Questions about Hilton Head resort

[csnkrushin]

We will be staying at Disney's Hilton Head resort in mid April...our first time to Hilton Head. I have a few questions about the resort and about the Island. Hope you all can help.

1. I have seen photos of refillable mugs.... where do you purchase them, where can they be used and how much do they cost?

2. Can anyone recommend a bike rental place?

3. We want to go to Savannah one day while we are there - drive or take a boat?

4. We will arrive on a Sunday (hopefully around noon) and have 4 full days to enjoy - leaving on Friday morning. What should we not miss while we are there? (me, my husband, 16 yo son, 12 yo daughter)

5. For those who drive down from the north (we are in CT) ...trying to find a hotel w/i 3 hours of the resort for the night before. Any suggestions...clean, safe but inexpensive!

Thanks...counting down the days and hoping for warm weather...cant wait to be out of the cold!
~Susan

 

[emilymad]

I can help with some of these I think.

Google bike rentals for HHI. I forgot who we used last time but most will deliver and pick up the bikes right from the resort.

We always drive to Savannah. It is about 45 minutes and a very easy drive. We have never had an issue finding parking. I highly recommend the trolley tours that leave from the Visitor Center. It is great way to get an overview of Savannah.

We also go eat at Skull Creek. It is beautiful setting on the water if the weather is nice.

We are from outside Philly and we always stop in Richmond on the way down. You can usually find lots of reasonable hotel options right off 95. That is more than 3 hours from HHI though. Maybe look at Florence, SC for a hotel stop?

 

[SC Minnie]

Refillable mugs can be purchased at the mercantile. It's upstairs by the pool. The drink station is there too.

The resort has bike rentals. I believe they are around $30 for length of stay.

Drive to Savannah. It's not a bad drive and doesn't take long. If you've never been I would suggest parking at the trolley and doing the trolley tour. You can hop off and any of the sites and catch the next trolley when you're finished looking.

I agree with the PP. Florence may be your best bet. I-95 runs right past it so should have a number of different hotels to chose from.

Things not to miss are going to depend on what things you like to do. We usually hang out by the beach and pool all week. If your kids like more adventurous things they may like zip line Hilton Head. The sunset cruises or dolphin cruises are also nice to do.

 

[thisismyusername]

I agree with Florence for the stop. We tried finding a few places in NC, and couldn't find anything with good reviews (i.e., safe area) south of Rocky Mount, so we wound up driving through NC until we got to Florence.

 

[graueMaus]

Florence is about 2.5 hours away. I would suggest a hotel on 20 by magnolia mall exit 160 A off of I 95. This is a nicer exit with a lot of eating and hotel choices (we always stop at the 24 hour IHOP on our way to WDW). IMO it is a nicer exit than the other Florence exits with easy access on and off I95. It could be a little confusing though so stay alert.

 

[csnkrushin]

Thanks for the info,
found a hotel in Florence.

Counting down the days till warm weather and sunshine!

 

[SC Minnie]

OP-- One other must do--- The Salty Dog. Seems like it is a requirement to get a Salty Dog T Shirt.

 

[NancyDVC]

Check out the resort activities calendar. They have lots to do at the pools and Community Hall. Play Goofy Bingo if you have a chance. We loved the Old Oyster Factory. Check at the front desk. They usually have a list of local restaurants that give discounts to DVC guests. There is the Hilton Head Diner that is a "NY Greek Diner"- the food is great and you can find lots of items that you can around the tristate area plus 'sweet tea'. Great area lovely resort. Rent bikes and ride around the area.

 

[jerseygal]

I HEAR YOU about getting out of the COLD! Can't wait for our HHI trip also in May!
We also plan to go to Savannah for a day and tour the city on a Segway. Wanted to do a Segway in D.C. when we toured, but never got to do it because of the rain. Heard they are FUN! Also, read some good reviews on the Zip Line in HHI! My DH and 2 sons will do the Zipline and I will be the "picture taker" and spectator...REALLY AFRAID of heights, so I think I will pass...Can't wait to RELAX in HHI! Hope that you have a GREAT trip!

 

[AnnaS]

Will also be there in May (second stay) & also planning a day trip to Savannah, rent bikes (first time for both) and lot's of relaxing and dining

 

[Judique]

If you are staying in Florence, you could plan an early lunch at Crazy Crab as you get onto the Island. I go at least once every trip for fried shrimp, with hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw, and sweet tea! (about $12) It's a large plate of good sized shrimp and they are delicious! Usually fresh caught and local to the area. They have lots of other seafood as well. This is a casual place with a couple of locations, but not a chain restaurant. We have never been disappointed here.

The resort has great bikes, but if you don't find what you want, I have rented from Palmetto Bike Barn (pick up and delivery) for comparable prices. The resort has lots of bikes but sometimes has run out.

Savannah is a nice day trip, but also a great over night trip. I'd probably stay Friday night in the downtown area and head back to Connecticut on Saturday, giving more time to enjoy the city, dinner out and maybe an evening tour of a ghost property. Lots of History and great Pralines down on River Street!

 

[percywinchester]

Refillable mugs can be purchased at the mercantile. It's upstairs by the pool. The drink station is there too.

The resort has bike rentals. I believe they are around $30 for length of stay.

Drive to Savannah. It's not a bad drive and doesn't take long. If you've never been I would suggest parking at the trolley and doing the trolley tour. You can hop off and any of the sites and catch the next trolley when you're finished looking.

I agree with the PP. Florence may be your best bet. I-95 runs right past it so should have a number of different hotels to chose from.

Things not to miss are going to depend on what things you like to do. We usually hang out by the beach and pool all week. If your kids like more adventurous things they may like zip line Hilton Head. The sunset cruises or dolphin cruises are also nice to do.

Are the mugs running on the same system as the WDW resorts (you purchase your mugs for the length of your stay and must be activated with a barcode)? As well, do you know how much and where the zip line is? We went about 7 years ago and are leaving in 16 days, and zip-lining sounds amazing. Thanks!

 

[SC Minnie]

The website for the zip line is ziplinehiltonhead.com DD has done it and said it was great.

I'm not sure about the refillable mugs and length of stay. I would assume they are on the same type system but we never buy them.

 

[csnkrushin]

I HEAR YOU about getting out of the COLD! Can't wait for our HHI trip also in May!
We also plan to go to Savannah for a day and tour the city on a Segway. Wanted to do a Segway in D.C. when we toured, but never got to do it because of the rain. Heard they are FUN! Also, read some good reviews on the Zip Line in HHI! My DH and 2 sons will do the Zipline and I will be the "picture taker" and spectator...REALLY AFRAID of heights, so I think I will pass...Can't wait to RELAX in HHI! Hope that you have a GREAT trip!

Thanks...26 days, 4 hours till we leave....of course there is a lot of driving involved, but at least we will be heading to sunshine and warm weather. Hope you have a great trip also!

 

[csnkrushin]

Are the mugs running on the same system as the WDW resorts (you purchase your mugs for the length of your stay and must be activated with a barcode)? As well, do you know how much and where the zip line is? We went about 7 years ago and are leaving in 16 days, and zip-lining sounds amazing. Thanks!

I read on another site that the mugs are the RFID mugs now at the resort.

 

[jerseygal]

Thanks...26 days, 4 hours till we leave....of course there is a lot of driving involved, but at least we will be heading to sunshine and warm weather. Hope you have a great trip also!

LOOKING FORWARD to reading about your trip!
CAN'T BELIEVE yesterday was "official spring"! NEED WARM WEATHER SOON!

 

[jerseygal]

Thanks...26 days, 4 hours till we leave....of course there is a lot of driving involved, but at least we will be heading to sunshine and warm weather. Hope you have a great trip also!

LOOKING FORWARD to reading about your trip!
CAN'T BELIEVE yesterday was "official spring"! NEED WARM WEATHER SOON!