Need advice, ASMo or HIFS

[Lookn4magic]

My DW and I have been planning our WDW trip for a couple of months now and really thought we were set. We'll be going for 2 weeks in April 2003 with 2 DS's. We had originally hoped to stay at HIFS but the rates were so high that we just couldn't bring ourselves to book there and decided to stay on site at ASMo. Recently we came across a rate for HIFS (government rate) that is just a few $'s more per night than the AAA rate at ASMo, which we have reserved. This is going to be our first trip (of many hopefully) to WDW and we really would appreciate any comments or experiences that could help us decide whether to stay on site for the magic and the perks or go offsite for the comfort and costs.

 

[taylor1293]

I haven't stayed at ASMo's, so I can't comment on it. However, I have stayed at HIFS.

If you are going to have a car, I'd stay at HIFS. It's just a few minutes outside of WDW property. So convienant to everything. Plus it includes free breakfast. The rooms are clean and spacious enough for 4 people. The pool is great and the hotel offers activities in the evening (face painting, puppet shows, bingo, balloon animals ect).

I'd like to stay at ASMo, I LOVE the theming. However, we will never stay there because I could not imagine squeezing my family of 4 into a 260 sq ft room (vs 485 sq ft at HIFS). If you are in your room other than just to sleep, ASMo will probably be too small.

As for loss of magic, we stayed both on-site and off-site a few weeks ago and the magic was present just as much during the first 1/2 of our trip as the 2nd 1/2.

Good luck with your decision

Teresa

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello Lookn4magic- Use the search feature at the top of the page and do a keyword search for HIFS. You'll find tons of reviews from many different people. We've stayed at both, prices being unequal ( more at HIFS ) we'd still stay at HIFS. What are your dates? There have been many discounts for this resort told on these boards, hope we can help you get a great rate.

 

[hercamore]

Ok, IMHO,

If you are going to Orlando for two weeks!,

I thnk you are going to be tired of any hotel for that lengh of time.

Split up your stay. Rent a house or a condo for one or both weeks.

You can get a comparable price on a ondo or house to HIFS. And save money having a kitchen/w/d.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Herc.

 

[Robinrs]

I have stayed at both. I could not imagine in my wildest dreams four people staying in the claustrophobic rooms of the All Stars for one night much less two weeks! I stayed with my 7yo son and felt crowded.

On the other hand I stayed with my son and my very private sister in the HIFS for 4 days. We all had our own space and it was great. The rooms are smallish but there are 3 separate spaces for guests. My sister stayed in the living room, I had the bedroom and my son had the kids suite. It was an awesome set up for us. The breakfast was great and whatever we didn't eat we could put in the refrigerator for later.

My only hangup was the bus service. I would definitely have a car if I stayed there again.

Of course the bus service is a major plus for the All Stars but the distance we had to ride to the parks (except the AK) was very long and on the way back we always had to stand up all the way. Then we had to hike back to the room! The food courts were very expensive and the food was mediocre at best.

Needless to say I didn't feel much "magic" at the All Stars. If I had my druthers, I go HIFS all the way!

 

[CPM]

HIFS!!!!!!

I don't know how families stay at that AS, the rooms are so small & there sin't anywhere to put your luggage. Two weeks is a long time.

 

[busy mom]

If you are afraid you will miss the Disney Magic, request a disney themed room at HIFS. That's what we did for our next trip!

 

[Lookn4magic]

Thanks to all of you for the help, we have made our decision and reserved a Kids suite at HIFS for our trip from 4/2 thru 4/18 2003. Between location, kids eat free program, kids suites and the fact that we will be doing quite a few off-site attractions, plus all the great advice we got to our post, we feel very confident with this hotel and are getting even more excited ( if that's possible ) than we were. I am still hoping that at some point in the future we will have an onsite experience, but for this trip HIFS appears to be the best choice.

 

[DJBounce]

We had to make the same decision, although there are 5 of us. We would have had to get 2 rooms at ASMo. We chose the HIFS because of price, convenience, themeing, and the free food. This saves us so much $$$$$. We stayed at POR in JUne and we were cramped.