HIFS vs. HardRock Hotel

[Moma2]

Planning for late August and can't decide between 4 nights at HIFS or Hardrock. We plan on doing Universal and SeaWorld first and then moving over to PO or CBR at WDW for 5 nights. Anyone stay at HardRock yet? We are 2 adults and 2 kids and from what I've seen of HIFS it looks great. My DH really likes staying on-site at WDW but I don't know anything about Universal on-site hotels or the benefits. Does HIFS have a shuttle to Universal? How close is it if we drive? Thanks so much........

 

[TigerBear]

I believe that on-site guests at Universal have Front of the Line Access for rides - which would really make staying at HardRock worth it (atleast for the beginning of your trip). Check out the Universal Studios/IOA board (on this site) to find out more. `

 

[Brenda67]

I just came back on Tues. 7 nights at HIFS&4 at HR. Both these hotels were great&I would stay at both again. Money wise HIFS would be cheaper you get free breakfast for all&the kids eat free alot of the other time. How much privacy do you want.....suites give you your'e own BR. HR you'll be in the same room unless you upgrade to more expensive accomodations.
Staying on site for USF was a bonus&we would do it again with our 3 kids but not more then 4 nights in the room together. (we realy only slept in the room so it wasn't bad)

From the HR you can walk or take water taxi to the parks. Only 5 min walk. Show your'e room key and get front of the line for rides&shows. We loved that we only had a 5 min wait or no wait.

If I had 1 complaint about HR it would be that the pool closes at 10:00pm HIFS stays open till 12:00. I hope some of this helps&didn't confuse you too much but its had to compare these hotels there both very good.
Don't know how old your'e kids are but mine loved IOA the best&so did me &DH. Its just an awsome park.

 

[Moma2]

Thanks so much Brenda! My husband really wants to stay at HR because he likes to be close to everything and do the afternoon pool break. The front of the line perk sounds great (UNIV. answer to FASTPASS, huh?) and being able to walk into the park would be nice. HIFS was my choice because so many people rave about it. One more question, how was the room at HR? We've stayed at CBR in Disney... can you compare it to a Disney Moderate resort? Thanks again...

 

[Crystalwv]

If you have the DC make sure to check on the entertainment rate at HR. We are staying there in June for 129.50! Well worth it for the "front of the line" perk. We are staying 5 nights at WDW and then 2 at HR.

 

[Brenda67]

We had a standard garden view room with 2 queen beds&a cot for my ds that we folde up every day for more room. I thought the rooms were spacious&beautiful. Comfy white duvets on the beds&room was very clean. I can't compare for never stayed on site ay DIS.

Before we left I was worried we would be cramped from some of the posts I read but really only in the room about an hour in the mornig then after the pool closed at 10:00 we would just go to bed. Everyone would be wiped. There are bigger rooms available depending on your'e needs. If we were staying longer we would have got a larger room but this worked fine for 4 nights.