Nick Hotel ???

[Montana Disney Fan]

We are thinking of staying at the Nick Hotel for 3 nights before we move on property on our next trip.

Their website does not provide very good information. Any info anyone can share would be great.

We usually like to get a 2 or 3 bedroom condo when we go down and I see that Nick has these types of units.

Thanks gang!

MDF

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We stayed there when it was called the Holiday Inn Family Suites.
It is good if you have children, the pool is excellent for kids and all the rooms either have a full kitchen or a kitchenette.

There are also a variety of options with 1/2/3 bedroomed villas.
Many of them having 3 TVs and seperate rooms for the kids, often themed with characters from Universal.

I would recommend it but agree the website is not fantastic. We had a look round after the renovation and it really is themed very well and there is an excellent restaurant and store also.

 

[PammyK]

We are thinking of staying at the Nick Hotel for 3 nights before we move on property on our next trip.

Their website does not provide very good information. Any info anyone can share would be great.

We usually like to get a 2 or 3 bedroom condo when we go down and I see that Nick has these types of units.

Thanks gang!

MDF

My sister just stayed at this resort a couple weeks ago so I recently got to visit the property. I have to say, I was not impressed. My sister had a "2BR kidsuite." The living room was TINY but did include an under the bar fridge, microwave and coffee maker. The master BR had a queen bed, I believe and the bed practically took up the entire room. The kids bedroom had twin beds but no door. Apparently a thick curtain is supposed to be sufficient. Don't really understand why there was no door for the kids bedroom - maybe so they can't lock themselves in? At any rate, not very sound proof from the living room so if there are older and younger kids in the family it will be hard to get the little ones to bed without them being distracted by noise from the living room.

As far as square footage, the unit seemed quite small - definitely feeling smaller than 2 room at a WDW moderate resort (so figure less than 600 sq ft overall). If you are used to a traditional timeshare condo, you will feel VERY cramped. Also, there is only one bathroom for the entire kidsuite.

The pools themselves were pretty cool for kids with the slides and other water features. Kind of reminded me of the water play area at Universal in some ways. However, they play LOUD music at the pools until after 9pm which didn't seem to be a very good thing if you wanted to get your kids to sleep early.

Dining options at Nick were horrible and horribly inefficient but they did have A&W root beer in the fountain which was the only plus, lol. Prices were ridiculous...$27.99 for a bottle of wine that sells for around $5 in Publix. I realize that you should expect some markup, but this was just outrageous. Also, they have snack bars at each of the pools but they closed ridiculously early. Not only that, but the locations had a posted closing time and were closed up at least 15 minutes prior to the posted time.

Employees were not particularly friendly; nor were they well informed regarding the resort offerings. My sister called to ask if the snack bar by the pool would be open in the evening and was told that it would be. We headed out to the pool immediately after that and found that the snack location had been closed for almost 2 hours according to the posted schedule.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well we had a very different experience in July. Let me tell you first that the kids LOVED the Nick Hotel. We stayed there for two nights before moving onto the Grand Floridian. The 2 bedroom kidsuite was not huge but was certainly big enough for the five of us. The pools and activities were great for the kids. We only left the hotel to go to DTD for dinner one night. THat was the one are that the hotel was lacking in - good food. Housekeeping was better than the GF and the hotel employees were all super friendly and helpful. We had a room facing the man made lagoon and had absolutely no problem with noise, either from outside or other rooms. We would definitely go back.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

My sister just stayed at this resort a couple weeks ago so I recently got to visit the property. I have to say, I was not impressed. My sister had a "2BR kidsuite." The living room was TINY but did include an under the bar fridge, microwave and coffee maker. The master BR had a queen bed, I believe and the bed practically took up the entire room. The kids bedroom had twin beds but no door. Apparently a thick curtain is supposed to be sufficient. Don't really understand why there was no door for the kids bedroom - maybe so they can't lock themselves in? At any rate, not very sound proof from the living room so if there are older and younger kids in the family it will be hard to get the little ones to bed without them being distracted by noise from the living room.

As far as square footage, the unit seemed quite small - definitely feeling smaller than 2 room at a WDW moderate resort (so figure less than 600 sq ft overall). If you are used to a traditional timeshare condo, you will feel VERY cramped. Also, there is only one bathroom for the entire kidsuite.

The pools themselves were pretty cool for kids with the slides and other water features. Kind of reminded me of the water play area at Universal in some ways. However, they play LOUD music at the pools until after 9pm which didn't seem to be a very good thing if you wanted to get your kids to sleep early.

Dining options at Nick were horrible and horribly inefficient but they did have A&W root beer in the fountain which was the only plus, lol. Prices were ridiculous...$27.99 for a bottle of wine that sells for around $5 in Publix. I realize that you should expect some markup, but this was just outrageous. Also, they have snack bars at each of the pools but they closed ridiculously early. Not only that, but the locations had a posted closing time and were closed up at least 15 minutes prior to the posted time.

Employees were not particularly friendly; nor were they well informed regarding the resort offerings. My sister called to ask if the snack bar by the pool would be open in the evening and was told that it would be. We headed out to the pool immediately after that and found that the snack location had been closed for almost 2 hours according to the posted schedule.

Other than that was it okay?

 

[PammyK]

Other than that was it okay?

Well, you know, honestly the kids enjoyed the pools a whole lot. IMO the pools with those cool slides and water features are the main draw to the resort. It just seemed that for the money, you can often get much more comfortable accommodations with just as many kids activities (although not as cool pools) that are just as convenient to the attractions.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Well, you know, honestly the kids enjoyed the pools a whole lot. IMO the pools with those cool slides and water features are the main draw to the resort. It just seemed that for the money, you can often get much more comfortable accommodations with just as many kids activities (although not as cool pools) that are just as convenient to the attractions.

We usually stay at the Wyndham Palms in a 1300 sq ft 2-Bedroom then move to one of the DVC 2-Bedroom resorts which range from 900 sq ft to 1250.

I have to be honest, looking at the pictures of this resort it looks quite garish! It doesn't look relaxing or comfortable and the rooms are so small (450 sq ft for a 2-bdroom!).

Does anyone know if we can VISIT the resort and see the characters? ...or do we have to stay there?

Thanks!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Well, you know, honestly the kids enjoyed the pools a whole lot. IMO the pools with those cool slides and water features are the main draw to the resort. It just seemed that for the money, you can often get much more comfortable accommodations with just as many kids activities (although not as cool pools) that are just as convenient to the attractions.

I am sure you are right Pammy - we stayed there when it was called the Holiday Inn Family Suites and we thought it was okay - the suites are a bit small.
We did like the pool area although it did get very crowded at times.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We usually stay at the Wyndham Palms in a 1300 sq ft 2-Bedroom then move to one of the DVC 2-Bedroom resorts which range from 900 sq ft to 1250.

I have to be honest, looking at the pictures of this resort it looks quite garish! It doesn't look relaxing or comfortable and the rooms are so small (450 sq ft for a 2-bdroom!).

Does anyone know if we can VISIT the resort and see the characters? ...or do we have to stay there?

Thanks!

We have visited since the renovation, to be honest if you have children you will blend in perfectly with everyone else and no-one will know if you are staying there or not - there is no security on the car park.
There are tickets that they give the guests to display inside their car's though, that may be the only problem.

 

[disneyscuba]

My sister just stayed at this resort a couple weeks ago so I recently got to visit the property. I have to say, I was not impressed. My sister had a "2BR kidsuite." The living room was TINY but did include an under the bar fridge, microwave and coffee maker. The master BR had a queen bed, I believe and the bed practically took up the entire room. The kids bedroom had twin beds but no door. Apparently a thick curtain is supposed to be sufficient. Don't really understand why there was no door for the kids bedroom - maybe so they can't lock themselves in? At any rate, not very sound proof from the living room so if there are older and younger kids in the family it will be hard to get the little ones to bed without them being distracted by noise from the living room.

As far as square footage, the unit seemed quite small - definitely feeling smaller than 2 room at a WDW moderate resort (so figure less than 600 sq ft overall). If you are used to a traditional timeshare condo, you will feel VERY cramped. Also, there is only one bathroom for the entire kidsuite.

The pools themselves were pretty cool for kids with the slides and other water features. Kind of reminded me of the water play area at Universal in some ways. However, they play LOUD music at the pools until after 9pm which didn't seem to be a very good thing if you wanted to get your kids to sleep early.

Dining options at Nick were horrible and horribly inefficient but they did have A&W root beer in the fountain which was the only plus, lol. Prices were ridiculous...$27.99 for a bottle of wine that sells for around $5 in Publix. I realize that you should expect some markup, but this was just outrageous. Also, they have snack bars at each of the pools but they closed ridiculously early. Not only that, but the locations had a posted closing time and were closed up at least 15 minutes prior to the posted time.

Employees were not particularly friendly; nor were they well informed regarding the resort offerings. My sister called to ask if the snack bar by the pool would be open in the evening and was told that it would be. We headed out to the pool immediately after that and found that the snack location had been closed for almost 2 hours according to the posted schedule.

Having no door is a state/county code. I'm guessing for fire and locking them in the room by accedent.

I stayed there once when they were under contruction(nov 04) and Oct 05. Just 3 of us on Oct so just got a one king room. In 04 we had a one bed room kid suite. There were 5 adults one child age 3 and we had room.

We love the improvements. We are going to make that are last night stay and just hang around the water slides tell we have to head over to the airport.

Later,
DisneyScuba

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Having no door is a state/county code. I'm guessing for fire and locking them in the room by accedent.

I stayed there once when they were under contruction(nov 04) and Oct 05. Just 3 of us on Oct so just got a one king room. In 04 we had a one bed room kid suite. There were 5 adults one child age 3 and we had room.

We love the improvements. We are going to make that are last night stay and just hang around the water slides tell we have to head over to the airport.

Later,
DisneyScuba

All the other resorts we stay in have a door to the second room. Maybe it has to do with the size of the room?

 

[DIS NURSE]

We just returned from a 5 night stay at the Nick Hotel! I knew what I what I was about to face, having done lOTS of reseacrh on this place since it was transformed into the Nick Hotel. I can tell you that it was a one time stop and that I wouldn't ever stay there again. Maybe the lows were accentuated because we had just stepped off the Magic (Disney Cruise!) for 7 nights!
It was small, not too bad on the cleanliness factor. DH did sleep in the bottom bunk of the kids room a few nights and swore he got bit by bugs. I beleive it. Many people have reported a bug problem here.

The food looked gross. We didn't dare even try. We had a rental car.....a must if you are considering this hotel IMHO.

We went to Disney properties for most of our entertainment and all of our food....I did load up on groceries at a Super Wal Mart down the street and a few turn later. That saved us! The #1 great thing about this stay was that we had a fridge and a microwave!

The elevators were gross, the breezeways always smelled of cig smoke and we took the stairs every time we went up or down to our room because of this!

The gym was so-so. The pools were fun but the rest of it could go.
Just wanted to warn you.
Again, if you really want to experience once for your kids' sake, just go for one or two nights. 5 nights was WAY too long!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We have decided NOT to stay here. It's just not for us.

Thanks for all the input everybody!

MDF