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[C.Ann]

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[Debbie]

Hi, I haven't been for a while, but I think that these are pretty close to the answers that you need.

Do you think I can do better than the $94 a night rate if I wait till summer or fall?

I think that you got a terrific rate. I know that in the middle of January you can get a BOGO rate that might be a wee bit cheaper, but $94 is awesome.

Which Kids Suite should I ask for that would be appealing to a little girl?

I have to be honest, we never bothered to request a specific one. Check the website at HIFS to see what is available and what suits the little one.

What kind of "goodies" do the kids get at the Kids Check-In?

When we went we got a baggie of game tokens, colouring book maybe and a stuffed "beanie" type toy. I'm sure that that has changed in the past couple of years.

are you allowed to get items and bring them back to your room?

Yep. Not a problem!

is it easy to find your way around to things from there? We'll be renting a car and would like to go to the outlets, Downtown Disney, Universal, and Sea World..

It is so easy! And I always find that the staff at the hotels that I visit are so helpful. When we went, I followed the Disney signs and got where I was headed in no time. Coming home, we'd aim for MGM and the next exit was ours. You are right close to I-4 so getting to the outlets, Universal and Sea World is a breeze.

You are going to have a wonderful time. Be sure to do the kids' activities in the evening-Bingo, karaoke etc. Hopefully someone else can answer the questions about the Club Car and Foodland Express prices. I honestly can't remember anything but that I paid tax on a jug of milk. We don't pay tax on grocery type items here.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks, Debbie!

 

[zaxmom]

You might be a able to get a lower rate with the Entertainment Card. This is a card that comes in a coupon book that is usually sold for $20 or $25 dollars. They have them for most major cities, I think. I was able to get a rate of $86 and I think some have gotten rates in the $70 range. $94 is pretty good, though. You could call the hotel and see if they have the Entertainment rate available for your dates and go ahead and book the hotel and buy the book sometime before your trip. You do not need to have it when you book, just by the time you check in. The book will more than pay for itself with the restaurant coupons and such.

You are really pretty close to Sea World and it is a pleasant drive. You have a couple of options to get to Universal, but it really is quite easy. I think they gave us a sheet a check in with directions to all the main attractions. I might be thinking of a different place, though.

We stayed here two years ago and we will be staying here again in May. My husband said this is where he wanted to stay because of the breakfast.

We had to get the train themed room when we went. The disney one would probably be perfect. You might want to look into the rooms with two twin beds in the second room as opposed to bunk beds. I don't know if these are themes or not. They do have pictures of all the floor plans and pictures of some of the different themes on their website.

We ate lunch at the food court one day, kids get a kids meal for free with an adult meal. I don't really remember what the prices were like, so they must not have been too bad.

I have highly reccommended this hotel to everyone I know going to Disney.

 

[taylor1293]

$94 is a great rate, but I agree with the other poster. Call back and ask if the "entertainment rate" is available for your stay. You may be able to get the room for even less.

I think most any Kidsuite would appeal to a little girl. We had the train theme last year and both my girls enjoyed it. They have a list of their different themes on their website, you may want to look at it and see if there is anything that specifically appeals to her.

I can't remember what the kids get in their goodie bags. There were game tokins for the arcade and my DD thinks there was a book to color, but she isn't sure.

Yes, you can bring back the breakfast to your room. No problem at all!!!

We ate at the Club Car but it was included in our room rate (special they had last summer) so I'm not sure how much the dinner buffet or menu items are. I think they have a menu on their website though.

I'm not sure about the place where children can eat with other kids. I don't think I saw that, sorry .

As with any hotel, prices in the Foodland Express are high. I'd recommend driving to the nearest grocery store and picking up your supplies.

It is VERY easy to get around from the hotel. It's in a great location!!!

Enjoy your trip

Teresa

 

[MrsMud]

It seems like most of your questions have been answered. You didn't say when in Dec. you are going, but unless it's around the Christmas season, you can definitely get a lower rate using the Entertainment card. HIFS offers 50% off rack rate, which should be about $74 for Dec. (again, unless it's right around Christmas). We went in early Dec. and it was perfect. No crowds, and all of the Christmas decorations were up at the parks. They have lighted, wire sculptures on the little lake by the hotel restaurant, a Gingerbread house, some other things I can't remember.

We asked for the Disney themed room, and it was beautiful. No characters, but a very airy, magical rendering of the different parks (Cinderella's castle,etc.) all in pastels. I think any little girl would love it!

In our Kidsuite the activity table had a checkerboard painted on the top, and my girls got checkers, coloring book and crayons and some other trinkets in their goodybags.

Not only can you bring food back to your room, but if you're running late in the morning you can grab some donuts, bagels and fruit and bring it to the parks with you. What we did was fill up at breakfast, bring snacks into the park, and then have a sit-down dinner. We never ate a single lunch there, and were never hungry either. Between that and the free breakfast you will save lots of money. The club car offers both a buffet and menu offerings every night. The buffet has a different theme each night, like Seafood, TexMex, BBQ, etc. I am sad to say we did not enjoy the dinner buffets very much, but you be your own judge. We are going back in Oct. and will plan more dinners elsewhere.

It is super easy to find your way around. It is a great location, close to all the WDW parks and all the main roads to Universal, etc. Yes, they will give you directions at the front desk.

You will have a great time!

 

[DisFam4]

We just got back at 7pm tonight from our Disney trip and stayed at HIFS and we loved it so much and felt it was so perfect for our 2 children (9yrs and 5yrs) that we called right away tonight and booked our next 10 day trip to begin on December 4th and we got an Entertainment rate for $73 a night!!!! We are thrilled and can't wait to go back! We would never dream of staying on property anywhere after staying here. You cannot beat what they have to offer. The full breakfast buffet is amazing - offering eggs, french toast, pancakes, bacon, fruit, yogurt, toast, bagels, donuts, coffee, tea, milk, choc. milk, apple juice, OJ, etc...... Just amazing!! All for FREE EVERYDAY!

We had the Disney themed room which was very nice, but next time we will opt for another theme - probably choo-choo. It really doesn't matter too much.

Goodie bags had tokens for kids and coloring pages and their own shampoo. They got to "sign-in" when we did - they put their first name and age in a book at the kids sign-in desk. Very cute.

Club Car - we ate there for one buffet lunch -we felt was reasonable - $19 for all 4 tax and tip included. Food was OK - wasn't the best, but fed us. Dinner buffet looked better but we didn't have a chance to experience it.

We did not see any place where kids eat with kids separately from the adults. There is a more kid friendly "area" when dining called the Entertainment Station where they have a 2 TVS going in the morning with Rugrats or some other kid friendly show.

The Pizza hut on site was very cool - we took part in the pizza party and got a free medium pie, breadsticks and a 2 liter bottle of soda for free! Kids loved it - so did we!

Foodland Express - prices were like any other Pizza Hut or Deli. The convenient store within was fairly priced also. You have to remember you're on vacation at a hotel and the prices will be a little higher than your local supermarket (by the way - Publix is only a couple of miles from the hotel)

Pool - Utterly amazing - a kids wonderland!! Easy for Parents to sit and watch without a major concern. Zero entry area with MANY water jets and sprinklers and kids interactive area. Also a small kiddie pool area with a play place and little tikes houses for them to play.

We would never go anywhere else after this experience. UNREAL.

Have a blast and don't forget to get your Entertainment rate!! If you don't have the book, go get one now for 1/2 price at Entertainment.COM - completely worth it! Considering the breakfast itself has got to be worth about $25 at least for a family of four, that makes the hotel rate only $48 a night! For a three-room suite! You're not going to get better than that.

Almost forgot to mention the Kid-Spa for your little girl. She can have her hair braided, play dress-up, get a tattoo, have a glamour shot - all for a reasonable price. My 5 yr old got the top of her head in Jamaican braids for $15 and they pampered her and let her make a beaded bracelet while they did her hair and then they put a little glitter hairspray in and then let her play dress up - she felt like a princess!! All in all it was a WONDERFUL experience - can you tell??

Best of luck to you!! Maybe we'll see you in December!

 

[Flyersfan]

Does the entertainment book coupon specifically say HIFS??

When I do a search for the south jersey ent. book on the website...some orlando holiday inn hotels show up - but not the HIFS.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[taylor1293]

Flyersfan,

There is no coupon for HIFS in the book.

You need to call HIFS directly and ask if they have the Entertainment book rate available for the time period you are wanting.

There are only so many rooms set aside at this rate, so if you are interested, I recommend calling them as soon as you are postitive of your travel dates.

You can find their phone number at www.hifamilysuites.com

Teresa

 

[Flyersfan]

Thanks Teresa!!

 

[taylor1293]

You're welcome

Hope you are able to get a great rate!!!

 

[DisFam4]

If you are going the week after Thanksgiving to just before Christmas you should be able to get the same rate I did ($73.00). Also be aware that they may tell you that the Entertainment rate is not available for your stay, BUT it may be available for most of your nights. i.e. if you book for Sun-Sun and Fri & Sat is sold out for that rate, they will tell you it's not available. You may have to break up the nights to get the rate for most of the nights, then book the other nights at the $94 rate.

Does that make any sense?

 

[C.Ann]

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