We stayed at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort our first 2 nights. My first impression of the resort was the price was not too bad. They offer 3 levels of accommodations and we were offered a 2 bedroom family suite. Each Suite has a living area/kitchenette with a fridge/microwave etc. . . and full sized bathroom. The kids had an open room with bunk beds; made my 7 year olds day! And the Queen bed was private with a locking door. That could have been nice if we wanted the privacy.
Now on the way down there I saw tons of reviews about BED BUGS, and how they were present at that resort. It just so happened that I had a friend who stayed recently at the resort. So I quickly texted her to see if she had any negative experiences to share and if she saw bed bugs. Thankfully she raved about this place and confirmed she had no incidents of bugs. This is something that happens at even the nicest of places, but you should and can avoid at all cost. And I found a great guide to bedbugs online here: Guide to Bedbugs We did exactly what it said in the guide. And thankfully NO BED BUGS were found May 6 & 7 2015!! After that I can say the bed was actually quite comfortable. I slept very well.
Once we got settled into the room, my kids were yelling they were hungry and they offer room service until 11pm. I ordered a pizza from Antonio's and the large was HUGE! If you only want a snack the Small would have been plenty. I didn't expect it to be so tasty but it was! The box was too large to fit in the mini fridge and there was really no way to save any slices for later. So my Sweetheart and I were stuffing ourselves to try and not waste it (it was $30.00 with delivery). My overall opinion of the room was it was old, and had a musty smell. The furniture needs to be updated pretty bad. Bathroom was great and clean. The room with bunkbeds was huge and empty. No tables or furnishings. It did have a TV. And the Master BR also had a TV.
The next day, we ended up leaving the resort for breakfast and found a Waffle House nearby. Originally I was signed up for the Character breakfast, but when we arrived the Resort Concierge talked me into Antonio's Pizza-Rama, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Character Dinner. It was more expensive than the breakfast (by $10.00), but IMO totally worth it! My Sweetie Pie and Sweet Pea didn't know the TMNT the way me and my Sweetheart do. But they were into it; Kow-a-bunga style! The food was amazing in comparison to other character meals we have tried. 
After we returned from breakfast we tried to meet SpongeBob but we failed. The Resort Concierge explained to me that he would be by the Pool. He was in the Mall! But my kids were already wet and enjoying the waterparks and pool. They didn't really care to meet him at that point. A full bar/drink station is available for refreshing drinks pool side with wait staff. We were served by the 9-hole Putt-Putt course. My kids thought that was really neat!When we finished our drinks and the Putt-Putt we were practically dry. So Sweetheart and I thought it was a great way to try some of the other things to do. We changed and went to the Resort Mall. It was a short walk from our room around the Hotel Lagoon with static display characters, a real swan and ducks/ducklings. A vending machine was nearby to feed the birds. While we were there we saw a large group heading towards us. It turned out to be all 4 of the TMNT's and we were lucky enough to get a photo with all 4 of them at one time!
At the Mall, the kids were able to meet Squidward and Mr. Crabs, play in the arcade, and we saw a 4D movie-Rio. Tickets were bought in the Mall area for the movies and Arcade Credit is done through a kiosk machine with Cash or Credit in the Arcade. Each dollar gives you 100 points, and each game is a certain number of points. As you play the card stores your "tickets" and then the card is turned in at the prize counter for redemption. By that time Molly, Gil and Bubble Puppy were out for photos. Sweet Pea wasn't feeling them so much. But in the end, we got a picture of them together!
After all that it was nearly time for our Double Dare Live show, a game show you must make reservations for at the concierge desk. It's totally free to watch and they have little games they pick kids from the audience to participate in. They give out little prizes. Sweetie Pie was picked and won an Arcade Card for free games. If you are brave and really want the full experience you can sign up to be a particpant of the game show. It's just like the old show that my generation enjoyed when Nick was a new channel. By then, it was time for Antonio's Pizza-Rama and to bring on the Turtles! The menu for this meal is outlined on the website. There is something for everyone, but the fees do not include drinks (not even for the kids). The show is performed twice during the 2 hour block. The characters will "sign" autograph books, Nickelodeon themed books are for sale in the Mall gift shop. We were visited by The Foot Clan first and asked to join them in the fight against the TMNT. We had to decline that offer and we were so glad we did! Antonio came by next to greet us and he was spot on for a Pizza Maker from New York! I had to get a picture of the 2 guys named "Anthony" together. Next the Turtles came out and did a great show. The kids are invited to dance with them and if you are celebrating a birthday make sure you let your server know. Your birthday boy/girl will get a special treat! Each turtle then makes his way over to your table for pictures and talks.
These guys are really talented. I've never seen Disney Characters as animated (pun intended) as these guys were. They were doing jump kicks and Ninja moves in these large costumes. My kids loved it! My Sweet Pea, was pretty impressed and surprisingly not scared; like he was with the Bubble Guppies....who knows why?! Toddlers; what can you do?REVIEW WRAP UP:
Waterpark- B+ Only one pool and water park was open during our stay/there are 2 of each at this resort
4D Movies- A Can be pricey, each movie is individually priced
Arcade- B Very Small, and the games are not priced evenly-meaning you might have points unused
Characters- A++ The characters and handlers were very accommodating
Room- B+ Clean, and bedding was comfy, but it needs nicer furnishings and had a musty smell
Food- A+ Room Service, Lagoon Bar, Food Court items, and Character Dinner- All excellent!
Hotel Staff- B- AM staff were very helpful, but were pressured by the PM Concierge to attend a timeshare presentation, even when I said "Not interested"
Over all score: B
Great for young children, and children under 10. If you have teens there is not much that would entertain them here. Meeting characters is always a treat for young kids and there were other things we decided not to do. Like "Let the Pie Fly"; you pay $10.00 and get 2 pies to smash into your face or a loved one, the Kids spa; various activities, Mass Sliming ($0.00-colored water) or a real Sliming ($150.00) and TNMT LaserTag.
I would definitely come back for a day to play! If I lived in FL I would definitely skip the room and come for a day visit or plan to have a birthday party there :) If it's your first time going make sure you do some research on the website.
Thanks for reading StMS!
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