just booked HH with 7 month window

[Harley-Mouse]

Got in for Aug. 1 till Aug 6 booked it by the day but new years then weekend helped only had to make three calls to get all the nights. well we will be in a 2 bed room with my brothers family. What are some of the most do at this resort ? also do you have to book any of the thing far ahead of geting there? also any clue as to how long a drive from NJ it said 800 miles on map and go about 12 hr drive thats what thay say. now tell me if any of you have made this trip. I would like to drive down on july 31 and get within 2 hr or so from the resort so we can be there mid-day on check-in where would this put me in what town any hotels you have used? just a pool for the kids is all we are looking for.

 

[Macnjac87]

We went to HH (stayed in a 2BR overlooking the pool) for the first time last July and drove down from eastern end of Long Island. It was a long trip- seemed longer than driving to WDW; which we have done 5 times. A great hotel to stop in that is about 2 hours from HH is the Hampton Inn in Santee, SC- it is brand new, clean, has a nice pool/spa, free breakfast and lots of restaurants in the area to choose from for dinner-(Dont eat at the Shoney's across the street, it was horrible!!) We paid $82 for the night for the room. Right off of I-95 and like I said, about 2 hours from Hilton Head.

You will love this HH. It is unbelievable. We are going back for Easter and cannot wait. Lots of activities for kids and adults, the Beach House is oustanding, with lots of pool games, etc. for the kids and a great pool bar and counter service restaurant. Do a search here on the Dis and you will find a lot of info and photos about HH-
Please email me with any questions!!
Have a wonderful magical vacation!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Great!!! Have a good time!

Allison an associate

 

[sparkysfriends]

It's only a 12 hour drive if you make no stops, which is impossible. We usually stop just before the SC border in NC or after South of the Border. That's a little more than 2 hours, but it has worked for us.
On our way to the resort we stop at the Publix (the one before the resort) for our weeks grocery shopping. I like this better than the other supermarkets on the island. That way, we have everything that we need when we get there and don't have to take time out for shopping once we're there.
You'll love HH. A dolphin cruise is always a must for our family! We also like the kayaking and crabbing. The campfire at night is a lot of fun with the kids and we always do some of the nature programs. Rent the bikes for the length of your stay! It is great to have them whenever you want them and it's easy to bike all over the island. We always bike over to the beach house rather than drive over. It is an easy ride.
As for restaurants, the Old Oyster Factory is great! Really good seafood and family friendly. My 11 year old like the Hilton Head Brew Pub for burgers, and I must admit that their chicken wings are good. We also really like Truffles Cafe.
If you have time, a day in Savannah is always fun. We always eat lunch at Mrs. Wilkes or Lady and Sons. Family style southern cooking, a lot of fun.
Have agreat time.

-Alyson

 

[ArthurAmish]

We own at the Beach Club and just booked at Hilton Head from August 1-August 6th. I booked a one bedroom. I was able to book August 1-5 on Tuesday, had to wait until today to book August 6th checking out on August 7th, but got it this morning with no problem. The member service lady I talked to yesterday was really great. Her name was Myrtle. At first she said they had no one bedrooms available, but then she would check "another system". After about 10 minutes on hold, she was able to find the one bedroom somehow.

I've never been to the Disney property at Hilton Head. However, we've been, I think, 13 times to Hilton Head. We have usually stayed at various condos, usually on the beach. We have traveled from Illinois, which is right at 900 miles. Obviously, we are very fond of Hilton Head. I am a bit concerned about not staying on the beach, but the family activities look very appealing.

A few things I would make sure you do: walking the beach is great; bicycling on the beach at low tide is alot of fun; the Gregg Russell show nightly during the week at Harbour Town is a can't miss!; the fireworks during the summer at Shelter Cove, which should be very close to Disney, are really good.

There are a multitude of great restaurants. If you need more general information about Hilton Head, I would be happy to give my opinion.

 

[threeprincesses]

Arthur Amish, How long is the drive to Hilton Head from Arthur? I am from the Bloomington area and have been wondering about the drive with children. THanks, Julie

 

[treloarf]

Wow, aren't we lucky! I just booked a 2 bedroom for 8/1-8/6 too. But I am dreading the drive from Pittsburgh. The farthest we have driven is 6 hours to Philly, otherwise, we fly to Florida all the time.

But, we've never been to Hilton Head & am really looking forward to it!

I was looking at the 2 bedroom layout - is it smaller than the 2 bedroom at OKW?

 

[Disneyaholic]

Don't be at all concerned about the resort not being on the beach! To us, it's like having two locations in one. The resort is on Broad Creek, with lovely views of the marsh and Shelter Cove Marina. It's almost like having a vacation in the woods; the beach house is right on the beach, with a second pool to boot, so you get the benefits of a beach vacation.

The summer fireworks at Shelter Cove are RIGHT AT the resort! If you have a marsh view villa, you can likely watch them right from your porch; if not, there are plenty of good spots to watch them all around the resort.

 

[benhannah's mom]

threeprincesses-
We live in Sherman, just north of Springfield. We have gone to HH the past 2 summers and are going this year too. We usually break up the drive into several days to make it easier on the kids (and us too!). You could make it there in 12-14 hours if you drove straight through depending on how many stops you make. My kids love HH. The first year my DD (6 at the time) cried the night before we left HH. My niece-9 (now a part of our home) had heard the stories and seen our pictures from the past 2 years. She said "Can we go to Hilton Head next summer?" . So, HH here we come again!!

 

[ArthurAmish]

I am familiar with Sherman, Illinois and Bloomington, obviously. What town do you live in near Bloomington, Threeprincesses?

From Arthur, the drive is 15-16 hours to Hilton Head. To me, it is an easy 2 day drive. Pre-kids, we many times drove it straight through. We usually try to get south of Atlanta, which is around 10-11 hours. Then, the second day is pretty easy - go south to Macon on I-75, make a "left-turn" at Macon onto I-16, north on I-95 before Savannah and you are there by early afternoon on the second day.

We have stopped to see sites in Chattanooga and Atlanta on several trips. We have also taken the "eastern" route through Knoxville, TN and stopped at the Biltmore in Ashville, NC. This drive is a bit longer, but the scenery is nicer, I feel.

I would also recommend a trip to Charleston. I just love Charleston, the city just exudes Southern charm and history. However, it is about a two hour drive from Hilton Head, so it takes a full day. Sometimes we stop in Charleston before we get to Hilton Head.

 

[Halle]

ArthurAmish can you please tell me what the Gregg Russell show is? I also booked a bdrm 8/1-8/7, we've never been to HH so I am very excited.

 

[ArthurAmish]

The Gregg Russell show is a really entertaining family show. He has been under the "Liberty Tree" in Harbour Town for many, many years. I believe the Sea Pines Company sponsors his show-so it is free, but you have to pay the gate fee (I believe $5.00/day) to get into Sea Pines. The premise of his show is a huge group of kids try to get picked by him to come up on his stage and sing their song. Gregg plays along, makes alot of jokes, and also performs his own material. It is a really fun time - probably funner for the adults than the children. Russell says that he is now performing the show for kids of parents he had in the show many years ago.

I believe the show begins at 7 or it might be 8 each weeknight. I would recommend getting there about 45 minutes before the show begins, it you want a good spot or if you have children who want to participate.

I'm surprised that his show hasn't been talked about more on threads about Hilton Head. I'm assuming that he is still doing this show - but I know it is only from Memorial day until Labor Day.

 

[stacy6552]

Psst! All you east coasters who need a place to stretch your legs on your way, have I got a place for you!

About 10 miles (maybe a bit more) south of the DC beltway, along I95 is Potomac Mills Shopping Center. And in it there is (drum roll please) a DISNEY CATALOG OUTLET!

You can get to it by way of two exits. The first one is Prince William Pkwy. So first you'll see that, then you'll see a huge rounds logo sign for the shopping center (I think it has a tree on it) and then the next exit willtake you there too, but Im not sure of the second exits name. Anyway, the mall is on the west side of the freeway.

So take an hour stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, and score some fun deals! Nothing like a tough of Disney to break up a long trip!

 

[threeprincesses]

Hello Fellow Central Illinoisers:
I live in El Paso, 8 miles north of Bloomington. I attended Eastern Illinois University and grew up south of Springfield, so Arthur and Sherman are places I too am familiar with. Thanks for all the HH info, that is on our list of places we want to go very soon, but probably not until 2005 as we are taking the in-laws to Disney this summer. I can't wait to go though, it sounds like my kind of vacation. Julie

 

[ArthurAmish]

Sure I know El Paso Illinos.

For more information on Gregg Russell, go to greggrussell.com. Click on "I love this Harbour."