No more Entertainment Card rate at the HIFS

[Mike]

We just spent twelve nights at the HIFS in August at the great Entertainment card rate of $99/night. I just called to book our next trip for 12 nights in June and was told that they no longer offer the Entertainment card rate. The best rate they would give me is the extended stay rate of $143.50/night. I find it hard to swallow a 44% incrase in the hotel portion of my vacation budget - especially when they are only 10 months apart. Does anybody know of any other discounts that the HIFS offers?

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Did you try AAA? How about Orlando Magic Card? We also have the ent rate for this Dec. ($76!! for a King Suite), and would have loved to go back again, but in there is no ent. rate, there's no way I would spend $143 to stay out of the parks!

 

[Mike]

I don't have AAA, but they did tell me that if I did, it would bring down the rate "a little". I didn't get into specifics about it. I just sent them an email requesting a list of discounts that they offer. I don't know if they'll respond to that request but if they do, I will post it here.

$76 is a great rate! We really enjoyed this hotel, but I wouldn't pay $143/night to stay there.

 

[tink2dw]

Have you tryed joining the Priority Rewards Club for the Holiday Inns?? This helps you get a good rate!!

https://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/p...BIMFLRFYEZQDJICRYZSHPVFAKHDIIY4?offerId=WBJPC

 

[Mike]

I have a priority club membership but I didn't realize that members got discounted rates. How much of a discount do members get?

 

[taylor1293]

A few months ago there were posts on this board about HIFS not taking the Entertainment Card any longer. However, I also read that may only be temporary, so keep checking with the hotel.

I agree that $149 a night is too much. I LOVE HIFS, but wouldn't pay that much to stay there.

Most likely there will be discounts as your vacation gets closer. Quite often HIFS offers their own specials, just keep checking their website .

Teresa

 

[nicolep91]

Hi Mike,

I was wondering how your stay at HIFS went? I take it when you said August, you meant just last month, right? I was curious because there have been several people concerned since they have read some negative reports about the cleanliness, pool, service, etc. I'm staying there in November and I hope it's as great a place as I've heard!

Thanks for any info you can share!

 

[Mike]

Hi nicolep91,
Let me start off by saying that for our upcoming trip in June, I asked my kids if they would rather stay at Port Orleans Riverside or HIFS. Their answer was overwhelmingly in favor of HIFS. That is not a knock on POR, we loved our stay there. But HIFS is a nice place and there is so much to do for the kids. From my perspective the extra space, separate bedrooms, 3 tvs, kitchenette, free breakfast buffet all just can't be beat by a Disney moderate. This was our first trip staying offsite and I can honestly say that I did not feel like we were missing out on anything by not staying onsite. We seldom use the Disney busses anyway and we have AP's so we didn't have to pay for parking.
The only complaints that I had were with housekeeping and security. HK did a great job cleaning the room, but they almost seemed to go out of their way to come when we returned to our room for a break. One day, we returned for naps at 2:00 and they came at 2:10. I asked if they could come back at 3:30 and she rolled her eyes and said that they don't like to make up the rooms that late but she did (we were out of our room from 7:30 am - 2:00 pm). The next day we left at 8:00 and returned at 4:00 for naps. You guessed it, about 10 minutes later the maid shows up. So much for not making up rooms late in the day Two out of the 12 days they never came. And twice more they barged into our room without knocking only to tell us that, according to their list the room was supposed to be empty. But I consider this a minor annoyance and could happen anywhere.
The issue I had with security was on our last night. A fire alarm went off at about 5:15 am and we evacuated. The alarm went off for about 15 minutes while we all stood outside. Then it stopped and everyone was hesitant about going back upstairs. Nobody from the hotel ever came to tell us that it was ok or what had happened. The whole time outside, we did not see one person from the hotel come out. It was like the staff was ignoring the fire alarm.
But, to answer your question, these were very minor things and I was very happy with our stay here. I would return again in a heartbeat if the price was right. Unfortunately, that may not be the case unless they offer some discounts.
Any other ???'s just let me know.


Mike

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks, Mike!

I'm relieved to hear that you are still willing to stay at HIFS despite the problems you had (they wouldn't have bothered me too much either but I'm sure it would have some people upset!). The fire alarm would have been the most bothersome that early in the morning, but I understand how those things do happen. Our hotel in Cincinnati actually did catch on fire earlier this year so that probably would have brought back some scarey memories for us!

I'm really looking forward to our stay at HIFS and I know my kids will love the bunk beds and we'll love having our own room. I just didn't want to think I'd made a mistake making our reservations there. We got the ENT rate of $86 before they stopped offering it. I think it's strange that they aren't offering it since they are in the new 2004 book.

Thanks for the info and I hope you find a good rate!

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by nicolep91

We got the ENT rate of $86 before they stopped offering it. I think it's strange that they aren't offering it since they are in the new 2004 book.

That is strange. They weren't in the 2003 book yet offered the rate. Now they are in the 2004 book but aren't offering the rate.

 

[nicolep91]

Mike,

It is strange. I double checked my entertainment book for you and yep, they're there. On page G11 under the section in the back "LOWEST RATE GUARANTEED PROGRAM". Of course, there is a little * stating "subject to availability" and the fine print reads that the discount might not be available at peak times, such as holidays.

If I were you, I would call again and ask if they might be opening up some entertainment rate rooms in the future since they are in the 2004 book. Wouldn't that be like false advertising or something?

 

[kessieann]

When I posted about the ET no longer being accepted awhile back I had been told by an HIFS employee that there was a contractual problem with the people who run the Entertainment Book. They were to immediately stop taking it but honor all those that already had it. She did tell me that they may begin taking the ET rate again sometime during or after Sept. so keep on trying. That may be when they were getting back together to renegotiate whatever the problem was but I am not sure.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I can't help with the ET rate, but I can tell you that we have a rate of $99 through AAA for our stay coming up on 9-26. They also have a deal on the hotel's site with a 21 day advanced booking rate. That rate was $95, but you have to pay at the time of booking, and no changes may be made, no refunds if you cancel.

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by nicolep91
Mike,

It is strange. I double checked my entertainment book for you and yep, they're there. On page G11 under the section in the back "LOWEST RATE GUARANTEED PROGRAM". Of course, there is a little * stating "subject to availability" and the fine print reads that the discount might not be available at peak times, such as holidays.

If I were you, I would call again and ask if they might be opening up some entertainment rate rooms in the future since they are in the 2004 book. Wouldn't that be like false advertising or something?

I emailed HIFS to question them about this and here is the reply that I got:

Dear Mike,



We, the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort in Lake Buena Vista, no longer honor the Entertainment discount as of mid-June 2003. There might be a listing for Holiday Inn in general, but that does not include us specifically. If there is a listing for Holiday Inn Family Suites, could you kindly send us a copy or fax us that specific page so we can get that taken care of. We did not sign any contract with Entertainment for our resort in 2004.



Our reservations fax number is: 407-387-1488 Attn: Angie. Or our mailing address is: 14500 Continental Gateway Orlando, FL 32821.



Thank you for your time and let me know if I can help you further.



Angie

Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort

14500 Continental Gateway

Orlando, FL 32821

Phone: 1-877-387-5437 ext.3050

Visit us: www.hifamilysuites.com





nicolep91,
Would it be possible for you to fax me a copy of the HIFS listing in the 2004 Entertainment book? I'd like to follow up with them on this but I do not have the 2004 version. If you are willing, I can PM my fax number to you.

 

[Mike]

With the help of nicolep91, I faxed a copy of the HIFS listing in the 2004 Entertainment Book to them. Here is the reply that I just got back:

Mike

Thank you, I have received the fax and we are checking into it as we type. I will let you know as soon as a here something.

Angie

Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort
14500 Continental Gateway
Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: 877-387-5437 x3050
Visit us: www.hifamilysuites.com

 

[fuzzball]

I have an entertainment rate booking from 31 Jan 2004 for 2 weeks which I made in June, yes I like to plan ahead. Anyone think there is a chance they won't honour the rate.

 

[kessieann]

Nope you should be fine. We are going in Jan. and I booked quite awhile ago also with the EB rate. I wrote down who I spoke with at the hotel and I am bringing my confirmation sheet showing my rate. I was told they are honoring all bookings that were made up to the day they stopped taking the EB rate. HOWEVER: If you need to add any additional days they will not give it to you at the EB rate. (OK, well I gave a sob story the day after they quit taking it and they did give it to me but I doubt they are being that generous this long after they quit taking it.

 

[jizroc]

Has anyone called them recently to see if they may be doing the entertainment rate again in the future?

 

[Mike]

Finally here is the update and it is good news! HIFS is once again offering the Entertainment Card rate for 2004. I just booked a King Kidsuite from 6/18- 7/1 for $102.50 a night plus tax.

I got no explanation from HIFS why they were insisting they permanently discontinued this and then suddenly did an about face. They were surprised that they were even listed in the 2004 book. But I faxed them a copy of it a couple of weeks ago (thanks nicolep91!) and the next thing I know, I got an email saying that the rate was available for my dates.

The rates are in their system. I just called today to book and I spoke with person who had no knowledge of my communications. I just asked for the rate for my dates and I got it.

 

[nicolep91]

That is awesome news, Mike!!! I'm so glad it worked out for you and I know there will be a lot of people out there who will be delighted to hear this. If you want to (and if you haven't already), maybe you should start a new thread that HIFS is excepting the ENT rate so more people will know about it.

Have a great vacation!