HIFS - Rent Car or use Shuttle?

[ttichenor]

Staying at HIFS for first time in October. One of the deciding factors staying there (besides big discount before they discontinued entertainment card - saved over $1,000 bucks on 4 rooms!) was the free shuttle they offered.

Now, I'm not so sure we don't need cars.

We are going to the MNSSHP on the 12th, so I know we'll need transportation back. Plus it seems the transportation fees just to and from MCO seem almost to pay for a car for a week.

Can somebody please share their experience with shuttles at HIFS?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lewisc]

Shuttle schedule is limited, scheduled and requires a reservation the day before.

http://www.hifamilysuites.com/shuttle.html

I'd rent a car. I agree a rental car isn't that much more than airport transfers.

 

[hercamore]

Rent the car and have flexibility.


herc.

 

[MeredithJ]

I agree with everyone else....rent the car. I paid less for my rental car than I would have paid for shuttles to and from the airport for 5 people. But you do want to factor in the parking fees for the parks...you could still have the car and take the shuttles to the parks to save on parking, but the shuttles are usually crowded, and only run at certain times, so if the kids get cranky and want to leave the park early, you could be stuck. I would probably still get the car even if it cost me more with parking and everything, because at least I can come and go as I please.

Meredith

 

[ttichenor]

My conclusions too guys. I'm thinking of some of us want to get to parks early, we can shuttle on over and have the late comers drive over a little later. Not worried about parking cost, small budget item compared to everything else! LOL

Hmmmm.....wonder if I can get a deal with my entertainment book + booking 3 cars????

Thanks again for the input!

 

[thumperjr9]

I vote for getting the rental car. We stayed at HIFS in May. We didn't use the shuttle but did look into it for DS16 and his friend. We had a rental car but they somtimes stayed at the park later then us. However we just ended up going back to pick them up, which wasn't too bad. Keep in mind that you need to reserve a spot on the shuttle the day before. Also, having a rental car will give you more flexibility for meals. If you have little ones that don't like to take naps but maybe need one, having a car is great for that. When my DS4 needed a little rest we would go for a drive and it worked every time. We rented with National and paid $162 for a full size for a week (with coupon in ent. book). If you join the National's Emerald Club there is no addl. charge for your spouse to drive. That could save you over $5/day. Keep checking rates because they may go down as you get closer to Oct.

 

[zaxmom]

Their shuttle was terrible. We only used it one day and going was allright but coming home was horrible. We had to sit on the bus for almost 1/2 an hour while they crammed people on there. Driver was yelling to push back in the aisle and said we would not leave untill everyone was on. It was packed beyond belief. My kids were on my lap and the aisles were packed even more. I would rent the car. You have to rent the car!

 

[ttichenor]

Seems to be a recurring theme of coming back from parks.

Just got back from Six Flags with part of the group and it already seems that we have folks/kids on different types of schedules. DH and DBIL won't be able to hang with us "commando" types! Plus, we ate at Bahama Breeze yesterday and I read one of those is not far from HIFS. Looks like I'll be searching with my entertainment book for cars.

Thanks guys, confirmed what I was already thinking........

 

[zaxmom]

Did you eat at the Bahama Breeze in Kennesaw/Town Center area? I guess you like it.

 

[ttichenor]

No - we went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and at the one in St. Mathews area in Louisville. About 3 hours from here. Just a quick trip for the kids. We eat there everytime we head there.

Zaxmom - overall how did you like HIFS? We've never stayed there before and I'm responsible for 3 other families besides us. We've just outgrown the moderate resorts. We're going in October.

 

[zaxmom]

My husband is the chef at BB here in Kennesaw so I was wondering how you liked it.

We enjoyed HIFS. Now that my kids are older (6 & 4) they want a waterslide. They are in the process of adding those, so we may be back. Breakfast there was very convenient. There was enough to choose from for the pickiest of eaters. My husband has wanted to stay there again because of the breakfast, and like I said he is a chef, so it can't be that bad. Along the levels of Golden Corral or something like that. My son loved the train theming when we were there. The pool was a lot of fun. Our only complaint was when we got back late it was hard to find a good parking place. It is like that about anywhere, though. We thought it much better than a regular hotel room. I would never stay at the All Stars or even a moderate resort at Disney when this option is so close to the parks. I have to warn you that the rooms feel much smaller than the layout of the floorplans make you feel when looking at their website. They were a decent size, though. Much better than a hotel room. When you consider you get breakfast for that many people for free it is a good deal.

That being said, I much prefer to get a 2 BR condo, because you have so much more room. I do not use the kitchen, but ususally use the washer and dryer and love having the patio. The kids always like having a jetted tub. This year we are staying at Cypress Pointe for $65 a night through Hotelkingdom. My husband wanted the breakfast at HIFS, but with the difference in price we can certainly go out.

 

[ttichenor]

Thanks for the response, zaxmom. We stayed at CBR in 2000, DH, DDthen5, DDthen8 and me. I slept on the floor for the week. Two double beds just too small then. Now DD 12 (at 5'8") and her buddy (5'7") DD9 and DH and I trying HIFS. With the group we have going, DD9 staying in aunt's room with cousin. Did request to get a twin suite instead of bunk beds when I found out bunks were only 5' long.

Would be interested to hear about Cypress Point when you get back. May look into a house next time we go too. Another advantage of a rental car....able to look around more.

Thanks for your help!

p.s. Tell hubby Nashville needs a BB. Can't beat those strawberry/pina colada drinks and jerk anything!

 

[thumperjr9]

My husband has wanted to stay there again because of the breakfast, and like I said he is a chef, so it can't be that bad.

That's interesting! We have stayed there our last 2 trips and always thought the breakfast was just fine too. It isn't fancy but there is plenty to choose from and you can always find something you like. BTW my family loves Bahama Breeze but they just closed the one near us (Rochester, NY) I don't know why, it seemed to be a popular place, always packed when we were there.

 

[zaxmom]

thumperjr9-DH said they closed that one as well as 5 or 6 others. They do plan on opening more. I think they will go with smaller building layouts or something so there is not as much overhead.

As for breakfast at HIFS, I always thought it was fine, too. We realize it is not going to be gourmet. I will be interested in staying there again when they have the waterslide and such and a character breakfast. My 4 year old would still love to meet Blue's Clues.