HHI Adoration & Information 2009

[podsnel]

We just got back this morning from HHI, and I am missing it already! Does anyone else get melancholy about coming home from there? The 15 hour car ride I could do without,so next time I`d fly. Has anyone flew into Savannah? I want to share our experience at Sea Shack. That is one place to definitely try! A kind of hole in the wall with the best sea food we had all week! We`ve eaten at Salty Dog twice, and we just don`t see the whole reason to wait 2 hours to eat there, it was marginal at best. You can walk around there and experience the live band, tshirt shop and everything else without eating there. We also by chance found a place called Kenny B`s, what an excellent little place for Po boy sandwiches and seafood also. It has a New Orleans flare. Will definitely go back there in a heartbeat! Would skip the bbq at the resort and just participate in the events at the pool. $25.00 p/p for hot dogs and hamburgers. Fun experience at the pool though and the ice cream drop was so much fun! Cannot wait to go back!

Yes, I got ridiculously melancholy about leaving HHI last year- and I expect it to be the same this year! We arrive at DHHIR 2 weeks from today!!! We will be getting to HHI on July 30th, tho- staying at the Hampton Inn for 2 nights before. I think DH & I are going out to dinner with Dottie and Joe on Friday night!

I wanted to say I really liked the BBQ last year- did they cut out the ribs and chicken?

AnnetteF- we will be there at the same time! Please look for us and say hello! And don't worry about your DD- I can't imagine there not being other 5 year olds running around!

 

[VG9493]

Less then 30 days till our 3rd visit...we check in HHI in a 2bdrm on Aug. 16th to the 22nd, then head south to OKW for a week in a GV. I really can't wait!!! We have waitlisted a GV at HHI but i know the chances are slim to none (I can dream right?).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Whew! DH almost had me scared for a minute. We were bemoaning the high airline costs of getting to HHI for Thanksgiving. So I asked him "Do you ever think of going a different time, so that the air fare would be lower?" He actually admitted to conisdering it! I just can't imagine Thanksgiving without Signe's pies. Fortunately, he then said it was worth it (lucky for his future!)

 

[El&Asmom]

I just booked our first trip to HH for next summer, June 20-25 in a one bedroom!!! I'm so excited. We considered going this year, but dd3 is 8m old now, and we didn't want to deal with a baby eating sand all day at the beach. Next year will be great with all three kids playing in the ocean together.

Can anyone recommend any good places that aren't specifically seafood?

 

[goofysully]

Weve been going to HHI for several years, we are DVC members but not at HHI, we rent a home for the time we are down there. Am I the only one who thinks that HHI is food challenged? We go to the sea shack a couple of times during are stay because its the best and Kenny B's is good and Malibus is passable but overall the quality of restraunt on the island is average at best. This year we stayed outside Charleston for a night on the way down and visited Sweatmans in Holly Hill, by far the best SC BBQ Ive had its only open Friday and Saturdays but its incredible. We enjoy Charleston, but Savannah is our favorite and make a couple of trips there during our vacation. Paulas is ok but there are much better places then hers in Savannah.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Ok folks, getting excited!! Month and a half to go!!! Please tell me the absolute things I must do/see as a first timer at HHI?

 

[MinnieGi]

Ok folks, getting excited!! Month and a half to go!!! Please tell me the absolute things I must do/see as a first timer at HHI?

Park your beach chair in the sand! Sit back and actually relax during your vacation. It is soooo easy to really unwind at HHI. I love their wide beach and we spend a good deal of time on it, but if you're not a beach person there are lots of other activities to do both at DVC and on the island. Its not like at WDW where there must-dos. It really depends on what type of activities you and your family like to do. Boating, nature walks, golfing, tennis, biking, beach, crabbing, fishing, kayaking, shopping, horse back riding, exploring restaurants. etc. Not too mention all the activities at the resort you can do....

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Park your beach chair in the sand! Sit back and actually relax during your vacation. It is soooo easy to really unwind at HHI. I love their wide beach and we spend a good deal of time on it, but if you're not a beach person there are lots of other activities to do both at DVC and on the island. Its not like at WDW where there must-dos. It really depends on what type of activities you and your family like to do. Boating, nature walks, golfing, tennis, biking, beach, crabbing, fishing, kayaking, shopping, horse back riding, exploring restaurants. etc. Not too mention all the activities at the resort you can do....

Yeah! Relaxing is on the agenda, just the DH and me! After relaxing, I do plan to enjoy the beach for a day. Don't want to push bike riding (I have asthma), but would like to see the artsy district(I think there is one?). Also is there an island tour? And of course would like to see the Outlets.

 

[MinnieGi]

Yeah! Relaxing is on the agenda, just the DH and me! After relaxing, I do plan to enjoy the beach for a day. Don't want to push bike riding (I have asthma), but would like to see the artsy district(I think there is one?). Also is there an island tour? And of course would like to see the Outlets.

Glad to hear relaxation is on the agenda! Not sure what you mean about an artsy district? There is an art center that performs stage productions right in the Shelter Cove area (where DVC is located). Also the Shelter Cove marina shopping area has Nash Galleries and another gallery of art works. Plus other cute shops - is this maybe what you heard about?

The outlets are all off island. Not far off, but just wanted to make sure you knew they were not real close to DVC. They are the usual standard fare for outlets.

I don't know about a whole island tour. At DVC they do have nature walks. And also the Coastal Discovery Museum offers nature walking tours too. The island is easily traversable as there is really just one main road (HWY 278) and everything is located off of that unless you veer off onto the Cross Island Parkway which is a toll road, but still same idea main road with everything else shooting off of it. Its just on the backside of the island. I will say that the first time driving around HHI can be difficult in locating a shop or restaurant you are looking for as all their signs are low to the ground as mandated by deed restrictions. My mom on her first visit nicknamed it the "hide and seek" island! You'll see what I mean once you are there, however b/c of those deed restrictions the vegetation takes the spotlight and HHI has some of the prettiest parking lots filled with trees,shrubs etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Also is there an island tour? would like to

There was an island tour the last couple times I went to DHHI resort. It was a 3 hour tour ("a 3 hour tour"). When I did it a few years ago, I was the only one on the tour, with the van driver and CM Carol. We went to Harbortown, the Lighthouse, a couple historic places, the Coastal Discovery Museum, and I forget where else.

 

[podsnel]

There was an island tour the last couple times I went to DHHI resort. It was a 3 hour tour ("a 3 hour tour"). When I did it a few years ago, I was the only one on the tour, with the van driver and CM Carol. We went to Harbortown, the Lighthouse, a couple historic places, the Coastal Discovery Museum, and I forget where else.

I was thinking this might be a fun thing to do with my MIL- how much walking was involved?

 

[Maryrn11168]

I have been enjoying reading all of these posts!!! They are really getting me excited for our trip in 2 weeks!!!
The last time we were there we purchased the refillable mugs, but you had to wait on line at ther snack bar for refills (unlike the self serve ones at Vero and other resorts) and that line goes very slow!! Is this still ther case or is it now self serve??? Thanks!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was thinking this might be a fun thing to do with my MIL- how much walking was involved?

I don't remember that there was too much walking. Carol asked me if I wanted to go up top of the lighthouse, which I did, but she didn't go, and I could just as easily have said "No".

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I don't remember that there was too much walking. Carol asked me if I wanted to go up top of the lighthouse, which I did, but she didn't go, and I could just as easily have said "No".

I could not get into DHHI for this trip on points or cash. Do you have a recommendation for a hotel on the island? I have a reservation already but not sure its in a good location.

 

[MinnieGi]

I could not get into DHHI for this trip on points or cash. Do you have a recommendation for a hotel on the island? I have a reservation already but not sure its in a good location.

What hotel are you staying in?

 

[MinnieGi]

I have been enjoying reading all of these posts!!! They are really getting me excited for our trip in 2 weeks!!!
The last time we were there we purchased the refillable mugs, but you had to wait on line at ther snack bar for refills (unlike the self serve ones at Vero and other resorts) and that line goes very slow!! Is this still ther case or is it now self serve??? Thanks!!

We were there in June and at the beach house the refillable mugs are self-serve. But at the Big Dipper Pool mugs are refilled inside the store. However there was never a line of maybe more than one person. I'm assuming you could also refill them at the counter service too next door, but we always went into the store as there was never a line.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

What hotel are you staying in?

Hampton Inn on Dillon Road....

 

[MinnieGi]

Hampton Inn on Dillon Road....

We stay there for our first night onto the island. We drive 12 hours straight on a Sat. and then check-in to the Hampton for the night and early Sun. We check into Disney HHI. We never have any complaints about our stays there and return every year.

It is more north on the island and not located in a plantation. You will need to find public beach access points. I'm sure the front desk will be able to direct you. It is right off the main rd. (HWY 278) but you access it from Dillon Rd.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We stay there for our first night onto the island. We drive 12 hours straight on a Sat. and then check-in to the Hampton for the night and early Sun. We check into Disney HHI. We never have any complaints about our stays there and return every year.

It is more north on the island and not located in a plantation. You will need to find public beach access points. I'm sure the front desk will be able to direct you. It is right off the main rd. (HWY 278) but you access it from Dillon Rd.

Great! We will be driving from Maryland, not looking forward to that long drive! Anyhoo, yes I know I'd have to look for public beach access. Hoping there is a visitors guide that will have all that info in it!! Getting excited, I think for just the three days will try Alexander's early bird special and San Miguels mexican. Will be such a short stay....

 

[MinnieGi]

Great! We will be driving from Maryland, not looking forward to that long drive! Anyhoo, yes I know I'd have to look for public beach access. Hoping there is a visitors guide that will have all that info in it!! Getting excited, I think for just the three days will try Alexander's early bird special and San Miguels mexican. Will be such a short stay....

There will be visitors guides all over to pick up along with restaurant guides, shopping guides etc. Actually if you go to hiltonhead.com you can view the "Island Events" guide on-line. And hiltonheadisland.org is the official chamber of commerce sight that has lots of info on it.

Alexander's looks good - never been but we have young kids who do not like long lingering meals!! San Miguels is fun, just get there early, all the Shelter Cove restaurants fill up fast.