Family concerns about HH Vacation in June?!

[tigger002]

We are a family of 5, 3 are children, 18, 16 and 12. We love Disney World and go every year. We tend to be quite active when there though and are concerned we will be bored at HH this summer. The boys, 18 and 16 are saying it will be too boring even if I let them bring a friend.

Does HH has ping pong, basketball, tennis or anything like that at the resort? Is there anything at Charleston to interest teen age boys? We are not into spending the a whole day at the beach for 5 days.

I am thinking maybe we should cancel our ressies??!!

 

[RobDoc]

The resort has ping pong both at the resort and at the Beach House. I don't recall a basketball court, but there may be one. There are a number of age appropriate activities available thru the recreation staff and the teens all seem to hang out together in the evenings- even without organized programs.

There are all sorts of water related activities- canoeing, kayaking, swimming, shelling, fishing, crabbing, Dolphin Tours - plus nature hikes, horseback riding, biking, tennis, golf, parasailing, mini-golf, boat tours and many more. The island has miles of paved bike/rollerblade trails and they are always actively used. Charleston is a great day-trip to immerse yourselves in some history/architecture. Tennis is available on wonderful clay courts nearby at Palmetto Dunes- about 1/2 mile on the way to the beach and lessons are available. This may be arranged thru the resort.

The resort can suggest other activities of interest to your family- there are good museums, art galleries and theaters available nearby and summer is an active time for these things too.

I'm sure everyone can find something to occupy their time- even if you don't enjoy the beach itself.

Have a great stay!

 

[dvc_john]

Besides riding bikes on the paved recreational trails, you can ride for miles and miles on the beach.

 

[gazeborob]

Last spring, I took my family to HH for the first time. I have 3 daughters, 16, 14, 12, and had the same concerns as you. But let me tell you, they still talk about it today. They all say they had a great time, and can't wait to go back some time. Don't forget about the beach. The Beach House is a great place to go and have a good time.

 

[DVCLiz]

Don't forget about the lure of spending time with other teens. There always seem to be groups of (nicely mannered!) teens who find each other!!!

 

[ccw]

Looks like you will have two drivers who could ferry all the kids to off site activities (goofy golf, shopping, theatres, etc) that are not on site but are just a few minutes away. Charleston is a bit of a haul and I would not think the teens would enjoy that very much as a side trip (esp. if they are boys!). Ditto Savannah (but it is only an hour away versus probably 2 hours to Charleston). We have always enjoyed HH with teens even tho most of our trips have been off season.

 

[Toby]

I just got back from HH two days ago. It was all adults, with side trips to Charleston for 3 days, Savannah for one day, and 3 days in Hilton Head. While the resort is very nice, I found, as a group of non-golfers, we all decided we would go "nuts" there for an entire week. It seems to be nothing but golf courses, endless condos, and "tasteful" strip malls everywhere. Of course, we couldn't swim in the ocean - too cold, and the pool/snack bar area at Disney beachhouse was closed for refurbishment. Granted there are plenty of activities for Disney guests, but they seemed to be all geared to younger kids. My husband was getting "itchy" after day #2. BUT that's just us. My kids young 20's would be bored out of their minds, even with a friend, for a week - 3 days, maybe....We found we could take only so many walks, try new restaurants, and shop. That gets "old" after 3 or 4 days.

That's why I'm thrilled Disney has so many places to try. You and your family may go there, and love it, and think I'm crazy

 

[dtheboys]

Hi,
I have three boys ages 10,16, and 20...we have bben to HH three times now, and the boys love it....
They do all kinds of things...the two older boys love to hang out at the beach. They have met a lot of other teens at the beach, and then hang out each day.........

It's what your kids want to make it....my boys have always found something to do....

 

[mtnEERS]

Take your bikes with ya,3 great golf courses right across the street in Palmetta Dunes,great tennis if ya play.Im sure your kids will have a great time.Nite life down at Harbour Town.You can always go deep sea fishing,we go every year we have gone out of shelter cove bad thing is takes 1hr to get out to ocean for no wake zone,gone twice out of palmetto marina 20 min to ocean more time to fish,or you can charter a small boat and go out in the bay still good fishing and the best part you might run up on a COBIA best tasting fish in the ocean I think.If you like to fish

 

[KJMickey]

Another spot for a charter boat is out of South Beach Marina by the Salty Dog. The Drifter is large boat that is out in the ocean in 5 minutes. They go out further to a man made reef because they are not spending so much time getting to the ocean.

For some inexpensive fun you can buy crabbing nets from Disney and crab right off the pier for blue crabs pick up some chicken from a grocery store and you are all set. Let it sit out for awhile, the greasier and nastier it gets the better it works for crabbing!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Give HH a try. We are a family of 5 and enjoyed every minute of it. Our first time was in 2005.

Charleston is a couple of hours away, but we did the trip and absolutely loved it. We went at mid-week to break-up the vacation. Patriot's Point has old Navy ships you can tour. I highly recommend getting there early in the morning and take a tour out to Fort Sumpter. Go back into the city, it is very historical. Be sure to stop for a great meal at Bubba Gump's.

At HH you can rent boats. Why not spend part of a day boating?

Other posters are correct, go to Harbour Town at night. At night there are great restaurants, bands & once a week they do fireworks.

Do they play golf? Another great option. Yes, the HH beach is also great. Go on-line and you'll find tons of stuff to do at HH. There are also plenty of other teens to hang around with. Have fun.

 

[Daitcher]

Give HH a try. We are a family of 5 and enjoyed every minute of it. Our first time was in 2005.

Charleston is a couple of hours away, but we did the trip and absolutely loved it. We went at mid-week to break-up the vacation. Patriot's Point has old Navy ships you can tour. I highly recommend getting there early in the morning and take a tour out to Fort Sumpter. Go back into the city, it is very historical. Be sure to stop for a great meal at Bubba Gump's.

At HH you can rent boats. Why not spend part of a day boating?

Other posters are correct, go to Harbour Town at night. At night there are great restaurants, bands & once a week they do fireworks.

Do they play golf? Another great option. Yes, the HH beach is also great. Go on-line and you'll find tons of stuff to do at HH. There are also plenty of other teens to hang around with. Have fun.

I with you on all but the Bubba Gumps thing. Truly terrible place. We dined at the one on Maui and it sucks with a capital S. The one in Charleston, they try to hawk you off the street to come in. Locals laugh at the people eating there in a city with so many great places to eat. Charleston has tons of great restaurants just not Bubbas. We spend about 3 weeks a year there and wouldn't even consider BG. To the OP, HH can be boring, that is for sure. It isn't a lively place. We enjoy relaxing at the beach so we like it but teens could be bored. Give it a shot, who knows it might be a great trip.


DAVE


DAVE

 

[jonestavern]

Are the nature tours still available?
I have spoken with 2 CMs & gotten 2 different responses to the above & the query below:
are there any cots available?
we will be 4 persons in a 1 bedrm & DS17 would prefer a cot rather than the pull out sofa
do any of the activities require reservations?
How about Savannah? I understand Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons is there-


thanks in advance!
Jean

 

[jonestavern]

Just back from HHI--great trip!

to what Webmaster Doc said, also try a day tour to Savannah for the history & architecture, the check in will have driving directions for this, & other, trips. we toddled on down Rte 278/to 170/170A/17--easy drive. If you need a bus tour, stop at the Visitors Information Center--all the bus tours will leave from here & it is much cleaner & more parking than the little lots--also VIC--you will see along the way~There are at least 3 major companies offering bus(trolley) tours & also some carriage tours. We did Greyline which was okay but will be trying others in future

If you have a bee in yr bonnet about eating at Paula Deen's restaurant be aware that folks start lining up for lunch ressies around 8:30 am!!! When those reservations run out--& they do early--the line often just hangs on to see about dinner reservations--unbelievable. You can get advanced ressies if your party totals 10 or more. I was bumming until one local told me " it's not worth all the drama to get in"! I heard this 2 more times in asking for a great spot to eat. Still like to go but I don't wait 5 hrs in line at WDW
Try Mrs Wilkes'--in your Savannah Magazine--but also long lines there

the guys signed up for kayaking & nature tours, get your schedule when you arrive & sign up pronto. FYI, check the posted schedule outside the entrance to check in, it can be slightly different--there are grouped by age activities, too. Believe me, as Doc says, there is more than plenty to do & that's if you just stick with the DVC HHI sponsored activities.
DS17 says they could use another pool table, but he got plenty of games in & they were at & close to capacity when we stayed, just this past week-

Jean

 

[WolfpackFan]

The boys, 18 and 16 are saying it will be too boring even if I let them bring a friend.

Hum let's see now - 16 and 18 year old boys at the beach in June with other teens (ie - girls), all hanging out around the pool or beach, being able to stay out late. I would think they would love this vacation.

 

[JoEllen]

We're going in June after school is out. Taking our 16 yr old DD. She's worried too that it will be boring. But, I've been told by the CM's that there are lots of teens to hang out with during the summer months.

I figure with teens any vacation could go either way for them Very unpredictable at that age!