HIFS for older kids

[vellamint]

For those of you who have stayed here....did you notice many 11, 12 year olds. I am getting the impression from others posts that this hotel may be geared toward younger children. I dont want my sons to feel they are in a "babyish" hotel. Will they enjoy this place or will they want to stay in the arcade. Is it mainly tons and tons of toddlers and elementary kids. I

need to make a decision soon as to whether we will stay here our first 3 nights or if we should stay in the Contemporary. We have reservations at both and I just cant decide.

HIFS is less expensive (naturally) and includes breakfast but Contemporary is well....the Contemporary.

Hubby wont be joining us till day 4 - I wanted to be able to see FIS from Contemporary, Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge, check out arcade at Contemporary and view Water Pageant.

How much harder will it be to do all this from HIFS.

The location WAS a factor (being able to walk to MK and then back for midday break ) until park hours came out and I saw that Spectro and FIS are only on the 1st night....since we have park hoppers and I am NOT using a day just to see Spectro that takes away that perk. FIS is also only the 1st night but was going to watch it from the 4th floor deck thingy.

Monorail doesnt matter I guess as we will have a car to get to Epcot.

Anybody think there is a chance the will extend hours on 8/21 or 22?

I just cant decide.

 

[debbie655]

We stayed here a few days last year and the year before. You do see a lot of younger children, the pool being zero depth is great for little ones. There are also lots of older kids, I have a 9 y/o and teenagers and they had a great time here.

 

[taylor1293]

When we were there last week there were just as many 9 - 14 year olds as there were toddlers and elementary kids. Or maybe I just noticed them more because it seemed that they were allowed to run the hotel without parental supervision?!?!

IMO, HIFS and CR aren't really comparable. There is a huge price difference between the two. One is a deluxe resort on the monorail and the other is a value family resort off-site.

If cost is an issue I would say HIFS, without a doubt. If cost isn't an issue, and location is the main issue, I would pick CR.

It will be easier to do all the things you listed if you are staying at CR. However, that doesn't mean it will be difficult to do them if you are staying at HIFS. It will be around a 10 minute drive from HIFS to CR.

Good luck making your decision

Teresa

 

[nicolep91]

I would think the in-room Nintendo, the activities for kids (karaoke (sp?), bingo, games, etc.), and the Arcade at HIFS would be a big hit with kids that age. Not to mention they probably would also appreciate the privacy having their own room would afford.

As Taylor mentioned, if price is a factor (and it always is with me!) I probably would pick HIFS. If not, the Contemporary would have it's advantages of location and monorail transportation. But if you're going to have your own car and don't mind the drive, that probably isn't much of a deciding factor.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[vellamint]

looking for more comments please!!!

 

[Reflection]

In August 2002, my daughter (age 9 at the time) and I stayed at HIFS for several nights before moving Old Key West at WDW. My daugther loved HIFS and was glad to find several children her age to play with. I saw plenty of 9-14 year olds, especially during the evening Karaoke, having a good time.

 

[funhouse8]

I also stayed here with older kids and not once was the age of the other guests was never an issue. There is plenty for them to do and they even have a different pool if they don't want to be with the younger kids. (We found this out when they closed our pool due to a misplaced poop)


**** I would think the in-room Nintendo, the activities for kids (karaoke (sp?), bingo, games, etc.), and the Arcade at HIFS would be a big hit with kids that age. Not to mention they probably would also appreciate the privacy having their own room would afford.*****

The kids did love these things and wanted to stay here on our returning trip, but we are going doing holiday season and camping seemed like a cheaper way to go. Have fun whatever you decide.