Disney HHI vs Sea Pines or other

[lmb]

Hi, we're planning a trip to HHI and are deciding between paying cash for Disney's HHI resort or renting a 2 or 3 bedroom in Sea Pines or another location. Any thoughts on what might be best? It's our first trip to HHI and will be there for a week.

 

[CarolA]

Most posters on here will go on and on about how wonderful DVC is there.

I am going to be the dissenting view. I stayed there once. Now I rent Villas in Sea Pines or Palmetto Dunes.

I perfer to be within the Plantation gates. I perfer to be much closer to the ocean then DVC is and I think the prices Disney wants for it's units are a little high if paying cash!

 

[RobDoc]

We have been going to HH for 30 years now and our first 18 years were spent renting condos and homes at Sea Pines. Since we purchased at the DVC resort in 1995 (it didn't open until 1996), we have not stayed in Sea Pines and have even now purchased a condo within sight of the DVC resort because we love the area so much.

Sea Pines does have some beachfront areas and many, many condos/homes within 200 yards of the Atlantic. It is a wonderful area, with some historical sites, stables, shopping, dining, tennis and golf within it's boundaries. Sea Pines is a gated community and we always felt very safe with our children there. There are miles of paved bike paths throughout the Plantation. I would highly recommend the area.

We have also enjoyed the Palmetto Dunes area where the Disney resort is located. The resort is not on the beach - it is centered on it's own private and gated island within Broad Creek, a tidal marsh teeming with wildlife. We have enjoyed watching dolphin, sea otter, osprey, alligators and even manatee right from the DVC resort. The same island also forms a boundary of Shelter Cove Harbour with a marina and lots of water-based activities like kayaking, tubing, parasailing, dolphin tours, eco-tours, shelling, fishing and about any type of water related activity. The HH beaches are wonderful - with a very gentle slope and minimal rip currents. At low tide, the beach is about 75 - 100 yards wide - about 25 yards at high tide. The Disney resort is located about a mile from the resort and can easily be reached on foot, by bike (can be rented at the resort or many other locations) and by vehicle. Resort guests will have a permit providing access to the beach thru the guard gate and the resort also provides a free shuttle to/from the Disney Beach House - which has it's own pool (in addition to the one at the resort) and snack bar (in season). Both pools are heated and can be enjoyed year-round. The staff at the Disney resort is top-notch and are truly devoted to providing a quality experience for every guest.

There are seven restaurants within walking distance of the Disney resort and many others a short drive away. There is also a mall, grocery and more restaurants about 1/4 mile away in the Shelter Cove area.

As for deciding which is better - I don't think you can go wrong with either location. HH is a wonderful family destination with lots of activities available year round.

Enjoy!

 

[lmb]

Thanks for your input. We got a decent price for the Disney room rates because it's the last week of Aug so price isn't that much of an issue but I was wondering if the structured activities for the little ones would make their trip more enjoyable at Disney rather than elsewhere. I'm not sure how much else there is to do in HHI for 2 and 4 yr olds.

 

[dis-happy]

Thanks for your input. We got a decent price for the Disney room rates because it's the last week of Aug so price isn't that much of an issue but I was wondering if the structured activities for the little ones would make their trip more enjoyable at Disney rather than elsewhere. I'm not sure how much else there is to do in HHI for 2 and 4 yr olds.

I would add that the best reason for staying at the resort is all the activities they have there! We live in Sea Pines during the summer (and I can't say enough good things about the area) but love to use up expiring points at the resort and cram a lot of activities in with the kids. If cost isn't an issue (and it would be cheaper to rent a villa for a week) then you can't go wrong with the resort.

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks for your input. We got a decent price for the Disney room rates because it's the last week of Aug so price isn't that much of an issue but I was wondering if the structured activities for the little ones would make their trip more enjoyable at Disney rather than elsewhere. I'm not sure how much else there is to do in HHI for 2 and 4 yr olds.

Unless you are staying at a resort with structured activities, your 2/4 year olds will depend entirley on you for entertainment. IMO, the DVC resorts have better activities and recreation available than any other timeshare I've seen (HH or otherwise).

 

[ldo]

with your ages, DVC. You have the Mickey theme sprinkled in--a great tunnel twister pool slide perfect for your 4 yr old and lots of activities. The community hall (which I checked out last summer) has nice cast members and activities--even though many might be too "old" for your kids, esp. a 2 yr old, you can still go and just hang out/color/ play games, etc. There are also activities at the pool house, and pool side, as well. The ocean front pool is nice for when kids don't want sand anymore, but you still want to see the surf, and the pool house is a good place to get out of the sun, but still have the beach experience. Have fun. Elaine

 

[Starr W.]

Unless you are staying at a resort with structured activities, your 2/4 year olds will depend entirley on you for entertainment. IMO, the DVC resorts have better activities and recreation available than any other timeshare I've seen (HH or otherwise).

My kids(8&12) think Marriott resorts get the thumbs up on activities .

 

[H_Bruemmer]

Hello, I live in Hilton Head and can give you my 2 cents.

The DVC resort is beautiful and has some things to do right on site. It is my experience that many people staying at Disney, don't venture out too much to see the rest of the island, which is fine. Renting a villa elsewhere can make bike paths, parks, shopping, etc. a little more accessible.

Firstly, when are you coming? If you are coming in the summer (memorial day to labor day) Disney has a lot going on. There are fireworks every Tuesday night and you will have prime viewing without the crowds, the dolphin excursions from Disney will be less crowded than at other venues, and the shops and restaurants in Shelter Cove will all be open to explore. If not, then many of the shops and restaurants in that area will be closed or have limited hours.

The Mall is there, it is nothing special, but it does have a nice play area for your little ones. In case bad weather wrecks your vacation you can take the kids to the children's museum on Pope Ave. or the Island Playground, which is a huge indoor playground ironically NOT on the island, but just over the bridge in Bluffton. I don't know if this helps, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I used to work for the Chamber and my husband is in hospitality as well so we know our way around. Have a great visit!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hello, I live in Hilton Head and can give you my 2 cents.

The DVC resort is beautiful and has some things to do right on site. It is my experience that many people staying at Disney, don't venture out too much to see the rest of the island, which is fine. Renting a villa in Sea Pines or elsewhere can make bike paths, parks, shopping, etc. a little more accessible.

Firstly, when are you coming? If you are coming in the summer (memorial day to labor day) Disney has a lot going on. There are fireworks every Tuesday night and you will have prime viewing without the crowds, the dolphin excursions from Disney will be less crowded than at other venues, and the shops and restaurants in Shelter Cove will all be open to explore. If not, then many of the shops and restaurants in that area will be closed or have limited hours. The Mall is there, but it is nothing special. In spring and fall crowds fall off a bit and better values can probably be found offsite. I don't know if this helps, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I used to work for the Chamber and my husband is in hospitality as well so we know our way around. Have a great visit!

How about November, first week in specific? DVC's cash rate is outstanding, and we have plans to visit then. Are most of the restaraunts still open? I know this year, the weather was beautiful...mid to high 70's (never made it, thats another story).

 

[RobDoc]

How about November, first week in specific? DVC's cash rate is outstanding, and we have plans to visit then. Are most of the restaraunts still open? I know this year, the weather was beautiful...mid to high 70's (never made it, thats another story).

Early November is a wonderful time to be at HH. Almost all of the resort activities are still in full swing and the restaurants are open. Many will even offer "early dining" specials. The weather is delightful and even though the ocean may be a little too cool for swimming the pools are heated. Daytime temps will typically range from low 60's to mid 70's.

Enjoy!

 

[lmb]

We were planning on going in the middle/end of August

 

[RobDoc]

We were planning on going in the middle/end of August

That is still a very busy time at the resort and EVERYTHING will still be in full swing - including the Tuesday night fireworks (which usually run thru Labor Day). Ocean temps will be in the low 80's, air temps in the 80's/90's and all activities available.

ENJOY!