Did you know that Disney has their own private beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina? Located just 5 hours from Walt Disney World resort, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort rests on the picturesque shores of South Carolina. We recently enjoyed a quick getaway to get the scoop on what they offer. The resort is so charming and was the perfect getaway location for our family of five. Upon arrival at the Live Oak Lodge for check-in, Disney park music was playing and we were greeted warmly by the front desk Cast Member. She delivered surprises to our three girls, from Minnie Ears to Mickey stickers, and offered free cookies and lemonade (served daily from 3:00-5:00 PM). We were given a list of activities, special tours, and events that we could participate in during our stay, as well as a list of dining options available at the resort. Ready for a weekend of fun, from that moment on, our girls referred to the resort as the “Magical Disney Beach!”
Activities & Recreation
There is so much to do at the resort along with the different daily activities that it offers. Some of the activities for the summer included making Jellyfish windchimes, tye dye mickey t-shirts, dolphin tours, and a behind-the-scenes look at the resort! Pre-registration is required for some of the activities as well as additional payment. Guests can also swim, rent bikes, enjoy nature walks, play tennis, play golf and participate in campfires hosted by the resort including storytelling, sing-alongs, and lots of family fun. Our favorite activity was The Big Dipper Pool and Waterslide along with the kiddie pool, the Little Dipper Pool. The Big Dipper Pool is a 72,000-gallon heated pool and spa that offers a wraparound water tower slide. Smaller swimmers are able to enjoy water-spitting frogs and whimsical features at the Little Dipper Pool. Our 7-year-old loved the waterslide and Big Dipper Pool, while our 1-year-old and 3-year-old splashed away in the Little Dipper Pool. Neither pool was overly crowded which made it even more enjoyable. Perks of visiting a smaller resort!
Dining Locations & Shopping
Tide Me Over located near the Big Dipper Pool and Signals located at Disney’s Beach House are the two main dining locations at the resort. These are both walk-up locations serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks seasonally. There is also the Broad Creek Mercantile located adjacent to Tide Me Over, which is a mini-Disney gift shop offering special souvenirs, grocery items, and more! As an added perk for Disney Vacation Club members, you can receive a 10% discount on most purchases made at the resort as well. This weekend, they were also offering a breakfast buffet at Community Hall that included decorating your own mickey waffles complete with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and powdered sugar along with bacon, eggs, fruit, bagels, juice, and coffee. It was the perfect start to our day! For a mid-morning snack, we headed to the Tide Me Over walk-up window and placed our order for a Dole Whip and fresh beignets with chocolate dipping sauce. Our snacks were delivered to our table by the poolside. We truly received impeccable service from start to finish. To add even more Disney magic to your stay, Tide Me Over and Signals also offer refillable mugs just like the other Disney resorts do!
Accommodations
Our home-like deluxe studio room was located in building 16, just a few buildings away from the Big Dipper Pool and Waterslide. The room included a kitchenette with a small fridge, microwave and sink, a large bathroom, a queen bed, a queen pull-out sofa, and a large balcony overlooking the resort. Along with Deluxe Studios, the resort also offers 1 and 2-bedroom villas for even more space and amenities!
Disney’s Beach House & Beach Access
Located roughly a mile across the street from the resort is Disney’s Beach House. The Beach House is nestled on 3.5 acres of scenic Atlantic Ocean beachfront. Guests of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort receive private access to the Beach House along with access to 12 miles of gorgeous, white sandy beaches. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Beach House for your convenience that runs daily up until 5:00 PM.
We spent a short amount of time at the beach and really enjoyed the amenities offered. We took a dip in the H-shaped pool that was perfect for a break from the heat. We also enjoyed dining at the Beach House at Signals. Their menu included fish tacos, cheeseburgers, and power packs for the kids that consisted of veggies, fruit, and yogurt. They even had a watermelon Dole Whip and the Disney-famous POG juice!
There were plenty of places to sit poolside or in the shade and they even had some indoor dining available. If guests wish for an even better place to relax, there is also a maritime-themed clubhouse that offers a TV, indoor games, a fireplace, and comfortable furniture. The Beach House can be accessed using your guest room key for the resort until 5:00 PM, but private beach access is available 24/7.
Call Your Magical Vacation Planner!
We easily spent all of our time at the resort and never ran out of things to do! They offer so many activities for adults and kids of all ages. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is the perfect place to relax and spend time with your loved ones.
If you’re looking for Disney magic outside of the parks, this has it all. Reservations tend to be pretty tough to grab at this resort, especially during the summer months, so contact your Magical Vacation Planner and plan your getaway early. We are always honored to help you plan the perfect getaway for your family!