The truth about HIFS??

[Robinrs]

This post should be called "your OPINION about HIFS" because everyone's "truth" is just what they experienced based on what they expected.

I stayed in 2001 and I truly enjoyed this hotel. The bus was a coach bus when I was there and, no the schedule was way to limiting to me so, yes, I'd definitely have a car the next time I go.

What I liked was the daily housekeeping, the ability to feed my son without breaking the bank, the three TVs and the extra programs we took part in while there. It is wonderful concept and you better believe if it was on Disney property it would be sold out everyday!

I could NEVER agree with staying onsite just for the transportation, though. It truly depends on where you stay. If you stay at one of the monorail resorts, your commute is problem free. On the other hand, if you stay at the budget hotels, you will be in a tiny room with a long walk to transportation and in a crowded bus that takes forEVER to get to MK! Not my idea of "magic".

Have a great trip, whatever you decide!

 

[ZachnElli]

We stayed at HIFS in July 2001. In kids' eyes, this is a 5 star resort!! They are not impressed with fancy things that the Grand Floridian has, at least not my kids. They are impressed with anything kid themed and HIFS has it! We did have a rental car, we ALWAYS have a rental car though. My kids loved it and dh and I liked it well enough. We would prefer the 5 star adult type of hotel, but this trip was about the kids, not us. And it was SO nice having the kids in another room. Since HIFS is SO close, it is very easy to get back to, to take the midday break. We did it everyday, so I know you can do it very easily! We will be seeing what all the fuss is about staying onsite this June, we'll see.....

 

[marli]

Just back from the HIFS and I give it a thumbs up! I agree with everyone that personal taste has a lot to do with anyone's decision, but my kids were enthralled from the minute we stepped into the hotel. Kids are impressed with diferent stuff than we are . My kids loved the pool, the arcade, the train theming, the miniature train, basically anything about the hotel- and we didn't even have time to do any of the nite activities, next trip I would definitely try to schedule in some time for that! I was against the idea of staying offsite and having to rent a car but it really gave us the freedom to come and go as we please- it was also a two minute drive, something I really did not beleive when I read it on the posts but its true! It really is closer than some offsite hotels. I would have no problem recommending the hotel to anyone with kids, it may not be your cup of tea, or as fancy as other places but the kids LOVE it!

 

[WDWKim]

Just thought I've give my two cents worth. We were there in Sept. of 2002 and had a great time. I must admit, I never even considered using their shuttle as I didn't want to be constrained by their schedule, plus I wanted the flexability of coming and going as you please. The only disappointment we had was not being able to be at the hotel more then we were. In my eyes, we were there to do disney, not the hotel........and that's exactly what happened. We'd leave the hotel early in the morning and not return until around 9 at night. My kids are older (12 and 14) and they even loved this hotel. As for closeness to the parks, I actually didn't see much of a difference in time wise as it would have been if we stayed on site. I was actually disappointed to see that the on site resorts are really pretty far from some of the parks..............just thought they were closer. Also, as someone posted earlier, usually the reason you are looking off site is to find something cheaper, but in my humble opinion we more than made out on the deal. I'd definately go back.

Kim