Just booked HIFS! Now tell me all about it!

[threeboysmom]

Hi all! We just booked our vacation yesterday! I'm so excited that it is now "official". Got a great rate through Southwest for airfare and great rates for our hotels too. We are booked for the HIFS for our first 3 nights, then onto Universal for our last 4 nights. Can all those who have stayed at HIFS please tell me ALL about it? The good and the bad? I'm in trip planning mode now..... LOL! I've heard people talking about the Priority Club. What benefits are there to joining?

Thanks all! I'm so excited!!

 

[hockey mom]

Your kids will love it. The pool area is great for all ages, free bingo and kareokee at night, free face painting, animal ballon guy, and a whole lot more great stuff to do. My kids would pick this hotel over any we have ever stayed at. Have fun.

 

[westjones]

We liked this hotel. The kids have bunk beds and a TV in their room. The parents have a room (with a door) next to them. You have a sitting area with a couch, table and chairs, and a kitchenette.

The pool is fun for the kids.

If you want to stay off-site, this is a good choice.

DJ

 

[HaleyB]

We'll be there for the first time in June (8th-11th). Did you get the entertainment card rate? That was the best deal I could find.

 

[HaleyB]

Just remembered this
Resturants.com has certificates for the resturant in HIFS.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We stayed at HIFS during our Universal trip in Sept. We took along my 12 yr. old neice and also my sister and dd. Everyone loved it! My neice had her hair braided at the Kids Spa, dd loved the pool, and it was so nice that everyone had their own space. I still will stay onsite to go to Disney, but we have Universal AP's, and I would definately stay at HIFS again on a US/IOA trip.

 

[tink2dw]

Piority club has some great benifits, [maybe get a pool side room?? some get it some don't]

Extended check-out
Complimentary weekday newspaper

Redeem points instantly for hotel stays
No blackout dates for Reward Nights
Purchase points or transfer them between member accounts
Points never expire
3,200 locations to earn and redeem
Fastest way to Elite status
Custom rewards with the Personal Shopper program
Collect points or airline miles
Online personal account access
Single rate for double occupancy

 

[topgumm]

Sorry to interupt, but I was reading the thread and I was wondering what HIFS is? I assume a hotel off-site? Just really curious because you all seem very pleased with it!

Thanks

 

[cheeringmom]

Originally posted by topgumm
Sorry to interupt, but I was reading the thread and I was wondering what HIFS is? I assume a hotel off-site? Just really curious because you all seem very pleased with it!

Thanks

I BELIEVE it is the Holiday Inn Family Suites

 

[HaleyB]

LOL
Yes it is the Holiday Inn Family Suites. There is often a banner ad at the top of this page for another Holiday Inn, there are several. But HIFS is the one most of the people recommend around here (I asked about a billion times over a two month period).

 

[TNJulie]

Just got back from a stay at HIFS. It is a wonderful offsite place to stay with children. We had a tv in each room (living room and 2 bedrooms). Our maid service was excellent!
To avoid big crowds in the breakfast area, get there before 9am.
Would definitly stay there again.

Julie

 

[jgates]

This is a very popular hotel. If you take the Hotel Blvd exit out of DTD and then cross under the interstate you are basically headed right towards it if I remember correctly. It will be a short distance ahead on the right. So quick access to Disney. Free breakfast. Kids eat free from a select menu when dining in 2 of their restaurants. Early 2005 they are changing to a Nickelodeon themed hotel.

 

[topgumm]

Thanks for the info. I am always looking for great deals that people are very pleased with, especially ones that accomodate two children in their own room! I would love to hear more details when any of you get a chance. Can you compare the quality and overall ease of getting from the hotel(to the various parks) to maybe a value resort on-site?

Next year I have one of those BIG birthdays coming up and I would like to ask to visit WDW. I definitely want more than one room next time. We are staying in the Pop in Feb. This is my first time on-site. The other times were pre-kids and a LONG time ago. Because of the info on this site, I am going to try to book everything separately next time!

Thank you

 

[momm2four]

HIFS is EXTREMELY close to Disney. Less than a mile away from the front gate of WDW. Getting back to the hotel was a little trickier, but I just followed the advice that I read on this board, which was to follow the little signs with the airplanes. This led me right back to the hotel.

I agree about getting to breakfast as early as possible. Another thing that we did was to take a tray of food back to the room. It was easier to do that on some mornings than to try to corral four little boys in a buffet line.

I would not rely on the shuttle for transportation. My husband, my two oldest sons and I took it back from the Magic Kingdom one night and it was SOOOO crowded. It stopped at every park, and then I learned that it wasn't just a bus for HIFS. It was transporting to other hotels as well. I'm serious...it was horrible. The boys sat on our laps for the entire trip back (this probably took at least 45 min)

The pool area is absolutely wonderful! The kids loved it.

I think you will be pleased with the hotel and I hope you have a great trip!
Lori P.