Advice: Nickelodeon Family Suites

[Jedi5]

Hi everyone.

So I'm planning a trip for this coming December for my family.
Looking at 3 nights/4 days.
Wife, myself, DD 3, and DS 4.

Wife and I know we want to stay at a suite hotel.
And we were looking at the Doubletree at DTD.

But............

We're also sorta thinking of the Nickelodeon Hotel.
The reviews aren't the best. Lot's of mixed reviews and it seems like a hit or miss.

Our dilemma...

For the most part, Disney vacations are for the kids, right?
As a parent, you look forward as to how your child is going react and their eyes light up when they see Mickey and all the character.

Should I just throw caution to the wind; damn the reviews and give the Nick Hotel a shot?
I mean sure as an adult you are going to see all the faults of a hotel.
What can be better, what is out dated, etc...
But as a child, all they'll see and remember is: Mickey, Dora, a swimming pool, funnel cake, etc.

We're still going to make it out to the parks and walk around Disney.
That way kids will see Dora and Mickey.

The price difference between the Doubletree and Nick isn't that bad.
I think it was about $50-70 for the 3 nights.
Something like $338 at the DT vs $380 at the Nick.

So what do you seasoned Disney veterans think?

 

[4greatboys]

We stayed there before and our boys loved it. We had a nice room. It was clean and in good shape. We spent a lot of time in the pool area. The kids had a blast. We also enjoyed the character breakfast. We love Spongebob, and Patrick and Squidward were also there. It's very close to Disney so it shouldn't take you long at all to get to the parks.
I would definately stay there again.

 

[horseshowmom]

I haven't stayed there (my daughter is grown), but my brother and his family stayed there a couple of years ago. His little girl absolutely loved it. She didn't even want to leave the hotel to go do other things.

Also, it seemed like they have a live camera somewhere on the grounds, and she was able to wave at her friends at a set time (she got a kick out of that).

 

[rhiannon]

Yes, I'm very interested in hearing opinions on this. We're kind of in the same boat as you Jedi5, need a place to stay a couple nights pre-Dis cruise, were thinking NIck, but I've also seen the mixed reviews and am wary.
On the other hand, most were about things only adults would notice, such as cracks in the rubber around the pool. I'd love to hear more of what others have to say.
I can get a real good deal during March at Nick of $150 a nite, but I also think Hyatt Grand Cypress looks fun and is just a bit more.
HELP!!

 

[polkadotminnie]

We have stayed there three times. It is a kids dream come true. For me, it was just OK but I booked it for the kids not me.

 

[doclegler]

Not our favorite, due to the number of guests every weekend. Its gotten really busy and it truly takes the fun out of everything. On the flip side, my kids love it. We just can't stand all the people!

 

[4greatboys]

Yes, I'm very interested in hearing opinions on this. We're kind of in the same boat as you Jedi5, need a place to stay a couple nights pre-Dis cruise, were thinking NIck, but I've also seen the mixed reviews and am wary.
On the other hand, most were about things only adults would notice, such as cracks in the rubber around the pool. I'd love to hear more of what others have to say.
I can get a real good deal during March at Nick of $150 a nite, but I also think Hyatt Grand Cypress looks fun and is just a bit more.
HELP!!

We stayed at the Hyatt Grand Cypress last Feb. It is a nice resort but the pool area at Nick Studio's is a lot more fun. The Hyatt is more a hotel while Nick has a little kitchen area which was nice to have.
With kids I would pick Nick over the Hyatt.

 

[Jedi5]

Talked it over with the wife and decided that we're going to go with the Nick after all.

This vacation is not for us and I'm pretty sure the kids will never notice
the outdated decor.

The crowds at this hotel...

We're going first week of December.
Can we still expect this hotel to be crowded at this time?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I just wanted to tell you that Travel Zoo has a deal at Nick for $79 for a suite, they also add in the $25 resort fee. I think it runs through Feb.

 

[doclegler]

The crowds at this hotel...

We're going first week of December.
Can we still expect this hotel to be crowded at this time?

IMHO Yes, because we've been there twice in December! VERY crowded, especially on the weekends. Just have fun during the week, and avoid the waterpark during the weekend.
Best of luck to you. Enjoy the shows and projects they have during the day. GREAT way to keep the kids happy!

 

[SnowWitch]

We just retunred last week. My little loved it. The room appeared to have a fresh coat of paint and new carpet. Some have reported the food in the mall area to be expensive, I disagree, I found it less expensive than most all Disney options. The pool areas were great fun. We only had 2 issues during our trip that stand out. 1. We retunred one night to find we could not enter our room. After contacting staff it took 25 minutes to get in the room. The electronic unit on the door had broken. Once in the staffa sked if we wanted it replaced then or in the am. I requested in the am. It was fixed very quickly in the am while we were at the pool and new keys obtained from the mall desk. 2. I found it interesting that the oasis pool was not open for several days of our trip. Our room was in that area. I will know next time to request a pool in the lagoon area.

The staff overall was very friendly and the activites were great!! I will write a full trip report in a few days. Best of luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[Jedi5]

I just wanted to tell you that Travel Zoo has a deal at Nick for $79 for a suite, they also add in the $25 resort fee. I think it runs through Feb.

I think I'm doing wrong.
I can't find this rate.
I click on $79 link but rates are higher
on following page.
Did they sell out?

 

[chrisann]

Talked it over with the wife and decided that we're going to go with the Nick after all.

This vacation is not for us and I'm pretty sure the kids will never notice
the outdated decor.

The crowds at this hotel...

We're going first week of December.
Can we still expect this hotel to be crowded at this time?

We'll see you there! We're going to be there the 1st -4th. Did you get the travelzoo rate of $79/nt?(+resort fee)?

 

[chrisann]

I think I'm doing wrong.
I can't find this rate.
I click on $79 link but rates are higher
on following page.
Did they sell out?

what are your dates? If you're having a problem, you can call them and ask for the travelzoo rate too?

 

[Jedi5]

what are your dates? If you're having a problem, you can call them and ask for the travelzoo rate too?

Couldn't find the rate online on Travelzoo.
Called the hotel directly and was told those rates sold out.
Bummer.

I take it you got in those rates?

 

[toverly]

We just got back from the Nick Hotel today! It was our second time there and my DS 11 loved it! He requested it for his birthday. If you think Holiday Inn, you won't be disappointed. It's not fancy by any means but the colors are great and it was very clean. Most kids are having the time of their lives and quite happy. The breakfast buffet is expensive. I think it was around $30 for three of us. Two adults and one child. Most mornings we had muffins and stuff in the room. I would go back again but never on the Weekends. Monday thru Friday morning was fantastic, Friday noon to Sunday Morning was extremely crowded and would have been a bummer if we had only been there at that time. It is really a hotel that is alot to do after doing Disney all day. I would plan it for the "down" days maybe to recuperate after a few days at Disney.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I feel like the parks, snacks, and pools are for the kids. But the hotel? That's for me! I say stay where you and your wife will be most comfortable. Kids (mine at least) will be happy sleeping anywhere as long as they get to go to Disney.
Have a great time!

 

[MKEMSE12]

We were suppose to stay las New Years Eve night, but when we got to the hotel around 1:30am, they had sold our room and they had to put us up @ the Ritz Carlton because obviously everywhere else was booked. It was their mistake. We told them when reserving that we wouldnt be there till late because we were going to be @ the Magic Kingdom. The rooms were nice if we were kids, but our room had a LARGE ant infestation in the kitchenette area and the roons were very dirty!!!!! We told them about the ants and they said yes we are aware! They didnt do anything about it! The character breakfast was a joke, very very expensive and the food was horrible! We had to stop and eat again because everyone was hungry!!

 

[Cami]

I just booked using the code and link from travelzoo. $79 at the start of Thanksgiving week! My kids are going to be so excited.

 

[WENDYDOTS]

Jedi5....We are in the same boat as you are! I bit the bullet and booked the NickHotel for our stay Jan 28-31 before our Disney Cruise. As previous posters have stated...'it is for the kids'. I can handle chaos, but not dirty. I will be anxiously awaiting your trip report . FYI- I got a rate of $94 from AAA.com if that helps you! Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

Me DH DS 11 DD 8 DD 3