hifs/ tropical palms/something else?

[paula0000]

Hi! I have been learning so much great info on these boards since I was referred here by the Mousesavers website. Here is my dilemma. SInce last summer I have had a King Kidsuite booked with the entertainment card rate at HIFS for Feb 2004. I got an $86 rate for the weekdays and a $102.50 rate for the weekend days we will be staying there. At the last moment our dates have had to change from feb 10-17 to Jan 10-17 and according to HIFS, they have no more discounted rooms at all remaining for those dates. I feel I still really got a good rate at $106.40/night. Then I saw an ad for Tropical Palms for a 2 bedroom cottage-thing for $89 per night... My problem is it was really supposed to be a budget trip and I am wondering if anyone has any input on another place to stay in the Orlando area that is at least a suite (where we can put the kids to bed in their own room and still stay up later to watch tv etc.) Or would anyone recommend Tropical Palms over HIFS? Would HIFS be worth the extra money? We are 2 adults, and a nine and five year old- it has to be a kid friendly place... any opinions or ideas would be appreciated

 

[sln88]

Amerisuites Calypso cay(they were o hotelkingdom for $44, but may have gone up)


Skyauction- 2 bedroom condos for $265 a week

I just saw a special for HIFS for a B1G1 free, but don't know if it is good for your dates

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

We've stayed at both HIFS and a Tropical Palms 2 bdr cottage with our family. I would absolutely pick Tropical Palms. HIFS has a bigger, fancier pool, but that may not be that much of an issue in Feb. anyway. HIFS does also have the free breakfast buffet, which is convenient, but the cost of the hotel is higher so no real cost savings there. TP does have a little poolside cafe with cheap-o breakfasts (scrambled eggs, bacon, etc.). Food is not that great, but it's cheap and fast. On the other hand, we only ate breakfast there one time (using the "free bkfst" coupon we got at check in) because our cottage had a full kitchen and it was so convenient just to "eat in" each morning while we were all taking turns using the bathroom, getting dressed, etc. HIFS does have a SMALL kitchenette area (mini-fridge, microwave, bar-size sink) and a tiny table w/2 chairs, but at TP you get a full-sized dinette table w/ 4 chairs, FULL sized fridge/freezer, FULL sized stove w/ burners and oven, microwave, and best of all, A DISHWASHER! Plus you have dishes, pots, pans, silverware, etc. so you can cook full meals if you wish. At HIFS, the best you can do is nuke some leftover pizza, maybe some instant oatmeal, etc., but you'll have to bring your own paper plates and plastic forks. So for cooking/eating, TP wins hands down.

As for sleeping arrangements, both would be fine for your family size. The kids room at the HIFS only has a cloth curtain for a door though, so would not keep out noise from TV or conversation in the living room area. TP has regular doors on the bedrooms. TP also has a neat sleeping loft above the living room area that your kids would probably enjoy, but it is open to the living room.

Bathrooms at both places are small, but both do have a tub/shower combo. Probably more storage/shelf space at HIFS bathroom.

TP cottages have a deck w/ picnic table and it's nice to sit out there in the morning having your coffee or in the evening with a beverage or two. More privacy than HIFS, which is your standard hotel style (rooms share walls w/ other people's rooms).

Both are a VERY short drive to WDW (5 - 10 minutes tops)

TP is also right next to Old Town, which has lots of shopping and attractions (I've never gone there, but heard it's fun if you have the time).

HIFS was fine, my family and I just enjoyed TP alot more. Any other questions, I'll be glad to try to answer!

Sue

 

[Jane E.]

It really depends upon what you want. We've stayed at both TP and HIFS. We enjoyed both places. TP seemed to have a little more room. The deck with the small picnic table was nice. My sons were teenagers and were able to roam around, play basketball and skateboard. However, as I remember HIFS has a TV in the master bedroom, video game set in the kids room & the livingroom also had a TV. It was nice having the kids in separate areas each with something different to do. At TP there was only one TV. If your decision is based upon price alone by the time you add in your free breakfast the rate will be about the same. You may want to check out the amenities and location of each to see which will work out best for your family. Our kids had a great time at both places.