Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hilton Head, Disney Style

The view from our balcony.

     Last month my husband and I spent 5 nights on Hilton Head Island on our way home from Florida. It was our first trip to Hilton Head and we decided to stay at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. The reviews were all wonderful and it was supposed to be very quiet and peaceful. It lived up to our expectations. Sadly, the weather didn't. We had a perfect first week in Florida, but it rained every day on Hilton Head.


     The resort has a fishing lodge theme. Our view was perfect, looking out over the marsh. It may be a Disney property, but there was no sign of Mickey Mouse. It couldn't feel more different than the Orlando Disney resorts.


     We had a one bedroom villa. Do you see the octopus made of towels on our bed? I loved the huge porch off our unit. You could go out off the bedroom or the living room. It had 2 rocking chairs and a picnic table overlooking the marsh. It was nice during the cool, rainy week. If it had been warm and sunny, we might have spent all 5 days out there!


     We had a full kitchen, although we only had breakfast in the room. You can see my birthday balloons. My silly Disney daughter called them and told them about my October birthday, so I got balloons and a birthday pin.


You can see the old fishing photos on the wall and
the colors and furniture really fit the theme.


     The bath was two rooms, one with the shower, sink and toilet and the other large room with a sink and huge hot tub. We also had a washer and dryer in the room.


The pool area looked like a lot of fun.


     Walking around the grounds, you didn't feel at all as if you were on an island. It seemed much more as if we were in the woods.


     Of course Hilton Head is has a great beach! The Disney Resort sits on the marsh, but they own their own beach house just a mile from the resort. It was really impressive.



The beach house has a beautiful heated pool, snack bar and cocktail bar.


It has this water area for small kids and various game areas.


     Keeping with the lodge theme, it also has an air-conditioned sitting area where you can read, or gather with family and friends. Best of all, it has miles of beach to enjoy!



     We did have one clear day to sit on the beach and then go back and enjoy the pier at the resort. We actually had mixed feelings about Hilton Head. We had wonderful food (another later blog post) and great shopping. The beach was very nice and our resort was lovely. It is hard to form an opinion considering the weather wasn't good and the rainy days literally brought on headaches for both of us. We both left feeling glad we had visited, but not anxious to go back anytime soon. It was almost a little "too quiet" for us and a bit dark. Hilton Head has no signage that isn't at ground level. Everything is located on side roads back through the trees. At night, without a GPS it would be very easy to get lost. It was interesting and beautiful, but not on our short list of favorite places.





I am joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.
Please visit our hostesses!


16 comments:

Leigh Powell Hines said...

Looks nice. I bet it would be a fun place to go.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

It's funny how different people react to aplace. We have been to HH several times and always LOVED it! I didn't know Disney had a resort there! I'll have to check into that too. Happy belated birthday!!! XO, Pinky

J Rodney said...

You just gave me deja vu! I stayed at that very resort about 10 years ago, and everything looks the same. I am glad to hear you had a great stay, despite the less than happy weather.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Looks like a pretty place to stay. Sorry you did not have very good weather. Never been to HH.

Lynn said...

Looks like a beautiful resort Sue! Sorry the weather didn't hold up but it sounds like you still had a nice time:@)

Patrice said...

I had no idea Disney had a resort at Hilton Head! It looks nice...

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Thanks for sharing as I did not know Disney had a resort there! Sorry the rain dampened the spirits! Visiting from both Savvy Southern Style and A Southern Daydreamer...

Blondie's Journal said...

Weather always sets my mood for a new place. When we arrived in Martha's Vineyard, it rained the first two days and I was not a happy camper. When the sun came out it was as if I was seeing everything in a new light. I'd love to go back!

We ALMOST hit Hilton Head when we were visiting down south a few years ago, I wish we had...your pictures are gorgeous!

XO,
Jane

Maria said...

Looks like such a lovely place, Sue! The interior and exterior are beautiful. The last photo of the full moon and the moonbeams on the water is exquisite! Beautiful*
Wishing you a lovely fall weekend, looks like sunshine finally!
Blessings always,
*Maria

koralee said...

What fun...you lucky girl you. xoxo Hugs

Angie said...

Looks lovely despite the cloudy skies. Glad to hear you had fun!

bj said...

OOO, gosh...bet ya'll had so much fun here. It looks amazing. What a great vacation...:))

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Have you tried Amelia Island? I think you would enjoy that a little more, plus it has the added benefit of a cute town in which to shop... Fernandina. Then, again, I love St. Augustine. You need to come stay at a B&B there and come have dinner with us!

XO,

Sheila

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Sue,
So glad you were able to come visit when you did too..........have missed you and thanks for all
your sweet comments about Dee and Jerry. They are so happy and it is such fun to watch.
We got the reception pics back yesterday, so will
post those in the next week or so.

That Hilton head Resort looks like fun, and is in a great setting but does seem like it would be a great place to get away and relax if you are in need of peace and quiet. It really does cloud your thinking about somewhere if the weather isn't good, cause it is just harder to enjoy it like you would have otherwise. I didn't know that Disney had resorts other places than around here. Interesting!! but a good idea really.
Cause their places are usually top notch.

Glad you had such a nice birthday hon, those just warm your heart, don't they!! and make up for the ones that aren't as great.........
Take Care!!

Blessings, Nellie

Completely Coastal said...

I'm glad to hear more about Hilton Head..., and to get such a down to earth review is great. I thought it was all "hidden" in the trees. Sorry about the weather!

Jenny said...

I haven't been to Hilton Head in years! I think I need to go again. Happy belated birthday! Balloons always make things feel so happy!