anyone stay at HIFS recently?

[disneyg]

I was wondering if anyone has stayed at Holiday Inn Family Suites recently? I am curious if any of the planned water slides are open yet. Any info would be appreciated!!!

 

[kathyclownfish]

Just bumping up.....looking for a reply also

 

[HappyLawyer]

well from what i knw they are in the process of transforming the hotel into the first nickelodeon hotel-sorry bout the spelling-
they may be changing many things they have there or had in the past you should call them directly and just ask to make sure

 

[mom of five]

wondering how construction is going there?
pools?
any info. would be great

 

[tombob]

we just got back from there tonight...construction on the west wing is ongoing...outside is already painted green and orange, with some Nick characters...only the east wing was open...but that was more then enough.....this was our first trip to WDW and we stayed 4 nights at CSR(which was beautiful) and 4 nights at HIFS(all on recommendations from these boards)....my 6 yr old while walking around WDW parks kept saying "I can't stop thinking about our hotel room!!!"...it was a 3 ring circus theme with bunk beds...the kids loved it....the entertainment in the lobby for kids was tremendous..free face painting,magic shows,bingo,karaoke...we had a fiull schedule trying to see all of the parks for the first time, so we never even used the pool...but it looked great!!...and the free breakfast every morning(after paying $28 each morning at CSR) was welcome!!!

 

[rapunzal]

what was the working pool like...any slides?

 

[tombob]

no slides.....sprinklers and things like that...geared toward small children...

 

[mom of five]

bump

 

[randbmom]

Bump
I want to know, too. We leave Oct 6.

 

[mom of five]

How is HIFS looking?
anymore info?

 

[Lewisc]

Instead of bumping why not just call? They suggest you call if you want information.

Previous posters called and the hotel gave out information.

The two recent hurricanes may have altered their construction schedule.

The Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort is currently transforming to become the first ever Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn. This multi-phased transformation begins in March 2004 and is scheduled for completion in spring 2005.

For information and reservations please call toll-free 1-866-GO2NICK.

 

[kathyclownfish]

Just called. West End (new pool) will now not be ready until November 2004.

 

[mom of five]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Instead of bumping why not just call? They suggest you call if you want information.

Because I want details and personal antecdotes.
I have called and I just get the company line.
I don't even know if the person I'm talking to is actually there at the hotel...whereas here, I can talk to people who have stayed at the hotel recently. Really, I don't see the problem with bumping???

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by mom of five
Because I want details and personal antecdotes.
I have called and I just get the company line.
I don't even know if the person I'm talking to is actually there at the hotel...whereas here, I can talk to people who have stayed at the hotel recently. Really, I don't see the problem with bumping???

I don't have a problem with bumping, but a search would have produced trip reports from people who stayed there about a month ago and the hurricanes may have changed their construction plans. Someone had already posted the slides weren't open yet.

I'd think a phone call to the resort might give you more accurate and updated construction information than relying on posters. Several people posted asking for a progress report, I thought the suggestion that someone (not specifically referring to you) might call, get the official word and then post for all to see.

No need to take it personally, I just don't see how much value you would want to put in a poster saying something like they stayed there 2 months ago and was told the pool would be ready on _______.

 

[Gales4Goofy]

My family and I are staying at HIFS Oct 17-23. We've talked to staff at the hotel and read their website, but there's also no substitute for hearing from those who have actually stayed there. The site says they have recently relocated several parts of the hotel to temporary locations while construction continues. Of course, the staff says everything is very nice, but.......well, let's just say I'm a little skeptical. After all -- they're paid to say that.

The big draw to this hotel is its emphasis on the kids: their own check in desk, the pools and all the activities. How much full will it really be if everything's pulled apart? Maybe they've done a great job....I hope so!

We've read older reviews...well written and we appreciate the time everyone took to write them. But, things there may be changing fast as they build. If anyone has been there in the past few weeks we'd really love to hear an update from someone impartial.

Thanks!

 

[mom of five]

Thanks Gales4Goofy!!!

 

[tombob]

we were there as recently as 8/28...kid's check-in, face painting still there...kids pool in east wing still available....kid's entertainment in lobby was great...my kid's loved it!!...I guess if you have stayed there before then you may be disappointed because everything is not the way it was....but if it is your first time(as it was ours), it was all enjoyable....

 

[Gales4Goofy]

Thanks very much, tombob -- that's a relief to hear !!!