Restaurants/Nick Hotel?

[dizneyfan]

Our family is staying one night at the Nick Hotel before we move over to AKL. Are there any off-site restaurants within walking distance of this hotel, we will not have a car?

Also, I am considering the Nick Character Breakfast buffet. Can reservations be made in advance? If so, who do I contact? Anyone have any opinions on this character meal concerning quality, value, etc?

Thanks!

--dizneyfan

 

[lovindonald]

There is nothing within walking distance. You are kind of in an odd spot. However, they do have a pizza hut and a Subway in the "mall". I found the food at the buffets okay but not great and for the quality I think they are pricey. The kids eat free off a menu only if they are 5 and under now and that menu consists of pb&j (uncrustables), mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and maybe pizza. The buffets are fine but again not fantastic. The closest thing to the hotel would be a Ponderosa down on the corner of the 535 or the Gaylord Palms which has restaurants. I am not sure if you said how old your kids are but it would probably be about a 3/4 mile walk. If you could catch a shuttle to DTD which is also close, you could eat there, but you have to be able to get back. Hope that helps!

 

[lovindonald]

One more thing, the character meal is similar in price to a disney character meal. The interaction is good the food is average, not fantastic or the quality of disney. I think for 4 of us, it cost about $75 with tip 2 1/2 years ago so I am not sure what it is now with all their price increases. You can call in advance and should be able to make reservations with guest services.

 

[SharonLowe]

Our family is staying one night at the Nick Hotel before we move over to AKL. Are there any off-site restaurants within walking distance of this hotel, we will not have a car?

Also, I am considering the Nick Character Breakfast buffet. Can reservations be made in advance? If so, who do I contact? Anyone have any opinions on this character meal concerning quality, value, etc?

Thanks!

--dizneyfan

Nothing you can walk to. My DD and I stayed there last October. Ate at the restaurant one evening - not bad - they offer menu or buffet dining. I did the buffet because I am vegetarian and have a dairy allergy - was able to get a better selection that way for a lower price. We didn't do the character b'fast - heard the food was pretty bad. We bought stuff at the store the night before (bagels and cereal) and ate them in our room. The 2nd night, she got pizza at Pizza Hut and I got a sub at Subway and took them back to our room.

The kids will love the water attractions!

 

[3for Me]

O.K., I have to say that the only 'decent' food we found here was by the pool. We also did the character breakfast and thought it was so-so.

The food is LACKING here!

 

[Amity 3]

our character breakfasts have been better in food quality and character time than Chef Mickey's.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Our family is staying one night at the Nick Hotel before we move over to AKL. Are there any off-site restaurants within walking distance of this hotel, we will not have a car?

Also, I am considering the Nick Character Breakfast buffet. Can reservations be made in advance? If so, who do I contact? Anyone have any opinions on this character meal concerning quality, value, etc?

Thanks!

--dizneyfan

As a non-fan of the Nick Hotel, why not stay at a value resort the first day, this way you can utilize Magic Express, then transfer over the AKL. I completely understand the maybe the children need to see the Nick Hotel. Which may not be a bad idea because after they see it they won't want to ever again. That was the case 2 years ago with my kids.

Another good thing about staying at the Nick Hotel prior to Disney is that it will make you appreciate Disney that much more.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against staying off -property. Me and the family stay at the RI Seaworld prior to our on-site stays.....It just the Nick Hotel, they really need to get their act together.

 

[thedish]

Why don't you like the Nick Hotel?

 

[Ed J]

I had fillet mignon one night and broiled Salmon the two nights we stayed there back in Nov, both exceeded my expectations. The buffet looked (no one in our group actually got, I only did a drive by) on par with a Country buffet with less selections.
I think sometimes people forget it's only a holiday inn that is about the kids not their pampering.

 

[dizneyfan]

Thanks guys--great replies. I'm sorry to hear that there is nothing with a short walking distance...I was hoping to catch a price break at least one meal this trip!

I guess the Pizza Hut and Subway will have to do for us that one evening; maybe if we get a look at the buffet it will appeal to us. It seems as if there are mixed reviews on the character breakfast...I'll give that one some thought. My kids, ages 10 and 12, eat better at breakfast than any other meal, so we're more inclined to eat our "over-priced" buffets at breakfast. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and realize that we are paying a price for the atmosphere and "experience".

To Cindy's Mom...yes, I doubt I will be a big fan of this hotel either. My kids are dying to do the water slides here, though! The pool at AKL does very little to interest them (their slide stinks!), so we are making this concession.

Thanks again!

--dizneyfan

 

[lovindonald]

I doubt I will be a big fan of this hotel either. My kids are dying to do the water slides here, though! The pool at AKL does very little to interest them (their slide stinks!), so we are making this concession.

You may actually be surprised. I have to say we just love this place and I never expected to. Your kids will have so much fun, they will never want to leave. Isn't that what it is all about after all. I would stay there again in a heartbeat but when you add up their resort fee and the change in the KEF program and now inflated room charges for when I want to go, it just isn't feasible. My kids can spend days just hanging by the pool. BTW, if you are going just for the water tower, and slides, request a room on the lagoon side. That is where the tower you see in all the ads is.

The do also have a restaurant called The Buffet. That place (if open) serves many of the things that the Nicktoons Cafe does and is cheaper. The breakfast is almost the same as the character one and much cheaper. That may be an option for you.

 

[dizneyfan]

lovindonald--

You're right...I'm pretty sure my kids will love this place. We are paying an arm and a leg for it, though! If we could stay only one day later, the price would be only 1/3 the cost! And that resort fee is just an excuse to get $20 more a day!

We probably would eat breakfast in our room unless we opt for the character breakfast. We will have a grocery stop with our towncar service just for the purpose of picking up some breakfast foods--DH quickly tires of the over-priced food we have on vacation and feels like he's really accomplishing something by eating breakfast in the room most days. I'll continue to grant him this one request if he will continue to to let our family visit "the mouse" each year!

Thanks for the input!

--dizneyfan