First timer, HIFS and tansportation

[jerseyjohn]

Good Day Folks,

A bit long winded but here goes......

Never been to see the mouse and I am planning a trip for my wife and three boys (ages 8, 9 and 10). I plan get 7+4PH and probably only do one or two plusses. Over the last year I have managed to collect alot of hotel points in Sheraton, Hilton and Holiday Inn (I travel for business)so lodging will be free.

I say drive there from NJ but SWMBO say no way - fly and rent a car. So needless to say, we're flying. She calls me cheap, I say I'm cost effective, anyway, I digress.

The Plan
5 nights at the HIFS and 5 nights at the Dolphin

Is HIFS transportation reasonable and what are transit times from HIFS to AK, HIFS to MGM and HIFS to Blizzard Beach on their bus?

I'm thinking, rent a car on arrival, drive to HIFS, use car for AK and MGM and Blizzard Beach, then turn in car on day 6 when we move over to the Dolphin. Use the boat and monorail transportation for EPCOT and MK and at the end, take Tiffany or other transportation from Dolphin to MCO and not have to worry about dropping off car and such. This would also allow us to shop for food to take to Dolphin since it is expensive to eat there.

Make sense ??

It is all a bit overwhelming but I thnk I'm getting a grip on it all.

TIA
John

 

[powellrj]

I would check airfare prices, you might be surprised at what you can find. I kept checking back every few days last January and we were able to fly non stop from Indy to Orlando for 106 + tax in June. I would also rent a car for the entire trip. Check the mousesavers site and you can find great deals on car rentals and I feel you save enough by having your own car to offset the cost. It doesn't cost to make and change car rentals, so when you find a good rate book it knowing that if you find another you can always cancel the first.

 

[westjones]

When we stayed at the HIFS, we drove to the parks ourselves. It is a nice resort, great breakfast in the mornings, and the pool is fun for the kids. It is also nice to have a seperate bedroom for mom and dad!

We just got back from a stay at the Swan (right next to the Dolphin) and it is GREAT for going to MGM and Epcot. In fact, we walked to both parks at least one time (but the boats work great too--we just wanted to try walking).

I am a 'cost effective' person too, and although you can find low airfare (we also fly out of Indy), when you have a family with kids, there is no beating the cost of driving over flying. That said, since you have decided to fly, and since you are only staying onsite for half of your trip, I would also suggest renting a car. If you were staying at the Dolphin the whole time, I wouldn't see a reason to rent a car because the Disney Buses work so great!

BTW, when we drive, we have started driving straight through the 17 hours from Orlando to Indiana. We have drove through the night and we have also tried getting up early and driving until late night (we like this better). Last week, we got up at 6:00 am at the Swan and we were home by twenty past midnight that night. Sure it is a long day, but it is really economical! Earlier this year, we flew in for the cruise and rented a car for our time at WDW. We are a family of 4 and it was probably $700-$800 more to fly and rent a car versus driving straight through. Of course, it was much more relaxing flying!

DJ

 

[CajunDixie]

Staying offsite I'd definetely rent the car then stock up on snacks before checking into the Dolphin. Instead of eating at the Dolphin I'd eat in the parks or at Downtown.

westjones: When you drive to Orlando do you take 75 or 65 on the first part of the trip? Just curious since we always take 75 all the way but my parents insist 65 us the way to go.

 

[westjones]

From Indianapolis we take 65 to Nashville, then 24 to Chattanooga, and then 75 to Florida.

If there is a shorter way, I would LOVE to hear it. We have tried taking 74 to Cincinnati, then 75 to Knoxville, then 26 to 95, and then on to Florida; that that was going to the cruise at Port Canaveral.

DJ

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another possible consideration is the AutoTrain. It was originally designed for people from the New York area going toi Miami.

The Northern terminal is Lorton, Virginia, about 10 miles South of the Capitol (Washington) Beltway. If you have a van you must be there by 2:00, with a car by 3:00. The train leaves at 4:00. Dinner, movie, and breakfast are included in the price.

The train gets to Sanford, FL at about 8:30 in the morning and they then unload your car. It is about 40 miles from Sanford to WDW. Return times from Sanford to Lorton are the same, so you could leave the Disney area around noon.

The price in coach (I did a search for 2 AAA Adults and 3 AAA Juniors with departure from LOR on 6/12 and return from SFA on 6/19) is $803.30 total for the round trip including the car.

You can cram your car's trunk as full as you can, and even have stuff in the back seat. Nobody can get at your car while it is in transit. This way you don't have to shlep through the airports (or worry about airport security) and you will have your own car with you.

You can find out a lot about it at www.amtrak.com and the fare calculator is very simple.

As far as getting there, I used to live about 20 miles from Lorton and I normally figured six hours driving with stops to my mother's house near LaGuardia Airport in New York City, so from most of Jersey it would less time. However, if you miss the time cutoffs you miss the train.