2013 Hilton Head lovers thread

[Simba's Mom]

Just checked in. Loving it so far but it's raining. Looking forward to a gear week.

All us Hilton Head lovers would love to see pictures, even in the rain. I remember the February we were there-rain, wind, cold all week. We had an awesome time!

 

[pollyanna30]

I just returned yesterday from a great trip at Disneys Hilton Head Island Resort. We spent 6 nights there on a cash reservation, as we are not DVC members. We had a two bedroom in building 22, which was a great location. Our favorite things that we did at the resort were "Secrets of the Marsh," meeting Shadow, watching the fireworks, watching "Peter Pan" outdoors under the stars, and the Pirate Party barbeque. Even though the barbeque is a bit overpriced, it was nice to just walk right up and get your food and not have to think about or wait for dinner. Outside the resort, we ate at One Hot Mama's and Skull Creek Boathouse which were both fantastic. We actually ordered takeout from Giuseppi's three different times because it had a large menu, was good, very convenient, and we didn't want to cook on vacation! We also ate at the Wreck of the Salty Dog which was not good food, but we did enjoy watching the tide roll in around the restaurant.

We took a dolphin cruise with Captain Mark that left out of Shelter Cove which was a lot of fun. This is a bigger boat which takes a larger group of people, but does have live narration. The scenery was great and we did see a few dolphins. It is only $16 for adults, and $8 for children which may be a more economical cruise for your family than the smaller, more personal dolphin boat trips. There are multiple tours daily, but no advance reservations and it is cash only because there is no ticket window. We ended up driving over to Shelter Cove for the cruise, because as my sister and I discovered walking over in the blazing heat, "objects across the marina are farther away than they appear!" Just a tip - if you are in one of the buildings away from the Live Oak Lodge facing the marsh and are walking to Shelter Cove, you are better off to walk down the back of the resort and then head for the marina, rather than walking along the marina on the resort side. It is shorter that way!

Our surprises of the trip were that we missed many activities at the resort because we wanted to spend the mornings and early afternoons on the beach. Also, I was under the impression that the section of the beach was "private" for resort guests, but that is far from the truth. The beach house is private, but the beach space is shared with many, many guests of the surrounding Palmetto Dunes resort. We also realized that there is even a separate outside window and patio seating where guests outside of the resort can order from Signals too! There was room on the beach for everyone especially at low tide, but it was not what I was expecting! Another thing, if your children are interested in the games on pirate night, you need to sign them up at the beginning as they quickly fill up. There is no control over how many activities that you can sign up for, and there were times that I definitely felt there should have been an age limit on the activities or different age grouping offered at different times. The preteens/teens sometimes dominated the younger ones participating, which did not seem fair.

I hope my information and perspective is as helpful to someone planning a trip as this thread was for me. Overall, we had a great time and I'm sure we'll return to Disney's HHI Resort. I think this vacation went by faster than any we have ever had. In the words of my 5 year old nephew, "it feels like we were only here for ten minutes!"

 

[mickeyplanner]

We are staying in Florence the night before we get to HHI as well. Can you tell me about how long from FLorence to HHI?

Also, where is the Sam's club and Publix?

The Sam's Club is on Mathews/Michael's Street before the Disney Resort. All I can remember is the name of the street starts with a "M". There is a Bi-Lo in the Sam's Plaza. We found out on Sunday that Sam's doesn't open until 10am even for business card members. So Sam's lost our business and Bi-Lo won out.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Sam's Club is on Mathews/Michael's Street before the Disney Resort. All I can remember is the name of the street starts with a "M". There is a Bi-Lo in the Sam's Plaza. We found out on Sunday that Sam's doesn't open until 10am even for business card members. So Sam's lost our business and Bi-Lo won out.

I thought there was a Sam's Club right on Rte 278, the main road, in that same shopping plaza by Indigo Run. Of course, I can't be positive-remember everything is hidden behind trees with small, "tasteful" signs-one giant "Where's Waldo" game.

 

[goofylovers]

Anyone there now. Do they have the new soda machines installed yet and if not does anyone know when they plan to install them? Want a new mug but refuse to buy the old one again. We have way too many.

 

[mjmyers10]

The soda machine doesn't look new. Pretty thin selection too. Expected more choices

 

[lsutigger2]

I went in search of the Sam's on our last trip in May. Found it, but it is what i would call a "baby Sam's".. they didn't have many of the same items they do in a larger one. i was looking for a bakery and there was none! We went to the Walmart instead.

And i can't remember exactly where it is - it is truly a "Where's Waldo" game - LOL

 

[WDW_Diane]

Since we are back from our summer family vacation, I'm planning next year's spring break and summer trips.
I'm getting the feeling by reading through posts that the middle of March might be a chilly time to visit HH...I was considering it for spring break.
When we visit SC we will fly into Charleston, spend a night, and later spend a couple of nights in Savannah too.
When we were in this area two years ago in early June, it was unbearably hot.
What can ya'll tell me about this time of year at HH?
Many thanks!

 

[RobDoc]

I thought there was a Sam's Club right on Rte 278, the main road, in that same shopping plaza by Indigo Run. Of course, I can't be positive-remember everything is hidden behind trees with small, "tasteful" signs-one giant "Where's Waldo" game.

Sam's/BiLo is located on 278 and Matthews Drive - Matthews is a bypass with two intersections with 278 - Sam's is at the more northern intersection. There is a McDonald's and a Goodwill store at that same plaza.

There is an entrance to the plaza on 278 and also on Matthews.

 

[MinnieInMI]

Subscribing...just made a ressie for November for 4 nights in a studio. I'm assuming temps will be a bit cooler...anyone with November experience please comment! thanks

 

[RobDoc]

Subscribing...just made a ressie for November for 4 nights in a studio. I'm assuming temps will be a bit cooler...anyone with November experience please comment! thanks

November temps will usually range from low 70's to upper 50's with low temps in the upper 40's to mid-60's - all depending on when in November. The ocean temps will be low 70's to low 60's but the pools are heated. The resort activities will be in full swing with nice opportunities for all ages.

Since we are back from our summer family vacation, I'm planning next year's spring break and summer trips.
I'm getting the feeling by reading through posts that the middle of March might be a chilly time to visit HH...I was considering it for spring break.
When we visit SC we will fly into Charleston, spend a night, and later spend a couple of nights in Savannah too.
When we were in this area two years ago in early June, it was unbearably hot.
What can ya'll tell me about this time of year at HH?
Many thanks!

Mid-March temps will range from low 60's to mid 70's with lows typically in the low 50's. The ocean will be too cool (at least for me) with temps in the low 60's. Resort activities offer programs for all ages.

 

[Dictator]

The soda machine doesn't look new. Pretty thin selection too. Expected more choices

And by the evening, the Coke was usually running clear on most nights.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I thought there was a Sam's Club right on Rte 278, the main road, in that same shopping plaza by Indigo Run. Of course, I can't be positive-remember everything is hidden behind trees with small, "tasteful" signs-one giant "Where's Waldo" game.

Sam's/BiLo is located on 278 and Matthews Drive - Matthews is a bypass with two intersections with 278 - Sam's is at the more northern intersection. There is a McDonald's and a Goodwill store at that same plaza.

There is an entrance to the plaza on 278 and also on Matthews.

Thanks for more information on Sam's Club. I could not remember the "M" street.

 

[Chelley00]

Do they offer the same activities in fall as they do in summer? We are thinking about going for Fall Break.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

If you need a full blown SAm's club, keep going down I-95 to the Pooler Parkway / Airport exit (3rd exit after crossing into Georgia). VERY well stocked (better than the one in town here). Gas is usually cheap there too.

There is also a Publix on the South Side of the Island near the entrance to Sea Pines. HH Resort is equadistance from the two Publix.


We did Fall Break at HHI a few years ago and had a great time. They didn't have the Fireworks, but, the schedule of events was full.

Someone up above asked about the Fall and Spring weather. We do occasionally get blast of cold weather that Early/Late. Please be prepared for surprises.

 

[MinnieInMI]

Thanks for the info on a November stay. I also appreciate the information regarding Publix.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Wow, lots of great info here! We are planning way ahead for a June 2015 trip. Hoping to book at the 7 month window. Our kids will be college, just out of high school & middle school ages then. Please tell what activities must do stuff we should look into. Also, if you have driven from MA, please share your driving tips. Thanks

 

[stmize]

Yay completed our online ck in now just the waiting

 

[team disney]

Anyone there now. Do they have the new soda machines installed yet and if not does anyone know when they plan to install them? Want a new mug but refuse to buy the old one again. We have way too many.

We were there July 12-July 17th. It was the old soda machines. However, on the day we left the soda machine was closed and drinks were being served through the Tide me over window. My husband and I was wondering if they were closing the refill station to make the change over to the new machine. don't know

 

[mjmyers10]

We left there yesterday and as of 10 am, they still had the old machine.