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A Visit and Review of Disney’s Hilton Head Resort

Although many Disney fans have heard of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort very few of us can say that we have visited and stayed at the resort. Until recently I had been one of those fans that had heard of the resort and seen some photos but after my visit to the resort I have to say that it is one of Disney’s hidden gems.

Rooms Exterior Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Outside the rooms at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

The Hilton Head resort was built in 1996 but leaves you feeling timeless with it’s other surroundings and nature to greet you, at only a five hour drive from Central Florida it provides a change in scenery for the Disney fan or Disney Vacation Club member looking to get away and not do a complete Disney vacation at the Walt Disney Resort. With Disney having built the resort on an island within Hilton Head Island it allows seclusion from everything around you, for those of you looking to get away from it all, but still be in the heart of all the action allowing easy access to everything Hilton Head has to offer.

Room Signage Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Our trip up to Hilton Head included seven of us, made up of four adults and three children, which allowed us to put the two bedroom villa we stayed in to good use. We planned on visiting beautiful Savannah, Georgia (just forty five minutes to the south) during our trip as well many other stops on the island. We also wanted to see what such a remote resort from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts could bring to the table in the department of Disney magic and that all so important pixie dust.

Pelican Signage at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

It was a good thing that we were using smart phones to direct us to the resort because it, like everything else on the island, does not have very large signage to get your attention (like so many of us are accustomed to on Walt Disney Property). Even as it is we almost missed our turn to get into the resort area. The building designs are very fitting for the styling found on the island, yet it still brings cues that can be found on other Disney resorts that we are all so familiar and could be comfortable with. The property’s footprint is very small and quaint and can be walked across in about five minutes, which limits the number of guests that stay at the resort, allowing for a great experience that only left us with a love-hate relationship with the parking layout. All the buildings sit about five feet off the ground (to avoid flooding) which put our second floor villa at almost a third story height and gave us a great view of the pool, community and activity building and the not-too-distant inland water way.

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Outside Seating at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

The decorations and theming around the resort were minimal fishing and island themed signs spread across the different buildings and each common area between buildings having picnic tables and hammocks for people to gather or relax. Our two bedroom villa continued that theming and feeling inside and even provided little Disney touches like being greeted with dog paw prints on the tile in the foyer area, the initials “WD” and a heart with Mickey and Minnie carved into a bench leading into the second bedroom. I found the size of the room being very comparable to those on WDW property and with 1,200 square feet of space to offer, it never felt cramped with the seven of us. The main bedroom offered a king size bed with an attached bathroom that could also be accessed from the main area. The second bedroom had two queen beds and bathroom as well, but it only had a toilet and shower whereas the master bath had a large jet tub, shower and a larger vanity area. The full kitchen was laid out well, although it can get cramped for two people depending on what they are doing. The patio was furnished with a picnic table to allow outside dining as well as two rocking chairs. With the wonderful weather we had during our stay I found myself using them several times.

Bedroom at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Kitchen Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

One of my personal goals I wanted to see was if being 300 plus miles away from the “House of Mouse” is if the Disney magic could be just as magical here as the ones we (as Disney guests and fans) have become accustomed to in Orlando. I have to say that I was not once disappointed with out interactions with any of the Cast Members, regardless of their role at the resort, and in many cases found them to be more engaging with you than some Cast Members at WDW. We wanted to also take advantage of their many activities offered to guests, for both adults and children alike. We were able to enjoy many activities that they offer year round, but were also able to take part in several special Halloween themed and related activities. Along with beach walks to search for shells and shark teeth we were able to participate in nature education sessions, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, camp fires and games and activities around the pool.

Event Signage at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Other than spending part of a day in Savannah, Georgia to enjoy it’s beauty and splendor, we mainly relaxed and enjoyed what the resort had to offer. One of the ammenities they offer for guests, which we took full advantage of, was the free Disney movie rentals that we used to let the kids start their morning with or wind the evening down with. The retail store, found in the activities building, was not very large (and closed at six) but provided enough souvenirs and whatever odds and ends you might have possibly forgotten. We were shocked at first at just how early the store closed since, yet again by WDW standards, we were expecting an eight o clock closing at the earliest (if not ten) but that reflects the laid back atmosphere of the resort and island.

Pumpkin Carving at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

After arriving at the resort and quickly educating myself on the resort, I learned of the resorts mascot and signature friend Shadow, the golden retriever. Her story is told here: http://www.disneybeachresorts.com/hilton-head-resort/about. While I was out and about I continued to search for her but was not successful until her buddy B’Lou Crabbe arrived and he and Shadow interacted with guests while B’Lou told stories and played his banjo. All guests, young and old, couldn’t help but come up to Shadow and receive some love and take in B’Lou’s warm and friendly personality. Getting a picture of her by herself was next to impossible since she is a famous animal and a big part of the resort.

Minnie and Mickey at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

For our short stay there, the resort definitely did leave a lasting impression in all of us that made us not want to leave and had us planning a return trip before we had even finished our stay. If it’s not the resort itself, with the natural beauty that surronds you and it’s wonderful Cast Members, it is the atmosphere of the island and how it will magically make your worries melt away.


Ricardo Rodriguez WDW Parkhoppers ContributorWritten by WDWParkhopper Contributor Ricardo Rodriguez

Ricardo Rodriguez is a married father who resides in the Greater Orlando Area. While he didn’t grow up near Disney, he has been a big Disney Fan and has spent the last 15 years sharing Disney with his friends, family and strangers he meets along the way. He’s spent several years on Disney property both as a Guest and Cast Member, in various roles getting to discover from the inside what makes the Magic.

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2 Comments

    • admin

      You and me both pal… I could seriously use a lazy evening sitting staring at the water with some good friends around… I’m thinking road trip