The Down Low on HHR please

[PrestonatorSR]

Ok, I've been off the grid a long time--I mean, a long time. So much so that I forgot my password and email info so I created a new account. So please don't be alarmed that this is my first post.

And I'm sure there are literally dozens of threads on this already, but I'm going to be driving back from WDW to North Carolina this summer and was wondering about surprising my family (DW, DD 23, DS 17) with a stop over for 2 nights at Hilton Head. I think I really want to give them a beach experience and I know this isn't on the beach. How is the actual beach?

Alternatively, if you could recommend a beach stop between WDW and North Carolina (I'm a newbie in the state) that might be less little-kid, but not party animal oriented, please advise.

Thanks in advance!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Hilton Head books up quickly so get right on that reservation.

Some good family friendly alternatives, depending on what part of NC you are heading to, would be Jekyll Island, GA. St. Simons Island GA (e.e. the King and Prince Hotel), the Charleston area, including Folly Beach and Wild Dunes, and there are many other properties on Hilton Head if Disney is full. Sea Pines is a huge resort at HHI, for example, and there are others like it.
If you wanted to splurge there is a five star hotel called the Cloister on Sea Island, but I would go there when you can stay longer. Of the spots I mentioned, Jekyll is on the more touristy end of the scale.

For something completely different, you can go to Cumberland Island south of Brunswick. It is accessible only by Ferry twice a day, but you will find some of the most pristine beaches on the east coast (and by pristine, I mean covered with shells), along with lush vegetation and wild horses. There is a small lodge (Greenfield Inn) there that is very nice. You can also camp there near the beach.

 

[jerseygal]

If you can get HHI, think you will LOVE it! The island is so pretty and has SO MANY fabulous restaurants. Very active vacation, biking to beach daily, zipline, jet skiis. We were there last summer end of May, with our two DS, 28 and 20 and had a BLAST! We booked right at 7 months though, very hard to get a summer reservation there. ENJOY if you wind up there.

 

[PrestonatorSR]

Thanks miTnosnhoJ and jerseygal! Ok, you are right; summer reservations there are scarce (duh--I should have known better). I did manage to find 1 night on July 19 and booked it; but that is the day we are checking out from WDW resort. So, best case scenario, we wouldn't arrive until early afternoon, which feels like a bit of a waste. So my latest thinking is moving the DisneyWorld dates back by 1 day so that I would actually depart for Hilton Head on July 18. I would then reserve your basic Hampton Inn for 1 night first and then we would be able to take full advantage of our single day at Disney. Does this make sense to you or is just one night at Disney HHI not worth it? Let me know your thoughts and TIA!!

P.S. How can I add a profile pic that is just a tad less generic?

 

[Sammie]

One day at the HHI in the summer would not be worth it to me. The crowds and traffic on the island during the summer is very heavy. You will be spend a good bit of your day in traffic. Very unlikely you will get into your room early so you will have to make plans for that.

To change your profile image go to your account, click on Avatar.

 

[PrestonatorSR]

BUMPING to see if there are any other thoughts out there...is it really a bad idea to do 2 nights at Hilton Head, with 1 being Disney?

 

[PrestonatorSR]

Bumping one last time...really, NO ONE else has opinions on this matter? Please help! Thanks!

 

[Grlsofn1]

I've only been once and I loved it.. We were there for 3 nights.. I absolutely loved it.. You won't get to do very much but at the very least you'll get to see the resort and perhaps get an idea if you'd like to spend more time there in the future.. Even if your room isn't ready , you can leave your luggage at the front desk and hop on the shuttle to the beach. Enjoy your time if you end up going. I really love it there and am trying to plan a trip there again lol

 

[ajwolfe]

I think you won't get much done in 1 night, but if the idea is just to see the resort and the beach and decide if you want to come back I would try it. We stayed for 5 nights and loved it and would think 1 night would go by so quickly!

 

[Judique]

Bumping one last time...really, NO ONE else has opinions on this matter? Please help! Thanks!

I think your plan is good since it is basically breaking up your drive home.

I live in Maryland and have been going to this resort since 1997, and I take any opportunity to visit. The drive in to the island has never bothered me as I am always so excited to get there and I love to see each little landmark as I drive along!

Arrive at your Hampton and spend the night. You can get some beach time in either before or after dinner. There are many public beaches as well as the Disney beach which is inside a gated area. You show your pass to get into the community.

Check into Disney and get your car pass the next morning. I usually get up and go to see sunrise, but not everyone is as obsessed as me, but you would be surprised to find the beach full of walkers at 5-6am in July. The beach is so wide that there is always space and the walkers and bike riders and horseback people are usually on the hard packed area near the water. In July I stay at the beach from early morning until about 10am, than head out for lunch, shopping resort time etc.

Later, after dinner, I'm back for an evening walk. It's glorious there and so beautiful and peaceful, but not an isolated place.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[bobbiwoz]

In December 2014 I spent 1 night at DHHI because we were driving to Port Canaveral and I wanted to show my cousin the resort. We caught a meet with Shadow & B'lou and enjoyed a walk around the resort and had dinner nearby. We had a delicious breakfast at the take out place on site, I think it was a special French toast, and we went on our way.

I'm glad we did it.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

If you are going to HHI and not planning on driving around, that would be a good bet. Use the shuttle to get to the beach and let them do the driving. There are a number of restaurants in walking distance if you like. More in Biking distance.

Alternately, you could try Tybee Island over here in Savannah. Not as fancy, but, a very nice beach.

There isn't anything wrong with the beach on HHI by the way. Though it's not at 'Wavy' as Tybee.

I'd just go for HHI and be done with it.

 

[PrestonatorSR]

Thank you, all! Very helpful...but now I must say I'm intrigued by the "wavy" Tybee Island. I think that's what my son would really appreciate...have to investigate!