Hilton Head Island Resort

[goofylovers]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if I could get some help in planning. I am the queen of Disney planning but this is our first Hilton Head stay and I have no information on this resort or Island. We will be staying for 4 days on our way to my sisters. So my question is what information can you all give me about the resort? Really good food close by? Activities on and off site? Also are there Disney characters there? DD has asked and I was not sure. So as you can see I am clearly clueless on this trip and it is only 4 weeks away. Help..... Please.

 

[marynvince]

CMs are the absolute BEST!!! Lot's of great activities, all are fun and great for kids. Bike rental is worth it as you can bike to the beach house. Our favorite resort. No characters. You'll have a great time. Get there early and plan on staying late. Make sure you go to the campfire sing-a-long and Bleu Crabbe is a great entertainer, go to all of hs stuff.

 

[blackdogg]

Just got back from a great spring break trip

Resort has a pool as does the Beach house located a bike/shuttle/or short drive away. CM are great... our girls did Mickey tie dye shirts, seashell in your pocket craft, a bird watching walk, as well as a brer rabbit bunny hunt with the resorts mascot Shadow the dog & B'lou So no traditional characters but mascots none the less. This Disney resort has it's own vibe and we loved it for something more laid back.

Good Food... our lunch at Signals at the Beach House was very good. Local food while good.... I was disappointed in the service. These spots were listed top notch by many including locals and I would visit each again- just wish they were a little happier - kind of a Disney difference right?

Roastfish & Cornbread - amazing seafood

Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery - good for lunch or bakery/breakfast items

The Salty Dog - a must for the t-shirt cute little shops around there

The Lowcountry Backyard - wonderful Sunday Brunch

I heard good things about Hudson's as well... didn't make it to that one though

We also did a catamaran dolphin tour for our family... that was a lot of fun.
http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/sailing/

Hope some of that helps Enjoy your trip!

 

[gracelrm]

I'll start by saying we love HHI. My kids (19,16, &12) would rather be at HH that almost anywhere - including a cruise we took them on last year. It is not a typical Disney vacation because it is more laid back and relaxing; however, it certainly is Disney quality and plenty of the "touches" we've all grown to expect. At check-in you'll get an activity list. Depending on the ages of your kids, there will be several activities at the resort for them and some for the adults as well. You are also given a restaurant guide at check-in that is full of restaurant menus and specials.

We've always rented bikes while there and my family enjoys biking to the beach house and other places. We've done dolphin tours and one fishing tour. If you've never been to HH before - it is difficult at first to find places. Signage is very low to the ground and foliage often blocks your view of stores and restaurants. We've been many times and feel like we know the island well and when we try to find a new place to eat - we still often have trouble locating it. Even with iPhone features, we have to really look hard to find where we're going at times.

I hope you have a great trip and enjoy HHI.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Make sure your DD visits with Shadow, the resident dog. She's such a sweetie. For super-casual, but great food, I recommend the Sea Shack. There are lots of fun activities around the resort-you'll get an activity list when you check in. There's a dolphin tour you can reserve at the recreation counter, but keep your eyes open in the waters around the resort-it's fun spotting dolphins "in the wild."

 

[goofylovers]

Thank you all for the information. We are really looking forward to this trip. I just don't want my family to be bored. I love the idea of relaxing for a few days but my family is so used to the rush of Disney that I don't want them to expect that. The Dolphin tour sounds like a lot of fun. I know DD will love the beach and all of the activities at the resort. DH has a hard time relaxing. But I know we will have a great time. Thanks again for the information. I appreciate it.

 

[JVL1018]

One of our favorites for dinner is Frankie Bones.

 

[Spencerfamilynj]

There are many activities planned at the resorts daily. Just remind your kids that this is NOT a park. No characters (of the Disney type) around. Still has all those wonderful DVC qualities. My daughter (12) enjoyed crabbing off the dock and even went on a kayak group outing. Also went to the movies one night (cost extra but she met other kids). Cast members are great, especially Blue and Shadow. I guess I would equate it to what it would be like to spend time at a DVC resort without going to a park (I've heard that people really do that!). Renting bikes and riding them on the beach can be a unique experience if you've never done that before.

 

[emmababy]

How much is bike rental?

 

[ljcrochet]

You will have a blast. We went last May for a long weekend, came home and did an add on so we can go to HHI in the summer.

 

[bbn1122]

I was so happy to see this post this morning. We are going to HHI for the first time this August. We are looking forward to a new adventure.

I like the idea of the beach house. My boys love the beach but DH hubby will enjoy having a place out of the sun. I am seeing things correct that the beach house has a club house with games etc?

I remember reading that there is a grocery store very close by, is this correct?

Any other ideas are welcomed.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I am seeing things correct that the beach house has a club house with games etc?

I remember reading that there is a grocery store very close by, is this correct?

Yes, the beach house has games, etc. There is a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in the shopping area right next to the resort area.

 

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

I was excited to see this thread today too! My family is looking for a mix of things (me=relaxing by the pool, DH= constant activities, DS12 and DD16= a mixture of both!) and from what I can tell, this place will be perfect for us! Riding bikes on the beach sounds awesome!! We will be there June 5-10 and would love to meet other DIS-ers who might be there at the same time!! Can't wait!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Andrea - We will be at HH the same time as you. It will be myself, DW and DS37. If you want to see some pictures, click on the link below. There are picture journals from our last two HH trips.

 

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Andrea - We will be at HH the same time as you. It will be myself, DW and DS37. If you want to see some pictures, click on the link below. There are picture journals from our last two HH trips.

Hi there! Your pictures are great!! Thanks so much for sharing them! We look forward to seeing you there!!

 

[jupers]

Your pics are great...not to hijack but I guess I kind of am...

We are thinking about driving down a year from now for April vaca from Boston...

My kids will be 5 and 10.

Is this a good age? We are also used to the craziness of the parks, which I love...think I can keep us all busy.

BTW...was thinking of a studio vs...1 bedroom. What do you think?

 

[WolfpackFan]

Hi there! Your pictures are great!! Thanks so much for sharing them! We look forward to seeing you there!!

We will not be hard to miss. Look for a bald guy in his 60's and our son looks like a hippy from the 70's .

 

[WolfpackFan]

My kids will be 5 and 10.

Is this a good age? We are also used to the craziness of the parks, which I love...think I can keep us all busy.

BTW...was thinking of a studio vs...1 bedroom. What do you think?

Your kids will love HH. There is so much to do for them at that age. As far as studio vs 1BR, we stay in a studio most of the time but have stayed in both 1 and 2BR's. It all comes down to your points, if you have enough for a 1BR, I'd definitely go with it because of the full kitchen. But if strapped for points (which we are most of the time), the studio should be fine. Remember though there is just a queen bed and a pull out sofa in the studios.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Lost my subscription to this thead.

 

[MinnieGi]

Our kids are 11 & 7 for this upcoming summer HHI trip. They LOVE it and have been going since they 2 & 6.

Although HHI can be really relaxed, you can also make it a go-go vacation too if you want. There are lots of activities at the resort to take advantage of plus the island is filled with lots of other adventures you can sign up to do. Nothing is very far away on the island. My kids like doing the Mickey tie-dye T's, as well as other arts n crafts such as pillow making, collage board, picture frames. They also have enjoyed and looked forward to the nature walks, marsh walks all lead by a Disney naturalist. And they always look forward to activities with B'Lou Crabbe and Shadow. We usually only do a few activities each trip b/c we love our beach time!! HHI has such a great sand beach that if perfect for making sand castles, forts etc. It also has great tide pools at low tide that all the kids on the beach love looking for sand dollars, starfish, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs etc... The ocean is also lovely with low waves and no riptides.

Then there is also so much to do off Disney property such as paddle boarding, kayaking, dolphin touring, dinner cruises, horse back riding, golfing, tennis, biking, boating, miniature golfing, shopping, nature preserve hiking. Literally if you really want a busy vacation, it's there if you want it...but its so nice you can also enjoy and relax if you just want to!!

My kids were talking about HHI on the way to school this morning, they soooo look forward to it every summer!!