Hilton Head Island stop over.

[DVCMikey]

We are traveling to WDW in mid September and we were planning on driving down and staying somewhere halfway since its a long trip.

We were thinking of booking at HHI for the one night.

Was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this. We are traveling from NJ and will have our 5 month old baby with us.

Was wondering if anyone else in DVC has done this.

thanks!

 

[jgdsoarin]

We did it last year for the first time and liked it do much that we booked again for our December trip. It's a ways off of 95, but it gives you a little preview of Disney and the CMs are so nice and welcoming. It made that travel night seem like a part of our vacation and not just a layover.

 

[DVCMikey]

We did it last year for the first time and liked it do much that we booked again for our December trip. It's a ways off of 95, but it gives you a little preview of Disney and the CMs are so nice and welcoming. It made that travel night seem like a part of our vacation and not just a layover.

Thanks. It looks like its about 25mins off 95? does that seem right? We don't want to get too far off the beaten track since we need to get back on 95 to head to orlando.

 

[Boomboom27]

Its about 25 minutes off of 95. We leave tomorrow for HHI from NJ, Its about a 13 hour drive for us, great resort, you won't regret it.

 

[CruznLexi]

We met a lot of people last summer that did nights either before or after their stay at Disney world. We have a week there next month and can't wait!

 

[marynvince]

Depending on day and time you are arriving will dictate traffic. I'd say it's 25 minutes with no traffic, so it could be longer. HHI is our favorite resort and our second purchase of points after we discovered it. Frankly, if you are not planning on staying there for a decent part of the day you check in and the day you check out, I'm not sure it's worth the detour or the points use. When I'm driving and have a nights stay somewhere, it's just to have a bed to sleep in, then it's up the next morning and drive. It is a great resort if you can enjoy it.

 

[DVCMikey]

Depending on day and time you are arriving will dictate traffic. I'd say it's 25 minutes with no traffic, so it could be longer. HHI is our favorite resort and our second purchase of points after we discovered it. Frankly, if you are not planning on staying there for a decent part of the day you check in and the day you check out, I'm not sure it's worth the detour or the points use. When I'm driving and have a nights stay somewhere, it's just to have a bed to sleep in, then it's up the next morning and drive. It is a great resort if you can enjoy it.

We will be arriving on a Saturday evening. Around 6pm or so.

We were just thinking of using points instead of paying cash for a regular hotel somewhere along i95.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

We will be arriving on a Saturday evening. Around 6pm or so.

We were just thinking of using points instead of paying cash for a regular hotel somewhere along i95.

Saturday evening arrival will be a high-traffic time....most HHI rentals are Saturday to Saturday, so you'll be on the road with all those folks. Yes, you're going after the high season and traffic won't be as bad as in the summer, but it still might take you 40 minutes to an hour off 95.
(just returned home from a week at my in-law's place on HHI yesterday)

I'd suggest one of the hotels right off 95 near Savannah's airport.

 

[BigEeyore]

Saturdays are big points at HHI, and honestly one night is not enough to really enjoy the resort. We adore HHI, and bought points there so we could be sure to be able to go every summer, but I would recommend saving the points and planning a longer stay another time when you can get into all the wonderful things HHI has to offer.

 

[BigEeyore]

Forgot to suggest a night in Savannah - it is right off 95, you could get a nice hotel in the historic district and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the country!

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Come to Savannah, spend money!

If the traffic isn't bad, you might get to the island in 25 minutes, but, more like 45. Please don't let it discourage you. It's worth a visit.

We were over there a few Saturdays ago. Had a reason to be over that way and just went on over to the resort for a Mickey Premium. Totally worth it!

Be aware that Saturday Morning is 'Check-out'day for most of the island resorts. Traffic will back up a good bit before Noon. After that, it seems to settle down.

 

[MinnieGi]

We love HHI, however if I was traveling with at 5 month old (and have in the past) I would not make a stop in HHI as a spot for an overnight on the way to Orlando.

As others have said the drive off 95 will be at the BEST 25 minutes... And remember you have already been traveling 12 to 13 hours on the road by this time. And I hope you plan on leaving early to avoid DC/NOVA traffic, it can be brutal on even a Sat. morning. We leave at 4:00 AM to get the 12 hours relatively traffic free to HHI. If you get stuck in a jam and want to pull over before reaching HHI or Savannah it would be a shame to have wasted the points.

When we drive to WDW, we do make it down to Savannah hotels that are right off 95 in 12 hours also. Be sure to make reservations for a place here too because Savannah is a big overnight stopping point. And you can always cancel before 6:00 if you hit traffic or its just not working out with the baby.

Now IMHO I can see stopping at HHI if you were going to spend a couple of days at the resort before continuing on or even after your trip it would be a nice few days of relaxation after a WDW trip.

 

[DVCMikey]

We love HHI, however if I was traveling with at 5 month old (and have in the past) I would not make a stop in HHI as a spot for an overnight on the way to Orlando.

As others have said the drive off 95 will be at the BEST 25 minutes... And remember you have already been traveling 12 to 13 hours on the road by this time. And I hope you plan on leaving early to avoid DC/NOVA traffic, it can be brutal on even a Sat. morning. We leave at 4:00 AM to get the 12 hours relatively traffic free to HHI. If you get stuck in a jam and want to pull over before reaching HHI or Savannah it would be a shame to have wasted the points.

When we drive to WDW, we do make it down to Savannah hotels that are right off 95 in 12 hours also. Be sure to make reservations for a place here too because Savannah is a big overnight stopping point. And you can always cancel before 6:00 if you hit traffic or its just not working out with the baby.

Now IMHO I can see stopping at HHI if you were going to spend a couple of days at the resort before continuing on or even after your trip it would be a nice few days of relaxation after a WDW trip.

We have driven before so we always make room to not be in the DC/VA area around rush hour.

We have been looking at the Savannah area but the hotels look like alot more money than other areas, and it looks like most of them are a decent way off of I95.

It seems like a toss up. Some people say stay at HHI others say stay somewhere else. We were thinking HHI just because it won't cost us any cash and can use points.

 

[MinnieGi]

We have driven before so we always make room to not be in the DC/VA area around rush hour.

We have been looking at the Savannah area but the hotels look like alot more money than other areas, and it looks like most of them are a decent way off of I95.

It seems like a toss up. Some people say stay at HHI others say stay somewhere else. We were thinking HHI just because it won't cost us any cash and can use points.

The hotel stops for I-95 for Savannah exits are right off the highway. You can see them from the highway. You must be looking at ones more for the actual city of Savannah. All the major chains have hotels there - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Country Inn and Suites etc...

As far as DC/VA I just wanted to make sure you knew that the area can have big backups even on the weekend, as you mentioned you were driving down on a Sat.

 

[y2khardtop]

I personally would not waste points to do that. I haven't been to the HHI resort in many years, but it is just a hotel. It's not on the beach, and there is really nothing special about staying there. I'd stay somewhere along the interstate and use the points in Florida

 

[marynvince]

I personally would not waste points to do that. I haven't been to the HHI resort in many years, but it is just a hotel. It's not on the beach, and there is really nothing special about staying there. I'd stay somewhere along the interstate and use the points in Florida

Absolutely not true. It is not just a hotel. It is a wonderfully relaxing resort with the best CMs around. It is a great place to stay, but not just as a place to sleep

 

[MinnieGi]

I personally would not waste points to do that. I haven't been to the HHI resort in many years, but it is just a hotel. It's not on the beach, and there is really nothing special about staying there. I'd stay somewhere along the interstate and use the points in Florida

I agree to stay along the interstate. But HHI is so NOT just a hotel IMHO, which is why I do not advocate staying there just for a night. There is so much to do, see and explore that if you are only "just sleeping" I can not imagine having to get up the next morning without taking part in this great resort.

 

[DVCMikey]

The hotel stops for I-95 for Savannah exits are right off the highway. You can see them from the highway. You must be looking at ones more for the actual city of Savannah. All the major chains have hotels there - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Country Inn and Suites etc...

As far as DC/VA I just wanted to make sure you knew that the area can have big backups even on the weekend, as you mentioned you were driving down on a Sat.

Ok, will check them out. Thanks.

 

[WolfpackFan]

We go to HHI at least once a year and love the resort. We are doing a one night stop over after our WDW trip in December. It is really not that big a deal taking the 30 min. detour off I-95 IMO. We're getting a 1BR so DW can wash our clothes, so she won't have that facing her when we get home. Plan to have dinner at Old Oyster Factory. Since we will only have a 5 hour drive home the next day, we can hang around the resort until checkout time. Maybe even go over to the Beach House.

 

[disneybirds]

We love the Disney resort at HHI! However, I would not drive the 45 minutes to stay for one night with a 5 month old. The points are really high on a Sat. night as well. If you could stay two nights, then I think it would be worth it. Think about stopping in Savannah for the night.