HHI Thanksgiving 7 months out--give me advice!

[SSDonut]

This is probably a 4-fold question, but I know some of you will give me some good advice!

Considering going to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving week 2006. We own at BCV, so would be talking securing a res at 7 months out. I'm thinking if we do this, we will invite friends/family along, so a GV possibly (or something that equals that in space for various people). Here goes:

1. What is happening at HHI at Thanksgiving?
2. What's the weather like? We're from the Northeast, so it doesn't take too much to please us. .. would we at least have some 60 degree days?
3.Those of you who have Spent Thanksgiving at HHI--do you swim in the pools? I assume they are heated. . . .do you ever hesitate?
4. What's available for kids--we'd be talking 5-8 year olds, specifically. We're used to entertaining them ourselves, but it would really feel like a vacation if they were happy and occupied without us for a few hours on a few days!
5.Will we be able to book something 7 months out? How flexible will we need to be?

Thanks to all of you who can give input. . .I have to "sell" this to DH (and myself a bit, although I'm further along the path than he!)

Figure we'll be booking about this time next year--what are all of you doing/finding for the 2005 Thanksgiving week?

Thanks!

 

[Disneyaholic]

We LOVE Thanksgiving at Hilton Head!! We've done it almost every year since the resort opened!

As far as the weather, we've had 80º days and we've had cold, rainy days. (Sometimes on the same trip!) In other words, plan for just about anything.

People always use the pools (they're heated), no matter what the outside temperatures. The hot tub seems to be a more popular place, however, both for adults and kids.

Even on the warmer days, while the beach is great for walking and sunning, the ocean temps are a bit chilly and there are no lifeguards on duty at that time of year. There is usually a touch football game on the beach (part of the resort activities) at low tide on Thanksgiving, which is always fun.

The resort is always sold out for Thanksgiving -- at least until Friday when the points go up. Saturday night is lighter and by Sunday the place is almost empty! (We stayed through Sunday night once to avoid the traffic and occupancy was at 6% for the night!!)

There are tons of kids' activities at Hilton Head. The recreation CMs there are fantastic and the younger kids always seem to have a great time. There are usually some family-type activities as well, and some geared more towards the adults.

As far as booking, I'd recommend calling day-by-day right at the 7-month point. Although a lot of people have been able to book Thanksgiving easily at 7 months, as there are more and more DVC members, there will likely be more people trying to book. You will have the best chance if you're booking a 2BR, because there are far more of them at HH than studios or 1BRs. The GVs (only 5 at the resort) will probably be taken long before the 7-month mark.

Hope this helps.

 

[poohj80]

We stayed at HHI for the first time last Thanksgiving and had a ball! We didn't have any problem booking the entire stay at the 7 month mark without going day to day, but we only needed a 2BR. We decided to book Friday and Saturday night for cash instead of points since the DVC rate was only $124 so we booked those two nights before the 7 month window since cash reservations do not have the same restrictions.

If you want a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you can order it through the resort and they deliver everything right to your room. It was a bit pricey compared to other options but it was SO convenient! We had brought some gladware containers with us to package up the leftovers.

A must do is the campfire sing along complete with s'mores! I would also recommend the dolphin cruises!

 

[SSDonut]

Much appreciated. Now I definitely want to go and I can pass all these positives on to DH.

 

[Geyser Gazer]

We booked on cash for this time period a couple weeks ago, only $131/night +tax for 2BR with DVC discount. Decided not to use our points with a rate like this, especially over the weekend. We were in HH after Christmas 12/04 and lucked out with nice weather. No ocean swimming but lots of biking on the beach and swimming in the pools. You and your kids will have a wonderful time with the activities as the CM's here are competent, fun, and memorable.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow, planning all the way to Thanksgiving of 2006-I'm impressed with your forethought. I thought I was really planning ahead (and DH thought I was crazy) when I asked Chef Gordon about Thanksgiving at HHI when we had the PA last week. He talked about the neat smells on Thanksgiving as they deep fry turkeys (you can order it the traditional way too). And he said they have an assembly line of people putting together the veggies, etc. at the Beach House the day before. As far as weather, last week was in the 50's, and he said, "It's definitely much nicer weather than this". Listening to his description, I wouldn't be surprised if we all see each other there in 2006!