How is Hilton Head?

[Simba's Mom]

How is the weather for Thanksgiving ?

Over the 15 years, we've seen a very wide variety of weather-one year it was in the 80s and sunny, one year it was in the 30s and icy. That happened to be the first year we went-if we hadn't gone after that, that would be how we'd describe the weather! But most commonly, it's been in the mid-60s. Some people are in the pool/hot tub, but it's too cold for us. But it IS perfect for walking on the beach, miniature golf, regular golf, and lots of bike riding. And there's always time to sit on your balcony and watch nature. Best of all, we've never made a reservation for dinner when we've gone out, and only twice in 15 years have we had any wait (Stack's and Skull Creek Boathouse) and both times, our waits were under 15 minutes.

 

[vinmar4]

Over the 15 years, we've seen a very wide variety of weather-one year it was in the 80s and sunny, one year it was in the 30s and icy. That happened to be the first year we went-if we hadn't gone after that, that would be how we'd describe the weather! But most commonly, it's been in the mid-60s. Some people are in the pool/hot tub, but it's too cold for us. But it IS perfect for walking on the beach, miniature golf, regular golf, and lots of bike riding. And there's always time to sit on your balcony and watch nature. Best of all, we've never made a reservation for dinner when we've gone out, and only twice in 15 years have we had any wait (Stack's and Skull Creek Boathouse) and both times, our waits were under 15 minutes.

Thank you, good to know!

We lived in Chicago for over 30 years so 60's sound great ,
This was our first time and it was pretty humid, but we still enjoyed bike riding and the beach.
I would imagine that it would also be great to visit Savannah with that weather.
We have a pool here in Texas so thats not a priority for us really, but we did use them while we were there because it was very humid and hot.
We loved having so many restaurants and live music close to the resort and the shopping.

We all loved it, including my sister and her family who drove from Chicago to meet us there. So much that for the first time, she was talking about possibly buying some points at HHI !

We did not have small children, the youngest was 17, so they really enjoyed just taking off in their bikes to go to different places.They all want to go back every year .

We have spent Thanksgiving at DW a couple of times and love all the Christmas decorations, maybe we can alternate now.

Is it very difficult to book for Thanksgiving at 7 months ?

 

[vinmar4]

As someone who recently purchased DVC, I was wondering what the HHI Resort is like. I've read a few reviews online but I wonder what the DIS community thinks about it?

Hello,
We went to for the fist time this month, the fist week of August.
We flew in and rented a car at the Hilton Head. Savannah airport. The airport and small and charming( compared to DFW and O'Hare) as far as size. The resort itself is beautiful with trees all over the place. We loved the counter service restaurant. We cooked a few dinners in the room and also used their grill. We also visited some restaurants and took a boat trip and our kids ,nephews ,and nice, did the canoe trip and loved it. We also visited Savannah one day, but it remained pretty much all day so we didn't get to do a lot, plus we got there kind of late in the afternoon.

We were given a lot of information and tips from people that visit frequently, and especially by Sleepydog25.
So here are just some of the things that we learned and tips: This is our opinion, some other people may differ.

Do take ponchos or rain coats , we used them, just check the weather ahead of time
Take mosquito spray or get some there( It was pretty bad when we went)
The ferry ride to and from Savannah is totally worth it so you don't deal with traffic , and specially if people will enjoy some alcoholic beverages. You can drink and walk all over the City Market area and other areas close by, plus you will probably see dolphins and don't have to do that boat trip separately. ( we drove but will do the ferry ride next time, plus you get a discount coupon for the trolly tour once you get there)
If you are driving to Savannah, get there early so the trolley tour where you get off and on as you desire, is worth it.
If you go to have dinner at the Skull Creek Boathouse, sign up and then go to the bar area behind the indoor restaurant and see if you can get a table , those don't require a reservation. When we went, we were told the wait time was 2.5 hours, but within 20 minutes as we were getting some drinks from the bar, my husband asked one of the servers and he got us a large table for 9 from the one ones by the bar area.
If you are planning to grill, take some of your favorite utensils from home, what they have there is very basic. ( there's a TJ Max very close by also )
Do rent a bike if you can ride at the beginning of you trip, it's almost the same price for the length of your stay. I was hesitant to get one as I was dealing with a healing broken foot, but rented the 3 wheeler and loved it.
Visit Shelter Cove Marina , they have different restaurants and cute stores. They have live music almost every night.
The Mexican restaurant in that area, has amazing margaritas ( jalapeño margaritas)
and another restaurant there , Top Dawg Tavern, had amazing wings and the most pleasant and nice staff. We used to take our car and park close to the bridge and just walk over.

I hope this helps

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thank you, good to know!

We lived in Chicago for over 30 years so 60's sound great ,
This was our first time and it was pretty humid, but we still enjoyed bike riding and the beach.
I would imagine that it would also be great to visit Savannah with that weather.
We have a pool here in Texas so thats not a priority for us really, but we did use them while we were there because it was very humid and hot.
We loved having so many restaurants and live music close to the resort and the shopping.

We all loved it, including my sister and her family who drove from Chicago to meet us there. So much that for the first time, she was talking about possibly buying some points at HHI !

We did not have small children, the youngest was 17, so they really enjoyed just taking off in their bikes to go to different places.They all want to go back every year .

We have spent Thanksgiving at DW a couple of times and love all the Christmas decorations, maybe we can alternate now.

Is it very difficult to book for Thanksgiving at 7 months ?

I asked DH, who grew up in Chicago, whether people from there would find HHI cold at Thanksgiving and he said "Not usually, but it depends on what year you go!" But if, like us, you live in Texas now, the water will definitely be too cold. I remember when we lived in New England and went to WDW in early November. We were swimming, while the Floridians were wearing jackets and looking at us like we were crazy! Now, living in Texas, when we go to WDW or HHI in November, we wouldn't dream of swimming!
As far was booking Thanksgiving at 7 months, if you book as soon as possible after the window opens, you should be OK. Otherwise waitlisting has a good chance of working.

 

[vinmar4]

I asked DH, who grew up in Chicago, whether people from there would find HHI cold at Thanksgiving and he said "Not usually, but it depends on what year you go!" But if, like us, you live in Texas now, the water will definitely be too cold. I remember when we lived in New England and went to WDW in early November. We were swimming, while the Floridians were wearing jackets and looking at us like we were crazy! Now, living in Texas, when we go to WDW or HHI in November, we wouldn't dream of swimming!
As far was booking Thanksgiving at 7 months, if you book as soon as possible after the window opens, you should be OK. Otherwise waitlisting has a good chance of working.

Yes, it's amazing how you get acclimated. We now live in the DFW area and when we visit family in Chicago, even 40 degrees feel way colder to us , than to the rest of the people that are with us and live in Chicago. On the other hand, they are dying with 90 degrees her in Tx when they visit, and for us now, is doable. I will try to book right at the 7 month mark, that's how I was able to get a full week the first week of August.

Do you guys usually drive or fly ?

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

It’s ok. Nothing special. The pool is way too small. The food venues are never open. Staff is standoffish. Housekeeping is unimpressive.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

It’s ok. Nothing special. The pool is way too small. The food venues are never open. Staff is standoffish. Housekeeping is unimpressive.

Wow! You must have taken a wrong turn.

 

[Donnainnj]

Wow! You must have taken a wrong turn.

I think they are having a hard time getting their reservations. Not quite the best kept secret anymore.

 

[crisi]

We love it - in the offseason. In the Summer the island is far too crowded.

But its a different vacation. You'll need a car. There isn't a sit down restaurant on property (but tons of places to eat off property). There are only a few things to do if you want to keep busy (dolphin tours, there is a zip lining place, the Gullah culture tour is good) - its a beach (but not in February when we go) and book sort of vacation.

The Disney resort is about a mile and a half from the beach. The resort runs shuttles and has a beach house - so bathrooms, a fast food place, and a pool if you don't like the ocean are available as well as a place to get out of the sun. The Disney resort itself is nice - off the beaten path and we've always found the staff to be wonderful - but there are a lot of places on HHI - and a lot of great deals in the offseason.