Disney Hilton Head on Budget?

[happily single]

I'm trying to decide where to go for our 2nd Annual April Roadtrip. Originally the plan was Orlando, skipping the Disney Parks but doing Univeral. however, the idea of Hilton Head, SC has always intrigued me.

According to the Disney website the only room available is a 1 bed for $315 a nite Although I realize I wouldn't have theme park tickets to buy I'm just not sold on spending that amount of money just to go to the beach-We're in RI so the beaches are plentiful.

Does anyone have any suggestions for saving money and doing Hilton Head? It is really necessary to stay at Disney's resort or would I be able to find compable ammenties at another resort? Any hidden fees or charges I should be aware of?

 

[lastminutemom]

HH is awesome and I don't think staying at the Disney resort is at all necessary.

However, when in April do you plan on going? You may be running into Metro Atlanta's spring break and a ton of people head to HH. Let me know when you plan to go and I can give you some suggestions.

 

[4parkers]

try vrbo.com or vacationrentals.COM I use them for the Carolinas

 

[happily single]

My dates are arriving the 17th and leaving on the 21st, although I could move that a little, but still during that week.

I realize that everyone seems to be on April vacation that week

We did Nick Hotel last year during April vacation and got a great deal on the hotel, car rental and never experienced crowds, but I'm thinking everywhere is going to be mad crazy this year

 

[emma'smom]

We love Disney's HH resort...but the fun in it is all of the activities that the CM's run, pool games, campfires, pool parties, nature hikes, etc. HHI wouldn't be the same for us without Disney. We couldn't get reservations at Disney this year---so we're just not going.

Our neighbor offered up her condo for a week in the summer for 500.00, but we're not beach all the time people and I can go to a pool at home. It was the entertainment we loved!

 

[HeatherC]

I love Hilton Head! We are going over Feb. break to visit my parents there and then renting a condo for two weeks this summer at Palmetto Dunes Resort.

They are consistently rated as one of the top family resorts in the country.

We are renting through a private owner on VRBO. The villa number on the site is 218294 and the owner is charging us quite a bit less than the prices quoted on the site. (We are paying about $700 a week with all taxes, cleaning fees and including two rental bikes.) Not sure of their availability for April, but may be worth looking into.

Hope this helps!

 

[Lucky4me]

You can rent a villa for so much less!
That week is tail end or the start of the golf classic, not sure which, but it will still be fairly quiet compared to summer.
VRBO is your best bet for a much lower priced and larger villa than what you'd find at Disney HH.
TUG is another website where you can find reviews on different resorts. Not sure of the url but google timeshare users group.

 

[chalee94]

According to the Disney website the only room available is a 1 bed for $315 a nite. It is really necessary to stay at Disney's resort or would I be able to find compable ammenties at another resort?

disney's resort isn't even on the beach directly. you should definitely be able to find something comparable for less.

 

[mward73]

We're currently at Disney's HH resort (got here last Sat, staying til tomorrow). I'm not sure how much the room would be - we exchanged through RCI for one of our timeshares. Can you rent pts from a DVC member? What about changing your time?

We've stayed at at several other HH resorts and this, by far, is our favorite. Lots of activities for the kids (even though we're pretty much the only people here!). There's a few adults around, but every activity my 4yo has been to has been just him and the CM. Tons of attention and he's having a ball. My 19mo is also getting spoiled rotten by the CM's. Other people do show up for things like the campfire and Goofy bingo. We'll definitely be coming back here - they're telling us October is a great month because it's still warm and not busy. April is also a great month for the same reasons.

The room we're in is a 2BR with a full kitchen. We can (not that we do) cook all of our meals here to save money. The resort also has some discounts with local restaurants where you get 10% off your check. Most of the activities here are free - we're only paying for 1, and we really wouldn't have to do that if today wasn't a rainy day and we were able to get outside more.

 

[blessedby3]

We have been vacationing in HHI for years. As much as I LOVE Disney, I have no desire to stay at their resort on the island. It isnt directly on the beach and you have to take a bus to get there. Not my idea of a beach vacation.
We always rent through www.vrbo.com as others have posted. You can rent a condo for a whole week for much less than you would pay at the Disney resort.
We have previously stayed at the Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Club Resort in the Folly Field area (always renting in Admirals Row). For our trip this August, we are staying in Palmetto Dunes in The Moorings.
Be aware that lots of places on HHI arent actually on the beach and you would have to walk a ways to get there. The Beach and Tennis Villas are oceanfront and the one we are renting in Palmetto Dunes is 25 yards from the beach. Oceanfront is important to us as we have multiple kids and need it to be convienent.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I think the majority will disagree with me, but I've been to HH once, stayed at the Marriott Golf and Beach resort, which was very very nice, but I won't go back. Our favorite vacation is Myrtle Beach and we don't do the amusement parks or anything like that, but I prefer the more family atmosphere of Myrtle Beach, family resturants, minature golf every night, etc. The one thing about Hilton Head is it's difficult to find resturants, activies, etc, because there signage is so small as to not take away from the beauty. We live in Mass, so also have great beaches, but I don't think the beaches were anything to especially write home about.

 

[blessedby3]

I think the majority will disagree with me, but I've been to HH once, stayed at the Marriott Golf and Beach resort, which was very very nice, but I won't go back. Our favorite vacation is Myrtle Beach and we don't do the amusement parks or anything like that, but I prefer the more family atmosphere of Myrtle Beach, family resturants, minature golf every night, etc. The one thing about Hilton Head is it's difficult to find resturants, activies, etc, because there signage is so small as to not take away from the beauty. We live in Mass, so also have great beaches, but I don't think the beaches were anything to especially write home about.

I definately disagree. We used to vacation in Myrtle Beach (for over 20 yrs) and it has just gotten so crazy and commercialized and busy. It is also crawling with young teens running around acting crazy and drunk. We would have bumper to bumper people on the beaches...no thank you.
Hilton Head is a relaxed atmosphere with nothing buy families. We have never had to fight for a spot on the beach...never had to be right on top of others on the beach....its just SO NICE! Theere are lots of restaurants on HHI...and many travel books to scour through to find exactly where you want to eat. I like the fact that you can drive through the island and not see huge McD's signs...they are there, but discreet. Adds to the beauty of HHI. HHI has so much to offer as a family friendly beach vacation

 

[Massillon Dad]

Keep in mind that Disney accomodations are not on the beach, So if you want a Hotel on the beach, the deluxe ones are Westin, Marriott, and Hilton: all of which are around $250 or less that time of year (possibly under $200 with AAA or other discount rate). Off beach, there are all sorts of hotel options the same distance from the beach as Disney resort. Many for around $125 (these are budget brands like Red Roof, Motel 6, Quality Inn, Super 8 etc.)

 

[jacksmomma]

Hilton Head is beautiful! It is truly the most relaxing vacation you will ever take! There are tons of things to do on the island and Savannah and Tybee Island are only 30 minutes away. There are tons of golf courses; and several outlet malls to entertain the ladies while the guys are busy!

Make sure to visit the Flamingo House of Doughnuts and the Salty Dog. In Sea Pines there are sand bottomed playgrounds that our DS loved!

HHI is definately not like a lot of other beach vacations. It has a more refined feel. There are none of the usual tourist trap kitchy stores lining the roads. Nightlife is not the club scene by any means. (As a matter of fact there are light ordnances in the eveings for the well being of the animals. When it gets dark in HHI, it get DARK. Best Sleep ever!)

As far as where to stay, there are lots of condos and hotels in the area that do not come with the Disney price tag.

 

[Green Tea]

You can get ocean front for MUCH cheaper than DVC. The location isn't really that good for Disney's property, IF you are are looking for a beach vacation. Hilton Head is great. Disney at HH is not necessary.

 

[dis-happy]

The PGA tour is there April 18th-24th. It may be difficult to find something nice for super cheap during those dates. If you don't need a hotel experience, try renting private villa. Stay away from Sea Pines (where the tournament takes place).

The Disney HH does have a lot of great activities for the kids though!

 

[ffindis]

If you want to be on the beach most of the time, you can stay at any of the beachfront hotels or condos. The beauty of Disney in Hilton Head is the activities, especially the nature activities. It is much lower key than a Disney World vacation.