Nick Hotel or Windsor Hills....

[pennymercantile]

We are heading to Disney May 19 checking out May 26th.

I got a deal on Nick Hotels for $149 a night 2 bed suite with the 3rd night FREE. SO it averages out for our 7 night stay to be $745 plus an additional 7 nights resort fee of $140.

I keep thinking I should go w/the Windsor Hills for $85 a night?

Arghhh

Should I try a combo with Nick for 3 nights and then get charged the extra fee for cleaning at the Condo?

What would you do for a once in a lifetime vacation (hopefully on a decent budget).

Gayle w/ 3 children 11, 9 and just turned 6.

Thanks

 

[JunieJay]

With kids as young as yours I'd stick with the Nick Hotel.

 

[conniehar90]

I can't comment on the Nick as I haven't stayed there. We just returned from Windsor Hills and it was great. We really enjoy having the extra room of a condo and the price is right! Our kids really enjoyed the pool also.

The last time I saw a commercial for Nick, I thought to myself that if we stayed there, my kids would probably not want to leave to go to the parks. That's not a good thing when you pay all that money to go to Disney and your kids just want to play in the pool.

 

[5mins2disney]

I can't speak for Nick Hotel, but we've had some of the best family vacations we've had anywhere EVER staying at Windsor Hills, it's an incredible resort! The resort pool is a zero entry style pool and not very deep throughout, the clubhouse is just gorgeous, and you can't beat the price vs value/amenities you get for the price at this resort. For less than $149 a night you could be staying in an upgraded townhome with your own private splash pool, or get a condo for the $85/night like you mentioned and save some $$!

We saved enough money staying there vs staying onsite to take a second whole TRIP to Disney a year later!

All those who love staying onsite, well, you can have your memories of how great your hotel room was while we're back at WDW on another trip with all of the $$ we saved! LOL These places blow away anything you'll find at a hotel / resort property, and the resort is still brand new, so it's "undiscovered", it's been amazing to me that on many of our trips there the place has been practically empty, no one knows about it yet! (Which is why the prices are still a steal!)

- George

 

[lovindonald]

I have stayed at the Nick Hotel for a week each year 2005 & 2006. The kids do not want to leave the pool and when they do, they only talk about getting back there. I will however say, I think the resort fee is outrageous unless you make full use of all the amenities of the resort, ie the bus service, all the pool games, etc. We have never used the bus service since we rent a car. Also, the kids have so much fun just being in the pool that we never do the pool games either. It is kind of a waste for us. In addition to the resort fee they have changed the kids eat free policy from 12 years old to 5 years old. My kids are 15, 9 & 8 and I probably won't stay there again. I would rather have a little more space and a cheaper rate. I am currently looking into either Windsor Hills or The Radisson Orlando at Celebration. They have a lot more pool activities and things to do with a cheaper resort fee that even includes bottled water and a better kids eat free program and even better eating choices. We like to spend a day or 2 at the resort so I want more. Nick Hotel has just gotten a little bit of a big head and knows people will come either way. I will boycott because of some of the choices they are making. JMO.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

Kids 11, 9 & 6 - I agree with 5mins2disney, we stayed with our 3 in a rental home last time and have chosen to again. We could afford either but the advantages at Windsor Hills are too great for us. We rented a townhome with a private splash pool, 2 master bedrooms each with bathrooms, and a kids twin bed bedroom also with it's own bathroom, pool heat and all taxes in for $950 for the week. Considering it's on a resort with waterslides, park, pools and pool tables (my 11 year old thinks pool is too cool) and we have so much room, I love that when the kids are all in bed hubby & I can share a glass of wine in the pool, it makes it all worthwhile for us to have the alone time, even if it is just an hour, it is our vacation too. Also, my favorite part - the day before we leave we always dedicate the day as a "day off" just hanging out, shopping and after an early dinner I do all the laundry - prefer to do it in Florida in between pool dips - and to come home without laundry.........priceless!!

Also, I find it hard to keep my eyes out on 3 kids at a public pool full of kids, so much easier when it's not such a crowded place or when it's in your own backyard.

Check out this site.... http://www.5mins2disney.com/ and see for yourself. The owner happens to be a favorite here!

 

[momofdbsdc]

I stayed at HIFS (pre- Nick turnover!) and loved it. Now we stay at Windsor Hills and love it!We can't wait to return this year!!! But then again, I have 6 kids and love having the space and the washer and dryer so that I don't need to pack as much!!

I am sure no matter what you decide you will have a wonderful time!

Happy Planning!
Kim
momofdbsdca

 

[pennymercantile]

Well....

I canceled Nick and booked a 3 bedroom w/kitchen at the Windsor Hills for $240 cheaper!

The kids were ok w/it esp. after we told them we'd give them an extra $20 each to buy something with.

 

[5mins2disney]

Check out this site.... http://www.5mins2disney.com/ and see for yourself. The owner happens to be a favorite here!

Hey thank you for the kind mention!

You echoed what my DW says, there's nothing like coming home from vacation with no laundry!

It is so much easier to watch the kids when they're in the splash pool than the big resort pool, not that we don't like the resort pool, but if they go in it, we feel like we need to go in it with them and be in the pool the whole time with them, they're just too little to be on their own.

You're going to love the resort, honestly, you'll never want to stay in a hotel ever again, especially when you see how nice your place is going to be for what you're paying!

Please do report back to us and give us a trip report on your place!

- George