HH "drop-in" question

[keishashadow]

Since we'll be in the same neck of the woods as HH the end of the month (well, sort of...); as new DVC members, can we stop in and "tour" the facilities. If we get a rain day in MB, I'm particularly interested in driving down to see the actual resort/beach house set-ups, i.e. actual distance the rooms are from the beach. I assume actually using the amenities (pool, beach, etc.) would be considered poor form.

Don't want to travel the several extra hours & risk being turned away. If forbidden or if there is a procedure to be followed, let me know.

 

[Disneyaholic]

We stayed at another location in Hilton Head (!!!) in 1997, when the resort was fairly new. We wanted to "show off" our home away from home to relatives we were vacationing with, so we called the resort ahead of time. At that time, the resort wasn't at 100% occupancy (back when it was still a well-kept secret from the far fewer number of DVC members, LOL!), so they did let us do a tour. You're right, though, using the facilities was off limits.

Since the resort will be at capacity, I would definitely call ahead and see what they have to say before venturing over.

Now, you can always park at Shelter Cove and walk into the resort without needing any type of ID. However, to get to the beach house, you have to have a pass for your car, as well as a key-card to get into the beach house itself. It can't hurt to ask, but I don't know that they'll give them to you....

 

[Disneygrl36]

We were just there in May & were in the deciding process for buying. I called & was told no tours. We decided to go over & check out the property on our own & talked to the lady at the front desk who told us we could come back at 11 & if there was a vacant room, we could look at the room, but that there wouldn't be anyway to see the beach house. We decided just to walk around & look since we already knew what the rooms looked like from the internet. We really wanted to see the beach house. I wouldn't drive over from MB unless someone told you for sure they would let you look at everything.
P.S. It is a beautiful resort & we can't wait to stay there now & enjoy the beach house.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm surprised - doesn't seem very welcoming. Where's that legendary Disney/Southern hospitality? I know other DVC members visit resorts @ WDW where they're currently not staying, wonder why we're not encouraged to visit HH? I'm sure the spiel is they don't want non on-site guests clogging the resort. But you'd think they'd have an organized tour 1 day/week for prospective buyers (only if we promise not to compromise the pool & beach ).

We always stay @ MB for our summer/beach vacations. There are many resorts there with more amenities than what I see listed for HH. Don't know that I'd want to try & book a week if it's not the type of place we're interested in...know my DH would never go for it.

 

[RobDoc]

The resort is very compact with limited parking- so they have never encouraged non-guests to drive over to the resort (you have to cross a small bridge and enter thru a security gate).

If you are in the area, I'm sure the resort would be happy to allow a casual visit, but there is no sales presence at the resort (the sales office closed a few years ago) and since it is a sold out resort, there is no need to encourage more sales.

I'd suggest stopping in on a Friday (the heaviest day for check-outs) between 1-2pm. You can pull up to the gate and use the intercom to see if the desk staff would allow a brief visit. If they have any unoccupied rooms that have been cleaned already, I'm sure they'll allow a visit to get a feel for the resort. The resort is usually at 100% occupancy thruout the summer, so stopping mid-week will probably not have any vacant villas to see.

As already suggested, you can certainly park across the bridge and walk over to the resort (it's about 75 yards) without needing to ask permission. You can walk up to the desk and see if there are any clean villas to see- they will likely provide some information about the resort and HH in general. This is true for all of the sold-out DVC resorts- tours of the villas are always based on availability and the front desk will have control of whether there is something cleaned to see. You would be welcome to walk around the resort at any rate. You could visit the Community Hall, Tide-Me-Over snack bar, general store, exercise room, see the pool and the dock area without any problem.

HH is the smalllest DVC resort and a walking tour is easily accomplished in a short period of time. As already noted, the Beach House may not be accessible, since you'd need a ssecurity pass to even enter the area by car and then a guest room ID to access the doors to the facility. You cuold certanly walk to the beach (like many guests choose to do) and see the beach (there is a public access area thru the DVC Beach House). You can even purchase food at the DVC snack bar there.

HH is a good drive from Myrtle Beach, so I'd sure plan ahead if you want to visit.

Enjoy!

 

[keishashadow]

We were hoping we could just see the common areas before booking a stay and generally just get an overview for the HH Island area, including the beach. I'm quite picky about the beach and don't want to have a hike for beach access. I'm aware that the resort itself is not OF, but somewhat confused as to the beach house concept. Perhaps we'll detour there for a quick peek before heading home to Pittsburgh.

Although long time visitors to MB & Charleston, we've never been to the HH area. We also like to have a selection of family activies during the evening to choose from: large choice of restaurants, min. golf, shopping & amusement parks/areas.

Thanks again.

 

[RobDoc]

Although long time visitors to MB & Charleston, we've never been to the HH area. We also like to have a selection of family activies during the evening to choose from: large choice of restaurants, min. golf, shopping & amusement parks/areas.

Thanks again.

HH has over 200 restaurants, lots of shopping (both outlets and many boutique shops- plus a mall within 1/2 mile of the resort), miniature golf is nearby, lots of golf courses, tennis, all types of boating activities and fishing.

The recreation staff at the resort has a great variety of activities for all ages, including adults- with canoeing, kayaking, Dolphin cruises, shark fishing, shelling, crabbing, nature walks, horseback riding, GyoTaku (fish painting), crafts, wine tasting, cooking class, stories, campfire activities, magic shows, kids-night-out, teens-night-out, barbeque, shrimp boil - all available right from the resort. The resort rec staff is really superb.

The Beach House has a snack bar (with public access), a pool (guests ony), bar (guests only) and shower facilities. All of the HH beaches have public access, there are no private beaches. They are very wide, white sand beaches, with minimal drop off or rip tides. There are many places where you can access the beach to get an idea what it looks like. HH is divided into "plantations", and many do have private gated access. Sea Pines allows guests to visit ($5 per car) and you can visit HarbourTown with the lighthouse and golf course as well as lots of shopping and dining options.

Enjoy!

 

[keishashadow]

Definitely sounds worth the extra drive. As always, I appreciate the enlightening information.

 

[vinny16]

we just got back from HH a few weeks ago and it was very nice. We had a one bedroom in the lodge building, rooms are very rustic. The first night it was a little noisy near the stairways and another night below at the bbq outside Murgies Den, but after 10pm, it was quiet. The beach house was really enjoyable with the pool, Signals food court and a bar. Bar closed at 6pm, not open on Sundays and Signals closed at 4pm. Only downfall was there was no other "bar" at the resort and the little food area near the main pool closed early too. There are over 300 restaurants on HH. You will never go hungry and you can find anything you want there. Lots of activities for the kids both at the resort and outside. We didn't think the staff was as knowledgeable as the staff at the other Disney resorts. They had no idea how to transfer points from our Disney Visa to the Disney Rewards card, nor did they even know what it was, so we were not able to use it at all there. That was disappointing. It's worth taking a look at the resort and was a relaxing place to stay. Good luck

 

[Doug Wolfe]

It couldn't hurt to call and ask. I stayed at HH in May and it was fantastic.

The rooms are large & comfy. The Big Dipper Pool is a very short walk from most villas, as is the Live Oak Lodge.

If you are interested in the beach, there is a shuttle that runs you across the highway to the beach house. To get into the beach house you will need a key. There is a nice pool there and access to the beach.

Definately go take a tour, I am sure they would love to show you. But again, I would call.

 

[sleepydog25]

As you've gathered, the beach house is separate from the resort, but there are a few ways to get there: take the shuttle, walk, bike, or drive. Bikes are rented at numerous places including the Disney resort. I'm a runner, so ran to the beach, and I can tell you that it's just a bit over 1.7 miles via the pedestrian paths that you must take to cross under the main drag (Hwy 278). Driving there from the resort itself takes less than five minutes and is a straight shot. As others have mentioned, vehicles entering the private community where the beach house is located must have a pass. However, cyclists, walkers, and runners are not stopped. Further, there is an info/real estate office right after you cross 278, and they might be able to give you a pass to get through the gate farther down the road.

As for accessing the beach house, walking up to it from the beach and waiting for someone to exit would be easy enough to do if you want to explore the beach house commons area. There is a nice pool (no slide), game rooms, snack bar, drink bar, showers, and lots of lounge chairs. The beach house provides towels for the beach, but umbrella and beach chairs are rented through the life guards on the beach. There is a rental station right at the Disney beach house access point to the beach.

The sand is hard-packed, thus great for running or biking, both of which are in abundance there. The waves aren't very high, so playing in the surf with small kids is great; teens might find it a bit boring if they're hoping for a bit more wave action. Recreation activities abound all over HHI, and many of them can be arranged through the resort.

Finally, the restaurant situation can be summed up in one word: expansive. You can't throw a rock without hitting a restaurant. There are two just a short 2-minute walk across the bridge from the resort, and a third that is a stone's throw across the water, but is over half a mile via the route you must take. Name your cuisine, and you'll likely find it at HHI; naturally, seafood is the main attraction at most, though. Hope this further refines your search.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks to all who replied, will relay the info to my DH, who's been itching to see HH.

 

[canda]

Do not go on a Tuesday. Because of Harborfest at ShelterCove, they will only let people with a room key even cross the bridge. I saw alot of folks get turned away. If it was me, I don't think the 4 hour drive from MB to HHI would be worth it. Depending on traffic, it could be alot of sitting still on the highways, esp. on a Friday.


ps. You should book a blind stay at HHI. what a surprise it will be for you. Even at HHI most crowded week would never come close to MB. You will end up like us and vow never to return to MB ever again.

 

[Laurabearz]

We are LIVE from Hilton Head right now...

When we checked in last week there was someone at the front desk taking a peek at the resort. The front desk handed him a brochure and said it was fine for him to walk the grounds....

HTH

 

[keishashadow]

We are LIVE from Hilton Head right now...

When we checked in last week there was someone at the front desk taking a peek at the resort. The front desk handed him a brochure and said it was fine for him to walk the grounds....

HTH

Wish I was too! Hope the weather cooperates for you. As for driving down to explore, my DH says "whatever you want to do dear" big mistake . Think I'll wait & see if we get an all day rain in MB, then take the drive.