HHI Adoration & Information 2009

[chum]

My family is going to HHI in August and I'm interested in doing the dolphin discovery tour. Our kids are 8 & 10 (almost 9 & 11) and I would like to know just how much interaction there is with the dolphins.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi,
I would recommend Island Time Charters. Megan is great and the boat is the perfect size for getting very close to the dolphin.
I think the dolphin charters on smaller boats are just great. The dolphin will swim right up to the boat and make eye contact. You can reach out and touch them.
Super photo opportunity and memory maker!

 

[podsnel]

We checked in this afternoon for our first visit. I am so pleased with the resort, the employees, and the island. It is just lovely here. Everything is clean and manicured. We are in building 13 and we love this marsh view.

Hi DisneyNotes and everyone else! We arrived last night at 5pm to the Hampton Inn for 2 nights before checking in to Disney tomorrow. Our BIL and family are staying nearby, so we figured we would be with them at their resort for the next couple of days and Hampton would be fine, which it is. We got take-out from Alligator Grille last night, it was DELICIOUS!!!! I had scallops on mushroom risotto- perfection- DH & SIL had tilapia with a citrus crust- WOW! SOOOOOO yummy- and BIL had some great big grilled shrimp, also yummy. Pretty impressed by how good it was even out of take-out containers, would definately go back there again. Tonight we'll be having dinner with Dottie & Joe at Alexanders while the kids hang with their cousins and aunt & uncle. How awesome is THAT?!

Ellen

ps- Chum, that is SUCH a great photo of the waterspout!!!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Podnsnel, say "hi" to Dottie and Joe for us. Guy is still looking forward to golf with Joe and Harry someThanksgiving. Is Dottie still at the gift shop there? And let us know how Alexander's is.

 

[mc97]

Hi,
I would recommend Island Time Charters. Megan is great and the boat is the perfect size for getting very close to the dolphin.
I think the dolphin charters on smaller boats are just great. The dolphin will swim right up to the boat and make eye contact. You can reach out and touch them.
Super photo opportunity and memory maker!

Just got off the phone with Megan and booked the two-hour "dolphin tour" for next Friday (we're staying 8/6-9; first time at HHI) morning...now we're just hoping for nice weather and enough marine/bird life to hold our four year old daughter's attention! Does the resort run shuttles to the Beach House (seems like it's 1+ mile away) or is it walking/biking only? We'll have a rental car, but would prefer to just leave it parked except for runs to the grocery store. Thanks in advance for any information that you care to share for a family of "first timers" to HHI. We're looking forward to it!

 

[chum]

Just got off the phone with Megan and booked the two-hour "dolphin tour" for next Friday (we're staying 8/6-9; first time at HHI) morning...now we're just hoping for nice weather and enough marine/bird life to hold our four year old daughter's attention! Does the resort run shuttles to the Beach House (seems like it's 1+ mile away) or is it walking/biking only? We'll have a rental car, but would prefer to just leave it parked except for runs to the grocery store. Thanks in advance for any information that you care to share for a family of "first timers" to HHI. We're looking forward to it!

I think your daughter will have a super time. My 6yr old loves seeing the dolphin, grabbing marsh crabs and spotting gators. There is a shuttle to the beach (Al might be your driver and he's a long time Palmetto Dunes resident) which takes 5 minutes at the most. You can bike or walk there but I recommend the bikes or shuttle. Stop by the General Store on the beach side (Palmetto Dunes) if you bike because it's the perfect pitstop for ice cream or a cold beverage.
You'll have a great time and Megan will take good care of you.

 

[chum]

We got take-out from Alligator Grille last night, it was DELICIOUS!!!! :

I haven't been to Alligator Grille in a long time. Guess I should try it again.
Thanks for the review.

 

[chum]

So, those who have visited Hilton Head know that it can be hard to find a store or restaurant due to the town's regulations on setback distances (structures built 60ft away from roads) heavy landscaping and small earth toned painted signs. If you are searching after dark then this makes it double difficult so bring your night vision goggles!

I had to run out tonight to Publix and Wal-Mart which are part of the same shopping center and when I was pulling out a woman stopped her car and started to wave her arm at me. I rolled down the window and she was a bit exasperated as she asked me where Wal-Mart was. I told her she WAS IN the Wal-Mart parking lot!!!!

In her defense the store and parking lot are covered with oak and pine trees but it brought a smile none the less.

 

[Maryrn11168]

Hi,
I would recommend Island Time Charters. Megan is great and the boat is the perfect size for getting very close to the dolphin.
I think the dolphin charters on smaller boats are just great. The dolphin will swim right up to the boat and make eye contact. You can reach out and touch them.
Super photo opportunity and memory maker!

Thank you so much for this!! I called Megan and booked us for the "fireworks cruise" on Aug.11th!!! I was going between that and a dolphin tour and she told me we will see dolphins first and then head to the harbour for the fireworks!! Yeah!! We get to do both at the same time!!

 

[dvcnewgirl]

So, those who have visited Hilton Head know that it can be hard to find a store or restaurant due to the town's regulations on setback distances (structures built 60ft away from roads) heavy landscaping and small earth toned painted signs. If you are searching after dark then this makes it double difficult so bring your night vision goggles!

I had to run out tonight to Publix and Wal-Mart which are part of the same shopping center and when I was pulling out a woman stopped her car and started to wave her arm at me. I rolled down the window and she was a bit exasperated as she asked me where Wal-Mart was. I told her she WAS IN the Wal-Mart parking lot!!!!

In her defense the store and parking lot are covered with oak and pine trees but it brought a smile none the less.

Haha, we have been lost in the parking lot too!

 

[chum]

Yeah!! We get to do both at the same time!!

Wow!
I forgot about the fireworks cruise.
That's nice planning.
I love the reflection of the fireworks in the water.
What a great time.

 

[pnyltwk]

We went to HHI for a few days in April of 08 and enjoyed the resort. We were only there for two days after visiting family in S.C. for a week. After our time at HHI we wished that we had visited family for two days and spent 5 days at the resort. It was enough to convince us that we wanted to go back an enjoy a full week there. We are planning to try for reservations for Spring Break next year. I can call 8/28 and try to get a two bedroom If we get our suite we are going to invite the family to stop by and visit while we are there. Wish us luck.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Anyone know how far Island Time Charter is from the Disney's HH ? Are there cruises where u might not see dolphin ? Is one time better over another for the two hour cruise ? I'm looking at a 10:30 am cruise.

Thanks

Maria

 

[dizney4us]

Hi. Does anyone know if the HHI area has restaurants that can accomodate gluten free eating? Our girls have celiac disease and have to follow a gluten free diet. Thanks for any info you can share!

 

[chum]

Anyone know how far Island Time Charter is from the Disney's HH ? Are there cruises where u might not see dolphin ? Is one time better over another for the two hour cruise ? I'm looking at a 10:30 am cruise.

Thanks

Maria

Hi,
Megan at Island Time can accommodate your needs be it time or location.
Please contact her and she'll help you schedule a nice time on the local waters.

816.261.2410
CaptainMegan@islandtimechartershhi.com

 

[chum]

Hi. Does anyone know if the HHI area has restaurants that can accomodate gluten free eating? Our girls have celiac disease and have to follow a gluten free diet. Thanks for any info you can share!

Hello!
My wife has the same problem with gluten but we still eat at most of the island restaurants. The Italian places have less selection but she can still find something.
There's a good selection of steak, seafood and Mexican too.
The nice thing about Hilton Head is that there are a ton of restaurants.
You should not have a problem.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi,
Megan at Island Time can accommodate your needs be it time or location.
Please contact her and she'll help you schedule a nice time on the local waters.

816.261.2410
CaptainMegan@islandtimechartershhi.com

Hi...thanks....I had already contacted her a couple days ago and she offered a 10:30 am tour. I was just wondering how far from the disney resort her location is and what types of experiences people have had on this tour---in terms of actually sighting dolphin. So I was sort of looking for some personal experiences if anyone had them or heard anything ?

Thanks again
Maria

 

[sabrecmc]

Well...that Disney Visa discount was too good to pass up. I booked us a pre-Thanksgiving trip 11/20-11/24. It will be our first time at HHI. I've visited Savannah before, but never made it over to HHI. Though it will be too cold for beach swimming, I'm ok with that. We live at the beach in Destin, FL, so I can do without it. My 3 year old should enjoy all the activities and I will enjoy relaxing and getting my Christmas shopping started.

 

[dizney4us]

Hello!
My wife has the same problem with gluten but we still eat at most of the island restaurants. The Italian places have less selection but she can still find something.
There's a good selection of steak, seafood and Mexican too.
The nice thing about Hilton Head is that there are a ton of restaurants.
You should not have a problem.

That's great to know. Thank you so much!

 

[chum]

For those visiting HHI in August and Sept there is one more activity you may be interested in.
This time of year the loggerhead eggs are hatching and the little loggerheads are flapping their way from the dunes to the ocean. This happens at night and can be witnessed starting at 8:30p. So make your way to the beach after dark and bring a flashlight. It's very quiet at that time and all you'll hear is the gently tide rolling in.
A very special event if you ask me!

Learn more here.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well...that Disney Visa discount was too good to pass up. I booked us a pre-Thanksgiving trip 11/20-11/24. It will be our first time at HHI. I've visited Savannah before, but never made it over to HHI. Though it will be too cold for beach swimming, I'm ok with that. We live at the beach in Destin, FL, so I can do without it. My 3 year old should enjoy all the activities and I will enjoy relaxing and getting my Christmas shopping started.

See ya there! There's a real nice Christmas shop over at Shelter Cove.