Need HH Tips!

[TXMommy]

We are planning our first trip to HH the last week of May. We are not DVC members, but we are looking forward to what we hear is a beautiful place! I would appreciate any and all tips/recommendations. There will be 4 adults and 2 children (ages 8 and 5) in our party, so we are getting a 2-BR villa - are there any villas I should request for a good view/location? Any activities we shouldn't miss? Also, a silly question: just how "Disney" is the resort? I mean, I know there aren't characters walking around, but are there special Disney touches? Thanx in advance to all you great DIS-ers! These boards have been a TREMENDOUS help to us in planning past WDW vacations, and I know will be just as helpful with this one!

 

[scootert]

Greetings from San Antonio!! We were at HH last May and enjoyed it very much. My first suggestion will sound a bit strange, but a night light is very helpful. The rooms tend to be a bit dark due to the wood tones and we found it very helpful. I'd also recommend having a car -- there's just too much on the island.

The resort is beautiful, nestled in pines and on a marsh. Our only regret is that we did not request a marsh view -- very peaceful. There are some Disney Theme touches, but I'd say they are minimal. There is a marina just across the bridge (walking distance) which has many shops and several good restaurants. We ate at Scott's and thoroughly enjoyed it. For great pizza, we'd recommend Giuseppe's -- it's a short drive but well worth it.

There are loads of activities for everyone -- our favorite was kayaking in the marsh. The beach and beach house are fabulous. Most folks rent bikes and explore all the bike trails, but I can never convince DH this would be fun!!

Hope you have a great trip

 

[ZerasPride]

Hilton Head is my home resort and my family just loves it! In fact, they would rather return to Hilton Head this fall for vacation than go to Disney. Anyway, our first stay was last month and even though the weather was in the 60's we had a good time. Had it been a bit warmer, I would have liked to rent bikes. There are lots of trails to ride around on including a bike trail to Disney's Beach house so biking is one suggestion for your group. There are campfires scheduled in the evenings and a trip to Big Murgy's Den (just off the check-in desk in the main lodge) is a lot of fun if you like shooting pool.

We also enjoyed a nice seafood meal at Scott's Fish Market which is over the bridge and to your right as you are leaving the resort. It was not cheap (around $75 for the three of us) but it was very good.

As far as view and building location are concerned, we loved building 31. It is (I believe) one of the farthest buildings from the main lodge but it had a nice view of the marsh (our view would have probably been better but it was blocked mostly by trees because I had requested the "1st" floor. I think the second floor would have given us a clearer view. I liked this building also because you are literally a "hop skip and a jump" from the pool area which has a snack bar (Tide Me Over), ping pong table, gift shop and the activities desk is located there. You can also refill your refillable mug at Tide Me Over or the gift shop next door.

If you have never stayed at a DVC accommodation before you are in for a real treat! The two bedroom units are so spacious and luxurious we literally did not want to leave. Our closing is scheduled for January 22 and I can't wait to be able to call and make a reservation for our 2002 vacation! Have a great trip in May (and perhaps you'll come back a member and then we can welcome you home).

Lisa

 

[TXMommy]

Thank you to Scooter and Lisa for the info! Scooter, we are driving there, so we will have a car to get around, and we're even planning a day-trip to Savannah.

Other questions:

Is there a map of the property available anywhere?

Has anyone done the Dolphin Discovery Tour?

I have read glowing reviews of A Private Affair - is that something we should definitely do?

Keep those tips coming!!

 

[Luv2Dream]

We'll be down there the last week of May also....we are DVC members at VWL. This will be our first trip to HH also. I have a 5 yo DD. I hope to run into you. Will you be wearing your lime green ribbon? We'll be in a 1BR. I'm hoping for more posts to get great tips. I'm jotting them down...so keep posting!!!

 

[Candace]

Last July, we stayed in a 2br villa in Building 14 on the first floor (which is actually up several steps). It had a perfect, unobstructed view of the marsh. Of course, the resort is small, so nothing is very far in terms of walking. Be careful of visiting - you might get the "bug" to join!

 

[cgcw]

We had lots of fun crabbing off the pier by the resort. We used chicken thighs for bait and the crabs loved it, although, we heard that chicken necks are the best. We did the dolphin discovery tour and loved it. We had a couple of dolphins come up to the boat close enough to touch them -- we did not because we were not sure how they would react. We must have seen at least 40-50 dolphins! We also saw several on the beach combing outing. We'll probably do both again when we visit in July. We rented bikes from Disney and rode to the beach every day. We loved HH enough to do an add on there so we can spend a week every summer. In fact, our 7 yo prefers it to Disney. I would also second the recommendation for the night light. It does get dark there in the middle of the night. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

We just got back from HH. The Private Affair was excellent, but I think it really depends on your kids as to whether they would enjoy it as well. If you are at all thinking about it, I would urge you to call HH and contact the recrreation dept to get in touch with Chef Gordon and start getting something scheduled. Chef Gordon is very flexible, and might even do Mac & Cheese for the kids (don't say that I said this though ) Chef Gordon is really great, and we had a very enjoyable meal!

Actually, I think the resort is very "Disney" - it's just much more subtle. There are lots of hidden Mickey's (and not so hidden Mickey's) along with lots of "inside" stories about aspects of the resort - the tour that Gordon gives on this is very informative.

If you're going to do Savannah you might want to look at the Trolly Car Tours - we were going to do this but got snowed/rained out, so turned the day in to a movie day at the villa instead.

I'll third the recommendation for a night-light - those rooms are dark, and after stumbling around a couple of times and stubbing toes....well, even for an "adult" a nightlight would have been helpful.

 

[TXMommy]

Thank you to everyone who has replied! Keep 'em coming!!

More questions:

Is there a grocery store nearby other than the one at the resort?

How expensive is the Dolphin Discovery Tour? The Beach Combing Excursion?

Has anyone's kids done the Unbirthday Party?

 

[TIdoublegaER]

HH is also our home.

There are several options for the dolphin cruises. If you book the one from the resort it is more expensive, but also more private. It was two years ago that our family chose this option, and I want to say that it was around $30 per adult. With this option, you board a pontoon boat with just your party. It's nice to have your own "private" tour, and being on a pontoon you are closer to the dolphins. We were taken down Broad Creek, and found a shrimp boat. We spent the longest time watching the dolphin feeding from the cast overs. We got beautiful pictures!! It was amazing. Last summer we chose the other option. Just across the harbor at shelter cove there is a place called adventure cruses. For much less money (think it was closer to $15 per adult) you board a big boat that can hold nearly one hundred people. When we went there were probably 30 people with us. We enjoyed it also, and definately enjoyed spending half as much. It was just a very different feel .... it depends on which you prefer. Either one is definately worth it. I think that a dolphin cruise will be in order for all of our future HH trips.

Our daughters both absolutely enjoyed their unbirthday parties. Any time that you can tell a kid that they will celebrate their birthday ... and it's no where near their birthday ... how can you go wrong there? They thought that was pretty special. They play typical "birthday-party-like" games. Definately, if you have children ... there is plenty scheduled to entertain them.

Enjoy your trip ... I'm confident that you will ... it truely is A MAGICAL PLACE!!

 

[Dean]

Here's info I posted previously.

Fine Dining

1. Old Fort Pub
2. Sunset Grill
3. Fitzgerald's
4. Charlie's (french something)
5. Alexander's
6. Charleston's
7. Santa Fe
8. Captain's table
9. Cafe Europa
   [/list=1]
   Pizza
   1. Dunes
   2. Guisseppi's
      [/list=1] Both right close by DVC
      Fun/Family
      1. Old Bamboo
      2. Old Oyster Factory
      3. Truffle's
      4. Wild Wings
      5. Hafbrauhouse (? sp)
      6. Crazy Crab, especially at Harbour Town
         [/list=1]
         
         I'd avoid CQ's and Charlie's Crab.
         
         Others to consider that I don't know much about are:
         1. HH and Blufton Diner
         2. Alligator Grill
         3. Abe's Shrimp House
         4. South Beach Cafe (? name)
         5. Scott's
         6. Kingfisher's (recommended for seafood by a friend and right by DVC)
         7. La Pola (in with Kingfisher's)
         8. Quarter Deck
         9. Harbor Masters
         10. Westin Seafood Buffet
         11. Cafe at Wexford
         12. Tony Roma's (how different can it be)
         13. Hudson's (near Old Ft Pub, my partner really liked it)
             [/list=1]
             
             Discounts, DVC has a discount list, just use your room key or member card. Many of these above have early bird specials. There is a Restaurant Guide that has menus as well as a list of early birds, etc. For seafood, Old Oyster Factory is a must but doesn't take reservations. There are coupons in the books for free salads and they let me use the free salad as well as DVC 10% off both. If you at all like wings, Wild Wings is a must, I think they have 23 flavors of Wings. Best steak was Fitzgerald's. Old Bamboo is like World War II or MASH, good food also. Best Views were South Beach Cafe, Cafe Europa, Quarterdeck, Old Ft Pub, Sunset Grill (so I'm told) and maybes Harbormasters and Kingfishers. Best Value likely Old Bamboo, Wings, Old Oyster Factory, Dunes Pizza. Some of these are in Sea Pines and there is a $5 fee per day.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

"The Pig" (piggly-wiggly) is just down the street from the resort - you'll pass it on the right hand side of the main road (278) as you drive to the resort. There's also a Publix, but it's further away (a couple of miles as I recall).

 

[Tommy]

I found that the Zodiac Commander crusie from the south end of the island was a lot of fun. It is a small raft with outboard and you can zip fast to where the dolphin activity is. I have links to several crusie options on my web page, along with other stuff. I am headed there on Friday and will see what is new to recommend.

Have fun

 

[ZerasPride]

I have always wanted to shop at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store and was thrilled that I got the opportunity. I know I'm strange but I love the name! There was in addition to the PW and the Publix mentioned above, a Sam's Club for groceries as well but we pretty much stuck with the Piggly Wiggly.

We had a great meal at the Hilton Head Diner that was mentioned above. When you leave the resort, you make a right at the light and it's about a two minute drive down the street on the right. You can't miss it. Their menu seemed to have everything on it!

There's a mini-golf place down the street that I'd like to give a try next time. You can see it from the road it looked like a lot of fun, you can also get movies to watch in your villa from the gift shop.
Just thought I'd give you another suggestion or two.

Lisa

 

[babylisa4]

We did the pontoon boat cruise and liked it very much. My boss did the Zodiac one that was mentioned by Tommy and he raved about it also. He said he would always do Zodiac.

 

[vernon]

sorry if you've read these already but these are links to my trip report on HH from Xmas.

Trip report 1)
http://www.wdwinfo.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8838


trip report 2)
http://www.wdwinfo.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8866

My daughter's done the unbirthday party before ( not this trip) and always had a good time, if anything the recreation CM's try harder at HH and Vero to make it a "Disney" experience for the kids.

You could ask the recreation department to fax you a copy of a current weeks activity list, it isn't certain the same things would be on offer when you arrive but there is a decent chance. I'd suggest using Publix which is on the main road in to HH island itself. it's a 5 minute drive from DVC. I think there is another Publix next to Seapines.

 

[TXMommy]

I appreciate SO MUCH all the information ya'll have shared with me!! If anyone else has anything to add, please feel free. Everyone here on the DIS boards is wonderful and so helpful! Thank you again!

P.S. Does anyone know where I could get a map of the resort or of the area?

 

[Tommy]

I have a map of the resort on my website.

 

[TrudyZ]

Tommy (or anyone else who knows):

What are my airport options and how far away are they? After looking at your website, I'm starting to get the HH bug!

Trudy

 

[Tommy]

Hilton Head has it's own small airport, small enough for comuter flights, but expensive to fly in and out of I understand.

Most people fly into Savannah, GA and rent a car and drive the 45 minutes to get to HHI.

Charleston is another option if the prices are right. It's about 2 hours away.