slindamood
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2000
- Messages
- 1,482
We got home last evening from a week at Hilton Head, a first visit for us even though we have been DVC members (BWV) since 1998.
In short - we loved it! Our favorite DVC vacation ever! Three generation trip - 2 grandparents (me and DH), DD & DSIL, and DGD (18 months).
Some observations:
1. We were in 1521, dedicated 2 bedroom, just refurbished. One end of our unit had marsh view, the other was under a live oak tree. Perfect!
2. The villa was newly refurbished - I am sure we were the first to be in it. 2 nearby buildings were undergoing renovation. I like the new décor, but do not have a point of comparison.
3. The villa had a new carpet/new paint smell the first few days if we left the doors closed while we were out. We kept the balcony doors open and it aired out quickly. Temps in 70s, so fresh air was welcome!
4. The balconies are very slippery. New, and the wax/fire retardant finish needs a little weathering. DD and DGD each slipped and fell - no injuries but quite a surprise. (DGD broke her crayon, but just got out another.) Be careful.
5. We rented bicycles for the length of stay. now $30 for length of stay. (the day we arrived, 3/8, it was $25 but on the 9th went up to $30). Child carrier seats are free. We rode to the beach almost everyday taking a picnic in our baskets.
There is a new bike path nearly the entire way to the beach - off road. The directions DVC gives at check-in are out of date as they say to ride on the path that is part of the right side of the road. Don't. The new path is safer and beautiful, with a good buffer of grass and trees between the path and road. After the bridge underpass, the path is to the left of the road, then clearly crosses to the right after the bridge along the golf course.
6. New Kroger store at Shelter Cove. A few minute drive, bikeable by back road. Large, bright, great selection. Deli, freshly made sushi, starbucks, bakery, great produce and fresh fruit, fish counter, meat counter, pre-prepared foods and the usual Kroger grocery products. We found the prices the same as our Kroger at home. We were able to shop easily for picnics as well as other meals. We had some good meals and ended up eating out only once - which was best with a toddler tired from the beach.
7. Shadow - is great! We loved B'Lou's stories and DGD was just thrilled being able to give Shadow treats. B'Lou said Shadow is 8 (going on) 19.
8. We went to a campfire which the kids 8 - 12 seemed to enjoy greatly! DGD did not understand that she could not walk up to see the fire close up, so we did not stay long. That is something for a few years from now.
9. The beach house - surprised me that we really liked it. It was a good place to get DGD out of the sun and she napped on a couch. We were set up on the beach, but enjoyed going into the beach house for breaks.
10. The staff was so friendly. Need I say more?
11. We are going back next year. The biking, the beach, the quiet laid back atmosphere and just enough programming were just perfect for us. We all agreed it was one of the best vacations ever.
In short - we loved it! Our favorite DVC vacation ever! Three generation trip - 2 grandparents (me and DH), DD & DSIL, and DGD (18 months).
Some observations:
1. We were in 1521, dedicated 2 bedroom, just refurbished. One end of our unit had marsh view, the other was under a live oak tree. Perfect!
2. The villa was newly refurbished - I am sure we were the first to be in it. 2 nearby buildings were undergoing renovation. I like the new décor, but do not have a point of comparison.
3. The villa had a new carpet/new paint smell the first few days if we left the doors closed while we were out. We kept the balcony doors open and it aired out quickly. Temps in 70s, so fresh air was welcome!
4. The balconies are very slippery. New, and the wax/fire retardant finish needs a little weathering. DD and DGD each slipped and fell - no injuries but quite a surprise. (DGD broke her crayon, but just got out another.) Be careful.
5. We rented bicycles for the length of stay. now $30 for length of stay. (the day we arrived, 3/8, it was $25 but on the 9th went up to $30). Child carrier seats are free. We rode to the beach almost everyday taking a picnic in our baskets.
There is a new bike path nearly the entire way to the beach - off road. The directions DVC gives at check-in are out of date as they say to ride on the path that is part of the right side of the road. Don't. The new path is safer and beautiful, with a good buffer of grass and trees between the path and road. After the bridge underpass, the path is to the left of the road, then clearly crosses to the right after the bridge along the golf course.
6. New Kroger store at Shelter Cove. A few minute drive, bikeable by back road. Large, bright, great selection. Deli, freshly made sushi, starbucks, bakery, great produce and fresh fruit, fish counter, meat counter, pre-prepared foods and the usual Kroger grocery products. We found the prices the same as our Kroger at home. We were able to shop easily for picnics as well as other meals. We had some good meals and ended up eating out only once - which was best with a toddler tired from the beach.
7. Shadow - is great! We loved B'Lou's stories and DGD was just thrilled being able to give Shadow treats. B'Lou said Shadow is 8 (going on) 19.
8. We went to a campfire which the kids 8 - 12 seemed to enjoy greatly! DGD did not understand that she could not walk up to see the fire close up, so we did not stay long. That is something for a few years from now.
9. The beach house - surprised me that we really liked it. It was a good place to get DGD out of the sun and she napped on a couch. We were set up on the beach, but enjoyed going into the beach house for breaks.
10. The staff was so friendly. Need I say more?
11. We are going back next year. The biking, the beach, the quiet laid back atmosphere and just enough programming were just perfect for us. We all agreed it was one of the best vacations ever.
). Check out 2013 Hilton Head lovers thread Page 70 for pictures of 1521 . 
It looked like new. I bet we were the first to use the dryer - it had no lint at all on the lint filter - usually there is some trace left.
. We were "supposed" to go next year, but DD9 decided she wants to do a RunDisney event next year. I guess sneaking in one more trip to WDW while she is still a "child" (under 10) isn't such a bad idea.
