Best times to visit HH

[plymouthmom]

Hey Folks,

So, I am close to booking my 2009 DVC vacation but now looking into 2010 and thinking about HH. Not sure when we would go and know nothing about weather down there. When have you all gone ( if you have gone) and how was it? I know summer would be the most popular and we probably would not do that because are kids all play sports during the summer.

Has anyone ever done Thanksgiving there?

 

[SusieBea]

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be on HHead. Lots of places serve Thanksgiving dinner; lots of other places will fix the fixins' for you to carry-out. IMHO, weather-wise best times are mid-March through May 1 and October 1 through mid-November.

 

[123Disney]

I have never been to HH around Thanksgiving. We were just there for Spring Break. Our break was the week after Easter. The weather was nice. The first 2 days it was a little cold for pool or beach activites. (Some people still enjoyed them) The rest of the week was great. Beach weather. It was a little cooler on the water. If you're on a boat that time of year bring a jacket.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Well... I'm going to tell you to go there during the peak times. HHI has a short season since it is so far north. I would say June through September. Now, if you don't care about beach time then maybe May through mid October. We don't go there for the beach. We go there for the wildlife.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We've been to HHI 6 times so far. And like others, we think Thanksgiving is a great time. However, the weather then is so variable. One year it was in the mid-30s on Thanksgiving day, definitely not swimming weather. We went in February one year-cold and rainy that week. The best time, weather-wise was probably the one year we went during spring break in late March. And last Thanksgiving, after that horrible weather the year before, was beautiful weather. The only problem with Thanksgiving for us is that the resort is booked solid, so it's very hard to get reservations there at 7 months. I would imagine that October would be a great time, too.

 

[Demosthenes]

I agree that May through November is the best for beach weather, with July being my favorite month to visit. For golfing (HHI's real attraction), I like October to March.

The only time I don't like Hilton Head is early spring, especially around spring break. The tee times are all taken, prices are at their peak, the beaches are crowded and the water is too cold.

 

[Starr W.]

We've been to HHI 6 times so far. And like others, we think Thanksgiving is a great time. However, the weather then is so variable. One year it was in the mid-30s on Thanksgiving day, definitely not swimming weather. We went in February one year-cold and rainy that week. The best time, weather-wise was probably the one year we went during spring break in late March. And last Thanksgiving, after that horrible weather the year before, was beautiful weather. The only problem with Thanksgiving for us is that the resort is booked solid, so it's very hard to get reservations there at 7 months. I would imagine that October would be a great time, too.

Are you talking Thanksgiving 2006? It was just as cold down in Orlando. It was our first stay and they had frost one morning. Didn't get in the pool, and it was probably the best time to do the parks at night, if dressed for the weather. I think it warmed up over Thanksgiving weekend but we went home on Friday.

 

[Disneyaholic]

We've been to HH for Thanksgiving nearly every year since the resort opened. We have had temps in the 80s and, as previously posted, temps in the 30s - 40s.

The resort usually has a dinner you can order ahead of time -- either roast or deep-fried turkey and all the fixin's. There are also lots of special activities for that weekend, like the Turkey Bowl (flag football on the beach).

It's become our family's tradition. I would guess that it is going to get increasingly difficult to book at the 7 month mark as time goes on.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Are you talking Thanksgiving 2006? It was just as cold down in Orlando. It was our first stay and they had frost one morning. Didn't get in the pool, and it was probably the best time to do the parks at night, if dressed for the weather. I think it warmed up over Thanksgiving weekend but we went home on Friday.

Yup, that's the year! Right after I took this picture, my camera wouldn't take any more-my batteries were frozen. Once I got inside and warmed up, the camera worked again:

That's steam rising from the pool, it was so cold. Yet, just after that, 2 crazy teenagers were swimming. Ahh-youth!

 

[jonestavern]

In 2006, we were told on St Pat's week it poured. We went the week after and had a wonderful trip with fair weather.

For us ice bound Granite Staters it was heaven! We sat out on the balcony every morning & evening
Yes, some evenings you had to wear a sweatshirt, but DH & DS & DFIL went in the pool every day save one. We took long walks--including along the beach-- every day & grilled out for several lunches & dinners. The guys went kayaking and on the nature walk. We spent a day in Savannah & it wasn't hot or humid
The greenery & flowering shrubs were medicine to our winter weary eyes!
Loved that time & will go back in 2009. We realize it may pour, but oh well!
Rain is better than the bitter winds, snow & ice we'll be having here on the mountain!

Jean

 

[Starr W.]

Yup, that's the year! Right after I took this picture, my camera wouldn't take any more-my batteries were frozen. Once I got inside and warmed up, the camera worked again:

That's steam rising from the pool, it was so cold. Yet, just after that, 2 crazy teenagers were swimming. Ahh-youth!

There were crazy teenagers swimming at SSR, with the steam coming up off the pool too. I think WDW sold out of those tapestry throws that week because I saw a lot of people wearing them. Maybe they were cheaper than sweatshirts?

Here's to great weather this Thanksgiving both at HHI and WDW!

 

[hellerjw]

Being a life-long South Carolinian I would have to say my choices would be late Spring (April - May) or early Fall (Sept - Oct). The summers here are just too hot and humid to enjoy extensive outdoor activities other than swimming or ocean play. This is even more so near the coast.

The late fall and early spring are just too unpredictable weather-wise.
The last 3 times we have gone to the coast (Myrtle Beach & Charleston) in March its rained about 50% of the time we were there. The ocean is really too cold then and won't be comfortable playing in until May.

I don't really consider going in the late Fall or Winter month's since the beach is the big draw and its too cold to enjoy during that time. Hilton Head also isn't as commercialized (yet ) as Myrtle Beach and there isn't as much to do in the winter months. Unless of course you decide to travel to Charleston or Myrtle Beach while there.

This is of course the opinion of a life-long Southerner, so somebody who is use to sub-zero winters may think our relatively mild winters feel like spring. Its all relative I guess

 

[Billybob7]

Any thoughts on HH at this time? Crowds, availability at 7 month window, etc?

Thanks!

 

[SusieBea]

Any thoughts on HH at this time? Crowds, availability at 7 month window, etc?

Thanks!

Memorial Day is a great time to go. There are more people there w/ the 3-day weekend obviously, but not like when the "season" begins. Plus, the weather's really nice usually then, but the oppressive humidity hasn't set in. I can't speak to availability, however.

 

[jekjones1558]

We are going to HHI over Memorial weekend this year (May 24 - 31). I got a 2 bedroom by calling day-by-day at 7 months. I don't know if I needed to call day-by-day but I didn't want to take any chances.