HH and Savannah

[jekjones1558]

DH and I are not golfers. We like being near a beach, but aren't really swimmers, either. We have never been to HH nor to Savannah, Georgia. Anyone out there ever stayed at HH and done a side trip to Savannah? If you leave fairly early in the morning from HH, can you take the tram tour in Savannah for a day and see a lot, or is it better to stay a night or 2 in Savannah so as to not feel so rushed? Any comments much appreciated.

 

[ncligs]

We did it in 1 day and didn't feel rushed at all. Savannah is only about a 45 minute drive from HH. Make sure you get an air-conditioned enclosed tour bus if you go in the summer months.They have both types.....open and enclosed.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Hi! I live in Savannah, and yes, you can definately get from HH to here in about 45 minutes, if it's not during rush hour. Sometimes that road gets pretty congested....Anyway, there's lots to do here as far as tours go. They have Trolly tours, which are pretty good, because you can get on and off as often as you like, and I think you can also get a riverboat cruise, I don't know if it's extra or not though. Also, they have carriage rides around the historic district, and also some tours that take you to all the areas mentioned in "The Book" as it's known around here (Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil), including Bonaventure Cemetery. They also have "haunted Savannah" tours that show you all the historic houses and inns believed to be haunted. We have a few forts around here too, including the one at the beach (Tybee Island) that they used when filming the movie Glory. I think there are 2 forts easily accessible from SAV one is in Richmond Hill, about another 45 min. away....If you have any more questions, let me know!!! Hope you have a great visit!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't answer your question about Savannah, but I just wanted to let you know that even if you don't golf, and don't swim, you can love HH-I do! There's lots of nature, bike riding, beach walks, etc.-and especially that Disney "atmosphere"-gotta love anywhere Mickey wakes me up!

 

[jekjones1558]

Wow! Leave it to the DVCers to get back to me with great info, and quickly! I have always wanted to visit the Savannah area and after I read "The Book" several years ago, it only peaked my interest more. Glad to hear that HH has lots to do besides golf and swimming. We just added 100 points at BWV. Guess we'll be needing more (what's new!) Thanks to all.

 

[doc hog]

My family goes to HHI every other year. We always go to Savannah for dinner or some day trips. We just love the place. We would highly recommend a trip!!!


Doc Hog

 

[jekjones1558]

I am getting too excited and I can't go for at least a year (already booked for OKW with our points for 2003)!!

 

[mb168]

I too live in Savannah. I saw one tour the other day that took the cake. We were at the Seafood Festival on River Street last weekend and there was a hearse tour. An old black hearse with the top cut off was cruising down the river front, full of people, with "Hearse Tours" written on the side.

There is so much to do here, it's like asking if you can do a park a day at WDW. Sure you can, but, how much did you miss? It also depends on what you're into. There is SO much history here.

 

[sgtdisney]

Savannah is such a beautiful city. I am hoping to get there in another year or two and was also wondering how close HHI was to Savannah. 45 minutes doesn't sound too bad if you do day trips there..

My family used to have a 2nd house on Skidaway Island and I spent a lot of time in Savannah when I was younger. It is such a wonderful place and so full of history. After reading 'The Book', it made me even more 'homesick. Hopefully I will be able to share it with my own family soon.

 

[BobH]

I went there Last May. The drive is all highway and easy to do. We actually walked around a lot of the historic district visiting the homes that offered tours inside. We visited the Juliette Gordon Lowe House and the Davenport House. The people we met in Savannah were exceptionally nice. It will cost you to get into the homes. The river front is great also. There are many good places to eat and a riverboat ride you can take. My wife and I spent 1 day and it wsn;t enough for us. It seemed to us that you could easily drive back and forth from HH for several day trips. You can pick up trolley tours at the Savannah Visitors Center and yo can leave your car there. Here are a few websites:

http://www.savannahvisit.com

http://www.savannahgeorgia.com

Have a great trip!

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks to all. I'm printing these posts for future reference!

 

[WDWNewbie]

Has anyone taken the riverboat tour? I was thinking it might be more fun for a child (age 8) than the trolley, but would love to hear from someone who has tried it for feedback.

thanks!

 

[LisaR]

What book?? I would assume there is more to the title then "the Book." lol

Lisa

 

[sgtdisney]

'The Book' is what people from Savannah have called Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It is a best selling book by John Berendt which was made into a Movie and was about some 'characters' in Savannah most notably Jim Williams who owned Mercer House.

 

[Caskbill]

Savannah is a beautiful city with a lot of history to it.

They have a large number of B&B's there, most in older historic homes. (And carriage houses).

While a one-day trip from Disney HH is OK, in my opinion if you really would like to enjoy Savannah, try staying there a couple of days at a B&B somewhere. That way you can also enjoy the night life without having to leave to drive back to HH.

We've done this before and it helps make a nice trip. For example we've stayed at DVC at WDW, check out on Friday because weekend points are fairly high, drive to Savannah and stay in a B&B for Fri/Sat nights, then check into DVC's HH on Sunday. That stretches our DVC points by avoiding the weekend and gives us a great, separate, weekend experience also.

Search the internet for B&B's.

 

[BobH]

I believe there are probably dinner crusies and evening trips as well but my wife and I took about a 1 hour excursion up and down the river during the middle of the day. You get a little history of the river and get to see the ships that may be docked at the time.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Thanks BobH!

Were there kids on the boat? Do you think it would be interesting for kids?

Thanks!

 

[ReneeQ]

Check this out for Savannah Riverboat Cruises

http://www.savannah-riverboat.com/cruise.html

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Actually, my husband was one of the captains on the riverboats for over 4 years. I think the midday sightseeing cruise is suitable for young children. They have a snack bar open and since it's daylight they can see things. The dinner cruise is more of an adult thing, it's about $30 pp, so I don't think you want to spend that on a child. It's also dark, so they wouldn't be able to see much out of the windows. My husband is now saying (he walked in on me typing!) that the Sunday brunch cruise is the best as far as length of cruise (1.5hrs), the price is less, and the food is better. They have a brunch buffet. There are several nice restaraunts on River Street that are nice for an evening out, and most have seafood, since it's readily available around here. Some are more suitable for kids than others. Need any more info, just ask!

 

[Mouse Ears]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Savannah next month (non DVC but no kids ).

Could any of you locals or frequent visitors recommend some of your favorite Savannah-area restaurants? We will have only 3-4 days, so we want to narrow it down a bit!

Thanks in advance.