What rates are you getting for HIFS in 2005?

[randbmom]

We're now considering HIFS because the kids have seen the ads on Nickelodeon for the new theme. We are going May 12-18, 2005 and were planning on WL if codes come out. Rack rate is $175 for HIFS. Do they still honor any Entertainment rates for 2005? I'm a little apprehensive about HIFS in May 2005 because the website says renovations THROUGH May 2005.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're going in July and our rate is $199. That's rack rate because they told them they didn't have any AAA rates left. I know it's high for a Holiday Inn but the kids really wanted to try the Nick hotel, so we compromised and are doing 3 nights at HRH, 2 nights at HIFS and 11 nights at the GF.

 

[deelam]

I booked 1 night 5/8 for $175. That's a special web rate. I called and asked for the mousesavers rate and it was also $175.
We are staying at the Royl Pacific for 4 nights at $175, but my kids really want to try the Nick hotel. So we will do only 1 night.
I'm wondering if we would enjoy the Nick hotel more than Royal Pacific. We have a 2 bedroom suite at the Nick hotel. That extra room will be so nice. The perks at Royal Pacific, FOL and being within walking distance are the only reason I haven't switched the whole trip to the Nick Hotel. Does anyone know if FOL is offered at the Nick hotel?

 

[kar313]

Don't think FOL are offered at HIFS. We stayed there on Dec 2. We were in a room not renovated yet but close to the wade in pool, which has also not been renovated yet. Room was 2Br suite. A little smaller than we had expected from the pics on the website but overall we were happy. We were only there for one night but we did use the pool and the free breakfast (although this feature will not be available after 12/04) They are still working on the main lobby area so the only Nick theming we saw was on the outsides of the building and it looked like the other pool area had already been renovated but we didn't get over there to check it out.

 

[mareed]

Yikes, those rates are really high. We stayed there a couple of years ago for under $100 a night and thought it was fine, but there's no way I'd be paying close to $200. I've pretty much switched to renting condos or a house for our trips and compared to that, even HIFS seems small and definitely overpriced. Will be interesting to see how they do with their new marketing scheme.

 

[randbmom]

It seems to me that they're marketing themselves right out of business! With high rates and no free breakfast (the two draws and advantages) you are now paying Disney/Universal onsite rates for no FOL or EE benefits. Spongebob is cool, but not cool enough to give up EE without low price room and/or free breakfast. I think they may be surprised how many rooms they have empty. Of course, THEN they may smarten up.

 

[curlyjbs]

I spoke with HIFS just today on another matter....anyway managment told me that it looks like renovations will be completed by Memorial day. He also told me that anyone who stayed at HIFS in 2004 can receive a 25% discount for a 2005 booking.

hth

~curly

 

[tarheelmjfan]

deelam,
If you haven't stayed on Universal property yet, you will love it. I would definitely stay with the RPR. I have to be honest and say, it's our least favorite of the 3 resorts, but still great. There's many very nice hotels in Orlando, but none I would stay at over the Universal resorts, other than occasionally Disney's, but we actually like Universal's set-up much better. Have a great trip!

 

[airforcewife]

wow!!! I just booked 1 night before our disney vacation starts and am paying $114 for the night of Dec. 18 2004 2 bedroom suite. That sounds pretty expensive for later in the year!

Robyn

 

[Sandyincanada]

Wow, those rates seem high to me as well. We also stayed there a few years ago, the place is nice but we thought the "livingroom/kitchen" area was quite small and there was no balcony. I believe we paid around 100.00 a night which included breakfast which is a great feature. We prefer to rent condos now which gives us more space. IMHO, I really don't think those rooms are worth 175.00 a night especially without breakfast.

 

[kellimomo3]

We are staying there for a week in January '05. Our rate is $114 per night for the two bedroom kid's suite. Also just FYI, we were told that we would get kids eat free since that there when we booked 8 months ago. Also was told that we may even get one of the renovated Nick rooms. Don't know how much is true since everytime I call I seem to get another story, but several different managers have told me my kids would eat free. Here's hoping!!

Kelli

 

[airforcewife]

Are the Nick rooms not ready? They are advertising them on TV and on the web site, I just thought they would have them ready. What do you think? We stay on sat.

 

[Disneymommie]

I just booked Nick Hotel by kids request for Easter week. I got $225 a night, and was told that everyone including adults will have free breakfast buffet(not charecter) in the month of March and kids will eat free at lunch and dinner also. I hope this is right, it was a major selling point for Dh who is spoiled by staying on site all the time. My kids are jumping for joy! I will be calling back tomorrow to get it noted on ressie and confirmation mailed to me.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hey You Jerzey Cat!
THANK YOU!, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Your Post saved me $37 a night at HIFS for our April Trip!
You exemplify the "The Power of the Messenger" the unofficial theme of the
DIS Boards!
Thank you again!!!
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!

 

[lejaf]

I just called and booked for March. I got $138 for the first three nights and $169 for the last night which starts the Easter week. I was told that they were giving me 25% off the rack rate (because I am a returning guest) which is supposedly cheaper than the Entertainment rate. When I asked for the Entertainment rate I was told that it was not available that week, but if it had been it would have been $170. Yikes, I've paid a $99 Entertainment rate the past three years we've gone in March. Looks like SpongeBob soaked up those rates pretty quickly.

She said they continue to have the free breakfast buffet and kids eat free program. Unfortunately we'll be in the Oasis side which doesn't have the zero depth entry pool for my non-swiming 4 year old, but my other two kids really want to stay there again. I sure wish I could get it for $99 again though!

 

[lunabkat]

Okay guys, heres the scoop.

We are just back from 8 days at the HIFS and let me tell you that missing the Free Breakfast is no heartbreakers. Of course, first, its free, yea. But the eggs are powdered and, frankly, unless you are missing the taste of institutional food, you are gonna get mighty tired of it real quick. Same goes for the actual restaurant food served in the PM - basically, yuck, even if the kids do eat free. The only deal is that between 12 and 4pm you get free kids meals from pizza hut and A&W stands located in the building down by the restaurant.

The hotel staff are very nice, especially SnapShot the clown who does face painting in the restaurant area, the kids loved her.

The rooms are definately smaller than you expect, but i have to admit they have and awesome cleaning staff and the room was always spotless when we returned. The small pool is now closed and the big pool is finally heated and opened, the girls loved it. However, beware small children and the big slide. The small slide shoots off onto a well padded area in back of the slide, but the two bigger slide shoot into the deeper pool, which happend to my 5 year old, who does not actually swim. I do commend the lifeguards who sounded the alert from the slide as she went down and the lifeguard who actually jumped into the pool to get her, the were really on the ball, but i nearly had a heart attack. You have to go past the larger slide entrance to get to the smaller slide entrance and she thought she would try the larger slide - whew!

We go a phenominal rate of $76 per night and for that price it was good, but if i were paying rack rate or over $100 a nite, i would go elsewhere. Try Cypress Pointe or Sheraton Vistana. I also recommend getting a room with a full kitchen if you can because we really, really go tired of eating out all the time, everywhere we went it was basically the same food.

Also, there is a whole shopping area just a short ride down International Drive South, (make a right out of the parking lot, down two lights, make a left or a right, there is an entire strip of shops, restaurants and a Publix Supermarket. It took us several days to figure this out and it came in quite handy.

All in all, it was fun, but i wouldn't go back there again, especially not with the rates they are quoting now.

Good Luck,

LL