Hilton Head Resort

[Focusdude]

I am going to plan a trip to Hilton Head Island for next Jan-Feb and am looking for input about the DVC resort there. I am not a DVC member, but have never stayed in SC before, and would like to stay in the Disney resort (since I can't go the WDW!!!!). Does anyone have any feedback about the resort? I will be renting a car, so the distance doesn't really matter to me.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[SSRex]

I have stayed at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, also before I had joined DVC. We had 2 bedroom villa & enjoyed it very much.

I would go back, but there are several things that they should have or could have done to make it better. There is not or at least was not a table service on-site restaurant near the villas.

A big draw for Hilton Head is the beach and Disney's resort is not on the beach. They have a beach house across the island, but you have to drive, get a shuttle, or ride a bike to get there. Too far to walk I feel.

Another thing, you certainly know that you are at a Disney resort, but there were no characters, limited merchandise for sale, so it's not Disney World.

Regardless of the items above, I would go back. Hope that helps.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Hey Focusdude!

We have enjoyed HH many times but not at the time of year you are planning to visit. I have found that Tommy Towery's web page has the best information on HH in general and pictures of the resort. I recommend it to all newbies. Doc also has a great site with wonderful photos. Enjoy!

Sandy

http://members.tripod.com/~ttowery/


http://disneydoc.homestead.com/hh.html

 

[Kim&Chris]

We went to Disney's HHI resort last year, and although we had a nice time, I have to admit to being a little disappointed with a few things.

1. No restaurant. Disney missed the boat big-time with this one. When I'm on vacation, the last place I want to go is a pizza place or fast-foot restaurant. Had Disney put a restaurant in this location, it's guests would have almost no reason to leave the property. However, they do provide you with a list of recommended places to eat, and some of them will deliver to the resort.

2. The Beach House is quite a trek from the main lodge. We were able to catch a shuttle to the beach, but it had stopped running by the time we were ready to return.

3. Hardly any Disney merchandising here. They have one tiny shop that sells everything: suntan lotion, snacks, beach towels, etc. I had my heart set on buying some sort of cool Disney T-shirt or sweatshirt....they had NOTHING. They did have some princess things, some picture frames & magnets, Disney totebags, etc but that was about it.

4. The studio units have roll-in showers instead of bath tubs. If you're not staying in a studio, this won't affect you. However, because it's just the two of us, a studio was the way to go for us. I was really disappointed that there was no bathtub (really wanted to take a hot, relaxing bath!).

Other than those things, the resort was beautiful and, of course, clean. It lacked a little of the Disney 'magic' that we all love so much, but all in all, it was worth the trip! Have fun!

 

[OneMoreTry]

I want to add more questions.

Shuttle to beach house is 10 to 4. How early and late is the beach house open? Can early beachgoers get out at sunrise?

Anyone seen anybody fishing on the beach?

Are there bike paths?

 

[Beth]

Hey! I just linked over to a HH Information site from Tommy's page, and I noticed that there is an "Earl of Sandwich" in HH - apparently frequented by the locals.

I'm assuming this is the same as our new one in DD?

Am I going to actually get to try it out in HH <i>before</i> I do at WDW?!? Wow!

 

[SSRex]

Bikepaths?

Yes, Hilton Head Island has very nice wide bike paths and I recall them being off the street. I think I recall that there was a tunnel under the main road from the DVC resort to get over to the beach.

How early is the beach house open?

Not early enough, at least it was not when I was there. In fact, I was up very early one morning in November and drive over to the Disney Beach House wanting to watch the sunrise. My card did get me in the security entrance gate, but once inside I set off some type of motion sensor alarm. I left before an security came.

I do recall that our fast food counter service meal at the Beach House was one of the best non-table service Disney meals we had ever had. I also was disappointed with the gift shop items.

There used to be a Disney Store Catolog outlet store there, does anyone know if it is still open there in the outlet mall? thank you,

Rex

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Not all studio's have roll-in showers, only HC units. The last studio I stayed at HH had a nice standard tub/shower.

The Disney themeing is appropiate for this local and their is Disney magic everywhere at the resort.

Sandy

 

[Focusdude]

Thanks for all the help - I got more information from all of your in under 2 hours than I have been able to find in the past month!! I love these Boards!!

 

[Macnjac87]

Originally posted by TwirlerGirl
Not all studio's have roll-in showers, only HC units. The last studio I stayed at HH had a nice standard tub/shower.

The Disney themeing is appropiate for this local and their is Disney magic everywhere at the resort.

Sandy

Sandy, I totally agree- and we love this resort so much we're splitting our usual 8 day WDW vacation into 2 parts; first WDW for 4 nights then HH for 6 more nights. The resort has all the magic of Disney without the theme parks. We fell in love with it immediately.

 

[sumessefui]

I own at HHI and love it. I cannot understand the complaints about there being no restaurant. A very short walk over the bridge takes you to several nice restaurant. Also I was told that not having a restaurant on property was a condition of approval. They could improve on the existing snack bars, however. As far as not being on the ocean, I love being on the marsh better. That is one of the reasons that I bought there. The ocean is not far, and you can easily drive there. It is also a very doable walk, even with my arthritic knees.

 

[jacksmom]

Hi! We are also looking forward to a trip to HH! It will be our first, and we would love some more info! I have checked out the above listed sites, but would love to see some more pictures? Anyone know of other sites? Also, we have a studio booked and I was wondering if there is a certain location I should request? Are the studios about the same size as BCV or VWL? We have never stayed at OKW? Also, we have a ds7 and so I was wondering about childrens activities? Any tips or advise appreciated!

 

[Candace]

jacksmom - The studio at HH will be much larger than those you have stayed in. There is a lot of floor space there! It will have a queen bed and fold out sofa-sleeper, and when the sofa is not folded out, the room is huge. Also, since the kitchenette is in a small hallway just as you come into the room, it leaves more room space (hope that makes sense). There are lots of fun childrens activities that they will give you a sheet about when you check in. Be sure to meet Shadow!

 

[NancyDVC]

We loved HH! We visited in November and had a ball. We stayed in a studio (loved the sofa because it gave us more room).

Kim& Chris you must have been in a handicapped accessible studio because we had a bathtub in ours.
There are lots of resort activites-the exact number and schedule depends upon the time of the year that you go.
The point in not having an on site restauran is to encourage guests to the fine local restaurants. (And we did and loved it.)

Lots of activities many geared for kids (and I enjoyed many of them too). Goofy Bingo, gyotaku (fish painting), resort 'tours', campfires, storytelling, pirate adventure hunt etc. There are also tours such as the dolphin tour that have a cost involved that you can sign up for. The dolphin tour was great!
I found lots of Disney magic albeit low key compared to WDW. The CMs are great, the theming is lovely, and the activities are often themed to the resort.
Yes the beach house is away from the resort but we took our car. It was November and folks were swimming in both the onsite pool and the beach house pool (both are heated).
The bike paths are wide and easily accessible with rentals avaiable onsite both daily and weekly.

Beth-we just tried the Earl of Sandwich at DTD this week and like it very much $4.95 for sandwiches made to order, some pre made and $5.95 for salads. I don't know if the one at HH is priced any differently.

SSRex I believe that the Disney Outlet store closed last year
As for merchandise I got a lovely 'Shadow' tee shirt and get comments on it when ever I wear it at WDW. I fouin dnot a huge selection of merchandise like at WDW but then it is a more laidback non theme park resort.
We loved it and are trying to squeeze out points for another visit!
I agree with Candace don't forget to meet Shadow!

 

[Macnjac87]

Here is a link to shutterfly to view a slideshow of our trip to HH last July in a 2BR. We had the best time!


http://www.shutterfly.com/view/slide2.jsp?auto=1&aid=67b0de21b39a4d0625e4&js=1079185827523

 

[Desperado]

You can ride bikes to the beach, there's a great tunnel under the main road. Very short ride, then you have control of your time. You can also ride bikes along the beach, it is flat and gradual enough that beach bike riding is wonderful, beautiful houses and beachfront property to see. Pool at the beach house is a nice addition and alternative to the ocean.

The no restaraunts keeps locals off the DVC island, something nice at mealtime. It offers much more privacy. I think if you move up too the one bedroom, it'll be a huge difference. Then you can heat up any kind of take out without hassle or much bother.

There are many local vacation activities. The comment about studio showers were handicap showers, they are not all like that. Get teh one bedroom and get your own jacuzzi for nice baths.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We just returned from Hilton Head a few weeks ago-we love it there! Be sure you rent bikes-In February they have a special (at least for the last 2 years) costing $30 for 2 bikes for the length of stay. Make sure that when you check in, you look over the list of activities. And even if some of the activities look only midly interesting, you might want to check them out-the CMs there are the best and make everything you do so much fun! Everyone there is just so happy and pleasant. Even though there's no resturaunt on site, only a snack bar, there's a very wide assortment of resturaunts without going far at all. Such an emphasis on nature-it's so beautiful-be sure to just walk around and take it all in. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it-I think you will.

 

[BobH]

There are about 4 restaurants in Shelter Cove across from the resort. The Kingfisher restaurant is right near the small bridge that goes to the resort - a 2 minute walk at most. Tyr this site for info: http://www.wheretogohiltonhead.net.
For weather info try the Washington Post site to find the average weather temps. It is a little cool for the beach in Feb.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/historical/historical.htm

Savannah is a 40 minute dirve and is nice.

 

[BobH]

http://www.wheretogohiltonhead.com

 

[Disneyaholic]

I don't think that the Earl of Sandwich at HH is "related" to the new one at DTD. But we have gone there and they have great sandwiches and Killian's on tap. If you can eat outside at the HH one, though -- it's very dark and smokey inside.

Jackie, I couldn't get the link to your pictures to work. Thanks.