Tell me about Hilton Head...

[gigi1313]

i'm planning a family reunion and we've got some family members that no matter how you slice it, claim they don't want to go to WDW (the HORROR! ) so i am going to suggest Hilton Head instead (and after they are married to the idea of HH as our destination, i'm going to inform them that we're staying at disney's HH resort )

so tell me about it... what's great? what's not so great? how far is it really from the resort rooms to the beach? are there bike rentals? fishing pole rentals? is there a golf course on DHH property? if not, how far in advance do you need to book tee time? is there concierge? what are the restaurant choices? grocery stores?

do you need a rental car and/or can you get away w/out one? (airport shuttle?)

would it appeal to ages 6 thru 86 and sedentary folks as well as real outdoorsy (think surfer/rock climber) folks? and those of us in between?

would g'ma need a wheelchair and would there be one available to rent/borrow or should we bring from home?

do they offer any type of a dining plan?

okay, that should be enough questions for the moment... thanks in advance to all who help me out

 

[canda]

Disney HHI resort is a great place. I love it and I think it has some of the best CMs in all of Disney.

If you have some in your family that realy hate Disney World, then they might find ways to hate HHI. Plenty of BWV owners on these boards find ways to hate HHI. at least they used to.

on the positive side, it could be a great way to introduce Disney to those that are not sure. There is only hidden evidence of Mickey Mouse. There are no WDW characters wandering around. THe resort mascot is a real golden retriever dog named Shadow. You may get to see her as she comes to visit somethimes. Her friend Blou Crabbe, is a great folk artist. He entertains with magic, folk tales and music, etc.

THe lifeguards and activitiy staff are great, they put on lots of fun and educational activities for kids. you will get a print out at what is offered for what ages and if there is a cost. Bike and fishing rentals are at Disney Resort.

the resort is on the river side of the island giving you a great peaceful wooded feel. you are not in the hustle of the beach. The private beach house is only 2 mins away by car, shuttle, or 6 min by bike.

THe resort is built up on stilts, so the first floor is up a flight of stairs.
They do have only 1 section of rooms with elevator access, so you will have to make sure you get a handicap room.

HHI (the island) is world renowned for being an outdoor sporting type of place. Golf (no disney), horseback, sailing, dolphin cruises, boating,kyacking,biking,running,tennis,etc. etc, are all the favorite past times.

My favorite thing to do is eat at all the great restaurants on the Island.
Disney only has a snack bar that is ok for lunch. There are very few chain restaurants at HHI so you get great local food. No dinning plan, but you get a nice big newspaper book that has many places to eat and menus.

 

[jimmacmn]

is there a golf course on DHH property? if not, how far in advance do you need to book tee time? is there concierge?

Disney does not own a golf course on HHI. They have gotten some preferred rates at many of the wonderful courses both on oand off of the island. The closest courses are at Palmeto Dunes Plantation. This property is right across the highway from the Disney property. It has three golf courses. When my brothers and I were there we played the Robert Trent Jones course and the Arthur Hills course there. Both excellent tracks. We also played 2 courses at the Palmetto Hall Plantation (on the Island but about a 15 to 20 minute drive) and signature courses by Arnold Palmer and Davis Love on the mainland. Sea Pines resort with the Harbor Town golf links is also very close to the Disney property but we elected to pass on it becuse the greens fees were so hign.

As I recall the Concierge at HHI gave me all the golf course information and they made all of the tee times before we arrived. Our trip was a few years ago and I can't remember how long in advance the tee times were made.

There are many more courses both on the island and within 30 minutes of the island. It is a wonderful golfing area.

 

[flechette]

Really Really important: No restaurants on the resort open past 5pm. There is a pretty marina right across from the resort - maybe a 5 minute walk- that has several good restaurants and shops but don't expect to eat dinner at the resort unless you cook it yourself.

Lunch and snacks can be taken care of more easily.

Absolutely loved HHI and look forward to going back again - once I own points somewhere LOL!

 

[gracelrm]

We love HH and think it would be a great place for a family reunion. We've toyed with the idea of booking 3 2BR's and bringing all of DH's family, but we just keep spending all of our points and never have enough for that! Our family ranges from 1yo - 80 yo and I think everyone would like it.

 

[gigi1313]

thanks everyone for the input... i know my breaths-golf-brother would be happy... my watersport-nephews would be happy... my lie-by-the-pool nieces would be happy... and of course my disney-lovin' family would be happy... now, just to convince the rest of 'em!

has anyone done a reunion on HHI where different family members stay at different resorts? some may need a cheaper hotel room but want to hang w/us at Disney... is that do-able?