HH on the brain!!

[SafariTigger]

I can't stop thinking about my upcoming trip to HH. It will be my first DVC experience and I'm so excited. My mother thinks that I'm "obsessed" with our HH vacation. Like that's a bad thing, right?



I have a few more questions for you HH experts out there. The beach chairs and umbrellas, do you have to rent them or are they available for free? Do the bike rentals through Disney include locks? Do you tend to need more laundry and dishwasher detergent than they supply? How are the prices at the local food store? Any special packing suggestions of things that I may not think of?

Thank you so much to all of you that have answered my questions. You all have been so helpful and I hope to repay the favor in the future!

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by SafariTigger
I have a few more questions for you HH experts out there. The beach chairs and umbrellas, do you have to rent them or are they available for free? Do the bike rentals through Disney include locks? Do you tend to need more laundry and dishwasher detergent than they supply? How are the prices at the local food store? Any special packing suggestions of things that I may not think of?

The beach chairs/umbrellas are available for rent from the lifeguards. I'm not certain of the cost, but I think they are available by the day or week.

The bike rentals do provide combination locks.

You will get one small box of laundry detergent (and it should be replaced on T/T day), but we always find that we're better off to take some of the detergent in tablet form (easy to carry/transport).

I'm far from an expert on grocery prices- I rarely am given the opportunity to perform that challenging task... but have never heard any complaint from the true expert in our family when she does go to the nearby Piggly Wiggly.

All you'll need is a swim suit! Everything is pretty casual at HH. ...and there are plenty of places to purchase anything you later find you need!

Have a great trip. We look forward to your report afterwards!!

Enjoy!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I think the grocery prices are a "little" higher on Hilton Head Island than they are other places. I've never done an item-per-item comparison (I'm on vacation and have better things to do!), so that's just my guess. If you're driving down and have the room, you can always bring some of your non-perishables with and just buy what you need there.

And as far as having HH on the brain? I can think of many worse things.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

I can't wait for Mom & I to go on our first DVC trip either (HHI). Have a great time!! Can't wait to see your report!!

Allison
Officially DVC 7/23/03
Home Resort: BCV

 

[AEN]

Same here. While DW and I took our first trip in May to BCV, this is the first family trip. Since we have a 2br we are taking MIL too.

 

[sparkysfriends]

I don't think the prices are higher than any other resort area. They're no higher than the supermarket prices in FL. You will definitely need more detergent if you are staying for a week. I always do my grocery shopping at the Publix when you first come onto the island. It is before the Disney resort. We always stop there on the way in, pick up our groceries and then check in. Have a great time!

 

[KarenB]

We had a wonderful trip to HH this June. We rented bikes from Disney and they included locks, helmets, and baskets. Our kids and their friends brought their own helmets...they always seem to fit better. Some people rent bikes from other places, but I like renting from Disney. They are right there if you have any problems and you don't have to worry about pickup and drop off.

We seemed to be doing laundry constantly, but it was no problem with the washer and dryer being right in the room. We took Surf tablets and dryer sheets along. It is so nice to come home with all clean clothes!

We went to Piggly Wiggly and thought the prices were comparable to home, which is a very small town.


I think I would make sure I took a nice size cooler along. Many times we would pack lunch and snacks, leave the cooler in a corner at the beach house and head up to the pool for lunch or a snack. Nice break away from the sun and surf.

Have a wonderful trip,
Karen

 

[ketof]

Just returned from a 7-12 thru 7-19 stay at HHI in a GV with my family of 6 and my parents.

Beach chairs were a bit pricey for 8 people. I think they were $24 or $27 for 2 large wooden chairs and an umbrella for the first day and $16 each additional day. Talked with CM / lifeguard during early week thunderstorm and he suggested to go to Wal-Mart and purchase inexpensive aluminum chairs.

For about $9, WalMart has small, very low chairs for sale. They are not the greatest quality and are not the easiest chairs to get up from, however, 6 chairs only cost about $60 which was the price for 6 chairs for one day. They are small and easy to carry. One broke during 2nd visit to beach, but the other 5 lasted the week. On the morning of check out, I approached a large faimily at the bike rental area and told them that they were in front of my room and were theirs for the taking. The only cost was to agree to do the same for another family with the chairs that make it through the week, i.e., Pay it forward ;>)

We also purchased a couple of rollup straw mats for the kids to lay on for about 2 bucks each.

 

[SafariTigger]

ketof,

Thanks for the information about the chairs and umbrellas. There are 8 of us going and my FIL thought that by not bringing our stuff we would save a lot of space in the cars. It sounds like it wouldn't be very cost effective though. It was great of you to leave the chairs for the next family! What a wonderful gesture. I'm sure it was appreciated.

 

[ketof]

SafariTigger,

Keep an eye out for a small pile of chairs outside a building where a family is checking out. Let me know if you find that they lasted until August.

I guess if you are driving and have the room, you will probably be more comfortable with your chairs. One word of cautuion, the beach parking lot fills up quickly, so get to the beach early or prepare to use the van.