HH Trip Planning - Buying Beach Umbrella/Chair, & Bike Rental

[lat]

We are heading to HH next week. From people's advice here, we should have our own Beach Umbrella and chair. Where do you buy them? At HH or bring them from home. Never looked into these before. Suggestions?

Also, should we rent bikes once we get there or bring our own (for the kids). We have a 6 and 3 year old. For the 3 year old, we have a Kettler bike with big airplane wheels. Will this be good at HH? Leaning towards rental, but not sure if they would have the right size for her. Thanks

 

[cgcw]

Personally, I can not justify the cost of 2 chairs and umbrella rental at Hilton Head. We checked into it in July and it would have run us about $100 for the week. The chairs can be moved down to the water, but the umbrella cannot be. When the tide is low, it's a long walk back to the umbrella.

I went to Walmart at HH and bought one for $11. I used it for the week and somehow DH managed to find room in the trunk of the car to bring it home. DH & the kids like to swim in the water so I was the only one sitting on the beach in the chair. Still if you bought enough for your family, it would only run you about half of what rental would be.

As for bike rental, I'm not familiar with the type of bike your DD has. The smallest bike available for rental at HH is a 16" -- which may or may not be too big for her. We have always rented directly through Disney. They have new bikes this year but we still carry out cell phone with in case we have a problem along the way. Our DS4 had no problem riding his rental bike to and from the beach. All paths/roads are paved which makes for easier riding.

Have a great trip.

 

[TW1]

Forget the beach rental, too expensive and you can't go moving them around the beach to be where you want to sit. You end up sitting in a line at the top of the beach with the other renters.

We always bring them with, but if you can't, WalMart is easy to find, in fact I think there are two. One is on your right as you enter the island, about three miles before the resort.

Bikes are different, you know your own kids and how they will feel about something different at that age.

This is our fifth trip and we have never rented them. We drive to the beach and really don't find time to take a bike ride when we aren't at the beach. Though biking is very popular there and easy to get around (flat and paved!)

Enjoy your trip

Doing the single digit dance

 

[stacy6552]

RUN! Dont walk. RUN! To Costco. We got a $13 umbrella, you might want 2 which was great and the best ever beach chairs! They had straps for carrying like a back pack and cup holders and a big pocket to tote things in. They were about $17 and went for $40 at the beach!

I'd plan on renting bikes, if you find you want them. We were suprised how much we wouldn't have riden our's if we had brought them.

 

[lat]

Going to Costco tomorrow night!!! Thanks!!!

I checked out the bikes, Disney told us to rent from Palmetto Bike Company or something like that, because we have a split stay between Disney HH and Marriott Grand Ocean.

This company would charge $20 per bike, a little more expensive than Disney's rate, and they will deliver the bikes.

Has anyone rented bikes there? How was it?

 

[dcmmgw]

How much does Disney charge for bikes? We're heading down on the 28th for 5 days. Anyone else going to be there that week? Looking for buddies for my DS's, 17 and 13.

 

[dis-happy]

I haven't rented from that company, but it should be reliable (esp. if Disney is recommending it). If you call and make your reservations ahead of time, they will have the bikes waiting for you on arrival. Personally, I couldn't imagine being at HH without biking--it's part of our daily activity and so much fun. My only question is what happens when you move to the DVC---will the bike company transfer them for you? Or maybe it will be close enough for you to ride them over yourselves.

Have fun! If you need any phone numbers, I have the HHI phone book handy...

 

[lat]

Disney charges for $20 for the first 2 bikes (length of stay), and each additional bike is $10, I believe.

We arrive on 8/28 too. probably late. But my kids are 3 and 6, too young for yours : )

Interesting question on bike delivery. I have to call to find out if they handle the transfer.

 

[dcmmgw]

Thanks for the info, I thought the bikes were more than that.

My boys will probably split their time between the pool, the beach and the pool table

We've only been to HH once before, last year at this time. Unfortunately we were there less than 24 hours when we had to leave because my FIL was critically ill. We lost him two days after we came home. Promised the boys that we'd come back. Hopefully this time we'll have a nice relaxing trip

 

[lat]

dcmmgw, the bike prices were given by HH recreational staff. I am certain the price is $20 for the first two, $10 for each addtional, can't remember if it were addtional 2 bikes or just each additional bike. Sor from the price I mentioned above, that would be the max, it would be less if it were for each additional 2.

I hope you will have a great time this year there. We have never been there and everyone is telling us how great it is. I am afraid we will have our hope high and get disappointed. Almost 1 week to go!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

You are probably getting the off-season rate for the bikes. It is definitely higher than that during the summer months.

I truly doubt that you will be disappointed by Hilton Head. I can't even remember how many times we've been there, and I'm always wishing it were time for our next trip!!

Please be sure to let us know how you like it!

 

[mikesmom]

Lat:
Don'y worry, you will love it! We went for our first trip in June for our anniversary. Only could get 4 nites, as they were full up, but it was great.

We didn't do bikes, so can't help you there.

 

[Kewz1]

Last T'giving we rented bikes but it almost didn't happen because they were all out. Literally, at the last minute (of the day we checked in), some were returned and we were able to proceed with our plan.

This year, we're going to bring the kids' and just rent for us.

All that to say, if you have your own and can bring them -- do so! Have a great time!!

Kristen

 

[Cora]

We go to HH almost every year and, although the rental costs for umbrella and chairs is pricey, we always rent. After seeing many, and I mean many, umbrellas roll down the beach we decided to always rent. I have yet to see anyone successfully put their own umbrella in the sand at HH and have it stay all day.

I hope you have better luck. Apparently there are many on this board who have securely put the umbrella in the sand. Keep in mind that the winds on the beach can get VERY hard. I've watched the lifeguards put the umbrellas in and it takes them a good 5 -10 min to get it in securely and they do this every day.
Cora
PS the one thing we do buy every year is a boogie board for our son to use. We then leave it near the door to our villa with a note for someone to give it a home.

 

[Donna]

Bike rental is $50 for the first two bikes and $10 for each add'l. This is for length of stay. You can definitely do better looking around the island (check the island events booklet for coupons). This is why we bring our own!

 

[canda]

I don't think Costco has the beach stuff out anymore.

You can ask the lifeguard to dig you a hole for your own beach umbrella. They do it for us all the time.

 

[TW1]

Originally posted by Cora
After seeing many, and I mean many, umbrellas roll down the beach we decided to always rent.

Yeah...that would be us

It took a few days, but you eventually remember to take it down when you go for a swim or back up to the beachhouse!

Goin' home to pack and hit the road shortly...

 

[Disneyaholic]

You can also buy one of those corkscrew thingys to hold your umbrella down.

You just keep turning the corkscrew part to get it as deep into the sand as you can, then put the umbrella in it. They're only about $10 or so.

If Costco doesn't have the stuff you need, you can try the WalMart on HHI. Or, as a last measure, there is a shop in Coligny Plaza that sells stuff like this year 'round. (PLEASE don't ask me the name of it, sorry!) This last option will be a little more expensive, but still cheaper than renting them!!

 

[lat]

just came back from Costco, no beach umbrella. I will try the Walmart after we get to HH.

Sorry, I thought it was $20 for the first 2. Palmetto Bike Company follows Disney rate if you stay there. Otherwise, they charge $20 per bike.