is there enough to keep us busy at HIFS for one full day?

[lmmmdtmlem]

Just wondering if there would be enough at HIFS to keep our family busy for one day without leaving the hotel to go to the parks. We are a family of five with dh, and three children ages 10, 7, and 4, and myself. Also, two grandparents. Instead of spending the money for an additional day at one of the parks we thought it might be fun to spend a day hanging out at the hotel. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot!

 

[Eeyorestail]

A hotel day can be a terrific way for you and your family to "refuel" during the course of the week. Regardless of where you are staying, this can definitely recharge the batteries, so I suggest that if you do take a full day to relax, do it sometime around the mid-point of your vacation...

HIFS is also nicely located near International Drive...If there isn't enough at the hotel to keep you occupied, it's not far to go to hit a few attractions that are a good time, and not overly expensive....
These include Ripley's, Wonderworks, and Pointe Orlando...these attractions can take two or three hours, up to a half day or so...
Keeping in the relaxing theme, the movie theater at Pointe Orlando has an IMax theater...

I think you would be safe to take the day at the hotel, especially with all these "backups" close by.

--ET

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

Well, as to whether or not there would be enough to do for a day would depend on your interest in each activity, but I would think even just a lazy day around the pool would be nice. I don't know how familiar you are with HIFS, but you could:

• Go swimming and relax around the pool areas.
• Play ping pong or shuffle board.
• Take part in the activities in the main lobby area that are usually held nightly (such as bingo and Karaoke).
• I don't really know very much about it, but I know that there is J.J's Recreaction Center for kids (I think there's kids books and board games etc?).
• It costs money of course, but there is a fairly large game room (and if you have a Kidsuite you can rent Nintendo 64 games for your room). You can also rent movies in the lobby to watch in your room.
• You could (if you have a car) always drive to the Disney Marketplace and spend a couple hours shopping etc.

I hope that this helps a little bit, and that you have a great trip!!!

 

[Jane E.]

When we went in February my son brought a couple of video games from home and they actually worked in the Nintendo 64 set in our Kidsuite. I was surprised because I heard that games from home wouldn't work. Maybe, we just lucked out on the set we got. We were only there for one night so we didn't get to do very much, but it looked like they had lots of activities.

Last year we stayed in a condo for a few days. We spent our first day hanging out at the pool, drinking rum runners, relaxing, and going out for dinner in the evening. It was perfect for dh as he always feels rushed on vacation. My children are older than yours,and I only have two -so that makes a big difference also.

HIFS is a lot of fun. Have a great time!