Hilton Head this March/April for a Covid-cautious family?

[Jetku]

Does anyone have experience or tips they can share about HH during covid?

We’re very cautious about COVID precautions and for us that means we’ll occasionally go to a store like target or food shopping, but not much else. We won’t eat inside a restaurant, are iffy about outdoor dining, and are totally fine with takeout / food delivery.

We have HH booked for the week before Easter and would drive, and we have a 5yo and 2yo. We’ve never been there, but we have points expiring in June so we want to try it. We also have to decide ASAP as we need to bank the few bankable points on the reservation by the end of the month.

I know that there are no dinner restaurants on site, but how is delivery? Can you do DoorDash or grub hub right to the resort?Or is there good takeout? And are local businesses generally mask / social distancing compliant?

Not looking for any views on our precautions (or lack there of). We’ve got cabin fever and really want some Disney magic in a way we can feel safe about.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I haven't been there since COVID, but we are also cautious and also going this spring. We rarely eat out or take out and don't know about delivery, but I would assume take out is certainly an option. We cook almost all of our own meals and there is a Kroger near the resort and a Whole Foods not too far away so groceries are easy. We did eat at a picnic table outside one of the counter service windows at HHI. We also used the grills to outdoor cook some of our food - there are picnic tables near the grills too.


When driving, a way that I make cooking easier on ourselves so it feels more like vacation is to make breakfast casserole, spaghetti sauce or chili, and other family favorites at home and freeze them in microwave defrostable (sauce/chili/cookie dough) or oven safe foil containers. Frozen bricks of food go into a cooler for the drive then into the fridge/freezer at HHI. Viola - ready to heat family favorites.

Sorry I don't have more current information, but I can tell you that when we've been before the resort felt like there was plenty of room without crowding on walkways, around the resort, and at the pool. We'll assess and adjust accordingly regarding groceries and take-out. We prefer to pick out our own groceries, but if the locals aren't masking then we'll curb-side pickup. As roomy as the resort felt before COVID, I'm confident we'll feel safe this spring. Enjoy your trip

 

[ldo]

Most hhi units have outside entrances. You can request to not be in main building which then gives you exterior access (safer) . Lots of fun things to do. Rent bikes with a toddler seat on back. Lots of great places to eat that will likely do take out. The beach is a great place to spread out enjoy outdoors. Dvc hhi is a great resort. It’s spread out with Nice areas to walk around, outdoor games like cornhole, hammocks, very relaxing. Get a little fishing pole for your 5 yr old. There's a dock at dvc. You’ll love it and can easily stay safe imho.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Just saw on the HHI lover's thread that they do have GrubHub and Door Dash:

Yes! Also, we used Shipt to have groceries delivered as well.

 

[Travel60]

We are at VB now doing essentially what you want to do....bought groceries on the way in and avoiding social contact. We are also very Covid cautious (DH has health issues) so know where you are coming from.

We were at HHI with 2 yo gs and 5 yo gd in 2019. They LOVED every minute. As mentioned, outside access to rooms except in main building. Lots of space on main campus....various game spots scattered around....not sure how they are handling (or how to limit) fishing and crabbing off pier but my gkids loved that. Big pool at main location and big pool at beach plus beach is huge and flat. We biked everywhere...bike paths to beach, to shopping center with grocery and restaurants that is next to a big park along the water. You could probably order ahead, pick up and have a private picnic.

My only reservation might be that your timeframe is typically busy so there might be a lot more people in general on island. I've heard that mask compliance is iffy with locals but that may have improved with increase in cases.

 

[harmon54]

We went over the summer and felt extremely comfortable there. Masks compliance is very strict at the resort and really you ca. Stay away from others everywhere else. We even did mini golf and everyone was wearing their masks. We ate in the room - at the resort - I actually liked their food - got take out from a pizza place and a Mexican Place and ate at one outside restaurant that had decent spacing. The resort also had activities for the kids and everyone was properly masked and spaced out. I think your kids will enjoy it. We also got bikes and rode everywhere it is so nice. The only thing my kids complained about was wearing masks when they played cornhole and other things around the resort - this was when masks were relatively newer though and now I think they are more used to them. Masks are not required at the pool - the chairs are spaced out but kids get close ish in the pool and slide so if that bothered you then you could try to avoid it. No slide at the beach pool so not as big of an issue there. Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Mask compliance at the resort is good.

Outside the resort, expect not to see masks. South Carolina has no statewide mandate and local mandates are spotty and poorly enforced.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

If you are cautious, could you reschedule out three or four months in hopes of having the vaccine by then? That is what we are doing. My wife has health issues that would make covid no fun.

 

[kerrylacherry]

I was at HHI for the first time over MLK weekend, and felt pretty good about the precautions the resort implemented and those my family took similar to yours. The DVC staff and guests were all good about masks on property and at the beach house. The quick service counter is open until 4p and was fairly decent. We brought groceries and did takeout but not delivery. The shuttle to the beach house limits the number of people for distancing, but there’s also parking at the beach house so I believe you can take your own car if you’re not comfortable with the shuttle. Outside the resort, in the town, there are a lot of reminders to wear masks, but employees of stores/restaurants didn’t really enforce it if someone was walking around with their mask askew, which is pretty much how it is where I live so I was expecting something like that.

This was my first time at Hilton Head since the early 2000s and the first time at the Disney resort, and I would absolutely return. We had a lovely time, so take your planned precautions and have fun with your family.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Just to clarify, the only rooms in the main lodge (Building 11) that have indoor corridors are the ones on the first floor. The upper floors have very wide open air hallways.

We were there in October. We cancelled our November WDW trip along with several other vacations planned after my retirement, but we kept HHI because we knew how many outdoor activities we could do. We are also very cautious about Covid. I do online grocery pickup, and we don't eat out. We did a grocery pickup at Kroger as soon as we got there and had pizza from Guiseppi's delivered to our room for dinner. We had not planned on eating out, but we ended up eating out the rest of the trip. We just did places with outdoor dining. The best was Skull Creek Boathouse. We ate in their new outside pavilion and felt totally safe. Poseidon is one of our favorite restaurants, and we were pleased with how spaced out everything was there. We did not feel as safe at Fishcamp and wouldn't recommend. We ate dinner around 4-4:30 every night to avoid any crowds (and to take advantage of the early-bird specials). To show how safe we felt at HHI, it's important to note that we have not eaten at any restaurant (inside or outside) besides the ones at HHI since February of last year. And we have been vaccinated, but still not eating out. Mask compliance is good on Disney property. We didn't go into any places other than Kilns and the French Bakery in the Shelter Cove shopping center. Kilns was fine; we were the only ones in there besides the person working. The French Bakery had no social distancing at all! We walked in and turned around and left immediately. We rented bikes for the first time and really enjoyed just being outdoors. It was the first time we felt normal in a long time.

I wish you the best on your vacation!

 

[crazylady]

Not covid related but the weather at that time is pretty iffy. You'll get sunshine but it might be on the chilly side. The ocean will be cold definitely. You might want to pick up some wet suits for the kids if you're planning beach time.

 

[MrsBooch]

Does anyone have experience or tips they can share about HH during covid?

We’re very cautious about COVID precautions and for us that means we’ll occasionally go to a store like target or food shopping, but not much else. We won’t eat inside a restaurant, are iffy about outdoor dining, and are totally fine with takeout / food delivery.

We have HH booked for the week before Easter and would drive, and we have a 5yo and 2yo. We’ve never been there, but we have points expiring in June so we want to try it. We also have to decide ASAP as we need to bank the few bankable points on the reservation by the end of the month.

I know that there are no dinner restaurants on site, but how is delivery? Can you do DoorDash or grub hub right to the resort? Or is there good takeout? And are local businesses generally mask / social distancing compliant?

Not looking for any views on our precautions (or lack there of). We’ve got cabin fever and really want some Disney magic in a way we can feel safe about.

We are planning a trip in March to the HH dvc resort.

Even at their most busy time when they reach full capacity (August ish) it isn't crowded.

The resort, as everyone has said, is very good with masking and cleaning - they're following Disney's protocols which are more strict overall than the island.

There are MANY amazing restaurants in the area that are doing takeout so you will still be able to eat well.

You will be able to enjoy yourself as the rooms are spacious and the balcony's are huge - you'll be able to keep to yourself and feel comfortable.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We were there during Thanksgiving for 10 days Went to Kroger twice, and can't remember seeing anyone without a mask I'm afraid that I don't have any experience with delivery The closest we got to that was ordering from Scott's Fish Market, just over the bridge, then DH walked over and got it Lots of places did take out, so a few times when DH golfed in the morning, he'd call in an order and pick it up on the way back So basically, we ate in our villa A couple times we called into Tide me Over, then DH went and got it (no, they don't deliver!) The resort was fine Our only fear was on the flight to and from the resort Like you, we're very Covid cautious

 

[Judique]

Most hhi units have outside entrances. You can request to not be in main building which then gives you exterior access (safer) . Lots of fun things to do. Rent bikes with a toddler seat on back. Lots of great places to eat that will likely do take out. The beach is a great place to spread out enjoy outdoors. Dvc hhi is a great resort. It’s spread out with Nice areas to walk around, outdoor games like cornhole, hammocks, very relaxing. Get a little fishing pole for your 5 yr old. There's a dock at dvc. You’ll love it and can easily stay safe imho.

The main building also has exterior access. If you want to avoid the front stairs the back stairs take you down to the parking under the building. And, you can easily avoid the elevator by using stairs if you are not in need of that particular access. I usually do stairs except with luggage anyway when in the main building.

I was there when they closed and they were following safe practices then. Due to go back mid March with no hesitation, as although it is a small resort, the outside areas and the villas are spacious, all with decent sized open balconies.

There are lots of food options for take out in the area and delivery is available. But a prior poster has inspired me to cook in advance and bring some home made frozen entrees with me. We will see how inspired I really am as March approaches.

 

[sleepydog25]

Does anyone have experience or tips they can share about HH during covid?

We’re very cautious about COVID precautions and for us that means we’ll occasionally go to a store like target or food shopping, but not much else. We won’t eat inside a restaurant, are iffy about outdoor dining, and are totally fine with takeout / food delivery.

We have HH booked for the week before Easter and would drive, and we have a 5yo and 2yo. We’ve never been there, but we have points expiring in June so we want to try it. We also have to decide ASAP as we need to bank the few bankable points on the reservation by the end of the month.

I know that there are no dinner restaurants on site, but how is delivery? Can you do DoorDash or grub hub right to the resort?Or is there good takeout? And are local businesses generally mask / social distancing compliant?

Not looking for any views on our precautions (or lack there of). We’ve got cabin fever and really want some Disney magic in a way we can feel safe about.

Some good answers above, and I'll add my two-cents' worth. HHI and Bluffton both have mask mandates in place, and for the overwhelming majority, those mandates are followed. Certain crowded areas will naturally have more people who ignore them. If you go to a particular ice cream shop at Coligny Beach, maybe half won't be wearing a mask even if they aren't actually eating or drinking. Conversely, if you walk into Fresh Market (2 minutes from the resort), they are much more strict. Even at Home Depot, there is an employee sitting at the entrance most days handing out masks if you don't have one.

On the resort, mask wear is more strict, yes. You will feel quite safe at the main resort and at the Beach House. There are food delivery services (UberEats, DoorDash, etc.), as well as restaurants who deliver on their own. Just about every restaurant on the island offers takeout, and there are literally dozens of great places within a 10-minute drive, not to mention the places over in Shelter Cove which is a 3-5 minute walk from your room. We don't eat indoors currently, but almost every restaurant has outdoor seating. Your own comfort level will determine if those are good enough. We've actually had great experiences with Fishcamp on Broad Creek, but we go at less crowded times and sit outside not near anyone. We've also had great experiences at Skull Creek Boathouse; however, they tend to get very crowded at peak times regardless of distancing.

I believe you'll find coming here to be a worthwhile trip with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you and the kids busy. The restaurants here are excellent overall, and you'll have no lack of options for takeout, delivery, and likely even outside dining. Have fun planning!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The one thing DH just reminded me that struck us a little odd was that the daily "visit" and trash take out was still happening So there's lots of potential for virus's to go from room to room And while the CM wears disposable gloves when they come in, I've seen it speculated that they don't change between rooms I wonder about that

 

[MrsBooch]

Some good answers above, and I'll add my two-cents' worth. HHI and Bluffton both have mask mandates in place, and for the overwhelming majority, those mandates are followed. Certain crowded areas will naturally have more people who ignore them. If you go to a particular ice cream shop at Coligny Beach, maybe half won't be wearing a mask even if they aren't actually eating or drinking. Conversely, if you walk into Fresh Market (2 minutes from the resort), they are much more strict. Even at Home Depot, there is an employee sitting at the entrance most days handing out masks if you don't have one.

On the resort, mask wear is more strict, yes. You will feel quite safe at the main resort and at the Beach House. There are food delivery services (UberEats, DoorDash, etc.), as well as restaurants who deliver on their own. Just about every restaurant on the island offers takeout, and there are literally dozens of great places within a 10-minute drive, not to mention the places over in Shelter Cove which is a 3-5 minute walk from your room. We don't eat indoors currently, but almost every restaurant has outdoor seating. Your own comfort level will determine if those are good enough. We've actually had great experiences with Fishcamp on Broad Creek, but we go at less crowded times and sit outside not near anyone. We've also had great experiences at Skull Creek Boathouse; however, they tend to get very crowded at peak times regardless of distancing.

I believe you'll find coming here to be a worthwhile trip with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you and the kids busy. The restaurants here are excellent overall, and you'll have no lack of options for takeout, delivery, and likely even outside dining. Have fun planning!

this is a great thing to read - i'm not the OP but we are heading down to the dvc resort in about 45 days or so - and while I've had every confidence in the resort's safety I was a bit nervous about the island. We LOVE it there, i know exactly which ice cream shop you're talking about so we will probably skip that this year, but I'm very happy to hear about Skull Creek.

 

[sleepydog25]

The one thing DH just reminded me that struck us a little odd was that the daily "visit" and trash take out was still happening So there's lots of potential for virus's to go from room to room And while the CM wears disposable gloves when they come in, I've seen it speculated that they don't change between rooms I wonder about that

While one can't guarantee anything these days, I will say that Disney CMs--at least those at HHI--are absolutely trained to change out gloves every time they go to a different room, deliver something, clean railings, take trash, and much, much more. Disney protocols are not foolproof (none are), but they are excellent.