HIFS vs. MOWC which to choose?? (long)

[LisaRay]

My DH is going to a convention in june and we have to decide where to stay. These are the choices. And we just can't seem to decide. We can see great things about either one but change our minds every hour! Maybe some insight from others would help.

1st HIFS.....
This is an odd question because we have stayed at hifs but it was in january and it was the week that it was freezing outside (high of 30 one day!!) So its hard for me to get a handle how busy this place will be in june?

We are thinking of staying here since there is so much to entertain the kids with. Plus since we just took a disney trip in Jan. and can't really afford another this will be a VERY cheap trip for us and we know that this place will really cut down our food bill. We will not be going to the park much we are thinking about 2 day hoppers from the convention since we really only like to tour in off season but will need a little fix. So the kids and I will have alot of down time at the hotel. I am thinking that everyone will be at the parks so it might not be too bad at the pool area till the mid day break time and then will probably clear out again as everyone goes back to the parks for the evening?? But even though they have a very nice and big pool area I'm affraid that with as big as this hotel is it could get really packed at the pool. And with a 3 yr. old who can't really swim (plus me that just wants to relax, lol) it could get ugly?? We like the extra space, free entertainment and cheap food that this place provides but also think maybe we should try something different that we couldn't/wouldn't ever afford on our own.

Ok now MOWC....
We have never stayed here before but have read good things. Our room rate comes with 2 adult breakfast buffets (we would use one for me and the other for 12 yr. old since company pays for DH's breakfast and I am the one who found a cheaper rate here that encludes breakfast than the rate they were being charged for the convention) So we would probably have to pay for 3yr. the eat though. The pools look great here and there seem to be alot of them. It just looks so nice like it would be a special luxurious treat to stay here and the rate I found is pool view so the balcony would be nice too! I just worry that the food would be high ( really only worried about lunches cause for dinners we'll go elsewhere but for lunch we'll be trapped while DH is at conv.) and that it's just a hotel sized room no extra space since we will be at the resort alot and no free kids entertainment. One of the other things is that I feel we could always stay at the HIFS on a different trip when we are footing the bill in the off season and can find a good rate. But we will never stay at MOWC because for those prices i would be ONsite!

Sooooooo...... if you are still with me THANK YOU and please help me decide !!

 

[Gillian]

Where is the convention? Will you have a car? Can you drop DH off at the convention & then take the car yourself?

 

[Steve P]

MOWC wins on several fronts, IMHO. First the pool is one of Orlando's top 3 with a great slide for the youngin's. (maybe behind Grand Cypress and Stormalong Bay) the hotel is very large and luxurious and is truely a fully self cotained resort. How's about a fully stocked Starbuck's in the lobby ? Eating choices range from a sports bar to Japanese, to fast food and the std hotel restaurant is VG as well. If in-room amenities are a priority rather than those of the common areas, best to wait for others' advice - who've stayed at both.
I have never stayed at HIFS but based on what I've read, it doesnt reflect the same luxury as MOWC. BTW, I'll be there in July. -just my $.02

 

[LisaRay]

Gillian..... yes we will have a car and the convention is at the gaylord palms but no i can't drop him off and use the car. HE schedule varies and he wants to be free to come and go as he pleases. Also because we are from a 3 stoplight town and I have never drove in a big city and well lets just say that DH doesn't trust me!!

We are only going to the parks on his days off so that won't be a problem but the kids and i will be trapped all day where ever we stay.

Steve P....... Thank you for you opinion! That is what i am looking for. Do you happen to know if the MOWC has a zero entry pool? We have been thinking this over all day and still are leaning one way one minute and the other way the next!

 

[Lisa P.]

We enjoy the really nice offsite places (and MOWC is one of them!) but this is one time when you may want to consider onsite. Are there any good rates available for Swan/Dolphin, one of the DD hotels or a Disney moderate?

The reason is for the easy access to shuttle bus transportation. You could take the kids to Fort Wilderness for a day visit. The monorail is fun to ride. Search for hidden Mickeys at Wilderness Lodge. Wander around DD. The food could be pricey but the wide array of other, inexpensive things to do without a car may make it a worthwhile option to consider.

If it was me, I'd choose a nice timeshare property with a ton of things to do... nice pool, playground, game room, organized activities, maybe mini-golf. The costs of these added items is usually cheap or free. Check out Vistana Resort, Orange Lake CC, Silver Lake, Cypress Harbour, Cypress Pointe GV or other Gold Crown/5 Star resorts. You may find that a weekly rental through an owner comes to under $100 per night (including full kitchen). SkyAuction may have your week available for less than $300 per week! HTH!

 

[Gillian]

I totally understand about not wanting to drive in a strange city!!

My parents stayed at the MOWC in Dec 2001. They enjoyed it very much, although they didn't get to use the pools because the weather wasn't great. They were mostly at the parks anyway. Still, they travel a lot & are fairly fussy, so I feel safe recommending it.

If you can get the $139 rate at the swan/Dolphin, it's a great place to be! There is so much to do within walking distance, even if you are skipping the parks. Someone just posted pics of the pools on the resorts board & it looks fantastic! There are a lot of eating options so you should be able to stay within your budget.

Go to the main DIS boards page and look on the right hand side for info on this rate. It has to be booked by May 1sT!!
http://www.disboards.com/index.php?s=

 

[Steve P]

LisaRay - I just called them on another matter and asked about the pools. All pools, (even the kiddie pool) are climb in. The kiddie pool in 2-1/2 ft deep all the way around the perimeter.

 

[tink2dw]

3 budget idea's for you..

1. Stay onsite for= All Stars - $59 with the Annual Passholder rates for 4/28/03-7/3/03......
check www.mousrsavers.com for rates

2. HIFS with Entertainment Book rate....

3. Try priceline for a really knock out rate at MOWC......

 

[Gillian]

The company is paying for the hotel, right? Are those 2 hotels the only options? I know sometimes they give you a list & say, pick one. But where I used to work they were flexible about letting you choose other places, as long as they were in the same price range. Just a thought.

So you guys just need to entertain & feed yourselves? Maybe you need to start a new thread about budget eating tips! Don't forget to stop for groceries on the way to the hotel. It's a lot cheaper to grab snacks from your room than from the hotel pool bar.

Let us know what you choose!

 

[LisaRay]

Thanks to all who have given me even more to think about !

Steve P - thanks for the pool info. I was going to call myself but you saved me the time.

Gillian - yes, the company is paying for the room but we have to keep it under $160 a night. That is the high end of the range we were given and yes these were 2 of the 4 choices given. I have already ruled the other 2 out (DD hotels that i have heard mixed reviews on). With the rate amount that i have to keep it under i tried for a code onsite but was too late. Could only get rack rate at mods and rates over $160 were the only ones left at the deluxes. I could get the swan/dolphin but just wasn't too sure about it either.( maybe i should consider them too? ) I figured the 2 i picked were very close for DH to be going back and forth.
We have been to disney 10 times in the past 9 years 3 of those were in 2001 and 1 in 2002 and the last one was just in Jan 2003. So we are experienced with eating cheap when we travel! And no matter which we choose we will have free breakfast so we were only concerned with lunch options at the MOWC.

Mostly I was just wanting to get some comparisons or advice between the hotels. Thought maybe some 1st hand experience would help me make a decision. Since I've only stayed at HIFS in the very off season that has me worried but on the other hand the kids loved the bunkbeds and 0 entry pool! See this is how it goes can't pick!

 

[Gillian]

Absolutely look into S/D (before that promo ends) if that is an option!! You will feel much less "trapped" there. It's not a bad drive to the Gaylord Palms at all.

Maybe if you call the Marriott they could give you an idea about the food prices? This is on their website:

http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/dining.html

no menus or prices, but at least there is a big variety!

It's nice to be able to stay on someone else's dime, isn't it?

 

[Muffy]

We stayed at the MOWC and it is very nice but I prefered the Dolphin. There is a daily charge for the shuttle at MOWC.

 

[tammie33]

I've never stayed at HIFS or MOWC but have stayed at Swan/Dolphin. You definitely won't feel trapped there.

However, if I had to choose between HIFS or MOWC I probably would pick MOWC. Since you said you probably could not afford MOWC on a personal trip - let the company pick up that tab and splurge. If you start to go stir crazy while your husband is at the Convention, you can take a shuttle or cab to Downtown Disney or to Crossroads. There are several reasonably priced restaurants at Crossroads.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[prncess674]

Disclaimer: I have not stayed at either resort. So I am just giving my opinion.

I would go with the HIFS. It seems they have plenty for the kids to do and alot of choices for cheap eats at the hotel. Also having the extra room would be nice since you would be spending alot of time at the resort. I hate only having beds and maybe a small chair to sit at in a room. HIFS also appears to have a micro and fridge in the room which can be used to whip up very simple meals - Kraft Easy Mac, Spaghetti O's, Ramen Noodles. You could also warm up leftovers for lunch if you went out to dinner the evening before.

It also appears that HIFS has scheduled bus service to WDW. You could always take that over to the WDW area and explore the resorts at your leisure doing all the free activities. I would probably just take a cab back to the hotel for convenience because it doesn't seem that the return schedules are that great

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

LisaRay,

Is the Gaylord Palms an option? I received 2 emails about upcoming specials. 1 is 159.00 p/n incl 2 breakfasts ad the other is $219.00 p/n including a 2 spa treatments. We have stayed there in the past and I would absolutely reccomend it without hesitation. The pool is great and thre is alot in the resort itself. It really is amazing. Just a thought.