HIFS Questions

[tigger2on]

We ( Me 31, DD in wheelchair 6, and my mom aka grandma 64) will be travelling to Florida from december 12-19th, 2002. I have just made reservations at HIFS for $89/nite.... is this a good rate? Used Grandma's old age to help us out!
Here are some questions......
1. What are the pluses and the negatives in your opinion of this hotel???
2. In regards to shuttles... are they free? Where do they go? and how often do the run?(With Ryleigh in a wheelchair, we have to let the desk know 24 hrs ahead to get them to bring a Wheekchair accessible one... so I guess we are guaranteed on that specific shuttle.)
3. What is the noise levels like? Can you hear kids racing in the halls all night long?
4. Do all the rooms face the poll area?
5. What's the best floor???
6. How's the breakfast buffet?

Thanks all.....

 

[hercamore]

Hi, I can help you out with a few answers. I have no personal experience with HIFS, but knowledge from reading lots of HIFS posts!

Your rate sounds very good with the senior discount.

I would recommend signing up for the free priority club membership at www.holiday-inn.com. Free newspaper, and few other perks you can read about on their site.

IMHO, the HIFs has one of the best offisite locations to the disney parks in terms of close proximity to the Epcot/MGM.

Only takes a few minutes drivetime.


Can you get a shuttle scedule from HIFS by emailing them?


Herc.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello tigger2on-
We stayed there last year. If you check this board back about 4 weeks worth, there has been alot of discussions on HIFS. The shuttles are free, but you must request it a day in advance. Your rate of 89.00 is excellent. Your wheelchair access room will have to be on the first floor. If there was a fire and the elevators stopped working, how could you get your mother evacuated safely? We requested one for my SIL and got one facing the Marriot across the street. It was a good location, because we could park right in front of our room. Ask for a room near the main pool. This hotel is huge, being near the main pool will cut down on walking to the things you'll do most, swimming and eating. The noise level was not even an issue. There is security at night patroling the grounds, so there won't be any problems at night from noisy partys. The pluses- The pool is great for all ages, try and get the kids to leave. The breakfast buffet is unbelievable, everything you'd imagine to eat, including milk and juices. It's free for all. Get there early. Lunch and Dinner buffet is free to all kids with a paying adult. On Friday they have Crab Legs and Shrimp at the buffet. Nighttime Kareoke and Bingo. The Negatives-Disney didn't think of it.

 

[tigger2on]

Thanks Everyone....
It is actually my daughter who is wheelchair bound but it will be nice to have an easy entry pool for once. WE stayed at the Poly last year because of this reason.

 

[tink2dw]

You don't say whether you have a Kidsuite or not. But the buncks are smaller then regular ones and they have a half rail on them to prevent falling. I don't know if this will make it hard to get your daughter laid down in bed.

If it will be in the way,ask for a Classical 2 Bedroom suite,it has the master bedroom,and a curtained room with a queen bed, and then the roll out sofa in the Parler area. The bathrooms are large.

I you need to be close to the Food and Shuttle you will want building 7 or 8. The WDW themeing is Great,too.

Definately jion the Priority Club. It helps when you request buildings.

Here is the Shuttle schedule
http://www.hifamilysuites.com/shuttle.html

 

[tazdeb]

My family has stayed here twice in the last 2 years and is going back in August. It's a great hotel for families. About the only negs I think are the shuttles. They just are'nt convienent for our family (DD both 5). Rent a car, bring your handicap card (or get one from your doctor) and you'll be able to park in the first row at every park!! This also will eliminate those parking lot shuttles. HIFS is so close that it is faster for you to drive than many of the onsite hotels. The pool is realy great ,zero depth entry. When we were there last year,saw many kids in wheel chairs put right in the pool chair and all?????? I don't know if thats good for the chair but the kids loved it.

 

[iluvtig2]

We had a blast!!!! I would call ahead and make a request on your reservations for (1) an accessible room (2) Bldg near the main pool. My DS (2 yo) had such a good time, he didn't want to come home. Breakfast was great. Loved feeding the ducks & swans in the lake. Be sure to check out the cute lights around the lake by the restaurant. Also, if you are at the hotel between 11 & 4 (or maybe 5) kids eat free with an adult at A&W and Pizza Hut in the lobby.

The only drawback, we were not impressed with the dinner buffet. Didn't try any of the menu items. Kids eat free from the buffet at dinner with a paying adult. (adult can eat off the menu or order buffet.)

Floats are allowed in the pool. If your daughter enjoys these, bring one from home or purchase locally. They have them for rent, but you can but one for less at a drug store.

I hope you have an awesome time!!!!

iluvtig

 

[Tluvs2talk]

We just returned from the HIFS and loved it so much that we are going back in 2 weeks. My Mother is in a wheel chair and we requested a handicapped kidsuite. We had plenty of room. We drove so I did not use the bus system. I would recommend driving as the handicap spots are pretty close to the entrances and you aren't waiting in the heat for the bus to come. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet. They had a lot to choose from, and if varied day by day. The rooms are all easy access to the pool. We were told that if we wanted to face the pool it would be $20.00 more per night. We declined and were still very close to the pool. We bought our water floats from the Walmart in Kissimme. The floats were a little pricey to rent. 4.50 to 6.50 per hour. We paid $1.49 for our water noodle. I think you got an awesome rate!! My Mother is 67 and we paid $99.oo a night. Regular price is $179.00. The only bad experience we encountered was seafood buffet night.(FRI) It was PACKED!! We had a hard time manuevering the wheelchair through the crowd. In all fairness it was pouring rain and may have added to the number of people eating on property that night. My hubby and I are Disney fans and have been 4 times this year alone. We normally stay on property but could not get a room as we called last minute. (a room under $300 that is). We had read good things about HIFS on this board and decided to try it. WE LOVE IT!!!! We will book here from now on when we are traveling with my Mother, or other family members. I loved having so much room. I loved the microwave and fridge. I hope you love it as much as we did. We read a tip about finding your way back to the HIFS from Disney property, just look for the Marriott World Resort. IT is huge. We never got lost because we looked for this huge Hotel to find our way back. It is across the street from HIFS.