Most people renting DVC points are thinking about Walt Disney World. Hilton Head Island is the resort that surprises them, in a good way.
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort opened in 1996 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It's a genuine beach destination, not a theme park resort. There's no Magic Kingdom here. The point is a relaxed coastal vacation with Disney's service standards and none of the park crowds.
What the Resort Is Actually Like
The resort sits on Shelter Cove Harbour, a marina community about two miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It's not oceanfront, which is worth knowing before you book expecting to step off your balcony onto the beach. Beach access is provided via a complimentary shuttle that runs throughout the day to Coligny Beach Park, about a 10-minute ride.
The resort itself has a low-country Carolina style, with weathered wood siding, rocking chairs on the porches, and a general pace that's notably slower than anything at Disney World. There are two pools, a hot tub, bike rentals, kayak and canoe rentals at the marina, and organized activities including fishing trips and dolphin-watching excursions.
The rooms are standard DVC layouts: studios with kitchenettes, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms with full kitchens and washers and dryers. The rooms were refurbished relatively recently and are in good condition.
The Hilton Head Island Experience
Off the resort, Hilton Head has about 12 miles of public beach, a significant amount of golf (over 20 courses on the island), the Harbour Town lighthouse, Sea Pines Resort, and a reasonable selection of seafood restaurants. It's a well-developed resort island with plenty to do for a week.
Disney's resort is one of the quieter places to stay on the island. It doesn't have the name recognition of Sea Pines or Palmetto Dunes, which works in your favor for a relaxed vacation.
Point Costs and Booking
Hilton Head generally requires fewer points per night than comparable WDW resorts. A 7-night studio during summer (the peak season here, unlike the off-peak shoulder months at WDW) runs around 98 points, or about $1,960 at $20 per point.
Peak season at Hilton Head is spring and summer, which is the opposite of most WDW resort peak patterns. Spring break and June through August are the busiest and most expensive weeks. September and October are shoulder season with good weather and lower point costs.
Home resort priority matters here during peak weeks. If you want a summer week at Hilton Head, rent from a member who owns there. Browse Hilton Head listings on our marketplace.
Is Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort on the beach?
No. The resort is on Shelter Cove Harbour, a marina about two miles from the ocean. Beach access is provided via a complimentary resort shuttle to Coligny Beach Park. The shuttle runs throughout the day, and the ride takes about 10 minutes.
When is peak season at Disney's Hilton Head Resort?
Unlike Walt Disney World, peak season at Hilton Head aligns with traditional beach resort patterns: spring break, June, July, and August. September and October offer good weather with lower crowds and point costs. Winter months are the cheapest to book but the weather is cooler for beach activities.
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