Hi...The Nick hotel is huge and busy (especially on the weekends!) but they have awesome pools and the rooms are great (2 separate bedrooms both with tv, kids room has a game boy or something similar, living room with another tv, micro, fridge, sink). If you have a big family, its nice to be able to stretch out. Thats the good news.
It is about 1 mile or so from the WDW "arch" and a good 20-30 minutes to Sea World and Universal (depending on traffic, especially around the convention center).
Now the downside:
There is a lot to do at Nick, but most of it costs extra and is pricey IMO. The do have a food court and a convenience store (again $$$) along with a sit down restaurant.
If it is a busy week, be prepared to walk a ways to your room. When we went in September, we were never able to park anywhere near our building and had a good 15 minute walk to and from the car.
The only reason we stay here is because we use DH's priority club points and get our room free.
I would try maybe two nights this trip and then if you like it come back on another trip...It is pretty expensive (unless you come across a good rate).
We are not "onsite" fans, we actually prefer to stay offsite (honestly for us a hotel room is just a place to sleep). I'm not saying there is anything wrong with WDW hotels (the ones we have stayed in were beautiful), we just prefer offsite.
Not sure about transportation, we always rent a car (even the few times we stayed onsite).
If you are concerned at all about cutting cost, there is a Super
Walmart right around the corner about a mile or so. We buy breakfast food/snacks/ pop/water there and then eat it in the room. With a fridge and micro, there are lots of options. (there is a Nickelodeon character breakfast at the hotel, but again $$$).
Do you get the feeling that this is not a cheap place to stay?? LOL Even if you get a good room rate, alot of the extras cost quite a bit and the money adds up quickly!!
Hope this helps. Have fun!!