Visit Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort for a Little Vacation Magic

Missing your Mickey Waffles when visiting Hilton Head Island, South Carolina? Well, you’re in luck. Tucked away in Shelter Cove Harbour, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort gives visitors an opportunity to not only satisfy their craving for Mickey Waffles, but a chance to experience a little Disney magic at the same time.

Our family has vacationed on Hilton Head Island almost as long as we have been travelling to Walt Disney World Resort. For over 40 years we’ve spent a week on this beautiful family-oriented island, enjoying the beaches and all the activities the island has to offer. As avid Disney fans, it’s a huge bonus to us that we can enjoy a little Disney magic and Mickey Waffles on the beach during our family vacation.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is fashioned after a 1940’s hunting and fishing lodge. It sits to one side of Shelter Cove Harbour, with rooms looking out to the harbor and to the marshes. Less than a 1 1/2 mile bike or shuttle ride away is the Disney Beach House on 3.5 acres of ocean beach front. While it is a gated resort, you do not have to be staying at the resort to visit. This was perfect for us as we were staying nearby in a beach house.

Red rooftops of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort looking out onto Shelter Cove Harbour

View of the marshes from some villas at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Shadow, the Resort Mascot

Driving into the resort Guests are greeted by Mickey and Shadow, a golden retriever who is the resort mascot. Shadow is a very famous Cast Member at the resort. You can read more about Shadow on the Disney Parks Blog.

Mickey and Shadow greet Guests at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

The Live Oak Lodge

We knew we were definitely on Disney property as we pulled in, as a Cast Member was waving to us from the steps of the The Live Oak Lodge with a big white Mickey hand. It’s that little bit of Disney magic that makes you feel right at home. The Live Oak Lodge is the resort’s main building, as well as home to Big Murggie’s Den where Guests can cozy up to the fireplace or play a game of pool.

The Live Oak Lodge at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Mickey also greets Guests inside at The Live Oak Lodge

The Cast Members who greeted us in The Live Oak Lodge could not have been nicer or more welcoming, which of course is one reason we love Disney. We left with map in hand ready to take a stroll around the property before getting our Mickey Waffles.

An Abundance of Nature Surrounds the Resort

The property itself is beautiful. Surrounded by nature on all sides Guests can enjoy water views of the harbor as well as magnificent marsh views. As we walked along the marsh the girls were fascinated with the smallest crab we have ever seen. It was so nice to not only view the abundance of nature around us, but to experience some of it as we watched this tiny crab make its way across the walkway.

Walkway over the marsh at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Walkway over the marsh at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Another nice surprise on our quest for Mickey Waffles? The Butterfly Garden. Tucked away between buildings, this was a gorgeous area to relax and watch a few butterflies roaming about.

Butterfly Garden at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Broad Creek Mercantile

Broad Creek Mercantile is home to the resort’s Quick Service Dining, Tide Me Over, as well as the Broad Creek Mercantile Shop, Community Hall, and Bend & Stretch’s workout facility. Guests also can sign up for the many daily recreational activities here. Not surprising, even though we were on a Mickey Waffle mission, the girls were even more excited to see the gift shop open and ready for shopping.

Tide Me Over is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and is similar to Walt Disney World Resort Quick Service Dining locations. We were extremely happy to find out that while the Mickey Waffles are only listed on the menu for breakfast, you can actually order them all day long. You know, just in case we get an afternoon craving for Mickey Waffles……

Tide Me Over window at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Breakfast menu at Tide Me Over

While you wait for your breakfast you can check out the list of activities for the day. There are so many fun things to do. I would love to experience A Sea Turtle’s Journey one day.

List of daily recreational activities at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Guests also can take a break from the Big Dipper Pool at Tide Me Over or Community Hall. Community Hall is the place for games, crafts and card games. Not surprising, located on either side of the Big Dipper Pool are smaller pools, the Little Dipper Pools, and when viewed from above, the three pools form a hidden Mickey. The Big Dipper pool has a fantastic wrap around Water Tower Slide that certainly looks fun for all ages.

Big Dipper Pool at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

I have to say even I was excited to do a little Disney shopping at Broad Creek Mercantile Shop. The best surprise for this allergy mom? Snacks with Character are available here. These allergy friendly snacks are a huge hit for our family at Walt Disney World Resort and I could not have been happier to see them here also. Another great surprise? New popcorn flavors from Main Street Popcorn Company. We purchased a bag of the Churro flavor. It was so delicious we ate it the same day. Wish I had purchased more than one bag. The general store has a nice selection of Disney souvenirs, as well as limited groceries, sundries and stamps. The tween was particularly happy to find the perfect Mickey baseball hat.

Snacks with Character available at Broad Creek Mercantile Shop

http://teacupsandturkeylegs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG_2215.jpg

Every Disney tween’s favorite souvenir – a Mickey baseball cap

Mickey Waffles

While Guests can order a variety of breakfast options with Mickey Waffles, including kids’ plates, we planned to bring the waffles back to our beach house to share with the rest of the family. Thankfully we were able to order just a dozen Mickey Waffles at $1.50 a piece. Next visit though I think I’m going all out and getting Chicken and Waffles for breakfast.

Mickey Waffles from Tide Me Over at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Until Next Year! 

With warm Mickey Waffles in hand it was time to say goodbye and head back to our beach house. I cannot say how nice it was to take a break and enjoy a little Disney magic for the morning while on our beach vacation. For any Disney fan visiting on or near Hilton Head Island, I highly recommend a stop by this resort.

Until next year! Can’t wait to return to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

But first before we leave, a Minnie cookie for the road!

Next year we may try to stay at the resort for a few nights before the annual family vacation. With so many activities it appeals to both Disney Kids and Disney Tweens. My Disney Tweens were particularly interested in the Dolphin and Nature Discovery boat ride on Broad Creek as well as campfire story-telling and sing-a-longs. Not only can Guests enjoy all of the amenities and activities of the resort, Shelter Cove Towne Center is within walking distance nearby, giving Guests additional shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Until next year! See you real soon Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort!