HHI LOVERS THREAD

[hayesdvc]

My family loves all things Disney and DVC has allowed us to take this love to a new level.

We thought using points in any way not WDW related was a waste ....... until we started going to the DVC property in Hilton Head.

The property is Disney through and through. Great location, big rooms, the Beach House and simply the best cast members Disney has to offer. The area offers so much to do and the food; oh my, the food.

We began allotting part of our points each year for HHI, until recently when we added a new home resort.

What things continue to make you want to go time after time?

 

[toystory1130]

This will be easy...
The hot tub, slide at the pool, the Spanish moss in the trees, pin trading, dole whips and Mickey bars, combing the beach in the early morning for sharks teeth, playing pool with my kids at the beach house, water volleyball, our favorite lunch spot Java Burrito, bike riding the trails, gater and bird watching at Pinckney Island, taking a boat out to the disappearing island-hunting for sand dollars and starfish, (and finding them!!) photos with Pluto and so many choices for dinner!! Can you tell we love love Hilton Head Disney?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Why do we go every year (off season)? Mainly the excellent Cast Members and the beautiful nature. We're avid bird watchers, and always do lots of bird watching there. And in the last couple years, we've also discovered the joys of bike riding there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Besides all of the wonderful things at the resort itself, we love the delicious seafood and local culinary offerings so abundant in the area.

I hope I always feel the joyous wonder I experienced when seeing the pelicans fly!

 

[poohbear6]

LOVE HHI!! We will be there over Christmas and New Years this year. Anyone else traveling then?

 

[sleepydog25]

For all the reasons listed above. Nothing new to add, really, but must say I agree with the friendliest CMs around. They have always been topnotch, even when we've merely stopped by to visit (and not stay). Our favorite thing about HHI isn't actually Disney related, however. The food. There are so many excellent options within a short drive of the resort, and a few within walking distance. Being able to eat fresh seafood and fish is a huge draw for us, not to mention our favorite Italian restaurant perhaps anywhere--OMBRA Cucina Rustica. Chef Michael is a wizard. We don't get to HHI often enough, but when we do, it's always a joy.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wanted to add, 11 years ago we went for Thanksgiving, at the time it was going to be just once. After that, we bought points so we could do Thanksgiving there every other year. But within a year? Need more points, so we can do Thanksgiving there EVERY year. In a few weeks, we head to Thanksgiving there for our 11th straight year. Doing the Island Rec Center's Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning is a tradition for DH. Heck, we remember the years when it was the "Piggly Wiggly Turkey Trot".

 

[hayesdvc]

We normally stay in the Live Oak Lodge. What and why are some of your favorite buildings and rooms to stay?

 

[Lindsay's4littles]

We stopped in to visit Disney's HHI resort todsy. We are staying about a mile down the road in a resort (Hilton Head Resort) with our 5 young children. We were absolutely blown away by this resort! We ended up staying for hours. It's so beautiful, quite, relaxing, family friendly, kid friendly, adult friendly, so much of a Disney feel, Mickey waffles... I could go on and on.
We currently own at AKV and are for sure going to add HHI as a home resort in the future!

We left there both (husband and I) adding up the amount of points we want to add on to this beautiful piece of DVC.

 

[chepic]

going there in April and looking forward to it.

 

[hayesdvc]

Does anyone know if the shrimp boil will be coming back this year?

 

[kittyab]

We are going in March. When can we put in for our bldg request? Also, what is the best bldg to be in?

 

[KornBred]

I am checking in for 4 days on Tuesday. First time back since 2014. Man I am ready to enjoy that low country Disney living.

 

[kittyab]

How soon should I book the dolphin & beach combing cruises? We will be in HHI in March.

 

[toystory1130]

We book through Outside Hilton Head, they are right around the other side of the marina, you can walk there. I usually book their beachcoming cruise online a week before at least, check the weather. The boat can fill up as it seats 12 and you can only go on that specific cruise once a day at low tide. We have been a few times and always have the best time finding sand dollars.

 

[jlab]

We are thinking we want to try for a Spring Break 2019 trip to HHI. Is there room for an air mattress or cot in the studio ? We wouldn't be over the max occupancy, we're a family of 4. As the kids get older, it's harder to arrange everyone to comfortably share a full size pull out, and we were wondering if we could make it work.


This may be a moot question, if the studios book long before the 7 month window opens!

 

[kristenrice]

In 2011, I decided to throw caution to the wind and added on a 50 point contract at HHI. We went direct and financed it, knowing that it would only be a mere $25 out of each paycheck, since it was only $80/point back then. I have been able to pay a few extra payments here and there and the contract will be paid off next year. We have made three trips to HHI so far and we cannot wait to get back. My only regret is that I wish we had looked for a larger, resale contract so that we would have enough points to go more frequently. With only 50 points, we are stuck with going only once every three years, unless we can get lucky and score something at 7-months out with our AKV points.

Every time we go, it feels like summer camp for adults. On our most recent trip (April 2017), we took our first off-shore fishing excursion. We caught (and ATE!) shark for the first time! My daughters loved it and DH said that we are definitely doing that again. The thing I love the most about the HHI trips is that they are very budget-friendly...well, they were until DH and the girls found out about those off-shore fishing trips. We can rent a car, drive down from Michigan and spend 2 nights in hotels while traveling, as well as pay for all of our food and entertainment, and still stay under $2K for an 8 night trip. That's under half of what a trip to WDW costs. On top of that, we can actually r-e-l-a-x...no worrying about making ADRs and FP and rope drops. There is enough to do to keep you occupied, but not so much to do that you feel that you have to be constantly going to get your money's worth.

 

[sleepydog25]

We are thinking we want to try for a Spring Break 2019 trip to HHI. Is there room for an air mattress or cot in the studio ? We wouldn't be over the max occupancy, we're a family of 4. As the kids get older, it's harder to arrange everyone to comfortably share a full size pull out, and we were wondering if we could make it work.


This may be a moot question, if the studios book long before the 7 month window opens!

I don't own there, so someone who does may disagree, but as someone who has attempted to get into HHI at the 7-month point, it's a very hard reservation to secure, especially studios. Spring break is traditionally crowded pretty much everywhere, and HHI doesn't seem to be any different. I do wish you the best of luck, however!

 

[kristenrice]

I don't own there, so someone who does may disagree, but as someone who has attempted to get into HHI at the 7-month point, it's a very hard reservation to secure, especially studios. Spring break is traditionally crowded pretty much everywhere, and HHI doesn't seem to be any different. I do wish you the best of luck, however!

HHI is a relatively small resort. There are only 21 studios and 21 1BR's so those can be very hard to get at 7-months, especially over spring break. If you want a 2BR, you may have slightly better luck since there are 76 of those, but if you are looking for summer or spring break, you will need a lot of luck at 7 months.

 

[jlab]

I don't own there, so someone who does may disagree, but as someone who has attempted to get into HHI at the 7-month point, it's a very hard reservation to secure, especially studios. Spring break is traditionally crowded pretty much everywhere, and HHI doesn't seem to be any different. I do wish you the best of luck, however!

HHI is a relatively small resort. There are only 21 studios and 21 1BR's so those can be very hard to get at 7-months, especially over spring break. If you want a 2BR, you may have slightly better luck since there are 76 of those, but if you are looking for summer or spring break, you will need a lot of luck at 7 months.

Thank you both! This is helpful to know. We'll be making a back up plan tonight!