ASMo or HIFS??

[MMKC2222]

Hi,

My family and I are planning our first trip to Disney. We were originally planning on staying at the ASMo, but then I heard about the Holiday Inn Family Suites and it seems like that may be a better deal with the kidssuites and the kids eat free and thye are also offering a $50 coupon each night for food for the adults. Has anyone stayed at both of these places or at both on site and off site? Can you offer me some advice? Is it really worth staying onsite?

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[moes87]

We just got back from a stay at HIFS. The whole family loved it. The hotel is really kid friendly, I liked that atmosphere. The rooms were clean and I liked having our own room and the kids having there own space. It is close to Disney and very easy to get to all the Disney Parks. I would stay there again.

Susanne

 

[beautybelle]

Hi my family and I have made reservations at the HIFS, but I truly want to stay onsite because everyone says that you have to be onsite to have the "feel of magic" is that really true? And too, I really want to leave in the middle of the day to rest because my mom will be going with us and she tires easily. Would that be a problem? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[moes87]

HIFS is only 1 mile from Disney, so I don't think it would be a problem to leave and go back for a rest. I did not feel like we missed out on any magic by staying off site, it was our first trip so I can't compare to onsite.

Susanne

 

[mark & sandra]

We've done both and the only benefit I found to being on-site is access to early entry and after hours on E-ride nights. Last year when they cancelled both it was a no brainer, HIFS. The morning buffet was huge. My DH would get there early and eat and then bring back a couple of trays of food to the room for us to eat. We would make up some snack bags for the park and stop on the way out to the parks at the buffet for any last minute favorites. The free beverages include milk, chocolate milk and juices. At the ASMo you can buy a refillable cup for about 11.00, but you can only use it for sodas, coffee and hot chocolate. They have nightly entertainment, bingo, kareoke and music. They are also offering a spa treatment for the girls and some are even for children. I do think that staying on-site is something you should experience and would suggest you do it at least once, but the HIFS is a tough act for disney to follow.

 

[Steffi]

It's really a personal preference.

We (Myself, DH, and DD) used to stay off-site for our yearly Disney visit, and always had a fantastic vacation.

A few years ago we decided to stay on-site, at ASMo, and became completely & totally addicted. It was like we had rediscovered WDW. We won't stay off-site again. Again, it's a very personal preference. We are not a big family, we don't need a kitchen, etc...maybe we'd feel differently in a different situation.

There are the tangible benefits to staying onsite: early entry days, charging to your room key, the WDW transportation, (not having to park and ride the trams is more convenient than you'd believe). Then you have the intangible part: the 24 hour magic. That's the part that really hooked us. It's hard to put into words; I think it's something you have to experience firsthand to see if it's for you.

If you're looking for more info about HIFS, I've seen several threads about it on the Other Orlando Hotels board. People really seem to like the place!

Whatever you decide, you'll be at WDW! Have a great time.

 

[ceecee]

I never could understand everyone saying you have to stay on site to experience the magic.........until we did it! Now I can not imagine not staying on site! IMHO

 

[taylor1293]

If you have a car, definitely HIFS!

I haven't stayed at any of the AS resorts, but from what I've read they are very small. Only 260 sq feet. I know that many people love them, but I would be miserable in such a small room. Then again, I was borderline uncomfortable at our room at the Polynesian. I need space!

As others have already said, their rooms are very spacious, they have a great breakfast that is included. Kids eat free and they have nightly family entertainment.

Good luck making your decision!

Teresa

 

[beautybelle]

Thanks again for the info, I think if I can get a good discount code for WL I may try that (if I can talk my mom into it) Geez that sounds bad coming from a 31 year old doesnt it. LOL Oh well, she wants that space, I want "the magic".

 

[MulanMom]

LOL...I just made this decision for a trip we are planning over Thanksgiving! For us, we chose HIFS over ASMo for the few nights we are not staying at DVC OKW resort. The nights we are staying at HIFS are during the Tday weekend. Though we may visit the Disney parks during that weekend, we are looking to relax and avoid some of the crowds. We felt that ASMo during a holiday weekend would perhaps leave us feeling too much of the cattle-car mentality. HIFS also has some great amenities for the price.

That being said, keep in mind we are splitting our stay between on-property and off, so we still get to take advantage of early entry during the days we want to concentrate on the Disney parks. Also, we're renting a car and not relying on complimentary transportation, with the exception of taking a bus to MK while at OKW.

It's really a personal decision. For us, our earlier trips *always* had to be onproperty, we could never imagine being off-property. We also never wanted to drive on vacation! Over the years due to a variety of reasons, that has changed. We have felt just as much "magic" at the parks whether we've stayed on or off. In our own personal experience, sometimes we've had less than magical times at onproperty resorts!

Back when I was starry-eyed about WDW , I would recommend to first-time visitors that they stay onsite and for as long as possible, cuz if the magic is going to sweep you, it'll never be as sweet as the first time. OTOH, if my first time to WDW was staying offsite at a place like HIFS, it might've felt just as magical cuz I wouldn't have known anything different!