I think the people who wrote negative reviews here didn't fully research the disney home away from home resorts. They are not hotels. DVC resorts are villas and studios. There usually are no elevators, only trash and towel service every 4th day and no bellhops. You basically parked right in front of your building and they had beach carts to help you get your luggage to your room. You have a washer/dryer combo in your room to wash your towels. The rooms are designed to match a fishing lodge from the 40's. That means they are not whitewashed with tropical colors like at Key West. They match the surrounding island them very well. You have to research what is there and what isn't.

If you want a fantastic beach vacation with no crowds, no drunks, no weirdos on the beach this is the place for you. The disney beach house side of the island was perfect for families and quiet. You had your own private beach house on the ocean. No looking for showers, bathrooms or snacks. It was right on the beach. Just miles of flat sand to ride bikes on and pick up shells. Disney has some parking there and also they run a shuttle every 30 minutes. I biked to the beach daily through the Palmetto Dunes community. Very NICE!

There were so many activities at this resort and on the island. We couldn't do everything. To the person who said there were no activities at the resort, they failed to read the daily activity sheet that was handed out at check in. It was for all ages. I was handed 5 or 6 coupon books, 101 things to do, places to go, places to eat etc. books from the disney staff upon checkin.

The resort is beautiful. DVC quality rooms just like disney world. Loved the adirondack chairs set up to watch the sunset or the sunrise at either end of their property. Kids loved riding bikes everywhere there. The shelter cove marina has restaurants and shops right there along with several restaurants right at the entrance to the resort. All within easy walking distance. The shelter cove mall was right nearby and there were tons of strip shopping, restaurants and cool mini golf places. It is also a golf course mecca if you are a golfer. DVC members got discounts for golf, restaurants and activities. We liked the Coligny Mall with its open atmosphere to walk around 80 shops. The public beach access is nearby also. Harbourtown was a must. We went during the Verizon Heritage tournament. Got great pictures from the top of the lighthouse over looking the 18th green. I even liked South Beach marina. It had many small shops to browze in and several restaurants on the water. We ate at the wreck of the salty dog and of course got our salty dog t-shirts there also. Hilton Head logo clothing was also very cheap there. Everyone can get outfitted under $20 with something. Use the book coupons for the free sand dollars at the shell shop and got a free shark tooth necklace at Tropical Outfitters. Kids love that stuff. I liked it so much I am going to retire at Hilton Head. I am planning my next summers beach vacation there. Lastly, ignore the naysayers and go with your instincts. Disney quality is world class and they have gone over the top with this resort. Location in the center of the island hooked to a marina with million dollar condos and a marsh/creek that is a kayakers dream was pure genius. p.s. yes Shadow does exist! Check out my pictures.

Six of us stayed in a 2 BR villa at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. It was absolutely beautiful!. All the buildings blend in with the trees and landscaping. It was right next to Shelter Cove which was a great walk or bike ride to the shops and restaurants. We liked San Miquel's(mexican). The room was huge and very well maintained. We had 4 kids and 3 adults and had tons of room..almost too much. This place is where you go to relax, not go to a theme park. We attended a camp fire, rode bikes through the resort every night and to the beach, kids played horseshoes and shuffleboard and swam. There were many activities to sign up for, but we just hung out between the beach/pool house and the pool at the resort. The resort is on a Marsh(really cool to see wildlife up close, especially at sunset). The ocean is across the road and you can bike, drive or take their shuttle. It was the best setup. We spent time on the beach, then you could use the facilities at the beach/pool house(food, drinks, heated pool, lounges, towels, restrooms, etc.). I ate a Mickey Ice Cream bar every day on the beach!. I felt this was one of Disney's best vacation properties. Rooms were huge, clean and the property was beautiful. Tons of restaurants, grocery stores, shops, dolphin and fishing tours on the island. I am not sure why people complain there is nothing to do. If you are expecting theme park activity at the resort, you won't get it. If you are expecting a great room, service, beautiful location to relax, this is the place to take your family. Our kids loved it. Ages 10, 12 and 13) and want to go back. Don't rule this resort out, it is one of the best kept secrets and you won't regret it.

Family of 5: Dad 39, Mom 37, Daughter 12, Son 11, Son 5.
Great vacation for families. I came home so refreshed.

The resort's theme is a 1930-40's era fishing lodge. In the cozy den music from that era quietly plays as guests relax by the fire and play games or billiards or use their laptops (free wireless in the den). This resort is located on the creek or marsh- this is a fairly deep body of water where you will often see waterfowl and less often (but lucky us) dolphins in the distance! There is a fishing pier, a playground, a FABULOUS pool with a fast, fun, twisty slide, a community hall, and a very active recreation schedule.

The beach is accross the highway and Disney has a shuttle that goes to and fro all day so you easily go back and forth. As a resort guest you will have access to a very lovely beach house when visiting the ocean side of the island. The beach house has bathrooms, lockers, showers, a pool, bar & light-fare food offerings, an little arcade (4 games maybe), and a relaxing nautical themed indoor area with tables, games, tv, and wireless internet..

The grounds feel very natural-earthy-rustic-woodsy with birds, squirrels and bunnies a-plenty. Everyone is so Disney-friendly. There are curved walking and bike paths where kids scramble about as if they are in their own neighborhood. By the end of the trip our wonderul villa did feel like home and the resort felt like our own idyllic neighborhood.

There are many organized activities that are fun or interesting and as a bonus- they bring you (and your kids) together with other guests and inevitably friendships are formed, hence the neighborhood feeling. Actities are for people of all ages (crafts, games for kids- tours and ecology/nature walks for adults and family activities such as Disney Bingo and a family campfire). The recreation staff that works with the kids was AMAZING! They are mostly energetic young adults and they are great with the kids.

The room was very nice and spacious and sweetly themed along the old fashioned fishing lodge style. There were a few minor maintenance issues. They sent an engineer who quickly handled it. Nice big balcony with a pretty view of the water was an unexpected bonus. I learned that all units have some sort of water view (creek/marsh, marina, or pool). So that is a plus. Loved having a kitchen and washer/dryer- which will come in all units except for the studios.

If you up for a beachy summer camp style vacation for the family this place is HIGHLY recommended. This could also make a good "guys getaway" especially if they like golf, fishing, kayaking, etc.

GREAT FOR:
FAMILIES
GOLFERS
BEACH LOVERS
FISHERMAN
NATURE LOVERS
DISNEY LOVERS
KIDS
ACTIVE/SOCIAL TEENS

Visited Early 08. Neat and clean, very nice rooms -both size and condition, good front desk service and check in check out.
The Quality of the property itself does not match other Disney properties. the units are wooden and you can hear people walking around upstairs at night. They also put all the heat pump compressors on each level of the 4 levels- not down in the yard or on the roof- what this means, on each floor, is that the two end bedrooms were away from 6 heat pumps by a standard less than 1 foot thick wooden wall. You heard the heat pumps cutting on and off all night- probably terrible in summer. the heat pumps all are replacement and they used a cheap brand (goodman) that is noiser than some other brands- they also did not sit the compressors on a sound absorbing pad, like is done at most homes- they just sat them on the wood deck, which causes vibration. the bedroom of our unit could have been on the other side as the "unit" was square, but they put the bed right next to the air conditioners wall.
Several of the workout room machines were broken.