Hi Preb-
we were there this past April and LOVED it.
The Disney parks are not far at all, 10-15 minutes maybe? I don't know the names of the roads, but I do know that we took a left out of the resort, went thru about 2 or 3 lights and at the end of Int'l Drive, took a right, passed the HIFS on our left and then it seemed like boom! we were passing under the Disney gates.
There are restaurants near the HIFS (I noticed you stayed there) so you must know that area, if you take a right out of the resort and head north up Int'l Drive, there are tons of places to choose from: Tony Romas, Sizzler, McD's, too many to remember!
We were in bldg 8 which was just perfect, away from the noise of the pool, overlooking the pond and the volleyball court on the opposite side, a short walk over the footbridge to the pool. Bldgs 1-3 are for owners I'm told,those and #4 overlook the pool. #'s 9 &10 are the least desirable as they are furthest from everything and facing Int'l drive, but we were in 8 and never heard ANY road noise. #' 5-7 are excellent as well, you really can't go wrong here....just request the top floor if you can get it - we had very heavy walkers that kept us up...there are elevators.
Activities: enclosed sand bottomed playground, small game room, floats to RENT - you can bring your own, it's allowed - hair wraps, zero depth entry pool for the little ones, with squirty fountains, 2 bathrooms close to the pool, volleyball net, waterfalls you can swim under, just a wonderful place for every member of your family. Basketball court, volleyball court, BBQ's and picnic tables, ducks, turtles, complimentary 5x7 photo from the resort....housekeeping, the deli is good also. I know they had some karoake and things like that, but we never made it to any of the planned activities.
Hope this helps! You'll have a wonderful time here!
Lori
