HHI LOVERS THREAD

[Suzabella]

Vinmar4, one suggestion for places that don't take reservations during high season, would be to go early. Most people don't go to dinner until 6 or later. We usually try to get to the restaurant around 5 and have had good luck with that. After Labor Day and before Memorial Day, it isn't that big of a deal. Sorry but I didn't go back far enough to see when your trip is. Hope you have a great time! DHHIR is our happy place!

 

[RapunzelRN]

YESSSS! This exactly. You can see it on the DVC site that way but not on the regular site. So frustrating! When people say that found a room available for cash for some random night in September, I am like how? Just dumb luck?

We’ve booked cash stays for 2BR the last three years on the website, usually booking at 9-11 months out. We are dvc but HHI is not our home and we use our points elsewhere. Maybe that’s the trick is doing it way out in advance(?) Always amazes me too that their cash stay prices are less than renting points!

 

[woodleygrrl]

Yeah, I am DVC too. I just want to pay cash for a couple of nights before the summer is over. But there is no way to figure out what nights are available. Disney can make you fly over the Taj mahal and take a train to find a Yeti but they can't make a fully functioning website, FFS.

 

[vinmar4]

Vinmar4, one suggestion for places that don't take reservations during high season, would be to go early. Most people don't go to dinner until 6 or later. We usually try to get to the restaurant around 5 and have had good luck with that. After Labor Day and before Memorial Day, it isn't that big of a deal. Sorry but I didn't go back far enough to see when your trip is. Hope you have a great time! DHHIR is our happy place!

Thank you , that's a great idea!
We are going the first week of August.

We really hope we like it there. We are not really beach people, but we're still planning on going for a couple of hours or so. Even when we visited Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, we would visit the beach for a couple of hours but would rather get in the resort's pools. Plus, I read that there may be sharks !

We are really looking forward to just relaxing at the resort, do some grilling and enjoy the pools for part to the day, but also, enjoying fresh seafood and going to Savannah and do a boat tour.

We are flying Into Savannah, renting a car and spending our first night there. The following day, we are driving to HHI and waiting for my sister to arrive from Chicago with her family.

Can't wait!

 

[Suzabella]

We aren't really beach people either. I won't swim where I can't see the color of my toe nail polish. ;-) There's also been the occasional alligator that makes his way to the salt water. I've actually found 5 fossilized shark's teeth on trips in the last year. It is a great beach to walk though and we do that at least once a day but usually twice while we're there. We've been going to HHI for 20 years. You'll love the Beach House pool - right on the ocean with easy access. Savannah is an easy & short 45 min or so drive. Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[woodleygrrl]

Please check out my comments up earlier in this thread. We were in HHI a month ago and restaurants were full at 4pm for dinner. Most of the places have these insanely large parking lots and they were full too. In fact many of them have golf carts to bring people that have mobility issues up to the restaurant from the 1/4 mile trek from the lot to the front door.

Just know that if masks and social distancing or people having vaccines are a thing for you, you may want to reconsider going out to eat.

Not judging you if that is not your concern, just simply stating a fact. The vaccination rate is VERY low in SC and the restaurants are VERY crowded.

 

[Suzabella]

We were there last month also but our kids managed to get into Crazy Crab by being there at 5pm. We had reservations for British Open Pub on Wednesday for their prime rib special and had no wait. Food was terrific! If you think you might want to try a couple restaurants, I would call the week before you go (at least) and make reservations. There are some that don't take reservations or fill up sooner. Dockside is one of those that fill up and I tried a week ahead.

Another option would be SERG Take Out Kitchen. SERG owns a lot of the really good restaurants on island. They opened a location no far from the resort where you can get meals to go, frozen or meals to warm up from various restaurants on island. We've done this several times since Covid and everything we've tried was amazing. We've done it all...meals to go, warm up or frozen and absolutely love the convenience. Their menu is here: https://serggroup.com/serg-takeout/.

Hilton Head did drop their mask requirement but a lot of restaurants have outdoor dining if you'd feel more comfortable or do as I mentioned above. They're still honoring social distancing guidelines. A lot of restaurants do have take out as well.

 

[teawar]

We were in Hilton Head the week after July 4th and picked up dinner out most nights and brought it back to the hotel room to eat. We are vaccinated, but our child is to lo young, so we decided this is what we felt comfortable with for our family. Go early or plan to wait forever!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you , that's a great idea!
We are going the first week of August.

We really hope we like it there. We are not really beach people, but we're still planning on going for a couple of hours or so. Even when we visited Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, we would visit the beach for a couple of hours but would rather get in the resort's pools. Plus, I read that there may be sharks !

We are really looking forward to just relaxing at the resort, do some grilling and enjoy the pools for part to the day, but also, enjoying fresh seafood and going to Savannah and do a boat tour.

We are flying Into Savannah, renting a car and spending our first night there. The following day, we are driving to HHI and waiting for my sister to arrive from Chicago with her family.

Can't wait!

Depending on the venue and the day of the week you're there, you may be able to get in early or you may have to wait a bit. In general, the earlier you arrive for dinner, the better. In the case of Crazy Crab, it's likely you can get in without too much wait around 4:45-5 p.m., though the parking lot is full at that time (I drive by it often at that time). Others, like Skull Creek Boathouse, can have a waiting list already by 5 p.m. As mentioned, there are a number of very good restaurants that do take reservations, though you often have to use a reservation service like Ressie or Open Table.

You mention grilling at the resort. There are several located around the resort, so most buildings have one within a short walk if not literally right outside the building itself. They require charcoal, so you will have to provide your own. The Kroger at Shelter Cove is very convenient--you could walk there is you wish (10-12 minutes) or it's a short car or bike ride away. If you want fresh seafood to prepare, Barnacle Bill's is less than two miles down the main drag, though he tends to sell out early. Another few miles down, just before you cross over the two main bridges between HHI and Bluffton, is Hudson's Fresh Seafood (not the same as the restaurant), and they have a wider selection and usually don't run out of items. Both venues are excellent.

As for the pools, the main pool tends to fill up fairly quickly. Some people get there right at 9 a.m. to grab the chairs they want, but you can often find open spots as late as 10-10:30. After that, you have to put your name into a virtual queue where the CM will text you when chairs become available for the size of your party. The Beach House pool has no lifeguard, therefore, no queue, and even when all the deck chairs are taken, there is still plenty of seating by using the tables under the awnings. That pool area never closes due to capacity, plus there's an indoor area--Surfmen's Station--where you can also relax and get out of the heat. There is no slide there, but given it's right at the beach with a private gate, you are merely steps away from walking on the beach. The issue there is parking. Most days the Beach House parking lot is full by 10:30, so taking the shuttle is your best bet unless you feel like biking or walking over (1.5 miles one way) on the lovely bike paths. Around 3:30 or so, the parking lot begins to slowly empty and spots are available. The BH is open until 7 p.m., currently, but the shuttle only runs 9-5.

Have a great trip!

 

[vinmar4]

We were there last month also but our kids managed to get into Crazy Crab by being there at 5pm. We had reservations for British Open Pub on Wednesday for their prime rib special and had no wait. Food was terrific! If you think you might want to try a couple restaurants, I would call the week before you go (at least) and make reservations. There are some that don't take reservations or fill up sooner. Dockside is one of those that fill up and I tried a week ahead.

Another option would be SERG Take Out Kitchen. SERG owns a lot of the really good restaurants on island. They opened a location no far from the resort where you can get meals to go, frozen or meals to warm up from various restaurants on island. We've done this several times since Covid and everything we've tried was amazing. We've done it all...meals to go, warm up or frozen and absolutely love the convenience. Their menu is here: https://serggroup.com/serg-takeout/.

Hilton Head did drop their mask requirement but a lot of restaurants have outdoor dining if you'd feel more comfortable or do as I mentioned above. They're still honoring social distancing guidelines. A lot of restaurants do have take out as well.

Thank you,
This maybe a better idea now with the cover-19 numbers raising , I just read that Savannah GA is requiring indoor masks again.
Just our luck !!

 

[vinmar4]

We were in Hilton Head the week after July 4th and picked up dinner out most nights and brought it back to the hotel room to eat. We are vaccinated, but our child is to lo young, so we decided this is what we felt comfortable with for our family. Go early or plan to wait forever!

I know the feeling, we are all vaccinated, but my sister's family is not and won't do it.
I told them that we could pick up some meals to eat at the resort, but I also told her that we are going to visit some restaurants ,but they don't have to go if they don't feel comfortable , specially now with the cases raising again.

 

[vinmar4]

Depending on the venue and the day of the week you're there, you may be able to get in early or you may have to wait a bit. In general, the earlier you arrive for dinner, the better. In the case of Crazy Crab, it's likely you can get in without too much wait around 4:45-5 p.m., though the parking lot is full at that time (I drive by it often at that time). Others, like Skull Creek Boathouse, can have a waiting list already by 5 p.m. As mentioned, there are a number of very good restaurants that do take reservations, though you often have to use a reservation service like Ressie or Open Table.

You mention grilling at the resort. There are several located around the resort, so most buildings have one within a short walk if not literally right outside the building itself. They require charcoal, so you will have to provide your own. The Kroger at Shelter Cove is very convenient--you could walk there is you wish (10-12 minutes) or it's a short car or bike ride away. If you want fresh seafood to prepare, Barnacle Bill's is less than two miles down the main drag, though he tends to sell out early. Another few miles down, just before you cross over the two main bridges between HHI and Bluffton, is Hudson's Fresh Seafood (not the same as the restaurant), and they have a wider selection and usually don't run out of items. Both venues are excellent.

As for the pools, the main pool tends to fill up fairly quickly. Some people get there right at 9 a.m. to grab the chairs they want, but you can often find open spots as late as 10-10:30. After that, you have to put your name into a virtual queue where the CM will text you when chairs become available for the size of your party. The Beach House pool has no lifeguard, therefore, no queue, and even when all the deck chairs are taken, there is still plenty of seating by using the tables under the awnings. That pool area never closes due to capacity, plus there's an indoor area--Surfmen's Station--where you can also relax and get out of the heat. There is no slide there, but given it's right at the beach with a private gate, you are merely steps away from walking on the beach. The issue there is parking. Most days the Beach House parking lot is full by 10:30, so taking the shuttle is your best bet unless you feel like biking or walking over (1.5 miles one way) on the lovely bike paths. Around 3:30 or so, the parking lot begins to slowly empty and spots are available. The BH is open until 7 p.m., currently, but the shuttle only runs 9-5.

Have a great trip!

Good morning,

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide us all with so much information!

I just took a picture of your information so I have it handy in my phone( LOL )

Do you work in that resort ?

If you do, hopefully we get to see you to thank you in person !

Have a nice day !

 

[tbssenterprises]

Note to that person flying into Savannah. If you are staying at an airport hotel, then may I suggest you jump right on I-95 North and take it up to Exit 8 in South Carolina and then east on 278 into Hilton Head. It is a good 20-25 miles (from I-95 to Hilton Head), but I think it is a lot easier than taking the backroads which is what your GPS would probably encourage you to do. I for one don't like the back roads (think alligator ally) and they are so darn confusing.....

 

[vinmar4]

Note to that person flying into Savannah. If you are staying at an airport hotel, then may I suggest you jump right on I-95 North and take it up to Exit 8 in South Carolina and then east on 278 into Hilton Head. It is a good 20-25 miles (from I-95 to Hilton Head), but I think it is a lot easier than taking the backroads which is what your GPS would probably encourage you to do. I for one don't like the back roads (think alligator ally) and they are so darn confusing.....

We are flying into Savannah , thank you so much for your advice !

 

[vinmar4]

Note to that person flying into Savannah. If you are staying at an airport hotel, then may I suggest you jump right on I-95 North and take it up to Exit 8 in South Carolina and then east on 278 into Hilton Head. It is a good 20-25 miles (from I-95 to Hilton Head), but I think it is a lot easier than taking the backroads which is what your GPS would probably encourage you to do. I for one don't like the back roads (think alligator ally) and they are so darn confusing.....

We are flying into Savannah , thank you so much for your advice !

 

[sleepydog25]

Good morning,

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide us all with so much information!

I just took a picture of your information so I have it handy in my phone( LOL )

Do you work in that resort ?

If you do, hopefully we get to see you to thank you in person !

Have a nice day !

It truly is a lovely resort with everyone there doing his/her best to make your vacation one you'll remember for years to come. The vibe there--we call it the "low country vibe"--is one of relaxation, kicking back, doing family/couple time, eating great food, and submersing yourself into the ocean and marsh views. No stressing on ADRs, no long lines (except some restaurants-lol), no FPs, no park reservations, and getting around is easy if a bit traffic-y at times.

And, yes, I do. I work all over the resort--Broad Creek/Mercantile/Tide Me Over area, the Beach House, and hauling linens and refuse all from all over the main resort. Funny story, just two days ago a woman walked up to me at the Beach House and said, "I have a funny question to ask you. Are you on the DISboards?" Yes, I replied. "Would you happen to be sleepdog25?" LOL We went on to talk for about 15 minutes about a variety of topics. It was a great moment since one of my favorite things is to engage with guests, to make their vacations more enjoyable. So, if you see a tall, ruggedly handsome guy running around in blue shorts and a rust-colored shirt, feel free to say "hi!"

 

[vinmar4]

It truly is a lovely resort with everyone there doing his/her best to make your vacation one you'll remember for years to come. The vibe there--we call it the "low country vibe"--is one of relaxation, kicking back, doing family/couple time, eating great food, and submersing yourself into the ocean and marsh views. No stressing on ADRs, no long lines (except some restaurants-lol), no FPs, no park reservations, and getting around is easy if a bit traffic-y at times.

And, yes, I do. I work all over the resort--Broad Creek/Mercantile/Tide Me Over area, the Beach House, and hauling linens and refuse all from all over the main resort. Funny story, just two days ago a woman walked up to me at the Beach House and said, "I have a funny question to ask you. Are you on the DISboards?" Yes, I replied. "Would you happen to be sleepdog25?" LOL We went on to talk for about 15 minutes about a variety of topics. It was a great moment since one of my favorite things is to engage with guests, to make their vacations more enjoyable. So, if you see a tall, ruggedly handsome guy running around in blue shorts and a rust-colored shirt, feel free to say "hi!"

Good morning,
Lol, that's funny,!
and will do for sure!
Have a great day!

 

[glennbo123]

So, if you see a tall, ruggedly handsome guy running around in blue shorts and a rust-colored shirt, feel free to say "hi!"

Watch out the last week of September.

 

[sleepydog25]

Watch out the last week of September.

Sounds great! I'll be on the lookout!

 

[sleepydog25]

Late breaking news...as you may have heard, due to rising Covid cases in so many hotspots, Disney has announced a new policy that requires all guests, vaccinated or not, to wear masks indoors at WDW. Similarly, starting tomorrow at DHHIR, the same rule will apply. If you must be inside for any activity--checking in, making pillows, etc.--ALL guests age 2 and older will be required to wear a mask. More changes may come, but for now, that's the first step. So far, the HHI and nearby areas have not mandated a new policy; however, Savannah has instituted a new mask policy for indoors, though to be fair I'm not exactly sure what it entails. I'm sure a quick google will net said information for those of you who plan to visit Savannah.