Hilton Head lovers....

[apulk]

Maybe I won't go so far as to say (not enough courage maybe) that we love our HHI vacations more than our WDW trips but.....

Even when we don't attack the parks -- I still come home tired. Also, I look at our HHI week as our "free" vacation which makes it more relaxing before the trip even starts. When we stay at a DVC resort at WDW we still need tickets, we generally don't eat in much (maybe breakfast) and usually just use the place as the sleeping place -- not finding much time to just hang around the resort. When at HHI -- if no one wants to get in the car and go anywhere for the day -- we don't. If my kids don't want to wear anything other then their swim suit for the day -- who cares.

How about this...I love them the same, just differently.

 

[NCRedding]

We're going back for 5 nights in August. Last time we went was 2003, so I am very excited. A couple of questions:

When we went over Easter week, the resort had run out of bikes. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I plan on renting off-site? Do they have helmets for rent?

We may end up with two cars this trip. Will the resort give us 2 parking passes?

Do they still do the fireworks at shelter cove on Tuesdays--will it still be going on in mid-August?

I'd love to hear more about the shrimp boil.

Love the information on the thread.

 

[flagen]

We were there this past week (last week of june into july)

Parking ....the resort does not dog you about parking there is no attendant standing at the gate. We never even put our parking tag in the car. There seemed to be no issues with bikes BUT someone did take my Wifes bike (which she left unattended for a about 3 mins at the Main Building seems some people think the bikes are free grrrrrrrrrr..

Fireworks yes...

Shrimp boil was good and music was good also. Plenty and Plenty of food and of course Mac and Cheese and Chick tenders for the kids.


We're going back for 5 nights in August. Last time we went was 2003, so I am very excited. A couple of questions:

When we went over Easter week, the resort had run out of bikes. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I plan on renting off-site? Do they have helmets for rent?

We may end up with two cars this trip. Will the resort give us 2 parking passes?

Do they still do the fireworks at shelter cove on Tuesdays--will it still be going on in mid-August?

I'd love to hear more about the shrimp boil.

Love the information on the thread.

 

[Laurabearz]

Wow! Wait til I tell DH that there are people on this board admit they like HHI vacations more than WDW. The first time we went to HHI, he turned to me and said "I'd tell you I love it here even more than WDW, but I'm sure that saying that would be a sin on your board, so I don't dare admit it!' So I know he loves HHI more than WDW, just has been afraid to admit it.

Now,once my kids are all tall enough to ride everything at WDW, my answer might change But somehow I doubt it. There is something about HHI... and esp Disney's HHI Resort.

 

[missymouse]

The only thing about taking two cars is that in the evenings parking gets kind of hard to come by. Or at least that was our experience last week. We were in building 21 which isn't a pool view but right by the one gate into the pool complex. It seemed alot of people were driving down there to park at the pool. The other issue was the parking spaces are rather tight at least in that area and many larger vehicles were straddling 2 parking spaces. One night my dh and boys went to Walmart after 8 p.m. and they ended up all the way up by the shuttle pickup before they found a parking space. They counted on the way back and there were over 15 cars straddling 2 parking spaces.

 

[NCRedding]

I do plan on having DH park in the far corner of the parking lot, so he won't block other people from their villas. I expect he will only move his car to play golf (if he does that this trip) and to leave early to get home for a work committment.

Thanks for answering the questions. I still have one about the bikes--can you reserve in advance?? Do they have helmets for teens to rent? The teens we're taking don't ride bikes at home, so they have no helmets.

 

[klabold]

We are counting down to our second HHI adventure. We are going Labor Day Sunday - the following Saturday. We will probably miss some of the events from the high season but does anyone know if the fireworks and beach club dinners will still be going on? Also, the Kayak trip on Wednesday, do you think that will still be happening??

Thanks!!

Kim

 

[WolfpackFan]

We will be at HHI the same time as you. We checkin on Sunday and out on Saturday. We will be trying a Studio this time just to see if we can spend that length of time in one. I can't say that I'm real excited about that part, but when you're short on points I guess it's better than not going. We already have a 1BR reserved for next year. I keep having this argument with myself - is it better to stay 5 nights in a 1BR and miss ever few years or 6 nights in a Studio and stay every year. We'll see how we like it. I hope we get a unit in the main lodge with a nice view, that would make a big difference.

As far as what we plan to do. DW will spend most of the week laying around either the pool or out on the beach and will read probably 10 books or so (I have never see anyone read a book as fast as she can, she loves to read). I hope to play golf at least once or twice. I can take the laying out part for a short time but after that I'm up and ready to do something. I'll probably drive down to Harbour Town one morning and then since I've paid the $5 we'll go back to maybe Salty Dog for dinner that night. We'll go into Savannah one day and have decided to actually try to eat at Paula Deen's this year. We've been reading all the tips of how to be successful getting in (basically go early and stand in line for a long time is what I understand). We also plan to do some form of kayaking and also maybe rent bikes for a day.

Eating wise - I've changed my mind about taking an electric frying pan and cooking breakfast each morning. Sounds like too much trouble. We'll just take some breakfast bars, etc. for breakfast and I will make coffee. For lunch, it will be something from either Tide Me Over or the snack bar at the Beach House. For dinner - we like the Mex. restaurant at Shelter Cover. Plan to give the Old Oyster Factory place a try again. Maybe try out some of the restaurants at Coligny. And the Salty Dog.

My biggest fear is the week will be gone way to fast.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just got back yesterday (8/10) from HHI and had such a fantastic time!!!! We weren't sure how much we'd like it, but the whole vacation really exceeded our expectations. We cannot wait to go back next year - have reservations for third week in June already planned.

Have fun to everyone who has a trip planned soon. If anyone has any questions for someone who has recently been I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[LindaBabe]

SO glad to find this thread! We've never been to Hilton Head, but have ressies for a studio there the second week of March 2008 - our "great retirement adventure" trip!

Just how dead is it, in March?

 

[WolfpackFan]

Just how dead is it, in March?

It can be real quiet in March. We went last March and didn't see a whole lot of people.

 

[klabold]

We went in April last time and it was pretty dead. People around but not a ton of people. Beach was empty and a bit cool to swim but you will still love the area. It's beautiful.

Kim

 

[klabold]

Just got back and didn't want to leave. The weather on Sunday when we arrived was poor but by sundown the rain was gone for good and sunny and hot the rest of the week. Did the dolphin tour on Wednesday and saw more dolphins than I have seen in my lifetime. It was awesome!!! Lots of bike riding, craft making, pool swimming, beach swimming, and relaxing!! My kind of Disney vacation!! Kids, Husband, MIL and I all had a ball and didn't want to leave.

I'm going to have to look at my calendar and plan my next HHI visit.

 

[Slakk]

Anyone who is waitlisted for Easter will be happy on Monday - I am cancelling my 5 days in a 1BR. I actually thought of renting it out but then thought of all my DVCers waiting for a ressie and decided I can't do it.

Our exchange came through and we are going to Hawaii so I want my points back.

I think we may do a cash ressie to HHI instead to get my fix.

 

[LVSWL]

Ok, I am giving this great thread a bump for everyone. Hope this helps!!!

 

[irish dancer]

Thanks for bumping this thread.

We're going to HHI for the first time the last week of March (checking in on Easter) and can't wait!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I was just sitting here thinking about our visit to HH in June. One of the things we really enjoyed on our last trip to HH was kayaking. Does anyone know if you can just rent a kayak on your own for some period of time without doing the formal tour they offer. One problem I had with the tour was they really took you a fair distance down the waterway and it took a lot of rowing to get back. I'd love to just rent a kayak for a couple of hours and paddle around on our own.

 

[Capt.K]

You can rent kayaks at Shelter Cove Harbor the name of the company is Outdoors Hilton Head. We rented kayaks for acouple of days our last trip and really enjoyed be able to go out on broad creek on our own timeframe.

 

[JCLNJ]

Thanks for bumping this thread.

We're going to HHI for the first time the last week of March (checking in on Easter) and can't wait!

We are also checking in on Easter. We are staying till Friday. This will be our first trip to HH. Do you have any kids? Our DD is 15 and DS is 13.

 

[irish dancer]

We are also checking in on Easter. We are staying till Friday. This will be our first trip to HH. Do you have any kids? Our DD is 15 and DS is 13.

We'll be there the same dates (Sun to Fri), unfortunately our kids are younger. DD11, DS7 and DD6.