Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort Review

TouringPlans welcomes Guest Author Bridgett Hurley.

If you’re looking for a relaxing family vacation with Disney quality and Southern charm—but without the theme parks—Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort (DHHIR) delivers. Located on a scenic tidal inlet on the South Carolina coast (about 5 hours by car from Walt Disney World), this Disney Vacation Club property offers beach access, well-appointed villas, and an abundance of family-friendly activities.

Resort Overview – Location & Layout

This is a Disney Vacation Club resort, but non-members can book rooms for cash when available. The main resort is set along Broad Creek, surrounded by salt marshes and nestled in the Shelter Cove Marina area. About 120 villas are spread across 20 or so 3-story buildings. The overall layout is small and easily walkable, with public gathering and recreation areas at the resort concentrated in two locations.

You’ll check in at the Live Oak Lodge, which also has a few studio villas. This is where you’ll find Big Murggie’s Den, a communal space with seating, a TV, a pool table, and occasional scheduled activities.

The rest of the public areas and activities at the resort are concentrated around the pool house. This is where you’ll find the Bend & Stretch Fitness Center, the Community Hall, and the dining. There is also a mercantile, with the typical Disney resort merchandise including groceries and sundries.

The resort is not oceanfront, but guests have access to the ocean at Disney’s Beach House. It’s just about a mile away, with free transportation.

Pools & Recreation

The main pool at the resort includes a waterslide, a kiddie pool, and a poolside bar (open seasonally, closes around 6 PM). Expect a full schedule of Disney-style activities—think cannonball contests, trivia games, and slide races run by energetic recreation staff. Lounge chairs and towels are plentiful.

When you’re ready for dry-land fun, you’ll find:

• Corn hole, bocce, shuffleboard, horseshoes, basketball, checkers, and a putting green
• Free-use game pieces, always in good shape
• Scheduled activities include character Meet & Greets, trivia, sing-alongs, and pin trading
• Bike rentals and fishing poles are available for a fee
• Optional excursions like dolphin cruises and Daufuskie Island tours

Our group used all of the games on property and caught fish from the pier. We planned to take a dolphin cruise, but we saw so many dolphins in the harbor on our walk to dinner each night that our dolphin curiosity was satisfied. We were told that an alligator named Sebastian also frequents the harbor, but we did not see him…and we were all OK with that!

Disney’s Beach House

As mentioned, you’ll head to Disney’s Beach House if you’re looking to spend time at the beach. Access to Disney’s Beach House is only for guests staying at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, and a complimentary shuttle runs between the resort and Beach House every 15 minutes. You can also drive over and park for free, or there is a bike path.

The Beach House features:

• A second pool
• A quick-service restaurant and bar (limited hours)
• Free towels
• Beach chair and umbrella rentals

And of course, access to the beach via a path across the dunes.

Dining

Food is limited on the property, and this can be a surprise for regular Disney resort guests. Your options are:

• Tide Me Over: a quick-service location near the main pool (closes at 6:00 PM)
• Pool bar with drinks and light fare (also closes early)
• Signals: a quick-service at the Beach House (open seasonally and only during Beach House hours)

There’s no food court or table service restaurant on-site. However, within a 5-minute walk, you’ll find several restaurants, including Mexican, pizza, seafood, and a bakery. There are even more options within 15 minutes. We tried 3 of them and enjoyed them all. We also enjoyed paying off-property prices.

Each villa’s full kitchen makes it easy to cook meals in your room. For grilling, DVC members can borrow free tools, and the grills are kept clean and ready. Grocery delivery is available, but be aware: the resort has limited refrigerator space at the front desk, so time your delivery for after check-in. A Kroger grocery store is just 10 minutes away on foot.

Accommodations

The rooms all have spacious layouts that are ideal for week-long stays. Similar to other Disney Vacation Club Resorts, the room mix includes Deluxe Studios, 1- and 2-Bedroom Villas, and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.

1-Bedroom Villas and above feature:

• Full kitchens
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Murphy beds and sleeper chairs (you can sleep up to 9 in 2BRs if some guests are kids)
• Private balconies

All the room types are available with accessible features. Our group had six adults and two babies, and the unit came stocked with two pack ‘n plays and two high chairs—a nice touch that made us feel taken care of from the start.

What Makes It Special

The people—both Cast Members and guests—are what set Hilton Head apart. The vibe is friendly, welcoming, and laid-back.
One day in the baby pool, a woman showed us a photo of her daughters in the same spot 25 years earlier. She introduced us to her now-adult daughters—one of whom met her husband here during a family vacation. That kind of story is typical: families return year after year.

The Bottom Line

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort combines the magic of Disney with the slower pace of a Southern coastal town. It’s a great option for families looking to relax, reconnect, and enjoy the beach—without the chaos of the theme parks. Just come prepared for a different (but very rewarding) Disney experience.

Bridgett Hurley is an attorney, organizational development expert, mom and foster mom who loves to share Disney with her family and friends. She has been a Disney Vacation Club Member and annual passholder since 2016.