Hilton Head studio 7 months out?

[bangzoom6877]

We're driving down next July for our WDW trip, and visiting relatives in Tampa and in Boca Raton before we go to WDW. On the way to Tampa, we are considering staying at the Hilton Head Island DVC resort. It would be the night of July 7, 2010 if we do this. But, our home resort is BWV so I can't book HHI until December 7, 2009. The one-night reservation would be 14 points for a studio. I would not use more points if a larger accommodation is the only thing available, as this is just a 1-night stopover. We are driving from NYC, but we would be coming from southern VA the night before. So it would be about a 7-hour drive from VA to HHI. We would leave VA early in the morning (7:30AM or so) and drive to HHI. So with stopping for the bathroom and lunch on the way, we would probably arrive at around 3:30 or 4:00.

How hard is it to get a studio at HHI 7 months out for my date of travel (July 7, 2010)? Is it really difficult because it is right after 4th of July? It would be a Wednesday night stay. Do you think it is worth using 14 points? We would be borrowing the points from 2011, as we are doing with some of them for our BWV reservation. But I figured out all the math, and we could still stay 10 nights every other year at BWV in a 1-BR standard view (this is how we are choosing to use our contract) until the year 2032! And that is the year DH and I plan to retire, so who knows at that point how we will use our points. My point is, my younger son will be 18 in the year 2025, so we will be able to go to WDW in a 1BR at BWV until well after both my kids are out of high school, even if we stay this one night at HHI on the way down!

Also, is there much for us to do from 4PM on into the evening at HHI with little kids? Is there somewhere good to eat there that is not too expensive for dinner?

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[DebbieB]

That is going to be hard. Most of HH is dedicated 2 bedrooms, there are only a few lockoffs that can be booked as a 1 bedroom or studio and that date is at the height of summer occupancy. You can call at 7 months to see, maybe get on the waitlist.

 

[RobDoc]

HH has only 21 Studios and the same number of 1BRs and they do go quickly for the summer months - but the dynamics of the reservation system also allow for such availability at times. I would certainly call right at 7 months to see if anything is available for that date.

As for activities and dining, the resort usually has some evening activities like the campfire, magic or story telling. Each night during the summer months there is a free Shannon Tanner concert (great family show) in the pavillion across from the resort. There are many good family restaurants at HH - some even within about 400 yards of the resort so you'll have no problem finding a place to eat.

Good luck with the reservation!

 

[5forDiz]

ita with Debbie; we've had least success trying to book during summer months. You may have better luck trying to book cash ressie instead of points; and if luck is really on your side maybe 25% member discount may be available. Or maybe try for when you are heading home from FL - it's possible that could work out better than first week of July. And of course you can waitlist. What we usually do if we can't get Disney HHI resort during summer months is bid Resort Level on HHI via priceline; if your bid is accepted you will get either Westin, Marriott, Hilton or Crowne Plaza resorts all very nice and all located on beach. You can review bid history on bidding for travel dot com on South Carolina board to get an idea of what amounts have been accepted in previous years for the first week of July. Just know if your bid is accepted, it is a done deal & you will not be able to get a refund if you cancel & you will not be able to change dates.

Don't know how far south in VA you will be but jmho I think you are over estimating how much time it will take to reach HHI. From where we live in southern NY it's about 800 miles & it takes between 11 - 14 hours (we've got 3 kids too). We've travelled from West Palm Beach to HHI leaving at 7:30 am & the trip took 6 hours, approx 460 miles, which is roughly the distance from southern VA - ie from Emporia, VA it's approx 400 miles. So I think you will find that you will arrive at HHI a good 2 hours earlier than 4 pm. A real time saver is to pack easy to eat breakfast (bagels, biscuits, kellogs cereal cups, fresh fruit or fruit cups) and lunch items so you can eat while driving ( this is usually a healthier alternative to stopping for road food too ) and just make stops for gas/restrooms.

We usually prefer stopping off at HHI on our northbound journey because we get there earlier & have practically the whole day ahead of us but we also do stop there when driving to Florida as well but even arriving mid to late afternoon will still give you opportunity to enjoy doing some things.

Once on island there are many places to dine that are reasonable & most are family oriented; can't go wrong with Hilton Head Diner & there's an Earle of Sandwich (as in Downtown Dis) at Coligny Plaza, Shelter Cover Harbour adjacent & walkable from Disney resort has restaurants & some with early bird specials, there's Carrabba's & Fudruckers too among other chain establishments. If you do stay at Disney resort there will usually be activities even later into afternoon / early evening but the schedule does vary & definitely get some beach time in too. There's mini golf & Harbour Town lighthouse that kids may find fun.

Best wishes & hope the planning works out