Advise from Northeasterners on stopover to HHI on the way to WDW

[lrodk]

I'm driving down from NJ to WDW this October and staying at the BWVs. Was thinking about stopping over for the night at the Hilton Head resort on the way down and back. Has anyone from the northeast area tried this? How far off of I-95 will this put me?

Luis

 

[KNWVIKING]

We did this for the return trip home. I-95 to HH resort is about an 1 - 1.5 hrs trip, depending on traffic and driving style.

 

[lrodk]

How long did it take to get to HHI from Orlando KNWVIKING, and from HHI to NJ? Did you feel it was worth the extra mileage, despite it being just a stop-over stay? At the least I figured it might be interesting just to see what the resort and area were all about, albeit even if only briefly. Is there a nice place at the resort to have breakfast at prior to the next leg?

Thanks, Luis

 

[KNWVIKING]

Its about 300 miles from WDW to the I-95 exit. We actually stayed two nights, but I don't think I'd do it for just the one night, especially on the way down. Assuming your driving 75 mph, by the time you hit the exit,your only 4-5 hrs from WDW or 1.5 hrs from HH, why not just get to WDW and maybe spend the two nites on the trip back.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

why not just get to WDW and maybe spend the two nites on the trip back

KNWVIKING: I'm glad to hear you say that. We are stopping for two nights on our way back from a Disney Cruise. Its a good way to check out the resort and really get a feel for the place. Thanks for the info.

HBC

 

[caskar]

We thought of doing this but decided to just drop by to see the resort on my way home to Ohio. We were not allowed to see the resort. They would not let us in. We had to turn around at the gate. The people behind were mad because everyone had to back up. Needless to say, we were not happy after driving in from Interstate 95.

 

[KNWVIKING]

...I would have freaked out on them.

 

[lrodk]

After considering your points KNWViking, I'm considering staying two nights on the way back(Fri&Sat). It's alot of points I know when you consider that I'm staying those two nights which carry a hefty premium(75pts for a 1br), but it's the only two days that I can spare. Besides, I have that many points to spare in 2003. I was considering renting them out, but I'm seriously considering splurging if you all think it's worth the effort. Has anyone visited in early November? I was wondering what it's like temp-wise and also what activities are available during that time.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We were there in May, the word HOTTTTT is all I remember.

 

[caskar]

Believe me, I wanted to. But I thought it wouldn't be good for my daughters to see me yelling at a speaker. There is no guard, just a speaker to talk to, with the gate in front of the entrance.
I try to smile now about it, but I am still in disbelief.

 

[lrodk]

I know I would have been really pissed caskar if that happened to me. Has this been the policy all along? Who would have thought?

Luis

 

[caskar]

I told them we wanted to look at the resort to see if we would like to stay there sometime and our guide had told us it was right on our way and we should see it. The person at the other end of the speaker said "if" the guide said that she should have know this is not allowed. I had to have a reservation to stat or an appointment with one of the DVC guides at HH. It was 4 or 5 in the afternoon there were none there to talk to so therefore....LEAVE! I felt like I was trying to get in to see the wizard.

I never would have thought that we wouldn't be allowed in. How would a person know if they wanted to stay there or buy into HH if they had never seen it (even though I know some people do this). I was so shocked(suprised seems to tame of a word) that was another reason I didn't yell at the speaker. I was dumbfounded. But I would have looked stupid fighting with a speaker.

I have posted this information a couple of times since I returned in July 2002 and this is the most discussion I have had on this topic. Actually I think this is the first time I had anyone write back to me. I just want to warn people what happened to me so they don't waste their time to just get turned away at the gate.

 

[Denine]

We stayed there to and from a year ago January. Not because it was convenient, but because we wanted to. It was nice to extend the Disney vacation just a little on the way home. Much nicer than where we usually stop for the night!