Looking for the impossible?

[DisPadre]

Whew! There's a lot of info to digest on these posts!! Here's what I'm looking for:

We are a family of four (2 adults, 1 DS (3 yrs), 1 DD (1 1/2 yrs) on our first trip to Disney. We are looking for 3 days at Disney Parks, 1 day at Seaworld. Here are our priorities:
1) Since our kids are young we need naptime, so...
a) We'd like a hotel suite with more than one room for napping (i.e., 1 bedroom, 1 living
room)
b) Commuting time back to the hotel should be fairly short. Obviously on-site is better.
2) Breakfast included (other than continental)
3) Kitchen (or at least refrigerator and microwave)
4) Indoor or heated pool.
5) Here's the kicker: preferably keep it under $100/night, although we may pay more for
everything on-site.

I'm considering:
1) HIFS, but I'm worried about the commute. How often do their shuttle buses run, and how
long does it take to get back? Best deal $86/night.
2) Two rooms at one of the All-Stars, but I'm not thrilled about what I've read. Best deal
$98/night for two rooms.
3) Caribe Royale. Same worries as HIFS, and not as suitable for kids as young as mine. Best
deal: ??
4) Doubletree. But is the commute any better than HIFS, and suitability. Best deal:
$78/night.
5) Ft Wilderness cabin, on-site, but how rustic is it? Best deal: $139/night.

I'd appreciate any help I could get. We are looking to go kind of last minute; end of November, beginning of December, so I haven't had a lot of time to research. Let me know if you need any other questions answered....

 

[thepeanutsdad]

the comfort suites quoted me at 94 dollars per night for a 2 bedroom suite. they are about 5-10 minutes from epcot on 192. that was for Nov. 30 and Dec 1.

 

[tink2dw]

DisPadre,We truely loved our stay at HIFS we were Dw,Dh,DD,with DGrand-dd,and DD 15.
The pool is a graet Kids POOL!! And there are so many on site activitiy for families here is that link click on their paramids
http://www.hifamilysuites.com/index.html?



HIFS has two bedrooms 1 mastebedroom with a doorand 25" tv,then the kidsuite has 2 bunkbeds and some have a Trundle bed[a low small kid bed]anda 25"TV/Vcr,with nintendo 64[gamesrent for $5.00per 24 hrs]a CD player and Bedtime Storyphone,the livingroom has a pull out queen size couch,a25"tv and a progamable safe and a kitchenette with a refidgerator,micowave and sink. And a larger bathroom[w/hairdryer] than All Stars. Hifs also has Cribs and High chairs available on request.

ADULTS AND KIDS EAT FREE AT HIFS

The HIFS "Family Values Package" includes room, FREE buffet breakfast and FREE buffet dinner, and lots more, for $115 per night! This is an outstanding deal. Valid through 12/22/01. To read more about it,
http://www.mousesavers.com/offsite.html#hifs

HIFS is 1 mile from the WDW gates and then turns into Epcot RD.
We had a rent a car so we didn't use the shuttles [except to follow back to the hotel,the wayback is a tricky 3 way exit and if you don't know which to take it gets tricky,be sure to ask the front desk for the proper directions]
here is a map link
http://www.hifamilysuites.com/art/himapa.jpg

Here is a link for the Shuttle Schedule
http://www.hifamilysuites.com/shuttle.html

And Last but not least is the buy one night get one night FREE coupon link
http://www.sixcontinentshotels.com/holiday-inn?_template=night_free.html

I know you will have a Great Time at HIFS!! They have a Great Staff and Ask for a Disney Themed Room and you will have it all!!

 

[thepeanutsdad]

I was wrong about comfort suites that was quality suites....my DW corrected me...she makes all the reservations.

 

[hercamore]

dispadre, the Doubletree suites in downtown disney would suit your needs. There's a special rate on the homepage of this site. I've only heard good things about these suites and you would be closer than HIFS. However, no bkfst. included.

 

[kiddisney]

hi dispadre -

i think there's something you need to consider before you decide - and that's when you'll be
going - if you're going to be there when the parks open late - then you'll have enough time to
go back for naps - but if you are in the parks when they close at 7 then you may not have
enough time to leave & return - even with being close -

this is what we did when dd was 3 & ds was 18mos - we went in the off season when the parks
weren't that crowded - and got a room on-site (either port orleans or dixie landings) - and
brought our own strollers so that we could get the kids mobile before before we even got to
the parks (it also helps in the airport) - and then because the parks weren't crowded - we found
a quiet spot (in mk there's a really nice spot on the path up to the castle on left hand side when
facing the castle - in epcot the gardens in canada is great) and let the kids nap in their strollers
while we had tea and conversation -
we did this for two days - then took a day off - and did this for another two days - and it helped
in the timing because by the time you leave the park - get back to the room - take an hour nap
(say for the 18mos old) and get back again - it's at least 3 hours
out of the time you have in the park - and deduct meal time - and you don't get too much "real"
time -

hopefully this helps and good luck - kiddisney

 

[Lisa P.]

If you will not have a car, forget about staying offsite with such young children. Relying on limited offsite shuttles (no midday pick-ups) will only frustrate you. Onsite shuttles are reliable but you may still find that you need 15 minutes to 45 minutes one-way, depending on when the last shuttle came and where you are going. All Stars to MK is a haul. Wilderness Cabins to anywhere is a haul and can involve more a transfer (MK boat or Epcot monorail, then FW bus). Also, remember to add $10 per day for a mini-fridge at All Stars and 11-12% room taxes to your total figures for all hotels (12% at All Stars & Kissimmee, different county).

If you will have a car, staying offsite will provide what you are seeking. As suggested above, decide whether midday return to your room is really worth it for such a short vacation regardless of onsite/offsite. If you decide to try in-park rests and the parks close at supper time, staying offsite vs. onsite matters much, much less, IMHO. With Early Entry suspended, there's little reason to pay All Stars prices.

Two rooms... close by... breakfast... fridge/micro... heated pool... under $100 per night. You have very good ideas with HIFS & Doubletree. Either would work. HIFS is very close by and bypasses the Downtown Disney traffic, so it's a toss-up with Doubletree, which is really convenient. Both have a lot of repeat guests. Choose whichever appeals to you more.

Also look at other suite hotels in Lake Buena Vista. This Weekly Top 10 Hotel Discounts Page shows a $69 rate for a 2 Room suite at Hawthorne Suites Disney - Lake Buena Vista. Kitchenette/living area w/sleeper sofa, separate BR w/2 queens, one bath and free full breakfast. Don't know if the pool is heated or not. It's not heated at Homewood Suites but maybe it is here, may be worth a phone call. Country Inn & Suites in Lake Buena Vista has a heated pool, continental breakfast and 1BR suites w/king bedroom, separate queen sleeper in sitting room, mini-fridge & microwave - check rates. Their regular rooms are discounted to $49, so the suites ought to be only a little more. If you plan to travel in the next several months, the travel deals are excellent. Hope this helps.

 

[DisPadre]

I thank you all for your input! We will be renting a car so our decision has come down to the following off-site locations:

1) HIFS at full rack rate with "Next Night Free" coupon comes to $69.50/night
2) Vistana Villages at $79.90/night for a 1-BR on HotelKingdom.com

We will be staying 5 full days/6 nights, 2 days at MK, 1 day at Epcot, 1 day at SeaWorld, and 1 day of rest in the middle.

Any further input will be appreciated!

 

[chells]

I'd go the the HIFS - especially if booking directly with them. Hotel Kingdom, I think it is much more difficult to make changes if the need arrises. Haven't stayed at Vistana, but I know our son loves the kids suites at HIFS.

 

[sillypiggy]

Hi! I'm ne here but have been doing exensive research esp in timeshares. Vistana is top requested resort in Orlando. I wish I could go there, but I am on an even tighter budget so here's another option. eBay travel has Skyauction co. that sells extra weeks. This late you can get 1 or 2 BR gold crown RCI resort (not Vistana, tho) for as little as $199 for 7 nights. The $ saved could buy a couple character brkfsts. Great deal for last minute reses IMHO.

Terri