HHI/Shelter Cove parking

[Sox_Fan]

Certainly someone here is familiar with the parking situation for visitors at HHI? Next month during our stay at HHI, my in-laws will be camping at a campground a couple of miles away. I am hoping that they will be able to park nearby to visit with us (free of charge, if possible). Last year we vacationed at a resort (non-Disney) that charged for parking, so consequently ended up spending a good part of each day at their campground rather than at our resort. This time I would much rather spend our time at HHI, so I'm hoping the parking situation is amenable to that

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Parking at HHI doesn't seem to be a problem in that I've never noticed a lack of available spaces.

There may be a recognized process for having visitors, but I am not aware of it. However, they do give you a parking pass to place on your dashboard. Perhaps they have a visitor pass.

If you don't get a definitive response try a PM to Webmaster Doc. He probably knows.

 

[Doctor P]

Parking at HHI doesn't seem to be a problem in that I've never noticed a lack of available spaces.

There may be a recognized process for having visitors, but I am not aware of it. However, they do give you a parking pass to place on your dashboard. Perhaps they have a visitor pass.

If you don't get a definitive response try a PM to Webmaster Doc. He probably knows.

I'm not sure when you have been there, but the last time that we were there parking spaces were at a premium at the resort. When we left each time, there was some question as to where we would be able to park when we got back. This was at Easter time last year.

 

[3pirates]

Living in Atlanta, we always drive to HH.

There is parking at the resort, but you do need a pass to come and go easily. Whether the resort would give an extra pass to your in laws, I can't say.

But there is tons of public parking at Shelter Cove, just across the bridge. People stay in the places, shop in the shops, eat in the restaurants. I'm sure it would not be a problem for them to park there if resort parking were difficult.

 

[3pirates]

I'm not sure when you have been there, but the last time that we were there parking spaces were at a premium at the resort. When we left each time, there was some question as to where we would be able to park when we got back. This was at Easter time last year.

And I agree with this post...if the resort is fairly full, parking spots there can be scarce. I don't know exactly when you're going, but Summer is fairly popular at HHI.

 

[Sox_Fan]

We'll be at HH the week prior to and including Labor Day weekend, so it will likely be busy. It sounds as though public parking at Shelter Cove isn't a problem - that's good news! I think they'll be fine as long as they can park within walking distance (and not be charged); it doesn't have to be on the HH resort property. Thanks to all who responded - we're looking forward to HH!!!

 

[dis-happy]

We'll be at HH the week prior to and including Labor Day weekend, so it will likely be busy. It sounds as though public parking at Shelter Cove isn't a problem - that's good news! I think they'll be fine as long as they can park within walking distance (and not be charged); it doesn't have to be on the HH resort property. Thanks to all who responded - we're looking forward to HH!!!

Be careful about Tuesdays when the fireworks go off over Shelter Cove. Parking from the afternoon on gets progressively worse to impossible at Shelter Cove, so they should plan on getting there early.

 

[Demosthenes]

We were just at HH over July 4th. This is supposed to be the busiest week of the year for the resort, and I know the place was completely sold out. The parking was busy, but there were always spaces (maybe not directly by our building, but parking nonetheless). We had visitors come on July 4th. We reported to the front desk that the visitors would be coming, and they told us to have them call at the call box when they arrived, and for our guests to come in to get a 1 day parking pass and gate key. Parking at Shelter Cove was nonexistent on July 4th. There were outdoor concerts and other events going on. i wouldn't be surprised if the same thing is happening for Labor Day.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

It was sold out when we were there as well but still plenty of spaces available inside the resort.

Never a problem at all--in addition to the plentiful parking at the Cove shops.

It really all depends on what the vacationers that re there are doing that week. For ex we had 3 rooms and one car, but those 3 rooms could have easily had 3 cars tied to them.

Im sure there been plenty of cases where there are 2 cars to a room.

 

[canda]

I think you will be fine. many people leave for the beach and dinner so there should be plenty of spaces during the day. Around 8:00 pm they start to fill back up.

I think the fire works end in Aug. so that will not be a problem. You do have to be a registered guest to get in the gates on tues. They stop you and check. Esp. people walking and biking. So you need to get a pass for them if the fireworks are still going on.

 

[gracelrm]

We usually visit HH in October, so the resort is generally not full. However, parking does seem to be a problem in the evening. I know in the past, when we come back around 9:00 or so, we've had to circle around the parking lot and return to the front to find a space. I believe one problem is that the parking spaces were lined for small cars and there are a ton of SUV's and Vans that can not fit into the spaces, so quite a few vehicles are parked in two spaces. We've never not been able to find a parking space, just maybe not a convenient one! It is a minor inconvenience for us, but just a little bump in an otherwise glorious road! We love HH!

 

[Sox_Fan]

Thanks for all the great information! It doesn't sounds as though we have much to worry about.

33 days and counting - can't wait!!!

 

[Caskbill]

Here's a satellite image as a screen capture from Google Earth.

I circled the DVC resort. The main lodge building is check-in but also has villas. There is parking underneath the lodge building. All other parking is along the main drive that goes along the resort as shown at the bottom edge, near the water's edge. If you look close you can see some cars.

Parking at Shelter Cove is in the bottom right corner of the photo.

I've kept the image fairly large so more detail would show. Depending on your monitor, you may have to use the scroll bars to shift the image left/right or up/down.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I'm not sure when you have been there, but the last time that we were there parking spaces were at a premium at the resort. When we left each time, there was some question as to where we would be able to park when we got back. This was at Easter time last year.

Are you talking about garage spaces? I've never seen a lack of spaces around the perimiter...

 

[Disneyaholic]

Are you talking about garage spaces? I've never seen a lack of spaces around the perimiter...

Perhaps you have not visited during an extremely busy time. When the resort is full and there are a lot of boat owners using spots for loading/unloading, there can be a serious lack of parking places around the resort. (The boat owners are supposed to just load or unload then move their cars, but I'm not sure they always do that. )

Just as gracelrm posted, we have never NOT been able to find a parking space, but at times, we have had to circle around a time or two and perhaps park pretty far away from our unit. We have also noticed several people in large vans or SUVs taking up more than one space. And don't even get me started on how people park in the building below the check-in area! The spaces there are all EXTREMELY narrow and I'm not sure that everyone knows how to maneuver them.

 

[Doctor P]

Are you talking about garage spaces? I've never seen a lack of spaces around the perimiter...

No, I certainly am not talking about garage spaces (although those can be tougher yet).

 

[Sox_Fan]

(The boat owners are supposed to just load or unload then move their cars, but I'm not sure they always do that. )

So the boat owners have to come on to Disney property to access their boats??? I didn't realize...

Caskbill - thank you for the awsome satellite shot of the resort. Isn't Google Earth just about the slickest thing going?
Love it!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

So the boat owners have to come on to Disney property to access their boats??? I didn't realize...

Before Disney bought the island where the resort is located, it was pretty much just used by fishermen. But it bordered the Shelter Cove Marina. Part of Disney's end of the deal to develop the island was to reinforce the sea wall and that boat owners had to have access to their boats. As I mentioned before, they are supposed to just load or unload, then move their cars. They also sometimes walk their dogs on the resort property.

When you go to HH, take the "Behind the Ears" tour -- I think it's usually given on Wednesday mornings and you'll learn a little of how the resort came to be.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Perhaps you have not visited during an extremely busy time. When the resort is full and there are a lot of boat owners using spots for loading/unloading, there can be a serious lack of parking places around the resort. (The boat owners are supposed to just load or unload then move their cars, but I'm not sure they always do that. )

Just as gracelrm posted, we have never NOT been able to find a parking space, but at times, we have had to circle around a time or two and perhaps park pretty far away from our unit. We have also noticed several people in large vans or SUVs taking up more than one space. And don't even get me started on how people park in the building below the check-in area! The spaces there are all EXTREMELY narrow and I'm not sure that everyone knows how to maneuver them.

WOW... we never visit resorts at peak times, but what the heck is that about the boat owners parking on DVC property... DVC is not a part of the marina.. so nobody other than DVC owners shoud be parking in DVC. I understand your (issue) with people parking such that that they take more than one parking space.... really... these people should have to take some sort of recreational vehicle driving course.... and while I'm ranting.. I think people should have to take a course on how to enter a highway...

phew... that could have gotten intense... breathing out...

 

[Disneyaholic]

WOW... we never visit resorts at peak times, but what the heck is that about the boat owners parking on DVC property... DVC is not a part of the marina.. so nobody other than DVC owners shoud be parking in DVC. I understand your (issue) with people parking such that that they take more than one parking space.... really... these people should have to take some sort of recreational vehicle driving course.... and while I'm ranting.. I think people should have to take a course on how to enter a highway...

phew... that could have gotten intense... breathing out...

LOL. Allowing the boat owners was part of the agreement with Hilton Head Island in order for the resort to be built. The "powers that be" at the time were not at all in favor of Disney building there and many concessions had to be made (such as not having a full-service restaurant on property).

As far as driving, we live in the Atlanta area. The only GOOD thing about driving here is that both our kids learned to drive in Atlanta traffic. We figure if they can drive HERE, they can drive just about anywhere!!