ANyone been to Nick hotel since the grand opening???

[tnkrbell]

How was it?? What did you like what did you not like. How is the food in the mall? Did your kids use the spa? Would you compare this hotel to a disney hotel?? THanks in Advance!!!!

 

[grlzmom]

We just came back from three days at Nick prior to a week at Cypress Pointe.

Rooms were not ready at check in time (stated as 4 p.m.) and we did NOT get rooms til 6:45 p.m. As a form of compensation we got a coupon for two free cokes and a microwave popcorn. We did get late checkout (priority club) so we didnt feel too cheated but I was still mad at the time.

What we liked - well, the kids loved the pools and character breakfast (we have three dora fans). Bigger girls (tweens) loved the poolside games, nick live, etc. Would not compare it to a Disney hotel since there isn't one anything like it. The theming is comletely totally great for a kid who is a nick fanatic.

We found the food in the mall to be fine but the service VERY slow and messed up. Kids ordered hot dog meals from A&W and it took 35 minutes to get them and we were charged three times on our room account. (you can check your account via the tv in the room) Had to go to guest services to get it straightened out and waited in line for fifteen minutes for help. However, they apoligized and took 15 percent off that nights stay.

Kids eat free with adult purchase at the buffets so that made breakfast relatively inexpensive (10 per adult) and plenty to pick from. Buffet dinner was about 25 per adult (held in the nicktoon cafe) and we did not feel that was a good value for the food. We ate it and were fine but heard several complaints from others regarding upset stomachs later.

The kids did like the character breakfast and there were plenty of characters to get photos with.

The mall also has a kiddie spa with hair wraps etc. (our girls got wraps done and they averaged 25 each). They do braids, manicures, pedicures, etc. Our girls wanted mani/pedi but they are 20 each and its just a little footbath type pedi (like you buy for home) and we can get a nicer mani/pedi at home for way less than 40. Spa also did airbrush tatoos for (I think) 3-22. Face painting in the evening (priced 1-3 dollars) and the painting was pretty elaborate for the price (comparable to the disney 8-12 types). Balloon animals (1-12 dollars) and there were TONS of kinds to pick from.

We were in the perfect location (building seven, first floor facing pool). However, they were still remodeling rooms on other side of us and began promptly at 7 in the morning with drills, etc. There is still painting going on and we found the walkways to be too narrow and difficult to navigate with even an umbrella stroller when the housekeeping carts were out in the hallways (which seemed like all day). We thought the kidssuites were plenty roomy (larger than we expected after reading the reviews). We had two connecting ones. If you need to use the sofa bed, once it is opened up you cannot get between it and the table/wall to get to the door so that might be difficult for some. The walls in our suites needed some touchup, etc. But the kids could care less.

There are some areas on the bottom of the pools that are quite rough and two of our kiddos ended up with their feet scratched. After talking with other moms at the pool, we werent the only ones. They play music all day at the pool (until 10 p.m. or so) and we were worried after reading reviews that the noise would be bad with our room location. However, that was not the case. The rooms are pretty noise proof (not vibration proof from construction however). The pools were very crowded all day. Never had a problem getting pool towels.

The rule regarding swimpants for all children under age four caused us some grumpy kiddos. Our 3.5 year old dd and our 2.5 year old twins are all WELL potty trained and have been for a very long time. However, their rules state (on literature in room) swimpants required all children under four. Of course we complied. Took us an hour to get them on the twins the first time And apparently there were lots of other people who didnt comply because the pool was closed for cleaning three times when we were there.

We enjoyed our stay. Maybe would go back again for a night or two (never paying full price again we just didnt feel its worth 200 plus per room). However, if we could get a mousesavers rate or something we might consider it. Must admit though, we were so happy to get to Cypress Pointe and relax after the Nick hotel.

Be happy to answer and questions. Sorry this is so fragmented. The little ones are driving me bonkers while I am trying to unpack and type

 

[tnkrbell]

Thanks so much for giving me such a great overview!

Have you ever stayed at the Yacht and Beach club??? Would you compare them at all??? I am paying 200.00 per night for the nick hotel and just a bit more for Yacht club. Im just trying to figure if I should keep my ressies the way they are or should I just stay the whole trip in Disney??

 

[grlzmom]

We have stayed at Yacht and Beach club and love it, how could you not Our kids love stormalong bay and the location is so nice. It is our second favorite, only to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Comparing it to Nick is nearly impossible, they are so different.

Think it really depends on what you are doing. Nick is nice for a day or two especially if you arent doing the parks and the kids certainly love the slides and they do have a nice little kids interactive water area with small slides and sprinkler type stuff.

I know if I had to choose between a week at Yacht/Beach club or week at Nick, it would not be Nick

It is something worth trying but I don't think I could handle more than a day or two there. Especially at 200 plus per night.

 

[tnkrbell]

Thanks for your reply! Im thinking maybe to just stay at the yacht and if I ever get a cheaper rate try the nick hotel.

 

[Wampy2]

Hi,

Thanks for your review!! Can you tell me what characters were at the breakfast?

Thanks!!

 

[grlzmom]

The characters at our breakfast were: Dora, Spongebob, Patrick, Angelica, Tommy, and Chuckie.

Also, Spongebob and Patrick were frequently out in the Mall area for pictures, but we didn't see any of the others out and about.

 

[Danvers]

Wow, I had NO idea there was a mall there. Anytime I drive by it, it's PACKED with cars!