HH DVC is charming! Short report, and now I have ?'s

[jnrrt]

Hi all,

We just got back from Hilton Head. We did not stay at the DVC - I've been going to HHI for over 20 years (yes, back when NO ONE KNEW IT WAS THERE!) first with my parents, and now with my own kids. We've always stayed in Sea Pines at Harbour Town, and we love it there. But I wanted to check out the DVC to see if we would use it in the future. It's hard to trade something you know you love for the unknown, but I love to try new things too. So I went with my older daughter to check it out, and we loved it!

The first thing we noticed was that even the person who buzzed us through the gate was friendly. Hilton Head is so booming in the summer, it seems to be getting harder and harder for the resorts to get and keep good people, since it's mostly seasonal. We've definitely noticed a downward trend in the friendliness of service at our usual place, so this was a very welcome Disney-like surprise.

We haven't spent much time in Shelter Cove, but thought the harbour was beautiful, and it would be pretty convenient. The buildings do not catch your eye particularly, but they are very nice, and my impression of the whole resort was that it was meant to be very laid-back, and low-key. Exactly what we want out of a Hilton Head vacation. So, in that way, it was sort of un-Disney, and in a good way. I'm the Disney freak of the family, but my husband isn't (I know many of you can sympathize), so I knew this wouldn't make him feel like we were always at Disney.

It seems to me that they took the best parts of Disney resorts, and transported them into one of my other favorite vacations. How can you lose? The rooms were beautiful. An extremely nice cast member was able to show me a one-bedroom even though they were at 100% capacity that day. It was just beautiful, and reminded me a lot of the feel at the WL, just in colors and textures and such.

There were good views from almost every building. They looked at either marsh, or the beautiful oak trees they have on the island, or the harbour. There were also charming things scattered throughout the resort - hammocks, and horseshoe pits, and little picnicing spots with grills. They had a small playground, and a fishing pier (from which we saw dolphins), lots of bike racks, shuffleboard, and the campfire pit.

We liked the pool very much. It didn't look terribly large, but then I realized that we were there in the busiest season, and at the hottest part of the day, and though it was very busy, it was not totally crowded, so it would be fine. And it was very fun - my daughter thought it was great compared to the relatively tame pool we're used to. They also had a craft area, and a tiny store (the only truly Disney-feeling spot in the whole place ), and the takeout food counter.

I was unable to see the beach house - they do not allow anyone but resort guests to have access, and I wish I could have seen it as well. We were also very impressed by all the programs offered. It really seemed like it would be fabulous for families.

So in the end, the only thing we were disappointed with was that it didn't seem terribly easy to bike there. After I got home and read through the packet, though, I saw that you are allowed to use the trails in Palmetto Dunes. I don't know much about Palmetto Dunes, but if the trails are comparable to Sea Pines, I'd be thrilled.

So calling all of you who love this resort! New things I want to know:

1. Tell me about the beach house - what's there? Can you drive? Is the shuttle convenient, how long does it take, how often does it run?

2. How are the family programs? What's your favorite one? How's B'Lou Crabbe?

3. Are there extra charges for all these things (programs, equipment, etc.?)

4. How is it in the less-popular seasons? If we went spring break, for example, would they still have all those programs, or are they a summer thing?

5. How is biking in Palmetto Dunes? Would you feel safe getting there even with children biking through Shelter Cove?

6. Can you see the Shelter Cove fireworks from the resort?

7. Anything else you want to tell me!

Seriously, we had a fabulous trip overall, but I loved this resort, and would like to try it too. Thanks for reading this far!

 

[ccw]

I'll hit a few of your questions about Disney at HH...we, too, have stayed at Sea Pines as well as other resort areas on the island. Have really liked them all..each offers something unique so my favorite would depend on the reason I was there (i.e. golf, beach, or just plain R&R) and the season. The Beach House at Disney will knock your socks off...too bad you did not get to see it...very lovely pool area and beach access. Also a comfortable large gathering room where you can get away from the sun and relax with a good book or a board game. Our younger sons (14 and 16 at the time) did bike by themselves from our villa to the Palmetto Dunes area/Beach House...no big deal as the bike path across the main road goes UNDER it! Cool tunnel! Not ok in my opinion for a young child but perfectly safe for teens. We loved the Shelter Cove marina area, too, for walking around and we also like the easy access to the mall from the Disney property. Have not eaten onsite but love Marley's just down the road. The main resort area pool with slide was nice even in winter...it is heated. Personally, I find the Sea Pines end of the island to be more tourist-y than what I prefer so the relative quiet of the Disney property appeals to me. Hope this is helpful.

 

[dis-happy]

HI jnrrt,

I'm like you---we've been going to Sea Pines for 16 years now. When two sets of friends told me about DVC (they both purchased in HH) I wasn't the least bit interested since we already had a place to stay in HH. It wasn't until we viisited those same friends in their 2 b/r at VWL, and on the same trip my dh said how much he LOVED wdw, that I seriously looked into DVC.

Where do you stay in Sea Pines?

One cool thing about the HH-DVC is that they built a tunnel under 278 for the bike path to Palmetto Dunes. How cool is that? My children have ridden on it with their friends, but I didn't get the chance. We are even thinking about using some points or a VISA cash rate special in the off season to spend a couple of nights there and really enjoy the resort. One day....

Anyway, hope to catch up with you sometime.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Would HH be a good place for a family reunion. There would be about 20 of us (80+ year ofl grandparents 6 adults and up to 12 children ages 5-22) . Two families are DVC owners. We like pool games biking and quite frankly just being with one another.

Will the two families who are WDW nuts be disappointed?

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[DVCLiz]

We absolutely LOVE HH as a wonderful, laid-back family vacation!!!!

You'll have the best view of the fireworks from the HH resort. The fireworks are set off from a boat in the water behind the resort, so the people watching it from Shelter Cove are watching "over the head" of the resort, but the resort guests have a front row seat from the campfire area or the boardwalk that runs along the marsh. Spectacular!!!!

The Beach House is the whole reason I bought at HH. I can't tolerate very much hot direct sun, so the ability to rent chairs and umbrellas on the beach was a major plus. Also the lifeguards right there - younger DD had a scary expereince this week while at the beach with her dad, and it would never have happened at HH with a lifeguard watching. The pool at the Beach House is great, and the room someone described above is a real plus - it is AIR CONDITIONED!!!!! so a really nice treat if you are just too warm. We love the snack bar, and if you like to stay on the beach and you have children old enough, you can send them for new sodas all day!!!!

We adore HH and will be going back and probably buying new points there in the future!!!

 

[Caskbill]

The distance to the beach house is just a little over a mile. It's an easy drive or bike, or even walk if desired. If you drive, you can park your car 'under' the buildings in the parking garage so your car is out of the sun.

We've gone mostly during the off season and they do curtail some of the activities a little bit, but I don't think a lot. For example, the campfire might only be twice a week. (Is it more often during the summer months, anyone know?)

In the past there have been a couple of tours we've taken. One is a walking tour of the resort itself, explaining everything. Interesting to know the background of some of the old signs they have on the buildings. The other is the nature tour further up the island. We haven't been back for a couple of years now so I can't say for sure what they currently offer.

lovewdwdvc: HH would be a great place for a family reunion. Just remember, HH is in a hurricane flood region, so all the living areas are elevated above ground level. This means steps to go up, which may or may not be a problem for your elderly relatives. The lodge is the only building with an elevator, and although it is nice, my personal preference is to stay in one of the other buildings, closer to the pool and the outdoor activities.

 

[benjyt]

Talk about irony... I was attending a conference at the Hilton Oceanfront in Palmetto Dunes this weekend and made a quick visit to HH DVC. We're renting points at VWL and BCV this October to see if DVC is right for us. Since we're so close to HH (about 90 minutes), I figure that we may visit HH DVC if we purchase.

I was met with the same hospitality when I requested a look-around. I toured a one-BR, very reminiscent of WL. The compound was very comfortable, rustic, etc. I've been coming to HH since high school in the early 80's, and HH DVC is more like those experiences than the HH that we have today, with the heavy traffic and crowds.

My visit to the Broad Creek Mercantile (the small Disney store on site) was a highlight - it's really made me excited about our October trip!

The one concern I had was the point requirement for staying here in August -52 points on a Friday night, 77 on a Saturday night. This seems to be a large no. of points, but I guess it's no different than charges at other DVC properties in the high season.

I'd enjoy any other comments others have on HHI DVC.

 

[sleepydog25]

1. Tell me about the beach house - what's there? Can you drive? Is the shuttle convenient, how long does it take, how often does it run?

2. How are the family programs? What's your favorite one? How's B'Lou Crabbe?

3. Are there extra charges for all these things (programs, equipment, etc.?)

4. How is it in the less-popular seasons? If we went spring break, for example, would they still have all those programs, or are they a summer thing?

5. How is biking in Palmetto Dunes? Would you feel safe getting there even with children biking through Shelter Cove?

6. Can you see the Shelter Cove fireworks from the resort?

7. Anything else you want to tell me!

We (DW, DD5, and I) were there in June, and here's what we found in regards to your questions.
1. The Beach House is an easy 1.5 miles away driving, a bit over that following the bike path. It also makes a good running trail since it gets you off the busy streets and has some shade along the way. At the Beach House you will find a second, smaller pool, a counter service grill, a bar (they also serve kid drinks), a small game room, restroom facilities, a large indoor common area, and towels galore (for which there is no fee). You can also take the shuttle, though we never did. According to the CMs when we were there, you simply call for the shuttle and it's ready to go when you are, but I can't vouch for that comment.
2. Lots of family-oriented things to do from crafts, to kayaking, to the campfire, to B'Lou. My personal favorite was kayaking, but our DD5 would likely say B'Lou. He's funny for small kids, but tosses in enough adult humor to keep us interested, too.
3. Some of the programs are free (B'Lou, campfire, some crafts), and some have a small fee (2-hour kayak for one adult is $30, for example). The best idea for activities is to contact HHI directly, as they can give you a rundown and cost list.
4. Unsure, but as Caskbill mentioned, they do curtail some of the activities. When we were there, the campfire was only twice a week and B'Lou once a week. I believe the fireworks are only a seasonal thing, too.
5. There are lots and lots of cyclists and runners on the bike trail. I might be a little leery of a young child around Shelter Cove due to the high volume of traffic, but you can catch the trail just outside the resort to the left and bypass the incoming/outgoing vehicular traffic.
6. Don't know. See #4 above.
7. This is a very un-Disney type of vacation resort. Yes, the Disney touches are everywhere, but what you won't get is the sometimes manic aura surrounding the parks at WDW proper. We enjoyed not having to worry over waiting in theme park lines, making ADRs, and walking non-stop all day. The beach area was to our daughter's liking, and the resort itself had a calming affect on us--we truly liked the change of pace. Good eating abounds, even right outside the resort gates! And unlike WDW, there was above average coffee (actually, quad venti lattes) waiting at the Starbucks about a mile down the road. We'll definitely go back. aw:

 

[Papa Deuce]

We'll be there next month. This report makes me very happy!

 

[vanstoj]

I used to live in Hilton Head and at that time I said I would never buy a timeshare interest there. Fast forward 8 years and my family travels from COlumbia, SC to HH for a quick vacation in Sept. (sunday, monday, tuesday of labor day weekend) and the next thing I know we are adding on 80 points there! What we loved about the resort was the friendliness of the staff, the seculsion and the natural surrounding. We are not really beach people, so it didn't bother us not to be on the beach (though it is close), but we are nature people. The birds and the wildlife at the Disney resort is wonderful! Because it is located on the marsh, you can see all different types of birds, including(occasionally) the endangered wood stork. You can occasionally see dolphins in the waterways and there are always blue herons, egrets, and pelicans around. The programs are outstanding. We love the fact that there is a naturalist on staff and the B'Lou Crabbe is wonderful. I have also heard raves about Chef Gordon, although we have not been able to do a private affair yet. T Hey do have more special programs for members including cocktails and little munchies and they often have cookies and lemonade in the lobby. IT is really the little things that set HH apart. We even love it in the off season and even go over President's weekend. I think you would really like it if you visit and I think it would be an excellent location for a family reunion.

 

[jnrrt]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I knew that I couldn't be that impressed without a lot of other people loving it on these boards as well.

Randomly, I just looked at the activity calendar they gave me for last week, and there were 3 campfires that week. They did have something every night except for one.

And Papa Deuce (saw your other thread), we were struck by how un-Disney it was overall - you're not hit in the teeth with Disney merchandise or pictures or characters, and it's the very opposite of hectic. But there was enough Disney for my daughter to like it - Mickey door-pulls, a Bambi and Thumper topiary out front, Disney stuff in the store. And everything we love about Disney resorts in that the themeing was spectacular and the rooms really well done, and the CM's really nice was there.

 

[Disneyaholic]

I have also heard raves about Chef Gordon, although we have not been able to do a private affair yet. T Hey do have more special programs for members including cocktails and little munchies and they often have cookies and lemonade in the lobby.

Chef Gordon is no longer doing A Private Affair. He is still doing the Longview Cooking Club programs, though!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can help a little with #4 because we've always gone off season-my only knowledge of summer there is what I've seen on these boards. All I've noted that's not available when we go is the Fireworks. Also, I think the beach house, though open, has much shorter hours when we go. And yes, they've had cookies and lemonade (or hot cider if the weather's cold) in the lobby.

 

[disneydaddvc]

Can someone tell me how often the fireworks are in the summer at HH.
Do they do a bigger show on the 4th of July. thanks

 

[dfamily]

Shelter Cove Harbor actually handles the fireworks, I believe. They are on Tuesday night. Disney has their All Star Bar b que on Tuesday at 6:00 with activities following around 7:00. We were there last week and grabbed a picnic table by the campfire just in time to sit and watch the fireworks show. It was wonderful! Even traveling with 4 kids (1 year olds, 4 year old, almost 7 year old) shuttling back and forth to the beach house was simple and exciting for the kids! We drove around the island and found our home to be the most beautifully situated in the landscape. We also participated in the pool party that takes place right before the fireworks. Overall, it was amazing! Can't wait to go back