Going to HH in a few weeks....??s

[jimmytammy]

We are looking forward to 1st time trip to HH and know that we will enjoy Disneys resort(like we do all the others).

We know of some of the activities around the resort but wondered what things we should definitely hit in the surrounding area for 1st timers. We homeschool so we feel we can get some educational, historical learning while having fun stuff in for the kids. Any suggestions in this regard would be great!

Also, we are daytripping to Savannah, one so DD can eat at Paula Deens, but also to take in the sights at the historical places. We would probably concentrate on the Civil War era, so any suggestions here would be great also, bearing in mind we only have 1 day to do this. So again, the highlights would be helpful. Forts, houses, battle areas, etc. I googled and there seems to be a lot so we want to see what will give us the most we can take in.

Thanks(and sorry to the Web masters if I am overstepping the boundaries, just seemed like a logical place to post)

 

[lsutigger2]

We went to HH for the first time last Oct. and are headed there in about three weeks ourselves.

One activity that I did was to take a tour of the island that the resort offered. Everyone got in a van (the bus was being repaired ) and we had a Disney tour guide. She did a great job of explaining things - about how the island came to be, all about the plantations, stopped at a battle field, told the story of the lighthouse etc. Think it would qualify at "educational", at least it was to me! The info was on the activity sheet you should received when you check in. It was two or three hours?

Don't have any tips about Savannah. We are going there ourselves for the first time this trip.

Enjoy your stay. HH is a great place to relax.

 

[kritter]

Hi,just wondering if HH is located on or near the beach..Friends told it was just a pool there and the beach was across the street...thanks!!!!!

 

[LVSWL]

The resort is on the marsh side and is beautiful. There is a great pool there. You can also bike or take the van or drive to the "beach house". It takes about 20 minutes to ride, but it's a nice ride and all on sidewalks along the road. The main road you will not have to cross on your bike because there is a bridge that goes underneath it. The beach house has a grill and restrooms and a tv room and a nice beach. You can rent bikes at the resort. Bike riding is our favorite thing to do at HH. Have a great time. Be sure to bring a battery operated lantern to use on your porch. It's fun for the evenings if you want to sit out and play cards or read or eat supper outside.

 

[kritter]

So if I understand you correctly it is not directly on the beach..that is a bummer!!!!!!!

 

[cgcw]

We visited Fort Pulaski one summer. One of my DS's is a huge civil war fan and although it was extremely hot there in July, we enjoyed our visit. It wasn't a far ride from the resort and was worth it to us.

Somehow or another, we never find time to leave the resort to explore Savannah. We're heading back to Hilton Head in March and thinking that maybe with the cooler weather, we won't spend as much time at the pool, beach, pier, fishing, relaxing and we will have a chance to venture into Savannah for a day or two.

I'm curious to hear other responses.

Have a great trip to Hilton Head! It's our favorite family relaxation vacation spot!

 

[AJKMOM]

No, the resort is not on the beach. It is a short drive away, and the amenities at the beach area are nice, including another pool.

 

[kritter]

No, the resort is not on the beach. It is a short drive away, and the amenities at the beach area are nice, including another pool.

Does Disney have a shuttle to take you there?????

 

[ffindis]

There is a Shuttle going back and forth to the beach house.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We are looking forward to 1st time trip to HH and know that we will enjoy Disneys resort(like we do all the others).

We know of some of the activities around the resort but wondered what things we should definitely hit in the surrounding area for 1st timers. We homeschool so we feel we can get some educational, historical learning while having fun stuff in for the kids. Any suggestions in this regard would be great!

Also, we are daytripping to Savannah, one so DD can eat at Paula Deens, but also to take in the sights at the historical places. We would probably concentrate on the Civil War era, so any suggestions here would be great also, bearing in mind we only have 1 day to do this. So again, the highlights would be helpful. Forts, houses, battle areas, etc. I googled and there seems to be a lot so we want to see what will give us the most we can take in.

Thanks(and sorry to the Web masters if I am overstepping the boundaries, just seemed like a logical place to post)

We visited Savannah last year and toured by Paula Deens place (around 4pm) the the line of people came out of the restaurant and around the block. You might want to call them and find out what is best day and time to visit. Good Luck... Have a great trip.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

So if I understand you correctly it is not directly on the beach..that is a bummer!!!!!!!

If you want a DVC resort with a beach attached, you want to go to VERO BEACH! 3 days & counting.

 

[kritter]

If you want a DVC resort with a beach attached, you want to go to VERO BEACH! 3 days & counting.

Been thinking about going there tooo..how is it...????How far of a drive from disney it it...is it douable after we do Vero to go to WDW????!!!!!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Been thinking about going there tooo..how is it...????How far of a drive from disney it it...is it douable after we do Vero to go to WDW????!!!!!!

Absolutely, many people split between WDW and Vero. We tend to do VB after WDW to unwind from the parks. It is about a 90 minute drive between them.

 

[kritter]

Absolutely, many people split between WDW and Vero. We tend to do VB after WDW to unwind from the parks. It is about a 90 minute drive between them.

Oh so good to know..thanks so much......

 

[momofprincess]

We signed up for the boat tour in the channel. It was wonderful. Dolphins came right up to the boat (apparently, looking for a free lunch). No food from us, so they didn't hang out, but the we adults and the kids were thrilled. I highly recommend it.
The CMs also did this thing where they made smores. Of course, we were there in July and it was boiling hot, but the kids didn't care. They loved that too.

 

[ryanmilla]

Just came back from HHI. You will love the resort. There is soooo much to do at the resort. One thing that is a blast is kayaking the rivers. And if you do it when the tide is changing there is a chance you can catch some nice encounters with dolphins. They are active in the rivers when the tides change due to the food coming in and out. As far as the beach, it is easily accessible via the shuttle, a nice bike ride or even walking. I think they said it was 1.6 miles away. There is a separate biking/walking path so you don't have to deal with the traffic. Also, there is a parking garage as well if you want to drive yourself.

As far as Savannah, my folks live there, so we have visited often. Unfortunately, since they live there we don't really do the tourist thing when we are there. However, there are loads of trolley and horse carriage tours around the city which tells of all of the history and showcases a lot of the famous landmarks. There are also tours of the cemetaries, which explain some of the legends and vodoo history of Savannah. The River Walk is so historical in itself. Just walking on the old coble stone roads is an experience. Not to mention some of the restaurants there are fantastic. If you want some good photo ops of the Savannah River Walk, I would recommend taking the ferry across the river to the Westin and taking some photos from there. If I remember correctly the ferry is free with a "suggested donation" of a buck or two. Either way, it is not expensive and worth the photo opportunity in my opinion.

Anyway, sounds like it will be a fun trip. Best of luck and have a great time!

 

[RobDoc]

...We know of some of the activities around the resort but wondered what things we should definitely hit in the surrounding area for 1st timers. We homeschool so we feel we can get some educational, historical learning while having fun stuff in for the kids. Any suggestions in this regard would be great!

Also, we are daytripping to Savannah, one so DD can eat at Paula Deens, but also to take in the sights at the historical places. We would probably concentrate on the Civil War era, so any suggestions here would be great also, bearing in mind we only have 1 day to do this. So again, the highlights would be helpful. Forts, houses, battle areas, etc. I googled and there seems to be a lot so we want to see what will give us the most we can take in. ...

You might want to stop at the HH Island information center a short distance on your way into the resort. They will have some information about historic sites right on HH itself.

Within Sea Pines Plantation, there is a historic site of an old plantation with a self-guided tour (they do have tour maps in a box at the site). Little remians of the structures, but you can see the foundations and the map outlines where the original structures were located. The buildings were made from tabby - a concrete/seashell mixture common to the area. There is also an oyster shell mound near Lawton Stables where (I think) early Indians habitated. At the Hilton Head Plantation, there is a Fort - it is now used as a restaurant (The Old Fort Pub- a nice place to dine) but there are some historic markers around the property.

In addition, I know the resort staff can also suggest some nearby opportunities for suitable educational experiences.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We signed up for the boat tour in the channel. It was wonderful. Dolphins came right up to the boat (apparently, looking for a free lunch). No food from us, so they didn't hang out, but the we adults and the kids were thrilled. I highly recommend it.
The CMs also did this thing where they made smores. Of course, we were there in July and it was boiling hot, but the kids didn't care. They loved that too.

Hey mom, you look kind of scary to be the mom of a princess. I am assuming the channel you speak of is in HH. We're probably going back to HHI next year... fill me in a little bit on the boat tour. Is this a disney sanctured tour. If not, who is the tour company? We're naturalists (moderately) and would love to do that tour.

 

[RobDoc]

... I am assuming the channel you speak of is in HH. We're probably going back to HHI next year... fill me in a little bit on the boat tour. Is this a disney sanctured tour. If not, who is the tour company? We're naturalists (moderately) and would love to do that tour.

The Dolphin cruise is booked thru the resort. The tour operator is Low Country Tours- who also offer fishing excursions. They do a great job. The resort also offers kayaking. All of these activities take place in the Broad Creek Marsh which is a tidal marsh that cuts thru HH itself.

The resort does have it's own naturalist who offers shelling tours to Pinckney Island as well as marsh adventures and beach combing programs for all ages. All of these programs (and many, many more) are offered thru the resort recreation dept and can be booked at the resort during your time there.

We've seen Dolphin, sea otters and even manatee within a few feet of the resort in the marsh as well as a wide variety of sea birds and osprey (some guests were "treated" to the site of an osprey dismembering a rabbit while perched at the top of the Live Oak Lodge (the check-in building at the resort).

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks for all the info. everybody. Sounds like I might want to start planning another trip there. I know Disneys resort will be great(isnt that a nice feeling just knowing thats a given, another reason to buy DVC) but looking forward to all the other things to see and do as well.