Opinions please -Pop Century or HIFS ???

[pm914]

We're heading to WDW for 7 nights at the end of this month
We've reserved 2 connecting preferred rooms at the Pop for a total of $1,389.00. There's 5 of us- dh, me, ds8,dd5,and ds2 and we feel that we need the extra space of 2 rooms or a suite (with separate bedroom). One thing that bothers us about the Pop is the lack of fridge/coffemaker/micro..
After reading some great things about HIFS on this board, I went to their site - looks great. Went to Mousesavers - highly recommended. Sooo, I called them to check rates, availability, amenities, etc. and ended up getting a great rate using the ent. card. The total will be $803.95 for a king kidsuite, which of course includes fridge, micro, coffee-maker, free breakfast buffet for all 5 of us every day, kids eat free, and on and on. Needless to say, we are now reserved at both places.
Any opinions - Please?
p.s.: realistically, we probably wouldn't make it to the parks early enough to benefit from early entry days.
Thank you

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I truly enjoyed staying at Pop Century, but in all honesty with your situation and the price difference, I'd go with the offsite (provided you have your own transport).

The difference in cost is significant and the money saved on the lodging can go toward other things.

Plus, with the accomodations at HIFS you will be able to conserve more money if you have breakfast, snacks, drinks, etc. in the room.

 

[trola2]

Patty, we're in the same boat as you...3 kids and need enough room to house all of them. We were just at Pop on Monday night and although it was nice, we were spoiled over the weekend by being in a suite at the Doubletree. We are planning to stay at HIFS for our June trip. This weekends trip was our first experience with offsite, but it was really wonderful and it was nice to get away from all the lines and hustle of Disney, too. Pop was very loud and although we have always loved the allstars, this resort seemed much louder than they ever have!!

Good luck with your decisoin!! IF you go, I can't wait to hear what you think!
~~Beth

 

[singitalto]

We are going with Mom for our next trip(5 fo us all together) and had all the same thoughts as you. We ended up going with HIFS. It is a really nice place, we stayed there 3 years ago. Besides having the privacy of the bedroom, the three tv's are a real perk( one in each bedroom plus the LR, the kids love the nitendo 64, fridge, microwave, coffee maker ,2 hairdryers, hot breakfast, mini golf, 2 jaccussies, and a cool pool especially for the young ones, kariokie etc. It was a real nice hotel when we were there last.

 

[pm914]

Thanks so much for all the great input. Well, we've decided on the HIFS! When I showed my kids the photos of the kidsuites on their site they just flipped!
What we see as the extra conveniences of the HIFS and the bargain price were just too much to pass up. Funny though, I feel a little ....guilty. Like I'm betraying Mickey or something LOL Oh well, with the savings on the room and breakfasts, we'll feel justified in really splurging on character meals, the Luau, recreation, etc.. Can't wait!
I'll be sure to report back on our experience at the HIFS.

 

[Robinrs]

Patty, you cannot betray a millionaire mouse, keep repeating that to yourself...

HIFS is up there with our favorite hotels and we've stayed at PLENTY! This is a unique place to stay that kids adore. ENJOY!

 

[JRandy]

We just returned from HIFS 2/1 - 2/7. We always stayed in Disney until last April we decided to try HIFS (the kids were begging). We love it and will never stay anywhere else. You really can't beat it for the money. We paid $76 a night with Ent. Rate. There is so much for the kids to do. Make sure you hang out in the lobby at night for the shows, Bingo and Karoke. It is really alot of fun. The breakfast is great and best of all it is FREE.
I have a 5 mo. old also so I really needed the fridge and microwave. The two bedroom suites are great and the kids love the nintendo and bunk beds. I know you will really love this place. Any questions, let me know.

 

[MrsMud]

I think you made the right decision! HIFS is great! Your kids will love the pool, kids room and activities, and you will love the price and privacy. The ONLY possible plus I could see for staying at Allstars is the transportation, but I have read from a few posters here that have done both that it is easier to drive back and forth from HIFS than take the buses from the Allstars, so even that is arguable. You don't say whether you are renting a car and have figured in that cost, but I would highly recommend it even if it means your savings is not as great. The drive is quick, easy, and you are not on a schedule. HIFS is also closer to all the parks except maybe AK, so you will definitely get to the parks faster by driving than taking a bus (from Pop). Have a great trip!

 

[pm914]

Thanks, everyone, we're getting more excited by the minute. Somehow, I feel happier thinking about the HIFS than I did about the POP.
We are renting a car (mini-van actually) - and got a rate of $286, which includes taxes and fees. So even if we weren't planning to rent one before, (although we were), the savings are at least $300 not including the free breakfasts, kids meals, in-room coffee, etc..
Only one thing still bothers me, do you really think the Mouse can do without my money?

PS: Does anyone have any experience with the restaurant or food court for lunch or dinner?
Thanks

 

[MrsMud]

Patty:

Does anyone have any experience with the restaurant or food court for lunch or dinner?

Okay, here comes the only down side to HIFS: the restaurant is not very good. You may want to eat there one night just out of convenience, but that's about it. They offer a buffet as well as off the menu every night. If you think you will eat there, try getting a GC for the Club Car on EBay. You can sometimes find them for $5- $10 for a $50 certificate, that makes it worth it, LOL. The food court is fine (The Pizza Hut pizza has more cheese and less sauce than here in NY, but we liked it). What we did on both of our stays was fill up on the free breakfast, have a few snacks in the parks if we got hungry, and then stop for a nice dinner on the way back to the hotel. There are lots of places around to get a good meal. We loved Bahama Breeze, Macaroni Grill and Rainforest cafe, although I had GCs for all of them. Lots of options for less expensive, too. I know there are a few Golden Corrals and I think Ponderosa if you want a decent buffet. Fill in with a couple character meals and you're in business. Forget lunch, we found we didn't need it after the big breakfast so we saved our money and, more importantly, our precious park time.
Don't worry, you'll figure it out !

 

[jultomzach]

I have to agree with above poster. I think HIFS is great, have been there 4 times in last 3 years. Their food reminds me of my college cafeteria, which was 25 years ago so obviously left quite a lasting impression. I did go to ebates for the Club Car certificates and found them to be a great value. If interested got to ebates and do a search for Buena Vista Club Car. The certificates seem to post every 24 hours so if you have the time, hold out until the price is reasonable ($ 5-6) The savings did make the food much more palitable. We used three of them, all from different computers and user names at ebay. We used them for lunch, dinner and take-out. The food was not great but since my son still ate for free, the certificate covered three adults and my son for lunch. I paid $6 for the certificate and $6 for tip and tax. We were the only ones in the restaraunt for lunch and they only served the buffet. We found the dinner buffet to be slightly better. There is a ala catre menu at dinner. I have a menu from the Club Car and a free pizza party coupon, which is part of a referral program for HIFS. Let me know if you want either.

 

[pm914]

Thanks for the heads-up on food. That's O.K., we generally tend not to eat at our hotel when vacationing anyway (there always seem to be more interesting options).
Jultomzach, I'd love one of those free pizza certificates! It would probably make a great late-night snack on an early dinner night.
Thanks,
Patty

 

[taylor1293]

You have made the right decision!

We've stayed at HIFS 4 times and Pop Century once.

I really enjoyed our stay at Pop Century but the room is way too small for more than a weekend visit.

HIFS is a fantastic hotel with so much to offer for the children!

Have a great trip!

Teresa

 

[jultomzach]

Just pm your address and I will send out the coupon right away!