first timer maybe? help!

[hrmom26]

i had every intention of going to disney next year but my family has asked me to go to the nick hotel and go to universal instead. i have never been to universal and niether has my family i usually go on trips with a strict budgit. does anyone have any good tips for me ? any web sites that have some info on the parks as well as sea world? i also need any money saving ideas you may have. and has anyone stayed at the nickelodain hotel in orlando is it worth the money to stay there ? my kids love nick shows (spongebob is my sons fav.) we are going in march of 2006 my two kids 8,11 and cousins 11,11,1,and 15. any help would be great. thanks :confused3

[Snoopymom]

I'd do a Nick Hotel search on the Orlando board for reviews. Personally, I changed my mind about staying there after reading their reviews....sounds a little too loud and crazy for me, and for the price, I'd rather stay on site so that you have front of the line access especially when you're traveling with so many.

As for the parks, I think at those ages, your kids will love it, and there's a cute little Barney show and Seuss Landing for the 1 year old too.

Hope this helps a little. Have fun planning!

[momof3disneyholics]

IMHO the Nick Hotel is being way too overhyped. I have read some really bad reviews about it on some other boards. It is a really old hotel that has had a fresh coat of paint and some stuff added. That is all. I can tell you from someone I know that worked there since it "reopened" that the place is not run well at all. You should really look into staying onsite at Universal.

[stevenpensacola]

Another vote for staying in one of the Universal Hotels. The Front of the Line access is priceless.

We stayed at the Royal Pacific...we felt like celebrities the way we were treated at check-in!

['Canes Fan]

we've never stayed at the nickhotel for good reasons. we've toured the property on our own. the same rate will get you a beautiful resort at UO with FOTL.