HHI Adoration & Information 2009

[sabrecmc]

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

Thanks for the info!

Now I'm going to reveal my total dork-ness, but...Nov. 20 is when Twilight: New Moon comes out. I could wait until after Thanksgiving, but I swear to God my 60 year old mom will freak if I don't have a theater lined up. I see a couple of theaters on HHI...which one is nicer? Stadium seating and all that?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

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.

So did I! I am going 11/11 leaving 11/14. $66/night is unreal! Will be looking for that Christmas shop!

 

[chum]

Thanks for the info!

I see a couple of theaters on HHI...which one is nicer? Stadium seating and all that?

A true Twilight dork would leave the island and drive 25 minutes to the Sea Turtle Cinema in Bluffton.
They have very comfortable stadium seating, surround sound and BIG screens. You can eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger before or after which is in the same center.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Is it possible to catch a boat ride that goes to Savannah and back to HHI?

 

[chum]

Yes there are boats from HHI to Savannah.
Try the Vagabond.

 

[mc97]

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

We just did the 9am-11am tour this morning...the boat launch is a couple miles away from the resort, but it took less than 10 minutes to get there.

We probably had a dozen dolphin sightings during the two hours, with two close encounters where they swam within a few feet of the boat, so I think you're always going to see some. It's illegal to feed them, but it seemed like Megan was one of the few captains and/or private boaters actually following this law...the dolphins are obviously going to prefer to hang out near the boats with chum/fish in the water.

I would just recommend having realistic expectations, especially if you're bringing children (our four year daughter got "bored" after about 75 minutes) with you, about the amount of time you'll be seeing dolphins since it's maybe 10% of the cruise; however, seeing these wild animals in their natural habitat is pretty memorable and should not be missed. We would/will definitely go again, Megan is very nice and especially good with kids, but I think we'll do the fireworks cruise so the dolphins are a bonus instead of the main purpose/focus of the trip!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Please change my trip dates to HHI again! Taking advantage of the Disney rewards Visa offer for a HHI studio!! Now going Nov. 11- departing Nov. 14th!

 

[MiaSRN62]

We just did the 9am-11am tour this morning...the boat launch is a couple miles away from the resort, but it took less than 10 minutes to get there.

We probably had a dozen dolphin sightings during the two hours, with two close encounters where they swam within a few feet of the boat, so I think you're always going to see some. It's illegal to feed them, but it seemed like Megan was one of the few captains and/or private boaters actually following this law...the dolphins are obviously going to prefer to hang out near the boats with chum/fish in the water.

I would just recommend having realistic expectations, especially if you're bringing children (our four year daughter got "bored" after about 75 minutes) with you, about the amount of time you'll be seeing dolphins since it's maybe 10% of the cruise; however, seeing these wild animals in their natural habitat is pretty memorable and should not be missed. We would/will definitely go again, Megan is very nice and especially good with kids, but I think we'll do the fireworks cruise so the dolphins are a bonus instead of the main purpose/focus of the trip!

Thanks so much for your response and sharing your experience

Maria

 

[MinnesotaChill]

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.

We're trying for this time as well, if I've done my checking, this will include Easter week, I'm wondering if that will be a problem at HH?

We're driving from Minnesota and are have two options - Drive straight through 22 hours (we're road trip pros and can do it) but aren't sure if we should take it slow. If we drive straight thru we'd arrive on Sat and would have those extra points we'd need to use, but we'd have an extra day at DVC & HH. If we take it slow, we'll arrive on Sun. Either way we plan to leave for home Friday. We've never been there before, would a Sun-Fri stay be enough since we don't have theme parks to figure in or should we maximize our time at HH and suffer through the long drive straight through?

Also, I'm notorious for wanting to extend and stay "just one more day..." should I just book the Friday night at the end of the trip now, or will I have enough relaxing time that I won't need the extra day? We're the casual park type that likes 10 days at WDW so we don't have to rush, but I still usually feel like I need an extra day at the end of the trip... maybe no amount of days are ever enough!

I realize that it won't be HH at its best at that time of year, especially in terms of DVC and the summer parties, but when you live in Minnesota it is hard to justify going south during the summer since June, July and August on the lakes in MN are what we live for all winter long!

 

[pnyltwk]

We're trying for this time as well, if I've done my checking, this will include Easter week, I'm wondering if that will be a problem at HH?

We're driving from Minnesota and are have two options - Drive straight through 22 hours (we're road trip pros and can do it) but aren't sure if we should take it slow. If we drive straight thru we'd arrive on Sat and would have those extra points we'd need to use, but we'd have an extra day at DVC & HH. If we take it slow, we'll arrive on Sun. Either way we plan to leave for home Friday. We've never been there before, would a Sun-Fri stay be enough since we don't have theme parks to figure in or should we maximize our time at HH and suffer through the long drive straight through?

Also, I'm notorious for wanting to extend and stay "just one more day..." should I just book the Friday night at the end of the trip now, or will I have enough relaxing time that I won't need the extra day? We're the casual park type that likes 10 days at WDW so we don't have to rush, but I still usually feel like I need an extra day at the end of the trip... maybe no amount of days are ever enough!

I realize that it won't be HH at its best at that time of year, especially in terms of DVC and the summer parties, but when you live in Minnesota it is hard to justify going south during the summer since June, July and August on the lakes in MN are what we live for all winter long!

That is what we plan to do. Our previous stay was Sat-Monday. We waited so long to make reservations that nothing was available for the time period that we wanted. So we wound up taking the weekend period as a last resort. HH will give you a schedule that will cover the period that you are there. The resort schedules activities that will keep you busy. Of course the events are tailored to a wide variety of ages. We did not have time to explore HH on our own. But I am sure that there is lots to do. I would think that Sun-Fri would be enough time to do what ever you wanted to do and then some.

 

[fijidoc]

We're trying for this time as well, if I've done my checking, this will include Easter week, I'm wondering if that will be a problem at HH?

We're driving from Minnesota and are have two options - Drive straight through 22 hours (we're road trip pros and can do it) but aren't sure if we should take it slow. If we drive straight thru we'd arrive on Sat and would have those extra points we'd need to use, but we'd have an extra day at DVC & HH. If we take it slow, we'll arrive on Sun. Either way we plan to leave for home Friday. We've never been there before, would a Sun-Fri stay be enough since we don't have theme parks to figure in or should we maximize our time at HH and suffer through the long drive straight through?

Also, I'm notorious for wanting to extend and stay "just one more day..." should I just book the Friday night at the end of the trip now, or will I have enough relaxing time that I won't need the extra day? We're the casual park type that likes 10 days at WDW so we don't have to rush, but I still usually feel like I need an extra day at the end of the trip... maybe no amount of days are ever enough!

I realize that it won't be HH at its best at that time of year, especially in terms of DVC and the summer parties, but when you live in Minnesota it is hard to justify going south during the summer since June, July and August on the lakes in MN are what we live for all winter long!

What we did was spend a night in Savanah. We did not have as far a drive it was about 11 hours for us. We spent a night at Savanah and toured around the town. Saved the points on Saturday, loved Savahanh and toured around there before it was time to drive and check in at HH. That way you get most of driving done. Relax and have a nice dinner in Savanah and tour around before going to HH and it saves you some points.

 

[discott71]

I was wondering how hard it is to get a 2bdrm at the 7 month mark in July or August (for next year of course). Our family is pretty flexible and can go anytime over that period.

Thanks!

 

[Maryrn11168]

We just did the 9am-11am tour this morning...the boat launch is a couple miles away from the resort, but it took less than 10 minutes to get there.



We would/will definitely go again, Megan is very nice and especially good with kids, but I think we'll do the fireworks cruise so the dolphins are a bonus instead of the main purpose/focus of the trip!

Hi!! We did the fireworks cruise last night and had a great time!! I will mention, for those of you who have not gone with Megan before that you meet at the "Cross Bay Boat Landing" we were looking for a "marina" and thought we were lost when there wasn't one!!

Since it was the fireworks cruise we were meeting at 7pm. The boat landing was right by the Palmetto Dunes Marina, so we went early and a nice dinner at Captain Woody's!! We met megan around 6:45pm She loaded us right onboard and started off!! I should mention the it was my DH, DS-10, DD-7, DS-6, DNiece-13 and myself. We saw quite a few dolphins and she would slow down to see if we could get them to come closer...2 came right next to the boat and seemed to wait for us to take their picture!!! She was great with the kids and there need for speed!!! She answered all of their questions ( I think my 6 yo could now pass the boating course!!!! LOL!!! He asked her what every button, monitor, closet on the boat was for!!!)

As the sun set we headed toward Shelter Cove and watched the fireworks!! They were very nice!! We had a great experience and I would highly recommend Island Time Charters and Cpt Megan!!!

One other tidbit to keep in mind...there is no bathroom on board, so DH and I watched the liquid intakes until the latter part of the trip!!! This was not a problem for our boys, accom could be made for them, but the girls were a little bit of a problem!!!

Hope anyone that goes has as much fun as we did!!!

 

[chum]

I'm glad you guys had such a nice time on the water.

When are we going to see some photos?

 

[Maryrn11168]

I'm glad you guys had such a nice time on the water.

When are we going to see some photos?

As soon as we get home and I can upload them from my camera!!!

 

[mbw12]

Does anyone know if they allow skim boarding and/or boogy boarding on the beach near the Beach House? We live in Jersey and my son skim boards for hours on end up here, but only certain areas of beach allow it.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

I have never heard of a limit on Skim boarding on HH. I know they do it here on Tybee.

Also, I just heard on the radio that the jellyfish are making themselves felt on HH. Please be careful over there.

If you are stung, stay in the water, get a handfull of sand from the bottom and scrape the sand on the spot of contact. You have to get those spines out before the air gets to them. If that doesn't help (or it's too late) get some ammonia or urine and wash the area with that. It will kill the pain quick. They should have supplies in the beach house.

 

[chum]

As Conan said above, it's A-OK to skimboard anywhere on Hilton Head's beach.

 

[Sox_Fan]

8/23-8/29

 

[Maryrn11168]

.

Also, I just heard on the radio that the jellyfish are making themselves felt on HH. Please be careful over there.

If you are stung, stay in the water, get a handfull of sand from the bottom and scrape the sand on the spot of contact. You have to get those spines out before the air gets to them. If that doesn't help (or it's too late) get some ammonia or urine and wash the area with that. It will kill the pain quick. They should have supplies in the beach house.

Jelly fish were a big problem whenwe were at the beach house on Monday!! My DS and DNiece both got stung!! So did about 35 others!!! needless to say we have not been back over there since!!! My son is a bit afraid to go back in the water (he got bit on both ankles!!!) The lifegaurds have a spray of vinegar and salt water that helps with the sting!!