HIFS vs Country Inn Calypso Kid Suites

[addie boy]

OK folks,
Longtime lurker, first time poster.

Someone please give me the pros and cons of both. There seems to be a lot of HIFS fans here and I'm wondering if the Country Inn at Calypso Cay Kid Suites are favorably looked upon as well.

We're (2 adults, 7yo and 4yo) heading up on January 17 and need to decide which one to stay in.

Thanks

 

[AZKathy]

Welcome to the DIS!!!!

I have not done the Country Inn Kid Suites, but just the King Suite there. We have always been happy at the County Inn and Suites where ever we stay including this one. It is a newer hotel and it shares pools with Amerisuites which is a zero entry pool. It also has a slide. The hotel is clean and the people there were very nice. The breakfast was good with french toast, bagels, pastries, fresh fruit, cereal, etc.

The HIFS has a lot more to offer for activities at the resort. The pool is much bigger and the breakfast has more to offer. The kidsuite is bigger than the king suite with a separate living area with a couch and chair, a king size bed in the bedroom with a small bedroom to the side with a bunk bed and trundle bed. he thing I did not like about HIFS was the limited elevators. There was like two per building and sometimes it took a long time for the elevator to come.

Both are in the same vicinity, but HIFS is a bit closer to WDW. Both are fine choices, but if you are looking for more to do at the resort, go for HIFS. If you are going to not spend a lot of time at the resort, then go for the best price. I think you will probably get a better deal with Country Inn and Suites.

 

[zaxmom]

We have stayed at both and enjoyed both. Our deciding factor for trying the Country Inn & Suites last time was the water slide. HIFS does not have one, but I read that they were going to install one.

Aside from the slide, I like HIFS better. There is more room and privacy in their kid suites that the CI. At CI there is no door between the kid area and king bed area. It is more of an alcove. They just have two small captain's beds with drawers underneath and a tv. Very cramped in there. HIFS gives you a king room with a door, and bunk or twin beds in a kid area with a curtain, and a small living area. There is a small table and a chair at CI. The breakfast is better at HIFS as well.

 

[suebo]

Hi,

We just got back last night from FL. We spent 2 nights at HIFS and 2 nights at Amerisuites (which is right next to Country Inn and Suites)

We have 3 dd's (8,6&4)
They loved each hotel for different reasons.

HIFS:
Each evening:
free face painting (fantastic job) They did this during the day also
free bingo (7-8 p.m.)
free comedy/magic show (8-9 p.m.)
free karaoke (9-11 p.m.)

Santa was in lobby and they held a gator in the lobby brought over from Gatorland (every Thurs.)

train ride around the hotel
kids check in with game room tokens & coloring book and crayons
nice pool
nicely themed room with bunk beds


Amerisuites:
free popcorn in lobby free choc. chip cookies at Country Inn (yes, we went over and got some and checked out the place)

minigolf (much better than HIFS, classier w/real golf balls not wiffle balls)

breakfast food was more appealing to them than HIFS and they liked not having to leave the hotel and walk outside to get to the main lobby to have breakfast

waterslide was perfect for them

They loved the super warm pool in front of the Country Inn and Suites It was in between a reg. heated pool temp. and a hot tub temp. It was heavenly on the morning we used it. Safe for all ages.


So, as the above poster mentioned, it all depends on what you are looking for. We thought the Amerisuites was nicer than the Country Inn and Suites. We didn't see their rooms though, just the front lobby and breakfast area. We had plenty of room with 5 of us. I will go back there in a heartbeat. My kids wanted to leave Magic Kingdom and go back to the hotel if that tells you anything. The price and location is what totally sells me on choosing Amerisuites. Although I did enjoy the kids activities at HIFS, you just can't beat the price of $39 + tx which is what we paid. We felt the HIFS was worth the $77/night we paid also.


If you have specific questions, email me. I'd be glad to ramble on some more. If you decide on HIFS, let me know, I have the famous free pizza party coupons to send to people. We enjoyed our free pizza party on our 1st night at HIFS!

Sue