HIFS or Radisson Resort Parkway?

[jlm1006]

We are going to WDW in one week!!!

We were holdouts for an AP rate, but no luck. So...we booked mousesavers spread out special at Radisson Resort Parkway and tried to get excited about it. After seeing SO many mixed reviews, we are trying to decide if it would be better to switch to HIFS.

Our kids are 6 and 9 and love water slides (Radisson) and bunk beds (HIFS). We will have a car, so transportation is a non issue.

We want a VERY clean room, comfortable beds, decent service, good location and fun for our kiddos - not that we'll be at the hotel much! Cost comes out about even when you consider that breakfast is included at HIFS.

We have to cancel Radisson 48 hours ahead, so time's coming to make a decision. Any advice?????

 

[jlm1006]

Does anyone have any advice for us?

 

[Jynohn]

I've never stayed at the HIFS, so I can't comment on that, but I did stay at the Raddison Resort Parkway last May.

As I mentioned on another post, I was surprised by the decor of the rooms because they had just been renovated but seemed very dated to me. I don't mean dated as in worn out or shabby, but it just seemed a little 70's-ish. Other than that, I had no complaints with the Raddison. It was very clean and we had no problems with check-in or check-out. We didn't get to spend much time at the resort because it was a short trip, but the lobby and pool looked nice and there was a decent restaurant on site.

I think if you go expecting just a basic hotel like you would find at home, then you will not be disappointed. If it was located anywhere else but Disney, I would consider staying again without a second thought. However, if you go expecting anything other than a nice hotel room, I would consider staying somewhere else.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!

 

[lampy]

I have stayed at both.

Your comment - "not that we'll be at the hotel much!" would suggest that you stay at the Radisson. It has a decent pool, although the slide pool is NOT heated. Shouldn't be a problem for your travel week though.

Our Radisson room was very clean, comfortable beds, and easy to get to. Inside corridors made the rooms quiet, but they are just standard hotel rooms, unlike the suites at HIFS. The hotel is very close to other attractions and offers free breakfast buffet for kids, when an adult pays. It was a very good buffet to select from. Omelette chef, and fresh eggs.

HIFS was a great kid resort. Lot's to do at the hotel, pool was ok, but kids got bored with it. They are 8 and 11 and they thought it was geared more towards toddlers. The free breakfast was fair at best. They had lots of choices but the meat was cold, pancakes made far in advance and was a bit crowded - But hey it was free! They also had a kids eat free lunch and dinner with paying adult when we were there. Don't know if they are still doing that.

The rooms at the HIFS were not that clean. We found dirty socks on the floor after we checked in. The bathroom was clean and the kids loved their kid suite room. Our room was a bit noisy because we faced the highway and had a long walk to the pool area. We checked in late, so it was the best they had. Lots of room though, as I could stay up late and watch T.V. in the living area and not keep the rest of the family up. It had a small fridge and microwave to help with late snacks and cold drinks.

Tough choice but I would pick the Radisson since you stated you won't be in the room much anyway.

Hope that helps.

 

[3MGIRLS]

We just returned from our trip, I hope this isn't too late. We hav stayed at both places. We only stayed at the Radisson, one night, but were not impressed. The rooms were clean, I think, it was so dark you couldn't tell. They were the ugliest rooms I have ever seen. But, the bathrooms were clean. The room size was very standard. We ate breakfast at the deli, they were out of sausage, and almost everything else by 9:00 am.

The pool was okay, the slide is small, but my girls, 11, 9, 6 enjoyed it. The fact that it isn't heated wont be bad next week.

HIFS is starting to show signs of wear and tear. We stated there last year. It was clean, but a little banged up. Also, the hallways are on the outside of the building, which many people don't like. The staff was very nice. We had to request new linens for the one child's bed, becasue it was filled with sand when we arrived. The master bedroom was nice and not as beat up, and it had a door which was very nice for privacy in the evening. We could watch tv and sit up when the kids went to bed early.

I asked my kids, which one they liked the best, and they prefer the HIFS. They enjoyed all of the activities in the evening, bingo, face painting, balloons, singing. All these things were free, including the popcorn. They also like the themed room, and it is much bigger than the Radisson.

I can't imagine staying at the Radisson for more than a night. It was just too gloomy. If you check into a room at the HIFS and it isn't clean or there is a problem, just ask to change. They will have extra rooms. I liked the food better at HIFS too.

Let me know if you have any questions I can answer.

Make sure you post where you go and how you like it!