AK or HIFS?? Plus more, questions....

[cindyx4]

Hello,

We are planning our first trip to WDW this August. We have 4 boys...so 6 in our party all together. I'm wondering if we should stay in the smaller AK room just to be on the park? OR should we do the HIFS where the space would be larger and cost basically the same (although HIFS offers breakfast for all of us)? Because of the cost of tickets, we need to be as cost effective as possible. Our 2 and 4 year olds will be taking afternoon naps and this is why Ithink we should do HIFS (for more privacy). Dh, however, says, if we are going to WDW then we need to stay on property. We can't afford to get 2 rooms so the only inexpensive option is Ak (or I guess 2 rooms at the All Stars?)

Also, we are going to be at Disney 5 nights and 6 days. One day will be used being our fiorst and last days, another day we will be going to NASA. What kind of park hoppers should we buy?...4 days, 3 days or 5? We do want to be able to park hop on the same day.

I'm sure I will have more questions as I do my research. Thanks for your help!

Cindy

 

[MinnieGi]

Hi Cindy,
Since you have 6 people total I do not think they will allow you to even stay in AK in one room. Not to mention you will be extremely cramped. Just to give you a comparison, we stayed at WL which has the same room size as AK and we felt cramped for space and there were only myself, DH and DD. DD was then 14-months old and did not like that she did not have a lot of room to toddle around.

If you want to stay on-site I would do two connecting rooms at All-Stars or at a moderate. You will have two bathrooms and room to move around. For napping, it will be nice to stay on-site and also non-nappers can be in the other room or at the pool with you or DH.


There are also suites available, but I'm not sure of the occupancy numbers.

Another option for on-site would be to rent points from a DVC person for a two room villa. They have a seperate board just for that.

Good luck!

 

[cindyx4]

Hello,

Thank you for replying so quickly. I'm a little confused though...what are "points?" Where do I find this board? I'm sorry, but I am not up on the WDW lingo yet! I'm still tryingto figure out what all the abbreviations are and where people have stayed!

Cindy

 

[MinnieGi]

Hi again Cindy,
Look under all the forums and you will find the "DVC rent/trade" board. There is an FAQ about the process as one of the first threads.

Just to give you an idea of pricing to compare if it would be worth it to you. If you are staying any time between Aug. 16 - 31 you could stay in a 2 bedroom villa from Sunday - Friday for 135 points. Points usually run about $10.oo a point but sometimes you can get them cheaper. This would equal $1,350.oo for the week in a 2 - room villa. The same villa at the beginning of Aug. would run - 150 points.

 

[LKS]

Hi Cindy,

Since one of the 6 of your family is under 3, you can stay in a room that allows 5 plus a crib (usually a Pack-n-Go.) That would mean a deluxe room at the AK (not cheap - even on sale), most of the rooms at the Contemporary, Poly or Grand Floridian (all have 2 queens plus a daybed), or a home away from home resort, like a Wilderness Cabin or condo (already mentioned by a previous poster.) The rooms at the Contemporary are pretty large and you wouldn't be miserable there if you are used to staying in one room on vacation. The standard view wing rooms are the cheapest deluxe rooms that will sleep 5 in beds (plus that "infant" and with 4 boys to get to and from the parks, it may be very nice to just hop on the monorail. The Wilderness Cabins sleep 6 in beds and give you beds in two rooms plus a kitchen and if you get a good rate, they are a good deal. The bedroom there has a double bed and two bunks and the living room has a Murphy that pulls out of the wall. My Mom said it was fine. The transportation from there, IMHO, is no better than HIFS and you don't get breakfast. I did find it roomier than HIFS, but maybe that's a memory lapse. BUT, HIFS is pretty nice too and not inconvenient to the parks at all and you will definitely save money there. You know, especially since you want to do a day at KSC, off-site would not be that bad.

My first choice, when I have the money, is the Contemporary and that is where we are staying again in June for 6 nights before trying a deluxe AKL room for the last 3 nights.

Let me go ahead and interject that the 2 and 4 yos are not going to be entertained very long at KSC. We went with 2, 6 and 8 yos and it was OK, but not great. Personally, I love it and see why you'd want to go, but it's a long day with little kids. If you think you'd ever get back, I'd save that for later unless someone just has a burning desire.

 

[susy]

Can I recommend the All Star Movies????

We were there this past January and had two conncecting rooms, on the first floor in the Toy Story section. I would request this section or Dalmations, since they are both near the food court and main pool. With the connecting rooms, it was pretty large and you can always shut the door between, plus two bathrooms can come in handy when everyone comes in from the pool and now have to get ready to go out again!

You will be right on the property and it will be easy for 1 adult to take the two little ones back to the resort , if the older ones want to do something else.

The food court is great! I alway went down there in the morning and brought back breakfast for everyone. If you can rent the points and stay at BWV, I definitely would. That's a prime location. Check into both and see what you come up with!

 

[princess angel]

I agree with your dh! you should definately stay on property! that is the only way to experience the magic to the fullest extent!!!
I like LKS 's idea! the contemporary is your best bet! the rooms are the largest on property, and the wings are not as expensive as other deluxes! you will be a 10 minute walk to MK!!! cant beat that magic!!!

Laura

23 days til WDW!!! Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello cindyx4-
As minnieGi said AKL only allows 4 in their reg. rooms. There has been a lot of discussions on the board for "Orlando Hotels and Attractions" about HIFS. If price and privacy(for naps) is an issue I would choose HIFS. The kidsuites sleep 6- Separate room with kingsized bed, livingroom(small) with a pull out queen sized bed, and kids room with a bunk bed and a very small pull out bed under T.V. area ( my small 5 yr. old loved it, then again he likes bugs too.) Everyone eats breakfast free (huge buffet) kids eat free with paying adult for both lunch and dinner. I believe that's for all your kids. Think of those saving. They probably have one of the most kid friendly pools around. The drive time to disney MK is under 5 min., so it's just as easy to return midday for a little rest.Someone on the boards mentioned a discount available from Florida Lottery. If you bring in a losing ticket, you can get a rate of 109.00 per day including free meals for adults, another 30.00 a day savings. Check out the other boards and see if it makes sense NOT to stay at HIFS.
good luck with your planning.

 

[gepetto]

you should go to mousesavers.com I think there may be some discount codes there that you could use for your time period.

You may want to consider a Fort Wilderness Cabin. They have a full kitchen and easy access to Magic Kingdom.




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[ZachnElli]

Hi Cindy, we stayed at HIFS last July and it was wonderful for the kids. And it is extremely close to WDW! Kids eat free, everyone eats free for breakfast and you and dh have your own room! You don't have to stay onsite to get the fullest extent of the magic! We had the best vacation last year! Go to the Orlando Hotel and Attractions board and you will find other places to stay for much less money and several bedrooms w/ washers and dryers in the room! Good luck!

 

[cindyx4]

Mark and Sandra,

Where do I find out about the lottery thing?! Does this mean I reserve the room at any rate right now and then show a ticket when I get there? This sounds like a fantastic deal though!

Thanks.

Cindy

P.S. Should I call the hotel and ask them about this deal?

 

[Trekker]

Please take a few minutes to checkout the Discounts 101 section right here on the DIS!

Also take a look at the Discount codes listed here on the DIS!

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello cindyx4-
I read about it on the board "orlando hotels and attractions" go back a couple of days and look for threads on HIFS. The person said that first they called to see if it's effective when they'll be there and that they were told to just bring the losing ticket with them. If you go to the Florida Lottery site you'll see the link for hotels that are accepting this promotion. Call HIFS and confirm if it's available during your stay and then get a rate confirmed using the promotion, then all you'll need to do is get the lottery ticket. Don't just wait until you go, the promotion might be available but the hotel could have booked out of the rooms it sets aside for the promotion. Also find out if you get free adult buffets as well as kids eating free.
Good Luck with your ressies.

 

[cindyx4]

Thanks All!

I did call HIFS and asked for the FL Lottery Discount Code and I got a rate of 109 a night for a kidsuite. We get 1 free buffet for my husband and self AND all our kids under the age of 12 eat free with a paying adult. WOO HOO! I have FOUR hungry boys. This should save us some money!

Thanks for all the info!

Cindy