Pondering a purchase at HH

[gracelrm]

We have been to Disney's Hilton Head Island resort probably 7 or 8 times and really enjoy peaceful vacations there. We typically go in October during our fall break. As DH and I get closer to retirement, I think more and more about having points at HH for June visits. We've always been able to get reservations in Oct. at the 7 month mark, but when considering June trips, I'm guessing we'd likely need to own points there. My dream is that we'd have a 2 BR for a week so the kids and eventually grand kids could join us.

Does Disney still have points at HH? Would we be crazy to buy them from Disney, instead of resale? My desire to get them from Disney is so I can get the size contract I want. Am I correct in assuming we'd need to own at HH to make sure we could get a 2BR in June? For those of you that own other timeshares on HHI, would we be better off looking outside of Disney for something else on the island?

TIA for any thoughts on this.

 

[RobDoc]

HH has a wealth of timeshares. Many are on the beach, so you would need to weight that against what you know about HH and that location.

Yes, DVC does still sell HH contracts, but 2BRs are typically still available for June reservations 7 months in advance.

I would certainly suggest considering a resale purchase - as HH points are readily available and affordable via resale. If you expect to use the points primarily at HH, a purchase there would simplify getting the reservations for the dates you want. If you also want to use points at WDW, there may also be good resale options there which would meet your needs.

You will just need to decide what type of resort you are looking for. HH, while not on the beach as you know, does have a beach presence and a wonderful recreation program for the grandchildren who will be enjoying time with you.

We started out in 1996 with a HH contract, added more points plus a resale purchase. Then found we wanted more time and purchased a quartershare (13 weeks) across the harbor from the DVC resort ... and then a second quartershare and now have a condo, still across from the DVC resort. I am looking at the lights from the resort as I write this.

Our grandchildren have all been here since they were very small and still love the resort activities, since we get them a GV when they come to visit.

Enjoy!

 

[Dean]

We have been to Disney's Hilton Head Island resort probably 7 or 8 times and really enjoy peaceful vacations there. We typically go in October during our fall break. As DH and I get closer to retirement, I think more and more about having points at HH for June visits. We've always been able to get reservations in Oct. at the 7 month mark, but when considering June trips, I'm guessing we'd likely need to own points there. My dream is that we'd have a 2 BR for a week so the kids and eventually grand kids could join us.

Does Disney still have points at HH? Would we be crazy to buy them from Disney, instead of resale? My desire to get them from Disney is so I can get the size contract I want. Am I correct in assuming we'd need to own at HH to make sure we could get a 2BR in June? For those of you that own other timeshares on HHI, would we be better off looking outside of Disney for something else on the island?

TIA for any thoughts on this.

To add To Doc's thoughts. At the present time you do not need to own there to get June unless maybe the last full week or so, esp for 2 BR units. You likely would need to plan a full 7 months out though. I would second the consideration for a non DVC option. A Marriott Grande Ocean Gold week would seem to be a good option for many in this situation. Covers through week 23 (usually first full week of June but can end as late as the 17th) and also covers April, May, Sept and Oct. Buy in maybe $5-7K ocean side if you work at it and yearly fees in the $1200 range. There are no EOY and no lockoff's, all 2 BR. The other top Marriott's (Surfwatch and Barony Beach) will be the same except they lose the June option for Gold as those 2 weeks move to Platinum though SW does have 3 BR (non lockoff). BB has garden view units which you should be able to get much cheaper but they are behind the rest of the resort across the street. Maybe the best value if you don't mind a 5 min walk to the beach. If you want/need smaller units or other than around a a week, that moves DVC up the ladder somewhat though a 2 BR Grande Ocean Gold would almost certainly be cheaper both to buy and yearly than the points for a 1 BR choice season at HH for a full week or even 6 days. There are other systems to look at but unfortunately the 2 best (value) other mini points systems (Bluegreen and Wyndham) don't cover HH very well but they do cover MB great and you would not be restricted to just those times. You could pick those up for almost free with yearly maybe $1000-1200/yr. The Marriott points system resale might also be a consideration, maybe 4000 points a year would give you a week alternating June and Oct for oceanside and would give you a lot more options. Buy in maybe $12-15K (close to DVC costs) and yearly maybe $2K (close to DVC for 2 BR, more than smaller) but would give you a lot more top options as well. One could certainly look at the other highly rated resorts as well for floating time like the Spinnaker and Coral resorts.