Please post here all of your HIFS transportation expertise!

[fritzi]

We are staying at Holiday Inn Family Suites at the end of the month. There will be 3 adults and 2 children (car seats needed). My husband wants to use the Town car service and then use the hotel shuttles for the rest of the stay. We are also going to Sea World so we would have to find a way there, probably using a cab. He says that unless I can prove that the costs will be comparable then he said we will just to have to make use of the shuttles. If I felt more confidant in the transportation system at HIFS then I would stop nagging on the rental car thing. So here is my challenge to you all: Please tell me your experiences with transportation at HIFS, such as the cost of transportation (cab, etc) to Sea World, the times the shuttles work, how long it takes to get to WDW, etc. What if you need to take a cab to WDW, how much? I am also worried about how you get home from the park to the hotel and how long it takes.

I already know that the car would be more convenient, but without any numbers to prove its cost effectiveness, all my whining will just fall of deaf ears. He would rather spend the extra money elsewhere.

I know that I am asking for a lot of information, but this is my last big worry of the trip. If I could feel comfortable about this transportation stuff then I could really let go of my worries/stress and start to relax. Thanks for all of your wonderful help on this board, you all have been wonderful.

TIA,
Amy

EDITED: I fixed it, there is only five in our party, 3 adults and 2 preschoolers, oops! But you all did convince me about renting a car. Honestly, all my worries about the trip are gone and now I feel so excited about having the kind of trip I want! Woo hoo!

 

[fritzi]

Oh, I hope I didn't put this on the wrong board, I meant to put it in transportation, but it is good for HIFS. Sorry!

Amy

 

[hercamore]

Sorry, I have not stayed at HIFS, but I know someone once posted a thread with the HIFS daily shuttle listing.

I would email HIFS and see if they will send you their current shuttle schedule. Probably won't the exact same times when you are there, but it should be close.

 

[cardinalfan]

We stayed at HIFS last May. They do require you to reserve a spot on the shuttle, prior to its departure time. We checked in on Saturday, immediately tried to make a shuttle reservation, and were told that the shuttle was booked until (I think) noon Sunday. Meaning, the earliest we could get to the parks would have been around 12:30, the day after we arrived. Also, the shuttle leaves the parks at specific times, so you can't really leave whenever you want. Not a huge deal, but if you have small kids, you may want to be aware. With that being said, we (myself, DH, DD9, DD4) loved the hotel and plan to go back there soon!

 

[from Canada]

There is a shuttle schedule on their website. I just called, and you still have to book your shutle 24 hours in advance.
karen

 

[prncess674]

The shuttle service schedule can be found here. Looks pretty inconvenient to me. Also since you would need transport to/from SeaWorld as well for 7 people you are definitly closing in on the price of mini van rental. Roundtrip towncar from airport to hotel is $95 plus tip and figure somewhere around the same ($70 plus tip) to get roundtrip to SeaWorld, probably a bit less. Also convince your husband that you would be able to drive to cheap restaurants, rather than be slaves to the HIFS food court, thus saving money. Since your kiddies are still in car seats they may poop out unexpectedly in the middle of the day and if you didn't have a shuttle reservation a cab even once of twice could become expensive than just renting a car from the beginning. How long is your vacation? What are your exact dates?

http://www.hifamilysuites.com/shuttle.html
http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/van_rates.html

 

[prncess674]

I looked at rates on www.travelocity.com to see what a weekly rate would be. A weekly rental from Alamo, which is at the terminal with all taxes and fees in $249.23. Cheaper rates are possible if you do a little research. When you consider the convenience it is well worth the little bit of extra money. You can rent car seats from the rental car companies but you may bring your own. If your children have their own ticket for the plane they may even use the car seat on the plane. You can also just tag the car seat and check it as baggage.

You could also rent from Payless for $199.01 including all taxes and fees but they are located off of airport property and require taking the free shuttle to the lot. Not a huge burden but one person could collect the car and drive back around and pick up the rest with the luggage.

 

[prncess674]

Just found the following info on Mousesavers

Wal-Mart Customers (i.e. anyone) can get up to 20% off rentals at Alamo. Use Rate Code BY and Promo Code/Assoc ID# 430710.

went to www.alamo.com and tried out the codes and produced a rate with all taxes of $229.83 for a mini van.

Your two roundtrips in a towncar with tip come to $190 (figured 15% tip) a cab will run you about the same as a towncar. it may even be more since there are 5 adults and 2 children in your party. You would probably need two cabs for that many people. For $10 more with Payless you could have a car or $40 more with Alamo (more reputable) you would have the convenience of your own transportation.

Don't forget to add in parking fees at WDW and gas for the week, but don't talk about those things if your DH doesn't bring them up

 

[fritzi]

You guys are so great to answer these questions for me. I was unable to swing my husband on a minivan, but I was able to prove it to him that at least a full size rental would be cheaper than town car/taxi/shuttle. Besides when I heard you had to book your shuttle 24 hours in advance and there were only set times for returning I just flipped and I was not going to let it go.

I was able to reserve a full size (5 adults and 3 luggage) for $120 for 7 days which doesn't include tax. It comes to about $160 with everything and this is through National. We do sit comfortably in a Chevy Lumina with carsearts, and we only plan on two large pieces of luggage and 4 carryons (kid sized). We figure we will only be crowded on the the trip from the airport and back.

Does anyone know what full size car National uses?

 

[prncess674]

never mind I see where you revised your original post to only 3 adults and 2 children. If it were 5 and 2 you would never make it.

 

[prncess674]

full size cars from National include - Buick Grand Prix, Buick Regal, Buick Century, and I believe one time I had a Monte Carlo but I could be mistaken. You will be able to pick your own car from those in the full size section.

 

[hercamore]

Hi

RE: full size cars at National, we had a Dodge Intrepid this past January.

A big car with a huge trunk. We had a lot of luggage and still had room in the trunk.

herc.