Hilton Head--is it worth going?

[StarlightRay]

My wife and I just bought at Saratoga Springs and we're trying to plan some trips for the coming year. Have any of you been to the Hilton Head DVC resort? We have family who love the area and they're recommending paying cash to stay at other Hilton Head non-Disney resorts.... is the DVC resort there a good experience or should we stay somewhere else? We have two kids, 7 and 9, if that helps.

Thanks
-Starlight Ray

 

[Sammie]

I am sure not everyone will agree, but we feel the Disney resort at HHI, is one, if not the best offered. We love the central location, we don't need or necessarily have to be right on the beach. The one mile over to the beach is fine with us.

However if you have family that are regulars to the island and they have a favorite location, they be harder to win over.

Great staff and lots of fun activities for kids. That said, since you own at SSR you can not book HHI until 7 months out and summer months are very hard to get. So if you are planning a summer trip for next year, be sure to call right at 7 months out and plan to book day by day to get what you want.

 

[walter]

We enjoy DVC/HHI even though it is located at Shelter Cove (marsh area). Their beach house is approx. 3/4-1 mile from the resort. You can walk, bike, drive or take the shuttle there. Each area has a nice pool. Their accommodations are "rustic" "low country" South Carolina style rooms. Very relaxing.

 

[VMS]

We are now home 5 days after our annual HH stay (this was our 5th), and my kids (15, 12, 9) are already counting down the days to the one next year (so am I in fact). Serious withdrawal in CT.

 

[CarolA]

My wife and I just bought at Saratoga Springs and we're trying to plan some trips for the coming year. Have any of you been to the Hilton Head DVC resort? We have family who love the area and they're recommending paying cash to stay at other Hilton Head non-Disney resorts.... is the DVC resort there a good experience or should we stay somewhere else? We have two kids, 7 and 9, if that helps.

Thanks
-Starlight Ray

I am with your family members. I LOVE HH and find that Disney's location just doesn't get it for me. I don't like being that far from the beach and I would rather be "inside" one of the plantaions where I feel much more "isolated" and on vacation.

 

[David in Manassas]

We are at Myrtle Beach right now on a trade and every day we said...we wish we were at Hilton Head...in fact..we are leaving a day early because we can't wait to get out of here!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We also went to HHI the first time because we'd just bought DVC and "Let's try out this place at HHI." We weren't expecting too much. Well, we love it! It's now something we look forward to every year. This year we're going for Thanksgiving, and we can hardly wait! It's a small resort, in a very natural, peaceful setting. I can't say enough good about it-it's great!

 

[lsutigger2]

We also love it. Had a short stay there last year in Oct on the way from North Carolina to WDW. It was the most relaxing experience. I could sit on the porch and rock in the rocking chair all day. It was quiet and peaceful. DH loved the many many golf opportunities. We loved it, we're going back for a week trip this September.

We're not much on the beach. Not good for my skin, even with sunscreen. So I like that the beach is close, but not right out the door. We had a room that faced other buildings (#16, I think) and it was shady and cool all the time.

If I remember correctly, there were activities for the kids. They will give you a list of things to do when you check in. The pool area looked like it would be fun.

Have a great time.

 

[stacy6552]

We love it! Our friends didn't like having to drive to the beach, but we don't mind. If you go in the summer, its wonderful. The lifeguards are like camp counselors, knowing kids names and being goofy and stuff. Its also a nice set up to give your kids a bit of room to roam (the resort is on an island behind a gate). I'm not sure what people would do in cooler weather, but we love the beach and pool, so I reccommend going in warmer weather.

 

[TinkGirl]

My husband is from Hilton Head, so we've made many trips back over the 18 years we've been married. We visited the resort during Easter last year just to check it out. We left feeling like sure, it looks like a place that would be enjoyable, but we will probably stay elsewhere on the island unless we have no plans for our points. There are lotsof big condos you can rent in the plantations for reasonable rates. Sea Pines has the best bike paths, we think. There are also many beautiful resorts in II--I think Marriott's Grand Ocean is brand new and oceanfront. We thought the HH resort looked so much smaller than in all the Disney literature. The pool is small, etc. Maybe that ends up being good and making a relaxing vacation. I guess you could try it once and decide for yourself.

 

[Sarahsal]

We just got back from HH late last night. We had a great time. I only reserved for 5 nights, 4 full days, thinking we would get bored. Well my dd's, 10 and 12 yrs old, both begged to stay another night or two. Couldn't get my 10 yr old out of the pool-she loved the water slide. I must admit I went down it quite a few times myself! Next time I will reserve a whole week!

 

[reesecup]

I am with your family members. I LOVE HH and find that Disney's location just doesn't get it for me. I don't like being that far from the beach and I would rather be "inside" one of the plantaions where I feel much more "isolated" and on vacation.

I have to disagree (everyone's personal tastes). We love the location. It's so wonderful to bike over to restaurants and boutique shops and watch the gorgeous boats. And the bike trip to the beach is very fun. My sister went with us this past trip (we just got home yesterday) and she was skeptical about it not being on the beach. But she and the kids never wanted to take the shuttle or drive to the beach. Each time it was hands down bike ride to it! This is our most favorite part is the bike riding. Oh, we miss it so much already!
Now, take into account though that we vacation to Wrightsville beach in the summer which is directly on the beach and we love that. So the harbor is a nice change.

 

[reesecup]

We are at Myrtle Beach right now on a trade and every day we said...we wish we were at Hilton Head...in fact..we are leaving a day early because we can't wait to get out of here!

We stopped vacationing at Myrtle many years ago. We occasionally go down with my sisters for a few nights though.
But one sister just went with us to HHI and I think she fell in love with it also. I think she is going to be wanting to go back with us, which is great b/k we loved having her and our nephew and hope my BIL who loves to fish can go sometime with all of us!

There is no comparison b/w Myrtle and HHI. If you want crazy, busy, pile on top of one another, men's club billboards, etc. -- go to Myrtle. If you want relaxing, gorgeous southern views (the landscaping is to die for in HHI ; not buildings and huge billboards every where you turn), excellent restaurants...... go to HH!!!

 

[simpilotswife]

HHI is awesome and we loved it.

 

[disnutt]

Our family loves DVC HHI! I don't know how it compares to other island resorts and we'll probably never try to find out because this place has so much to offer. The kids can't wait to go back at the end of summer. I can't either.

I drink my tea every morning out of my HHI mug w/ a picture of Shadow on it and I have a few minutes of peace thinking about swinging in a hammock or just hanging out on the porch!

Give it a try.

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

I've seen some flames when someone dares question the DVC on HH. I'll risk the flames because I don't like the location. I also don't like the fact that there is no onsite dining other than quick fried stuff.

The way I sum up HHI DVC is DVC was late getting to the party so they were stuck with this swamp property to develop. Our family feels like this: Why go to HHI and not be on the beach? Kind of like going to Florida and staying in central Florida somewhere not near theme parks or the beach, it just doesn't do it for us. We like to have things at our fingertips not have to travel to get to the beach. Disney's VB, now that is a good resort, right on the beach with full dining choices and room service and activities.

I would recommend one of the Marriott properties on the beach for HHI like Marriott's Grande Ocean. There are others like Surfwatch, etc. so check them all out.

Before the flames come, this is just one families opinion and not a factual statement about Disney's HHI Resort. We just want to be on the beach for a beach vacation. If I wanted golf I'd look for a golf course property. When I want WDW I stay at WDW.

 

[utahkennedys]

Do the Marriott's on HHI have lots of kids activities? It seems to me I read over and over how DVC people love the activities and "camp" atmosphere at HH, which Marriott may not have?

 

[Sammie]

I've seen some flames when someone dares question the DVC on HH. I'll risk the flames because I don't like the location. I also don't like the fact that there is no onsite dining other than quick fried stuff.

The way I sum up HHI DVC is DVC was late getting to the party so they were stuck with this swamp property to develop. Our family feels like this: Why go to HHI and not be on the beach? Kind of like going to Florida and staying in central Florida somewhere not near theme parks or the beach, it just doesn't do it for us. We like to have things at our fingertips not have to travel to get to the beach. Disney's VB, now that is a good resort, right on the beach with full dining choices and room service and activities.

I would recommend one of the Marriott properties on the beach for HHI like Marriott's Grande Ocean. There are others like Surfwatch, etc. so check them all out.

Before the flames come, this is just one families opinion and not a factual statement about Disney's HHI Resort. We just want to be on the beach for a beach vacation. If I wanted golf I'd look for a golf course property. When I want WDW I stay at WDW.

It is definitely all in what one wants but as far as flaming there is no reason to flame you because you want a beach vacation.

In like though there is no reason to put down those that love HHI but don't care for being right on the beach. Each to his own.

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

It is definitely all in what one wants but as far as flaming there is no reason to flame you because you want a beach vacation.

In like though there is no reason to put down those that love HHI but don't care for being right on the beach. Each to his own.

I agree totally. If you don't need on site dining or being on the beach HHI is a fine choice. It all depends on what you want.

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

Do the Marriott's on HHI have lots of kids activities? It seems to me I read over and over how DVC people love the activities and "camp" atmosphere at HH, which Marriott may not have?

IMO Marriott timeshares are better with activities. They seem to offer much more in those regards than DVC resorts. Maybe it is because they need to, I don't know. HH DVC, to be fair, is much better with activities than WDW DVC's. Lets call it a push or a slight edge to Marriott HH Resorts. The real focus should be location with this. Now is DVC HHI worth a visit to check it out to see if you like it? Sure, it is worth a visit. I just like other locations better for a HH vacation. Dean seems to be the resident timeshare/HH guy, maybe he'll weigh in. Maybe pm him for his thoughts.