HI Family Suites vs All Star

Goofy1 · 09-04-2002

Hi all,

Looking to head to WDW for xmas with 6 adults, 2 kids and a baby. We are not yet decided on whether to go off-site at the Family Suites or on-site at All Star or Caribbean Beach. Unfortunately, cost is a factor I must consider.

Any experiences with Holiday Inn Family Suites? Good, bad or indifferent ??

Perhaps there are other offsite hotels that are good for kids that you may know.

I am a bit concerned that if off-site at xmas time that the park might fill and we won't be able to get in. Not a concern if on-site.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

dab · 09-04-2002

Goofy1 welcome to Disney Central! I have looked at the HI family suites online but never visited them. They do look nice and more roomy than your average hotel. As for the Disney resorts... I have stayed on property and off and would much rather stay on property even if it means a smaller room and a little more expensive! Both the All Stars and CBR are great ...it just depends on what you are looking for. If you don't plan to spend much time in the room then the All Stars should be fine. The rooms are pretty small and the beds are only full size. I assume you would get several rooms with such a big group.
The CBR is great and the rooms are a good bit larger (beds still a full size here too). But, will it be open when you go... I think refurb. is planned to end sometime in Dec. 2002 ??? If I had to pick from the choices you listed, I'd go with CBR!

**mickey** · 09-04-2002

Goofy1, welcome to DisneyCentral. We had some friends stay at the Holiday Inn Suites once. It was nice, but nothing spectacular. I think they paid about $110 per night as well.

Right now, Disney is offering an At Par deal for Canadian citizens through Christmas. You book a room at $100 US dollars, but you only pay for the Canadian equivilant, $100 CA, or about $62 US dollars. Most discounts come out to about 38% off. The price is good for the room only, not passes or food. As long as you check in before 12/25 you should be ok.

There are some other discounts available right now as well, and may be even better. I think the All-Stars are going for about $60 per night, and the moderates are about $85. You will not be able to stay at Caribbean Beach, they wil not allow any bookings right now until after the new year.

Just conact a Disney travel agent to make book any of these packages. Make sure they are very familiar with Disney or they won't know about the deals.

If I had the choice, it would be a toss up between the All-Stars and the Holiday Inn, but if you can afford a moderate, I would do that in a heart beat. Either Port Orleans resorts are great!

Goofy1 · 09-04-2002

Thanks for the info.

We have been waiting for the tour operators to get their winter packages together and it is taking them forever! My greatest fear is that by the time they get their act together the availability for rooms will be slim to noneunless they have a reserved block of rooms. Caribbean Beach was actually our 1st choice for on-site.

It might be better to forget the packages and just book the darn rooms ourselves. Been planning this trip a long time and want it special for my kids.

I'm going to the travel agent tonight to see what they know about the "at par" promotion. Based on the meeting I may very well be on the phone with Disney tomorrow!

Cinderellafifi · 09-04-2002

Hi and Welcome! I have stayed at Family Suites and enjoyed it. We got a low rate of $89. per nite for New Year's 2 years ago.

If you must drop any hotel in your list, I would suggest All Stars. You can get much more room by getting a suite or villa right outside Disney. Be sure to check out the Lake Buena Vista area on line. They have a ton of hotels, villas, etc.

Also mousesavers.com was once running a special with Family Suites. Go to the site and see what it has to offer. I think there is a deal right now for Downtown Disney's DoubleTree Suites - you would be right on Disney property.

Good luck and have fun! :)

Goofy1 · 09-05-2002

Thanks for the replies.

Personally, I would rather stay on-site at one of the moderates but others in our group are leaning more towards the Family Suites. They have a new baby and feel a kitchette would be a must for them.
I want a good place for my 7 and 9 year old to have fun when not at WDW. Brochures sure look like it caters to kids. Are there other resorts that are kid orientated but still have an atmosphere enjoyable to an adult?

Sean

**mickey** · 09-05-2002

How big is your party?

edit: OOps, maybe I should read the post first!

Goofy1 · 09-05-2002

6 adults, 2 kids and 1 baby.

dab · 09-05-2002

If I remember correctly, the HI Family Suites kitchenette consists of a mini-frig. , coffee maker, & microwave. I agree that that would be nice to have with a new baby. Also HIFS having the separate semi-private bedroom for the baby would give the new parents some privacy during nap times. Also, your kids would probably enjoy the bunk beds, nintendo, tv, etc... in their own private themed room. It is tempting!
All of the Disney resorts definately cater to kids & adults but I think the moderate resorts do a better job with the adults! If staying on property is important to you, here are some suggestions that might help. As far as I know at all Disney resorts you can rent a mini-frig for $10 a day and I think they all have a coffee maker (at least the moderate resorts do). Do they really need the microwave? You can heat water in the coffee pot to warm bottles... done that before and it works fine! Privacy isn't usually an issue with small babies (under 1 yr.) so co-sleeping should not be a problem. You can request a portable crib at check-in. If I were traveling with a small baby I would rather be as close to my room as I could be in the event I needed to return for some R&R or get needed items. The HIFS would be a longer drive. If staying on property your friends can utilize the Disney busses and split up if one needs to leave with the baby and not have to worry about returning to pick up the other.
Good luck with your decision! Either way... you're going to WDW and are sure to have a blast!:D

Goofy1 · 09-05-2002

Yes, I agree.

Another part of the equation is overall costs. You obviously pay more to stay on-site and it likely is benefitial but puts the overall costs well over budget.

Sean

charlene · 10-27-2002

I am also having trouble deciding weather to stay at the Hi family resorts or All stars. HI's free breakfast buffet and 2 room suites are atrractive for my party of 6 . But the whole staying in the magic, you know??? We stayed at all star movies in 2000. Rooms were small and the food bill did tally up very quickly. The busses were a pain too, having to stop at the three clusters value resorts. But I cant see the free shuttles fro HI to be much better.
What I need is assurance that the HI family resort doesnt stink.
It takes me a whole year to plan and pay for this vacation...Can any one tell me is it claen, is the Buffet worth it???HELP! :laugh :!:

**mickey** · 10-28-2002

Well, I have been in the rooms, though I have never stayed there or eaten there, so I am of little help. The rooms were nice, especially the kid suites, though I understand they are a bit on the expensive side. I though the room we were in was ok, not really well done, but they kids seemed to like it.

The one complaint that I always hear about this place is that while they do offer free shuttle service, many people have waited for over an hour for the shuttle to come.

charlene · 11-18-2002

I just booked $99.00 a night!

I couldnt decide either.....But I am taking my mom who just happens to have aarp card ( she's 50). With that we booked 10 nights for 99.00 a night for a 2 bedroom kidsuite w/a king size bed in the main bedroom, a bunk bed with a trundle (sleeps 3 kids in there own room!) and a queen sleeper in the living room. The reservation lady didnt even need proof or anything though...I just booked in my name holding with my Credit card.

I am hoping that with the kids eat free program and the free full course beakfast bar it will be worth staying outside of the 'Magic".

We are a young family of 5 plus my mom. I figure There will be a time for moderate or even luxury Disney trips in our future but for now , on a budget and a dream to go every other year, 1.5 miles outside the magic wil have to do for now. :)

wdw510 · 11-27-2002

I know it's a hard choice to decide when working with a budget! We have gone to Disney World about 12 times and have only stayed off property once,(when we chaperoned a high school show choir group), and we hated it. We don't spend alot of time at our resort so room size isn't a priorty for us. Of course traveling with a baby or small children is a whole other story! When our son was small, it was such an advantage to just hop a bus back to the resort for a nap, I haven't really figured out if our son or dad needed the nap(ha) We have found so many other ways to stretch the budget without having to give up staying on property.

Nlk · 12-11-2002

I like the Fort Wilderness Cabins. They sleep 6. 4 in one room with a bunk bed and 2 in the living room with a pull down bed. It has a full kichen and a porch. The grounds are beautiful you feel like your camping but without really camping. It's more money but if you go to mousesavers.com you can get a code for a discount. You can take the boat to MK and watch the fireworks at night from the beach at Fort Wilderness. They have a camp fire with Chip and Dale. And a cute resturant called the Trails Inn. Can you tell I like it there?:) Have fun and enjoy your trip.

09-04-2002	#1 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	HI Family Suites vs All Star Hi all, Looking to head to WDW for xmas with 6 adults, 2 kids and a baby. We are not yet decided on whether to go off-site at the Family Suites or on-site at All Star or Caribbean Beach. Unfortunately, cost is a factor I must consider. Any experiences with Holiday Inn Family Suites? Good, bad or indifferent ?? Perhaps there are other offsite hotels that are good for kids that you may know. I am a bit concerned that if off-site at xmas time that the park might fill and we won't be able to get in. Not a concern if on-site. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

09-04-2002	#2 (permalink)
dab Perpetual Trip Planner Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,604	Goofy1 welcome to Disney Central! I have looked at the HI family suites online but never visited them. They do look nice and more roomy than your average hotel. As for the Disney resorts... I have stayed on property and off and would much rather stay on property even if it means a smaller room and a little more expensive! Both the All Stars and CBR are great ...it just depends on what you are looking for. If you don't plan to spend much time in the room then the All Stars should be fine. The rooms are pretty small and the beds are only full size. I assume you would get several rooms with such a big group. The CBR is great and the rooms are a good bit larger (beds still a full size here too). But, will it be open when you go... I think refurb. is planned to end sometime in Dec. 2002 ??? If I had to pick from the choices you listed, I'd go with CBR! __________________ http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...8lwbwx9enz.png

09-04-2002	#3 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Goofy1, welcome to DisneyCentral. We had some friends stay at the Holiday Inn Suites once. It was nice, but nothing spectacular. I think they paid about $110 per night as well. Right now, Disney is offering an At Par deal for Canadian citizens through Christmas. You book a room at $100 US dollars, but you only pay for the Canadian equivilant, $100 CA, or about $62 US dollars. Most discounts come out to about 38% off. The price is good for the room only, not passes or food. As long as you check in before 12/25 you should be ok. There are some other discounts available right now as well, and may be even better. I think the All-Stars are going for about $60 per night, and the moderates are about $85. You will not be able to stay at Caribbean Beach, they wil not allow any bookings right now until after the new year. Just conact a Disney travel agent to make book any of these packages. Make sure they are very familiar with Disney or they won't know about the deals. If I had the choice, it would be a toss up between the All-Stars and the Holiday Inn, but if you can afford a moderate, I would do that in a heart beat. Either Port Orleans resorts are great! __________________ Frank Costanza: You can drop a grand in Disney World, like that.

09-04-2002	#4 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	Uh oh! Thanks for the info. We have been waiting for the tour operators to get their winter packages together and it is taking them forever! My greatest fear is that by the time they get their act together the availability for rooms will be slim to noneunless they have a reserved block of rooms. Caribbean Beach was actually our 1st choice for on-site. It might be better to forget the packages and just book the darn rooms ourselves. Been planning this trip a long time and want it special for my kids. I'm going to the travel agent tonight to see what they know about the "at par" promotion. Based on the meeting I may very well be on the phone with Disney tomorrow!

09-04-2002	#5 (permalink)
Cinderellafifi Mouse Meister Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: S. Florida, Baby! Posts: 1,058	Hi and Welcome! I have stayed at Family Suites and enjoyed it. We got a low rate of $89. per nite for New Year's 2 years ago. If you must drop any hotel in your list, I would suggest All Stars. You can get much more room by getting a suite or villa right outside Disney. Be sure to check out the Lake Buena Vista area on line. They have a ton of hotels, villas, etc. Also mousesavers.com was once running a special with Family Suites. Go to the site and see what it has to offer. I think there is a deal right now for Downtown Disney's DoubleTree Suites - you would be right on Disney property. Good luck and have fun! :) __________________ A whole year without a Disney visit leads to a crabby family DC's Tinkerbell is a very special fairy! A dream is a wish your heart makes...

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > Orlando Hotels and Attractions
HI Family Suites vs All Star

09-05-2002	#6 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	Thanks for the replies. Personally, I would rather stay on-site at one of the moderates but others in our group are leaning more towards the Family Suites. They have a new baby and feel a kitchette would be a must for them. I want a good place for my 7 and 9 year old to have fun when not at WDW. Brochures sure look like it caters to kids. Are there other resorts that are kid orientated but still have an atmosphere enjoyable to an adult? Sean

09-05-2002	#7 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	How big is your party? edit: OOps, maybe I should read the post first! __________________ Frank Costanza: You can drop a grand in Disney World, like that.

09-05-2002	#8 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	6 adults, 2 kids and 1 baby.

09-05-2002	#9 (permalink)
dab Perpetual Trip Planner Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,604	If I remember correctly, the HI Family Suites kitchenette consists of a mini-frig. , coffee maker, & microwave. I agree that that would be nice to have with a new baby. Also HIFS having the separate semi-private bedroom for the baby would give the new parents some privacy during nap times. Also, your kids would probably enjoy the bunk beds, nintendo, tv, etc... in their own private themed room. It is tempting! All of the Disney resorts definately cater to kids & adults but I think the moderate resorts do a better job with the adults! If staying on property is important to you, here are some suggestions that might help. As far as I know at all Disney resorts you can rent a mini-frig for $10 a day and I think they all have a coffee maker (at least the moderate resorts do). Do they really need the microwave? You can heat water in the coffee pot to warm bottles... done that before and it works fine! Privacy isn't usually an issue with small babies (under 1 yr.) so co-sleeping should not be a problem. You can request a portable crib at check-in. If I were traveling with a small baby I would rather be as close to my room as I could be in the event I needed to return for some R&R or get needed items. The HIFS would be a longer drive. If staying on property your friends can utilize the Disney busses and split up if one needs to leave with the baby and not have to worry about returning to pick up the other. Good luck with your decision! Either way... you're going to WDW and are sure to have a blast!:D __________________ http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...8lwbwx9enz.png

09-05-2002	#10 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	Yes, I agree. Another part of the equation is overall costs. You obviously pay more to stay on-site and it likely is benefitial but puts the overall costs well over budget. Sean

10-27-2002	#11 (permalink)
charlene Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: suburban Philadelphia, on the Jersey Side Posts: 220	Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort ANYONE BEEN THERE I am also having trouble deciding weather to stay at the Hi family resorts or All stars. HI's free breakfast buffet and 2 room suites are atrractive for my party of 6 . But the whole staying in the magic, you know??? We stayed at all star movies in 2000. Rooms were small and the food bill did tally up very quickly. The busses were a pain too, having to stop at the three clusters value resorts. But I cant see the free shuttles fro HI to be much better. What I need is assurance that the HI family resort doesnt stink. It takes me a whole year to plan and pay for this vacation...Can any one tell me is it claen, is the Buffet worth it???HELP! :laugh :!:

10-28-2002	#12 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Well, I have been in the rooms, though I have never stayed there or eaten there, so I am of little help. The rooms were nice, especially the kid suites, though I understand they are a bit on the expensive side. I though the room we were in was ok, not really well done, but they kids seemed to like it. The one complaint that I always hear about this place is that while they do offer free shuttle service, many people have waited for over an hour for the shuttle to come. __________________ Frank Costanza: You can drop a grand in Disney World, like that.

11-18-2002	#13 (permalink)
charlene Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: suburban Philadelphia, on the Jersey Side Posts: 220	Hi Family suites I just booked $99.00 a night! I couldnt decide either.....But I am taking my mom who just happens to have aarp card ( she's 50). With that we booked 10 nights for 99.00 a night for a 2 bedroom kidsuite w/a king size bed in the main bedroom, a bunk bed with a trundle (sleeps 3 kids in there own room!) and a queen sleeper in the living room. The reservation lady didnt even need proof or anything though...I just booked in my name holding with my Credit card. I am hoping that with the kids eat free program and the free full course beakfast bar it will be worth staying outside of the 'Magic". We are a young family of 5 plus my mom. I figure There will be a time for moderate or even luxury Disney trips in our future but for now , on a budget and a dream to go every other year, 1.5 miles outside the magic wil have to do for now. :)

11-27-2002	#14 (permalink)
wdw510 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 55	I know it's a hard choice to decide when working with a budget! We have gone to Disney World about 12 times and have only stayed off property once,(when we chaperoned a high school show choir group), and we hated it. We don't spend alot of time at our resort so room size isn't a priorty for us. Of course traveling with a baby or small children is a whole other story! When our son was small, it was such an advantage to just hop a bus back to the resort for a nap, I haven't really figured out if our son or dad needed the nap(ha) We have found so many other ways to stretch the budget without having to give up staying on property.

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12-11-2002	#15 (permalink)
Nlk Mouseketeer Intern Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 12	I like the Fort Wilderness Cabins. They sleep 6. 4 in one room with a bunk bed and 2 in the living room with a pull down bed. It has a full kichen and a porch. The grounds are beautiful you feel like your camping but without really camping. It's more money but if you go to mousesavers.com you can get a code for a discount. You can take the boat to MK and watch the fireworks at night from the beach at Fort Wilderness. They have a camp fire with Chip and Dale. And a cute resturant called the Trails Inn. Can you tell I like it there?:) Have fun and enjoy your trip.