Tell me about the Nick Hotel!

[momminnie]

We have reservations for sept.Just wondering what it is like. Do you make reservations for the character breakfast? Has anyone on here been and did you like it?

 

[toverly]

We went in March and my DS10 loved it. Come to think of it, I did too. We didn't do a Parks trip and used the hotel as a desination hotel. The hotel was about 1/3 full. The pools are heated but the waterslide thing isn't so it was perfect. When our DS disappeared into the waterworks he would come out often and warm up. They have a schedule of activities so you can sign up when you want to do something like a show or the Character breakfast. There was an adult beverage of the day and a kids drink of the day. For $10 you can get a refillable soda mug and for another price you can get a wristband for the 4D movies which you can watch as often as you want. It was the most relaxing vacation to Orlando we have ever had and we hope to do it again soon.

 

[Purseval]

Reviews on this hotel are all over the map, from great place for families to overpriced, overcrowded pigsty:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2175559

It appears that your experience will mostly depend on what time of year you go as it seems that they can't handle the crowds of the busy seasons.

 

[Tirapapas]

Allow me to suggest my review as well...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214301

 

[shebjo]

I am going at the end of this AUgust ....staying there with DH and twin daughters (age 7) before we head to Disney World Hotel. There are mixed reviews about Nick ...but I say stick with your plans and go. I will post a review when I get back (or maybe while at Disney if I have my laptop with me). I also suggest trying to get a discount rate for the Nick ...Travelocity and Travelzoo run cheap rates periodically.

 

[zalansky]

We went with our 6 year old son and another couple and their 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. We only went for one night because we anticipated that was all we could handle. We also got a rate of $109 (travelzoo) for the 2 bedroom. Glad we did it for the kids, but I would not go again. The pool was so overcrowded it was hard to enjoy it. We were lucky and scored chaise lounges, if not, I don't know what we would have done. The lines for the slides were so long the kids didn't want to wait on them and opted to swim instead. It was hard though with so many bodies in the water. The room was much smaller than we anticipated since its advertised as a two bedroom, but it was fine for one night and was clean. We liked the food court and the lower priced offerings. It was loud but again we expected that. We ate at the sit down restaurant for dinner and again for the character breakfast in the morning. Both were good and I would do that again and would recommend the character breakfast if you're staying there. I am glad we did it because the boys love Spongebob but I have to honestly say I don't think I would go again. I guess I have become a Disney snob over the years. You just can't compare. But, i would tell anyone to try it once - you never know - you might like it!

 

[Poly-Anna]

We too are planning on going for only 1 night and are hoping it'll be okay. I'm very apprehensive especially since almost all the new reviews on Tripadvisor are negative. Although I usually take Tripadvisor reviews with a grain of salt. I still am on the fence about the Nick Hotel and wondering if I should book a third night at Disney instead. Oh well, we'll wait and see...

 

[toverly]

I think the thing about the Nick hotel is with prior expectations and busy times. I can see how busy times, the hotel just couldn't handle the crowd. When we went Spring Break it was about 1/3 full and perfect. Another thing, it isn't Disney. It's a Holiday Inn geared for children. They love it. But expect cookie cutter Holiday Inn type accomodations to a cartoon theme. We are going back in October we loved it so much. My DS at age 11 only wanted a trip back to the hotel for his birthday. But in March, we didn't do the parks then try to fit in all the events at the hotel. That would be too exhausting. We took our time, enjoyed the hotel and the events there with only small trips to Downtown Disney. That's why it was great. My DH and I look forward to lounging by the pool and chilling out.

 

[GEKMommy]

Hello!

This is my first post, but I lurked on these boards for months before our last trip in June. Anyway, my family went to the Nick Hotel for 2 nights after our week long vacation at the Poly. The last trip in 2006, my oldest child begged us to stay there sometime as we passed it on the way back to the airport. So this year, I found a great deal on Travelzoo ($114), and we booked it. Like others, I was apprehensive because of the mixed reviews.
However, we LOVED it! We went at the end of June, and we didn't feel like it was too crowded. We always found a seat by the pool(s). The room was clean, and we felt very roomy (and we have 3 kids!). We felt we had more room than the Poly. Don't get me wrong, the Poly was the dream come true resort, but the Nick was a great time too. And funny enough, it was a good wind down place to go after DW. LOL! Some would definitely not agree with that statement, but we felt we could take the kids to the pool and just stay there. At Disney, we did build in downtime (a must with a 2 year old), but we love the parks so we did spend as much time in them as possible. But that is exhausting, so the Nick Hotel was a good kick back place. Actually, our 2nd day at the hotel, my 9 year old just wanted to hang out in her bunk bed room and relax for the afternoon. That was fine by us!

You make ressies for the character breakfasts, and for the nighttime shows. The shows are corny, but the kids loved them. My little girl was even picked to be in one of them. We also did the Kids Spa, and she chose to have a pedicure done. She loved it. We ate at the buffet for dinner, and it was pricey, but really good. And the girls loved the mass sliming by the pool. We saw several Nick characters too. We didn't get around to doing the 4D movies.

I'd say go for it and don't let the bad reviews deter you. The kids will most definitely love it.

Have fun!!

 

[Nekochan]

My take on the nick hotel is that it is basically a Holiday Inn on drugs. If you understand that you are getting a basic Holiday Inn with a few perks, you'll be fine. The kids will have a blast, and their pina coladas are very good . When you check in, ask for the schedule of events so you can see if there's anything that appeals to you. Do try to go to the nick at night - it's a lot of fun.

 

[mayesq]

We were very apprehensive because of the negative reviews, but both times we've stayed at the Nick Hotel (February and May) were great. The kids loved it, the pools were a nice retreat, the food was decent and the rooms were clean. Go and enjoy.

 

[yulilin3]

Ok a little background first;
we live 20 min away from WDW, because of this my husband thinks that we don't need to stay at a WDW resort. But I was able to convince him to stay at the Nick the weekend of Aug. 22 to give the kids a special experience before they go back to school (on the 24) so I booked the night of the 22, I read all the reviews (my favorite one is: it's like the biggest chuck-e-cheeses on earth) I got a AAA rate of 116 for the 2 bedroom suite w/king bed, I did the math and it's less expensive than going to a water park, the pools are open till 10pm and we can stay after check out and enjoy the Sunday afternoon.
Mainly I decided to go because each weekend when we drive to WDW we pass this hotel and the kids (8 and 13) always say that they want to get slimed and go in the pools. So I'll report back on Monday 24th and tell you all about my experience
I'm not expecting anything great, I know it'll be crowded and loud...but it's for the kids not us, I already have a plan for a nice weekend in a Bed & Breakfast in St. Augustine for the hubby and myself.

 

[tami82]

I too am very nervous about staying here. We booked for 2 nights before staying at Contemporary in Disney. I cant let the kids down as i have been talking about it so i guess we will just stick with our plan and form our own opinion. You never know some people love it or hate it.

 

[mdinme]

Ive never read a post where the kids did not like it, which, obviously, is why you booked the place.

 

[maciemouse]

Save your money. I think the Holiday Inn would be better!!!

 

[yulilin3]

background on post #12
just got back from the Nick hotel, here's my report:
AQrrived at the hotel around 1pm, check in area was empty, got helped right away, the front desk clerk (Tia is her name) was very nice, she told us all the details, that the room wasn't ready yet, got our cell phone number to let us know when, gave us our wristbands and told us we could go explore.
We headed straight for the pool, the kids were sooo happy, yes it was noisy, and yes it was a bit crowded, but even at that time found 4 chairs in a shaded area, got our towels even though we weren't checked in yet (they have a list of incoming guests). The kids headed for the slides and pool. Around 3pm got a call that the room was ready, we had a 2 bedroom with bunk beds decorated with spongebob in front of the pool on the second floor blg. 8.
The room was clean and tidy, confortable for our family of 4. Went for "The Mall" to get something to eat, it wasn't very busy in here, got our food, saw Dora and Squidward (sp?)
Went back to the pool for the 4:45pm slime bucket, the pool was close at this time for a schedule cleaning, kids got slimed, played in the basketball area, played minigolf and with the pool table.
Pool opened up at 5:15pm so back in they went. Because the hotel was sold out all the live shows at the mall were full, the kids decided to play in the arcade, the had lots of fun there. Went back to the pool at 9pm for the pool side movie, watched it and went to the room.
You can hear the people walking/running around outside but I fell asleep almost instantly, the beds were very comfy.
Next day was our check out, went back to the pool and left property around 2:30pm
This hotel is def. geared for the kids, we did go to the other pool (The oasis) it's smalled but it also has slides and was less busy, the little kids areas are soo cute, perfect for little ones, all around the hotel are nick characters to take pics with. We saw Avatar, DIego, Patrick. The food was fine, not really overpriced.
Bottom line: if you want you're kisd to have fun at a hotel this one is perfect, if you're looking for a place to come back to from the parks, that is ncie and quiet, bypass this one.
Hopes this helps.