Savannah where we have a LOT more pines. It's like yellow-green soup around here when it rains.

Someone up thread asked about Pinckney Island. It's a great tour with the staff from HHI, or, self guided. The Boss and I just did a 5 mile (2.5 out, 2.5 back) walk over there. Be very aware that there are lots of stinging bugs there in the Summer. Take repellant.

Does your DH golf, or fish. Then he will be in heaven. History? Send him over to Savannah. If he likes baseball, and, you are here after April, we have a very good Class A baseball team here. There is also a Little Theater across the bridge from the resort. Check out their website for shows.

If not anything else, have him walk over the bridge to the resort, take a left and walk behind the Mall and then the Pig. There is a hidden park and WWII monument back there that is a beautiful and moving sight. If not anything else, the walk will wear him out.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Do you know which exact species of pine he is allergic to? Here are the pine species found in South Carolina:

Loblolly Pine
Longleaf Pine
Pond Pine
Shortleaf Pine
Slash Pine

The pine trees on HHI are mostly Loblolly Pines. Pollen season is February and early March. There is also Pond Pine, which grows in areas that are wet much of the time.

More info here:

http://www.state.sc.us/forest/reftree.htm

http://www.hhisleinfo.com/nature.htm

Welcome to the Low Country! Most of the pine on HHI is loblolly, but, you might find something else. You should be over here in Savannah where we have a LOT more pines. It's like yellow-green soup around here when it rains.

Someone up thread asked about Pinckney Island. It's a great tour with the staff from HHI, or, self guided. The Boss and I just did a 5 mile (2.5 out, 2.5 back) walk over there. Be very aware that there are lots of stinging bugs there in the Summer. Take repellant.

Does your DH golf, or fish. Then he will be in heaven. History? Send him over to Savannah. If he likes baseball, and, you are here after April, we have a very good Class A baseball team here. There is also a Little Theater across the bridge from the resort. Check out their website for shows.

If not anything else, have him walk over the bridge to the resort, take a left and walk behind the Mall and then the Pig. There is a hidden park and WWII monument back there that is a beautiful and moving sight. If not anything else, the walk will wear him out.

Thanks for the tree info, I will have him look and see... I know though that it is the "yellow soup" that we need to avoid! DH declined a job in Savannah for that reason. My brother lived in Valdosta, GA, for a bit and we visited him in Feb with the raining yellow and DH was very ill. He had to stay inside.

If the yellow is not at HHI then we will be there with the two kidos and hope to relax a bit like we did at VB.

 

[MEK]

Second question...we're considering a day-trip to Savanna. We've never been there so we would like to do a "guided" tour. I looked at some of the "on-and-off" trolley tours and those look perfect. My question is, where EXACTLY do you go to "start" one of these tours? How much time should we allot? Do you need reservations and if so, how far out? What is the approximate cost? Parking fees? Can/Should we bring a picnic-type lunch? Or is there an eatery (budget and family-friendly) that you'd recommend? Tell me everything.

My girlfriends and I did a trolley tour last October. Savannah is about 45 -50 minutes from HHI and it is very easy to find. I posted about my experience in a TR I did, so I copied the links for you. We used old Town trolleys and I think they were overpriced. We really didn't spend much time on the trolley at all. We got off at some museums and actually walked to several of the other trolley stops. They run from 9 to 5. We got there around 10am and we missed the last trolley leaving the waterfront, but everything was a short walk.

Parking was free at the visitor center and the next time I go I will just get on the trolley offering the cheapest price. They do give you a map and some lunch discount coupons. We ate the cotton exchange, which was OK, and then visited another bar (forget the name, but its in my report).

And I apologize in advance because when I looked through it I made a lot of typos.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?do=newreply&p=43288621

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?do=newreply&p=43323258

 

[belias21]

We're new owners at OKW and wanted to try and score a HHI trip in April next year. Unfortunately, by the time our contract closed we were a few weeks past the 7-month window. As of right now, we're waitlisted for a short trip. 4/1-4/3

Not holding out much hope, but we'll see... Need some pixie dust.

 

[okw2012]

We're new owners at OKW and wanted to try and score a HHI trip in April next year. Unfortunately, by the time our contract closed we were a few weeks past the 7-month window. As of right now, we're waitlisted for a short trip. 4/1-4/3

Not holding out much hope, but we'll see... Need some pixie dust.

Best of luck! This is why I own at HHI in addition to OKW...