Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

This past March, the talk in my house turned to our summer vacation, as it does every year at this time. We have gone to Disney World the last two years and we have a Disney Cruise and a trip to Walt Disney World on the calendar for next summer, so my husband was thinking we should change things up a bit and expose the kids to something other than Florida. I, however, wasn’t going for it. I love all things Disney and I truly believe Disney offers the best quality and customer service while giving guests a fabulous experience. If I didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t be an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

I was willing to meet my husband halfway though, so we started looking at Disney options that were not in Florida. We looked at several, including Disneyland, Aulani, Disney’s resort in Hawaii,  and Disney’s Hilton Head Resort. My initial research was pushing me towards Aulani – it’s in Hawaii for goodness sake – but after looking a bit more into Hilton Head, I found myself leaning more towards that destination.

Hilton Head Island and the Disney Hilton Head resort both seemed tailor made for a low-key family vacation that would give my whole family a chance to relax and unwind. Once my in-laws and my mother decided to get in on the fun, we pulled the trigger and booked our trip for six nights at Disney’s Hilton Head Resort. It turned out to be one of the best vacation decisions we could have made because this place is seriously fabulous.

Disney’s Hilton Head Resort is located on the marsh side of Hilton Head Island and is fashioned after a 1940s hunting and fishing lodge. Tucked between 100-year old live oaks are 119 studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and grand villas that can accommodate up to 12 guests. One important note about the resort is it is not on the beach. There is beach access available to guests, but you either have to drive, ride your bike or take a shuttle across the street if you want to swim in the ocean. The trek is less than 1-1/2 miles, but if you want something right on the ocean, check out Disney’s Vero Beach.

The resort itself has a large main lodge with a check-in area and game room, the Big Dipper pool with a water slide and wading pool, a playground, small gym, community room, recreation area, pier for fishing or crabbing, tons of walking trails, hammocks everywhere for a quick rest or long nap, shuffleboard courts and horseshoe pitches. Across the street, at the beach, Disney has a private beach house with a quick service restaurant, arcade, ping pong tables, small splash pad and a pool with a volleyball court. Down the stairs, there is access to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

While the Disney Hilton Head Resort is full of amenities for an active afternoon or a morning of floating and doing nothing, your room will also encourage you to slow down and relax. Each room includes a private balcony and many of them look out look out on the marsh. The balconies include rocking chairs and a picnic table, so you can sit and read, drink your morning coffee or even eat dinner overlooking the marsh.

Now, the marsh was a major draw for me. In addition to being a huge Disney fan, I’m also a big reader and one of my favorite authors Pat Conroy. His books revolve around South Carolina and the marshes play a big part in several of them. Because of my slight obsession with his writing, I’ve always dreamed of checking out the area and exploring marshes. For a girl from Michigan, this is something totally new. I spent lots of time on the balcony, watching the animals and just enjoying the view. It was such a peaceful place and is currently the wallpaper on my phone.

The resort is so much more than the buildings and amenities though. The activities and people are part of what made is so wonderful. In my next post, I’ll give you the inside scoop on everything you can expect during a stay at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Your MickeyTravels authorized Disney travel agent can also help you plan your stay!

Jamie Farber
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
(616) 644-7082
jamie@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
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