Keep HIFS res. or change to FW cabin?

[dijid]

We currently have a reservation for HIFS from 5/11-18. It's me, DH, DD4, DS2, DD7mo and my sister (21) will join us for 4 nights. All of a sudden I'm having serious second thoughts about staying there. Got the entertainment card rate of $89 which is great.

My biggest concern is that we can't just jump on Disney transportation if our party decides to split up. (say I want to take the baby back for a nap. Or my sister decides to stay til closing, but we leave early). Any decisions have to be made in advance to sign up for the shuttle.

We seriously considered getting 2 rental cars instead of 1 minivan. Now I'm considering that maybe we should change to a FW cabin. Besides only having 1BR, why else should I choose HIFS?

Anyone able to compare/contrast the two? Please let me know what you think!

 

[Straitlover]

Several things:

1) Have you checked to see if there is any availability in the cabins at this late date and what the price is? If you can't get a discount, I believe they are over $200 per night.

2) Depends if you wnat a fancier pool or not. pools at the campground are not fancy at all. Wouldn't matter to me, but it might to you.

3) I understand aobut the splitting up thing. I'd check the prices on 2 rental cars and HIFS vs 1 minivan and the campgroind and see which is more.

4) If you stay at the campground, could you do away w/ the car rental altogether and just take a towncar from/to airport? That might save a little $$.

5) If the cabins are too much, what about 2 rooms at a value? You might have better luck getting a discount code on them than the cabin.

Sorry to ramble. Just wanted to throw out several possibilities for you.

 

[drgnfly30]

I have not personally stayed at FW but I remember reading a review about the cabins being quite a hike to the transportation area. If your main consideration is coming back midday for naps and such it may not be as easy as you'd think.
HTH
Christine

 

[CarolynNC]

If you're considering the FW cabins you might want to check out the information on the camping board. It's been several years since I stayed at the cabins but every trip back we consider them again. We really enjoyed our stay there and the only reason we don't stay there now is my son is way too tall for the bunk beds. I really appreciated the full kitchen.

I know some people complain about the transportation but in my opinion once you figure out the system it's no worse than any of the other resorts. My son always hopes we'll go back and rent a golf cart but I've never thought it was needed. We parked our car when we arrived and never moved it until we were ready to leave for home.

Most of our trips now consist of my son, his friend, my sister, and myself. It's very important for us to be able to split up and move around separately. That way we can all tour at our own speed. I now always book on site or at Downtown Disney where I know there is regular transportation.

I'm sure the rate will be more than the HIFS. I don't know if HIFS charges an extra adult fee but WDW does. There are some codes listed at www.mousesavers.com and the cabin is listed at $169 (if available for your dates).

Hope you have a great trip.

Carolyn

 

[Gillian]

Staying onsite does seem like a good idea if you have 3 adults and really might split up. It's good for everyone to take a midday break, not just the baby, but it's nice to have options.

Do think about 2 value rooms.

The cabins are lots of fun and fort wilderness has some great activities like the campfire and the petting farm. You need to take the internal busses to get anywhere, as you can't park your car within the campground, except at your cabin.

Cabin downsides
-you have to take 2 busses or a bus and a boat to get to the parks. The internal FW bus is really necessary unless you like to walk VERY far.
-Just one TV (living room)
-1 sink in bathroom & 1 in kitchen. Hairdryer is in the bedroom
- a pack n play makes things very tight in the bedroom. It's tiny.
- the bunk beds seemed small to me. I couldn't fit in the bottom one to read with my son.

 

[thumperjr9]

We have stayed at both. Last year at HIFS and at the Wilderness Cabins several years ago. They are both great resorts. Wilderness Cabins is more serene and quiet. Everything is spread out. The transportation was effecient but some what complex. HIFS is very lively, very oriented to young kids. They will love having their own themed room. The pool at HIFS would be more suited to kids that age, also nice play area.

We are going back to HIFS this year. But we did the same debate. It will be me, DH, DS4, DS16 and his friend. I am sure there will be times when we will split up. A 2nd car won't really help us because the teens can't drive the rental anyway. But we are thinking we could always go back and pick them up or make use of the shuttle.

I think that HIFS would be more suited for your family if you can work out the transportation problem. The extra cost of the Cabins will probably cost more than renting the extra car.

Too bad there isn't a place on-site, like HIFS, at the same price. That would solve our problems.