An open letter to the Mayor of Hilton Head Island

[JPC]

Not sure if there is a Mayor so I will say Mayor or Big Cheese.

Please let Disney put a street sign or marker showing the way to their resort. Mapquest has King Neptune Drive (I think) and there is no such street sign. Like many, many others I could not find the resort yesterday and was told where to turn.

I compliment you on keeping the commercialism down. But, way too much time and gas is wasted on finding the resort.

The front desk is actually keeping records on how many cannot find the resort.

Thanks Big Cheese!

 

[Doctor P]

Though they are small, there are signs to the resort. That was how we found our way in the first time we went and how we found our way back in the last time we went. Yes, the signage could definitely be LOTS better, but there IS signage there if you look for it.

 

[JPC]

Though they are small, there are signs to the resort. That was how we found our way in the first time we went and how we found our way back in the last time we went. Yes, the signage could definitely be LOTS better, but there IS signage there if you look for it.

I am at HHI right now. Either I am blind and the front desk is wrong, there are no signs on Highway 278. Once you make the turn, yes, there are signs. The problem is finding the turn. Like I said, they are keeping a log to present to the Big Cheese/Mayor.

Scored a marsh view room so that makes up for it. Cha-ching!

 

[Doctor P]

Unless they have removed the sign, there is one at the corner on 278. If I recall correctly, it is a subset of the large Palmetto Dunes sign (kind of an inset as I recall). It's not obvious, but the last time we were there in April, there was definitely a sign. That, obviously, could have changed. It is also a sign that is easily missed if you don't look for it. I suppose I may be hallucinating, but I can see the sign in my mind. But, perhaps it was after you made the turn. In any case, the signage at HH leaves a lot to be desired. It is very hard to find things if you don't know exactly where they are.

 

[RobDoc]

For many, part of the charm of HH is that the city has very strict building codes - especially concerning signage. There are no billboards, no neon and earth tones comprise the prevalent color schemes. Every business is treated the same (some even griped when Disney was allowed to have red roofs on it's buildings). I can think of few cities where the esthetic concerns have taken a priority over commercial "wants".

There are certainly signs marking such landmarks as Shelter Cove and Palmetto Dunes which serve to lead guests to the resort and 22 Harbourside Lane (the street address for the resort) does come up on many mapping programs.

Perhaps a letter needs to be sent to Mapquest to help them get it right.

 

[HUFF590]

I also remember a sign , it was on 278 but was included in another sign with other retail store etc, it may be gone now, but I like the way HH head does its signs, besides once youve found the place you no longer need the sign.

 

[dis-happy]

There definitely used to be a sign at 278---low to the ground, wood backround with the red Disney name on it. Did the front desk say why it was removed (if indeed it's no longer there)? Personally, I like the lack of commercialism and signage at HH. Keeps it from looking like Myrtle Beach....

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Our GPS system was our friend at HH.

 

[Simba's Mom]

There definitely used to be a sign at 278---low to the ground, wood backround with the red Disney name on it. Did the front desk say why it was removed (if indeed it's no longer there)? Personally, I like the lack of commercialism and signage at HH. Keeps it from looking like Myrtle Beach....

That's right. As the lady who gave the Member's tour said "HHI doesn't want anything tacky." A sign would probably be defined as "tacky"
I think that's HHI's least favorite word!

 

[DVCLiz]

I remember seeing that sign on 278 on previous trips, but I didn't see it this time. Maybe I missed it, but I was at Shelter Cove before I knew it, and the first "official" Disney sign I saw was after I pulled into Shelter Cove.

Boy, if you think that's confusing - we went to Harbor Town one night and had dinner at the restaurant right under the lighthouse. Try getting back out of THAT area in the dark without many signs!!! We rode through for almost an hour before we finally found our way out. Once we followed the trolley, sure we had seen it stop near the exit, only to find that we had followed it to the South Beach marina instead!!! Yikes!!!!

And while we're at it, what's with the Bambi topiary??? Is that ASTROTURF???? Didn't it used to be real??? It looked fake and tacky - it made me sad to see it that way...

 

[cgcw]

The sign is definately gone.

I looked for it just this past week. Every other summer, it's been tucked in there -- right before the turn into Shelter Cove. But, it's no longer there. I can definately see where if you don't know how to get to the Disney property, it can be very confusing.

Your right, DVCLiz, it looks like Bambi & Flower definately need a facelift.

 

[DVCLiz]

Your right, DVCLiz, it looks like Bambi & Flower definately need a facelift.

Or a shave...

 

[VMS]

The sign is gone. We went this past April (it was our fifth year) and it was not there -- we knew where to turn because of previous years. I mentioned it to one of the CM's there, how many people would not know where to turn in, and asked what happened to it. They said that the agreement was when Disney built HH to keep it up for 10 years. That was up, and the powers that be chose to take it down. That is all the agreement was for.

 

[RobDoc]

...
And while we're at it, what's with the Bambi topiary??? Is that ASTROTURF???? Didn't it used to be real??? It looked fake and tacky - it made me sad to see it that way...

Originally, I think the topiary next to the Live Oak Lodge was of Pooh and Piglet and it was a real topiary. They did have difficulty maintaining the thing and once they finally had to remove/replace it - Bambi and Thumper were put in the same spot ... and they are definitely low maintenance items. Nearby is a great "Hidden Mickey" though ... and it is not artificial.

 

[Mich Mouse]

I'm wondering how you all liked HH, when you finally did get there?

We are thinking of visiting there next summer, but I would like to stay on the beach.

Are there a lot of recreational opportunities? Bike rental/paths nice restaurants, basically other stuff to do than just lie on the beach? Or will my very active DH and I be bored?

Thank for any information you may provide.

 

[hoopsrob]

Tons to do at Hilton Head.

Golf, tennis, fishing, dolphin watching excursions, kayaking (some of the nature tours are really fabulous), biking, other water activities (jet skiis, parasailing, etc.)

You won't be bored if you take advantage of all there is to do.

 

[WolfpackFan]

The sign is definitely gone. We noticed that when we went in March. We love HHI, don't get me wrong, but if you don't know where you are going on the island, you can very easily miss it especially at night with all the low lighting. For the DVC resort you really need to map it out by Mapquest and follow the instructions or you will miss the resort. We've been enough times now we pretty much know our way around, but for a first timer navigating around the island can be pretty confusing if you are looking for some place in particular. If you are going out to dinner at night, I recommend going out during the day and find the place during daylight before going back at night. Alot of places are tucked away in little shopping areas that are hidden by bushes and trees.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have to agree, trying to drive out of Harbortown at night was a challenge the first time.

I swear I saw a small Disney sign on 278 3 weeks ago.

 

[JPC]

Went kayaking this morning. Posted my mini report at the HHI post where it was not a big hit for the visitor. Great workout!

 

[lsutigger2]

Last year when DH and I went to HH for the first time, I found the resort by recognizing it from all the pics on the DIS boards! The red roof helped. I did a HH Island tour and the lady told why the sign is not there but sadly, I'm having a senior moment and don't remember. It did have to do with the ordinances on the island.

We're headed back in mid-September and I can't wait. Sitting on the porch in the rocking chair with a book and a beverage sounds heavenly!