POR or HIFS ... my head hurts from thinking!

[StinkerbellsMom]

OK, here's the story ... I am doing a 'surprise' trip for my family for March 30 - April 7th, only my dh, mother and I know about it, our 3 girls (ages 4, 9, 11) will wake up and we will leave 'ready for school' in the morning but ALAS ... we're going to Disney World! They have stated in the past that they want to stay at the HIFS, we have ressies there, but the more dh & I think about it, the easier it seems to just stay onsite. We LOVE the AS Resorts! ALL of them! But there are no rooms available for decent rates. We can get our AP Rate for the POR for $1850 for 8 nights, but we really are not sure how 'child friendly' this resort is ... PLUS ... the HIFS for the same amount of time is only $1374! We keep going back and forth about it, wondering if the Disney "Experience" is worth an additional $500 just for transportation? We both love the convenience of taking the bus and not have to worry about parking lots. We do not really want to rely on HIFS transportation because with 3 kids and a 72 yo with us, I dont want to have to worry about possibly missing the last bus, etc. Sorry if I am rambling, but I am so distressed! Stupidly, I didnt book a ressie last week at AsMo for a little over my HIFS price, cant even remember why -- I think I was going to call back and confirm and just got busy and didn't, but either way, now I am in this situation and cant decide if POR is really where we want to be, not only $500 more, but is it as child friendly as AS. They just seem so inviting to children! POR seems so much more serene. I should mention that my 4 yo will turn 5 the day before our trip and the day after we arrive will be our 15th wedding anniversary, so maybe some magic will rub off because of that?! I HOPE SO!!! I put in a Ressie Request to DIS too, maybe they can get me something? But at this point I think it is hopeless. Do you think ressies will open up for these resorts at a more decent rate? Or did I blow it completely? Is POR worth the $500 difference? Dh and I are almost convinced it is because we do not want to deal with the hassle of parking lots, etc., is it bad to deal with? We've NEVER stayed offsite and so we have no reference point with regards to parking lots and getting into the parks. Is it costly to park daily? ANY help or thoughts on any of the above ramblings of a mad woman would be ever so greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!! Have a Disney Day!!!

 

[BrerMama]

I was right there with you a few weeks ago. We have stayed at HIFS and really, really loved it. We needed that space to separate us from the rest of our family (we travelled with my dad, who was 65 at the time). However, this trip we decided to try POR because we have never stayed onsite. Disney has the trundle bed option at POR so we can all stay in one room and see what the "magic" is all about. I've read many reviews of HIFS from people who have stayed both onsite and at HIFS and they say they'll only stay at HIFS from now on. To me, HIFS is the ultimate in catering to kids... you have the pool, the evening activities, the playground, the free meals. I know I didn't help with your decision. I've discovered I just had to make a decision and then stick to it. Either way I would have been happy. I'm just happy now that we've decided.

 

[Kimberle]

There is just no contest with me, you're not "doing Disney" unless you're staying on-site. Don't worry, all Disney resorts are very kid "friendly".

What is so nice, if you're all out together and your littlest needs a nap or gets cranky, you or your dh can just hop a bus back to the resort while the rest of the family can stay.

 

[woody5]

PO all the way. With three small children and a grandma you will love the convenience of being on sight. Remember it will be very busy during the week you have chosen. PO is a great resort. Also if you are staying at the French Quarter it will have just reopened after being refurbished. Staying on sight is the best route. You may also check out a thread on the Off sight board about a number of people becoming ill at HIFS, maybe from the buffet. One other thought, did you check on rates for Pop Century during your stay? It is another value resort. Good luck choosing!!!!

 

[StinkerbellsMom]

Originally posted by BrerMama
I was right there with you a few weeks ago. We have stayed at HIFS and really, really loved it. We needed that space to separate us from the rest of our family (we travelled with my dad, who was 65 at the time). However, this trip we decided to try POR because we have never stayed onsite. Disney has the trundle bed option at POR so we can all stay in one room and see what the "magic" is all about. I've read many reviews of HIFS from people who have stayed both onsite and at HIFS and they say they'll only stay at HIFS from now on. To me, HIFS is the ultimate in catering to kids... you have the pool, the evening activities, the playground, the free meals. I know I didn't help with your decision. I've discovered I just had to make a decision and then stick to it. Either way I would have been happy. I'm just happy now that we've decided.

Ya know you are so totally right! Dh and I have still been tossing this back and forth and we DO LOVE the whole onsite experience, as Kimberle said, its easier to zip back to your hotel and 'crash' for a while if staying on site. I am just concerned about the whole Port Orleans Riverside ... it seems so serene, almost too serene for my gang! I have looked into the Pop Century and unfortunately cant get a decent rate either ... We are passholders and I hate the thought of paying 'full price' for any resort, sick, huh!? I will have to pop on over to the Off Site Board and check out what woody5 mentioned, that doesn't sound too good (folks getting sick possibly from buffet - eek! ) I am anxiously waiting for DIS Ressie folks to get back to me, maybe THEY can find me something?!?! Wouldnt that be lovely?!? I am NOT giving up hope, but if it doesnt work out, the HIFS pool does look like fun and I guess we could try it. My dh wants to bonk me on the head for not making the ressies onsite way back when -- oh well, live and learn, huh?! Right now, I am sprinkling my phone with pixie dust and trying to call again for ressies! I HOPE SOMETHING ONSITE OPENS UP SOON!!!!!!! Thanks and if anyone else has info regarding driving and parking at the parks, or any other input, PLEASE let me know, I am STILL SO CONFUSED :::said ala Vinnie Barbarino of Sweathog fame:::