Shuttle to parks from HIFS

[gusmydog]

Could someone please tell me about using the shuttle to the Disney parks from HIFS? Is it reliable, frequent, scheduled, amount of time to get to the parks, how early/late do they run???? Anything you could tell me would be GREATLY appreciated!

Just trying to decide if staying on property would give us easier/better transportation.

 

[BrerMama]

Staying on-property will always give you better transportation options. Personally, I'd never consider staying off-site without renting a car. The HIFS shuttles run only at certain scheduled time (the schedule is on their website). Disney transporation runs continuously every 15-20 minutes. You can set your own schedule, knowing that the most you will have to wait for a bus is those 15-20 minutes. At HIFS, if you miss a bus, you may have to wait hours. I've read lots of post re: HIFS and haven't seen anyone who used the shuttle from HIFS and was totally happy. Maybe you will be, however. Good luck on your decision!

 

[thumperjr9]

I have heard that the shuttles don't oprerate that frequently at the HIFS. If you don't want to get a rental car I would suggest staying on-site. HIFS is a great place to stay and the money you will save will more than pay for the rental. In fact we even get a rental when we stay on-site. If you have very young children nothing works better than a car ride to get a little nap out of a very tired overstimulated child. Another thing to keep in mind is if your family wants to split up or go back to the hotel at different times then staying on-site would be a better choice.

 

[maggiew]

Here's a link to their shuttle page:

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

Maggie

 

[bigsis1970]

We used their shuttle in Dec 2001 and found as long as we planned around it , it worked well for us . My kids were littler so needed some rest time so leaving the parks for the shuttle earlier then I would have normally like was Ok. Everytime I drove we couldn't find our way back .. ( trust me , its just me and directions ) We are staying there again this Oct and will have a car but plan to drive this time - I am already studing the maps !! LOL Michelle

 

[tlegray]

We just got back from there and though we didn't use the shuttle (we had our own car) I did check into it. It has about 3 schedule departures in the morning and some returns in the afternoon and evening. What I didn't like about it was that you had to reserve a spot the day before. I don't why but I assumed these ran more like a bus every hour or so. We're more spontaneous bunch so they wouldn't work for us.

 

[bigsis1970]

tlegray , can you tell me what room you had. or better yet do you have the hotel layout.. I am looking for the room numbers facing the pool preferably ground level in the buildings that form a T to the hallway that connects with the main lobby and Food areas. Is that clear as mud? Thanks for any help you can provide , I can't seem to locate my map from 2001 Michelle

 

[tlegray]

We had room #421...it was on the outside and we didn't keep our hotel map, so sorry. It was our first visit there. We were in one of the buildings that surrounded the lap pool.

I'm sure you can request an inside room. Being out first trip we didn't know what to expect. I'm not sure I wouldn't request a similar room the next time...it was very quiet, but the place was empty too. It was too cold to use the pool and we don't have small children that need watching.

 

[bigsis1970]

Thanks I called and asked what buildings surround the kids pool and hook onto the lobby via walkway and was told buildings 6 & 7 so i said I would take either and ground floor on pool side . so we will see what happens . Thanks Michelle

 

[CrazedDisFan]

We used the HIFS shuttle service in Feb 2002. It does NOT run on a regular basis. Parks and scheduled times differ daily.

However, we made it work for us. My husband picked up the schedule from the desk and we sat down and determined when we would go where. It worked out fine.

In fact, the bus was only crowded one night and that was Saturday at the close of Magic Kingdom. We all had a seat and no one was left standing.

Overall my family did not have any issue with the bus service. We utilized the HIFS shuttle everytime we went to a park except day one. We came into Orlando and unloaded our luggage and took off to the parks in a cab. We wanted to go right then.

We are heading back to HIFS in March this year and are not planning on renting a car. We will be using the bus service again. I have budgeted in $100 for cab fare if necessary. I don't think it will be needed, but you never know.

I did look into car rental, but we would need a minivan and the cost would be near $250 for the week. I would rather use the bus service and the occassional cab, spending the $150 on more treats for the kids and grandma & grandpa.

have a nice time at the HIFS and search over the bus schedule on Day1 to help plan your itinerary. If you do that, I think you'll find the shuttle service adequate.