Buy HHI for 3-4 day stays to or from WDW?

[crisi]

That's a plus for me because we usually do two weeks. We could definitely spend 3 days at HII on the front or back end.

To me then it becomes "given all the caveats (can you afford it, are you going at a time you need the home resort window, etc) - great idea." It is a lovely resort. HHI is a great place to spend some time (I prefer the off season, too many people in the Summer), WDW for twelve days is ALOT of WDW - and shortening that by three days gives you plenty of time to see everything you want to see at a slow pace, and still spend a few days somewhere else were people are moving at a slower pace (again, I like the HHI off season - in the on season, the pace isn't that much slower than WDW).

 

[Stargazer65]

In your experience what do you consider the busiest? Mid June through mid August? What other peaks have you noticed? Thanks.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Actually, maybe you are right if we compare it to something like my Boulder Ridge with a 2042 end contract. Beach Resort contracts have not gone up in price the same as WDW resorts. So the dues don't look so bad in comparison.

Yep, HHI especially has not seen the surge in resale prices that other DVC resorts have seen. It really changes the math on it and brings it into consideration.

I should probably shut up about this until I get an offer accepted on a contract.

 

[crisi]

In your experience what do you consider the busiest? Mid June through mid August? What other peaks have you noticed? Thanks.

I've been in Mid June and it was busy. All our subsequent trips have been in February, when the island is relatively dead. There isn't ocean swimming (but we've been in the pools). Someone else will have a better idea (I bet an internet search will tell you) but I suspect around holidays are also busy.

I'm not a big crowd person

 

[Stargazer65]

All our subsequent trips have been in February, when the island is relatively dead.

Our first and only visit thus far was this past February right after Valentines Day weekend for 2 nights.

 

[crisi]

Our first and only visit thus far was this past February right after Valentines Day weekend for 2 nights.

That is when we are usually there - right after Valentines day (we didn't go this year due to quarantine). So in Summer, add ten times the people. More things are open or open more hours (like the Social Bakery which has limited hours/days in February is open more days). Also in the Winter you get more long term residents - either full time island residents or snowbirds who spend months down there. In the Summer its a lot of people there for a week. That changes the traffic in restaurants and for activities.

 

[glennbo123]

I've stayed there a couple of times, booking at the 7-month mark. I live in PA and yes, the first time we stayed there it hit me that it was in a perfect spot to stop on the way home and wind-down after an on-the-go visit to DisneyWorld. As others have said, since it's a little bit out of the way, I don't think it makes sense to do a single night (you wouldn't have time to take advantage of the beach and pools), but a 2 or 3 night stay would be a perfect way to unwind. I don't like the worry of hoping that I'll be able to book something at 7 months that will fit in with my other plans, so I bought a HHI contract last year. I snagged one when ROFR was temporarily suspended and feel very lucky with the timing. But, thanks to the Disboards I knew what a good price/point was, and I knew that Disney wasn't exercising ROFR at the time.

 

[sssteele]

We got a 35 point hhi contract for a couple days each year or eoy. Too far off the road for 1 night, but very nice for 2 nights. Love to rent bikes.

We book HHI for a stopover on the way from PA. Studio off-season can be as low as 6 pts. I know you'll think I'm making this up, but one trip in February, we were upgraded to a Grand Villa from a Studio. I called the front desk, and they explained that it was "Mickey Magic".

 

[Fauntleroy]

Love HHI (live nearby)- love the resort. That said- haven’t crunched the numbers- but can’t imagine it makes sense. Also, depending on time of year- traffic on/off the island can easily ruin one of your nights.

So many other fun, more convenient options (e.g. bed and breakfast in Savannah, St. Simons, Amelia Island, etc. if you’re willing to drive a little farther/closer depending on going to/leaving WDW) closer to I-95 too. I think I’d prefer to pick one of those at $200 - $300 night with greater flexibility, and not bothering w/booking windows, dues, buy-in, etc. Can always just see if you occasionally get lucky with an HHI DVC booking based off your WDW DVC contract- and still stop there every so often (every 5 yrs?) too. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Fauntleroy]

I've been in Mid June and it was busy. All our subsequent trips have been in February, when the island is relatively dead. There isn't ocean swimming (but we've been in the pools). Someone else will have a better idea (I bet an internet search will tell you) but I suspect around holidays are also busy.

I'm not a big crowd person

As someone who lives nearby, and works on HHI- summer is definitely busiest- followed closely by spring- which features the RBC Heritage Classic- a PGA level tournament right after The Masters (basically the “party” in Augusta makes its way to the beach the following week), Spring Break, etc.

Falls have started to get busy too. Probably 8 of the last 10 Thanksgivings have been in the 70s- and we’ve had a few Christmases/holidays in the 70s (and even 80s too). Lastly, much like the rest of the sunbelt there has been a HUGE influx into Beaufort County of folks fleeing northern cities/pandemic, etc. I would expect the whole area- including Bluffton (which you go through coming in from I-95) to be much busier year round moving forward.

Anyway- typically mid-December to mid-February is going to be your best bet from a crowd POV- but it is also much colder (40s/50s) and wetter.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was driving down with a DCuz one December and had a reservation then for only one night. We got to see Shadow, had a lovely meal in a restaurant at Shelters cove and went on our way the next morning. Short and sweet. I’ve never done a one night’s stay there again, but it wasn’t bad. No traffic to speak of that early December time.

 

[OKW Lover]

We drive to WDW from CT. The last trip we stayed at HHI to burn some use/lose points and ended up staying an extra night. It makes a nice way point on our trips to WDW, and is a nice place to visit. So I was wondering...does it make economical sense to buy a small/medium contract at HHI for an add on short stay traveling to or from WDW.
I did a simple calc and determined that the dues cost in points for a stay at HHI right now would almost cost the same as a comparable local resort in cash. A little less, but I'm not sure if I would break even or save at all.
Any thoughts? Feel free to discuss in either mercenary economic terms, or intangible emotional benefits at your preference.

Interesting question. I'd tend to go with "no" on this. My reasoning is that HH is often difficult to get a reservation on short notice. If you plan your visits a long way out, this might not be an issue. At least with hotels along I-95 you have a large choice of competing properties.

Also, Hilton Head is 30 minutes from I-95 so you're adding an hour to your trip. If you look at the journey as just a way to get to WDW then adding that extra time wouldn't be worth it to me. But, if you were thinking of spending two nights there so you could explore HH, that's a different story.

FWIW, the drive from HH to WDW is about 5.5 hours.