HIFS Trip Report

[jellymoon]

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[hercamore]

Hi,

Sorry things didn't work out and you need to be moved. The HIFS gets many mixed reviews, which is too bad.

The only constantly running offsite shuttles that I know of are affiliated with the downtown disney hotels.

Herc.

 

[debbie655]

I've gotta say that we've stayed at HIFS every year since they opened and my family loved it there. This past summer I made reservations at The Royal Pacific but due to pressure from my husband and 9 year old, we split up our stay between RP and HIFS (that's how much they love it there). We were very disappointed this year. First, they put us in a room facing the parking lot, which I had requested a poolview room but they said even as a priority member there was a $20 a night fee. I can't remember the room no. but I know it faced the front of the hotel in bldg. 8. This room was really dirty, the wall bed was broken, cracks in the walls, it just looked like no one had stayed there in a very long time, just not at all what we've come to expect from this resort. I even wondered if because we had the FLa lottery promotional rate that that was why they gave us this particular room. Our family was very uncomfortable staying there and went to front desk immediately to ask for another room. Thankfully, the front desk clerk this time was very nice, moved us immediately to a poolview room, and the room was immaculate too! I have to say though that even my husband agreed that our stay there this year was not the same and we probably wouldn't stay there again.

 

[Bobbie]

We will be staying there next month and I am (or had been) so psyched from everything that I had previously read about the hotel. Now, I'm a little scared. Hopefully, we'll get a really clean room!!!
I've done a lot of traveling and know that these things happen at all hotels from time to time, my concern is how well the staff addresses the issues and how they correct the problem. I am also gifted with a big mouth, so I tend to get my issues resolved fiarly easily. (Probably just to shut me up!!!) LOL
Thanks for the posting the info, at least now, I can be aware of what we might encounter.

 

[disney funseeker]

I'm just a touch worried now about what we will encounter when we arrive.

This will be our 3rd trip to Disney but our 1st at HIFS. I booked because of all the recommendations and even got my sister excited and convinced enough to book there for her trip.

We'll definitely speak up if not satisfied but hope everthing turns out fine.

 

[momofdbsdc]

We were there in Sept. for 10 days and didn't have any problems! We are planning on returning next year. Sorry to hear about the bad experience, but it does happen at all hotels from time to time.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi Jellymoon!

I strongly suggest you make a copy of your post on this page and senfd it to HIFS and ask for some sort of refund. Mention that you have informed the members on this website and people are CONCERNED about HiFS!

HIFS has a loyal fan club and THERE IS NO EXCUSE for the conidtions you encountered and LET THEM KNOW!

While you where there did you get any information about the Sister Property located west of Animal Kingdom?

POWER OF THE MESSENGER!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[jellymoon]

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[Debbie]

While you where there did you get any information about the Sister Property located west of Animal Kingdom?

More info, please! That's the first I've heard of another property!
TIA!

 

[poohbears5]

We stayed ther this past July we didn't experience anything like that wow I would of been quite upset.

 

[MK Familystone]

The "Sister Resort" is a timeshare suite resort. We learned about it when we went to the information desk adjacent to the restrooms in the main lobby. This counter has the Theme Park passes at a discount. The park passes cost $25 per adult and were tied in with a tour of the "Sister Resort".
If someone else can help!
SORRY!

 

[mrsscooter]

Howdy! I too have to say that I am a wee bit nervous about our vacation after thanksgiving. I booked the HIFS(maingate east???) for Nov 30 to Dec 3 with 2yr old AND 10 mo old. I hope I don't encounter these problems. I am a neatfreak and like someone else that posted on this board, I too am blessed with a big mouth. LOL Like they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I hope our accomodations are ok. Wish us luck.

 

[LKS]

Mrsscooter, there is another resort called the Holiday Inn Maingate East that is not the HIFS. I don't know anything about that one, but you might want to make double sure which one you booked.

That being said, we have stayed twice at HIFS, when it was quite new, and it was not hard to tell that it was not put together with the highest quality materials and that things would deteriorate quickly. In particular, the pull-out cot in the kids room was already a disaster requiring a real man of steel to move it in and out. I love the concept and for a good price, I would definitely stay again, but if your room is in disrepair, insist on another.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi Mrsscooter:

WWW.hifamilysuites.com
Try this website to verify where you are going.

Jellymoon: great post!

ENJOY!

 

[WDWKim]

We were at HIFS from Sept 21-28, and only had one small problem. When we returned from the park one night and tried to get into our room we were locked out. Apparently someone turned our access keys off. The front desk rectified it immediately and even had a security guard meet us at our room to make sure we got in.

We had a wonderful experience there and would definately go back.............I requested a pool view and got that with no problems. The only negative thing I could say about the whole resort, was their guest relations desk. The day before we were leaving was my birthday, I went to the guest relations desk to ask what we could do in the evening that would be fun. Keep in mind that this was our down day, we had specifically left this day to be a fun day at the pool. In any event the lady there suggested that we go see their sister site for 1 1/2 hours (being told that they would kick us out afterwards) and we could get the Arabian Nights show for 4 of us for $20.00. Now I'm not stupid, I did realize that this was a time share deal........so I knew what we were getting in to.............However, it ended up taking over 3 hours before they were even done their speel (sp)......needless to say we were very angry. When we got back we asked to speak to the manager and explained the situation, he totally understood and deducted a night of our stay. So I would say that we were very much accomadated. If the girl at the desk never said "it would not be anymore than an hour and a half," I wouldn't have had a leg to stand on.........So IMHO, HIFS even compensated us for something that they actually had nothing to do with. Remember that the guest relations desk are NOT HIFS employees (just keep that in mind when you ask them things).

Kim

PS Be careful if you do the time share tour!!!! We later found out that you can actually get up at exactly 1 1/2 hours and tell them that the tour is over, get what you went for and leave.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi WDWKIM!
do you remember the name of the Sister property
of HIFS? Thanks!
ENJOY!

 

[JoBP117]

Does anyone know if the pool is heated at HIFS?

Also, can you choose which kids' theme room you get?

What's the best room view? Can you pick that?

Thanks in advance!
Jo

 

[chloesmommi]

When I made my reservation, I requested a particular theme and gave them a second choice just in case. They try to accomodate you, but won't guarantee anything. As far as view, I guess a pool view would probably be the best because I believe the only other view would be of the parking lot.

 

[JoBP117]

I just got this email from HIFS in response to my question about whether the pool is heated and whether you can request a theme room.

"Thank you for your interest in our resort. Yes all the pools are heated. Yes you can request the theme for your suite it is not a guarantee however we try very hard to honor as many request as possible. It is always good to give 2 or 3 choices when making a request.

We are looking forward to your stay with us. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Linda Nelson

Internet Sales Manager"

We ended up getting a room at the All-Star Sports this time (our first trip with the kids) for our early December trip. Maybe next time we will try HIFS.

 

[WDWKim]

MK Familystone,

No I don't, but I do remember that they told me that it was owned by Holiday Inn. It wasn't that far away either, maybe a 10 minute drive.

Kim