Cabana Bay, Do you feel it's worth it?

[Kathy427]

I found this very detailed video of Cabana Bay Resort: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njUZhq-bODo

I saw the video. Thanks for posting it. I don't think it's for us. We love the Minions, but from the video how the food is served, I'm really not impressed. The place looks nice. They did a great job.

 

[bjakmom]

I spoke directly to CBR recreation dept today and was able to rent a cabana for the day while staying at PBH in August, so it seems that pool hopping will be allowed, for now. Customer service was excellent.

 

[Kathy427]

Just got back from a quick 3 night stay at Royal Pacific. We could see Cabana Bay from the elevators then drove by it. Personally, I think it's an absolute eye-sore on Universal property. You've got the beautifully landscaped 3 Deluxe Resorts, then this ugly as sin building in the distance. I get the theme, but this was the first hotel misfire by Universal. Seriously, it makes the Disney Value resorts look like 5 star resorts. Absolutely hideous.

Call me spoiled, but I can understand how you feel about looking out the window and seeing an eye sore hotel and comparing it to others around.
I understand Not everyone can afford to stay at five star hotel. We normally go to a plush all-inclusive trip, where everthing is included and I dont have to worry about meal plans, but since my daughter loves theme parks, we've been there 2 times, and we'll be going back at the end of September.
We booked a stay for 4 nights at LPB. Have you ever been there? If so; whats your opinion on that place.

 

[Kathy427]

I think this hotel will be very popular. Lots of people don't mind not having the express pass, as we can see by the popularity of the close offsite hotels.

I can't see not having the Express Pass. For some people they may just visit the park for a day or two and stay the rest of there vacation time sitting around the pool.
That's not for us. We maybe stay on the hotel grounds the 1st night and check out the hotel because we drive from NC, the rest of our vacation is at the park.. That's what your're really paying for.

 

[smidgy]

we can't wait to try it. it looks very cheery to me! I will miss the EP, but we go in slower times and often we like the "pre show " in the queues. (example, the line for meni black is better than the EP line.)

I really like that they have a food court. when we have stayed at RPR and HRH, the prices at the resorts for food is outrageous! we always eat in the parks or at city walk (love pat obriens and jimmy buffets)
lazy river? I'm SOLD!

 

[RAPstar]

Only 33 days till I get to stay there. The family suites aren't as big as I was picturing, but it's only gonna be me, and possibly a friend one of the nights (they're my ride to switch to Pop, lol). I'm spending most of my arrival day around the pool and probably going bowling, so I'll probably get a lot of pics, hopefully.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Call me spoiled, but I can understand how you feel about looking out the window and seeing an eye sore hotel and comparing it to others around.
I understand Not everyone can afford to stay at five star hotel. We normally go to a plush all-inclusive trip, where everthing is included and I dont have to worry about meal plans, but since my daughter loves theme parks, we've been there 2 times, and we'll be going back at the end of September.
We booked a stay for 4 nights at LPB. Have you ever been there? If so; whats your opinion on that place.

Portofino Bay is beautiful. Never stayed there, but visited before. Only drawbacks are it's huge, no coin laundry machines, and tons of stairs to navigate.

 

[damo]

Reading reviews of Cabana Bay on Trip Advisor is interesting. Mix of good and bad. However, some of the bad are kinda silly. One person was very upset that there was no stove or dishwasher in the kitchenette and that the sun was bright in the room when you opened the door. Some say the beds are good and other say the beds are bad. Reports on buses are that there is a steady stream.

A complaint I have heard frequently is that there are paths to nowhere and then there are no paths where you need them. That's something that they will need to fix since they'll end up with people walking through the landscraping creating their own paths.

 

[wookiebeck]

It looks like Josh was kind of tough-in-cheek for his review up now on easywdw.com. There will always be hiccups for the first few weeks/months.

 

[smidgy]

my guess is if they allow pool hopping at cabana bay that they would be fair and allow it in reverse. we have stayed at RPR and used the pools and slides at HRH and PB. I would be very ticked if they allowed those guests to use the lazy river, but not the other way around.
ay idea when they will be taking reservations for the regular rooms?

 

[damo]

my guess is if they allow pool hopping at cabana bay that they would be fair and allow it in reverse. we have stayed at RPR and used the pools and slides at HRH and PB. I would be very ticked if they allowed those guests to use the lazy river, but not the other way around.
ay idea when they will be taking reservations for the regular rooms?

Looks like the first night the standard rooms will be available to stay is June 16.

 

[startingtopanic]

Am I really the only one here who has actually stayed at Cabana Bay? I just skimmed this entire thread and it looks like I may be.

We've been home for a few days now, but I got SICK with a cold/virus the night before we headed home. I am struggling to get over it, so this is the first time I've been back on the boards.

I'll try to return to answer questions and to post the pics I got, if I can get it to work.

 

[Kathy427]

Portofino Bay is beautiful. Never stayed there, but visited before. Only drawbacks are it's huge, no coin laundry machines, and tons of stairs to navigate.

Thanks, I'm not too concerned about the laundry area. I dont work on vacation. lol I hope the place is easy to navigate around.

 

[Kathy427]

my guess is if they allow pool hopping at cabana bay that they would be fair and allow it in reverse. we have stayed at RPR and used the pools and slides at HRH and PB. I would be very ticked if they allowed those guests to use the lazy river, but not the other way around.
ay idea when they will be taking reservations for the regular rooms?

I wasn't aware that you were able to use other resorts swimming areas.

 

[Kathy427]

Am I really the only one here who has actually stayed at Cabana Bay? I just skimmed this entire thread and it looks like I may be.

We've been home for a few days now, but I got SICK with a cold/virus the night before we headed home. I am struggling to get over it, so this is the first time I've been back on the boards.

I'll try to return to answer questions and to post the pics I got, if I can get it to work.

I know the place just opened and few people might have of went there, or will be staying there, but please post your photes when you feel better.
I hope you liked it and had fun.

 

[Kathy427]

Only 33 days till I get to stay there. The family suites aren't as big as I was picturing, but it's only gonna be me, and possibly a friend one of the nights (they're my ride to switch to Pop, lol). I'm spending most of my arrival day around the pool and probably going bowling, so I'll probably get a lot of pics, hopefully.

For what you paid for your trip (with park passes and no EP,) is the value lower, or same if you stayed at the other on-site hotels w/ EP?

 

[Kathy427]

It looks like Josh was kind of tough-in-cheek for his review up now on easywdw.com. There will always be hiccups for the first few weeks/months.

I think, you really have to give a new place about 3 months because of new staffing.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I stayed at Cabana Bay and absolutely LOVED it! I'll try to post a quick review.

 

[RAPstar]

For what you paid for your trip (with park passes and no EP,) is the value lower, or same if you stayed at the other on-site hotels w/ EP?

I have an AP and used that discount on the room. It's about a $260 difference between Cabana Bay and what I'd get with my AP at Royal Pacific.

 

[KELLY]

I'm paying about 350.00 more for portifino over CB. But the FOTLA was the deal breaker. I did get a TA exclusive rate. I honestly think CB would be a better fit for us. But FOTLA is important to us.