Private Cabanas at Magic Kingdom: Last Day to Rent One - February 17, 2017

IrishNYC · Dec 2, 2016

HopperFan said:
YUP. And given all the drinks, snacks and replenishing .... I would expect many to try the switch.

They'll have to shut that down.

I imagine if they become permanent there will be a different system, maybe with backup.

The best option would be MM scanners with fingerprint [can't share that] .......... would be sad but I see it happening.

Hopefully since the cabanas have almost butler-like service, those CMs will see any potential abusers right away. (And to think we were worried when we had a toddler in our cabana on a cruise that we "snuck in". I can't imagine sneaking 15 extra people into such a private area.)

GADisneyDad14 · Dec 2, 2016

FWIW, on our day there were two shifts of CMs. Meaning, one CM from 9-4 or 5 I think, another from 5 to close. You definitely got to know them and they know you. There's an element of personal service involved here, it's not just random CMs. Assuming the CM enforces the rules, it'd be tough to pull a switch-r-roo routine en masse.

Dan Murphy · Dec 2, 2016

GADisneyDad14 said:
FWIW, on our day there were two shifts of CMs. Meaning, one CM from 9-4 or 5 I think, another from 5 to close. You definitely got to know them and they know you. There's an element of personal service involved here, it's not just random CMs. Assuming the CM enforces the rules, it'd be tough to pull a switch-r-roo routine en masse.

Are the CM's tipped per food run, or at the end of their shift?

GADisneyDad14 · Dec 2, 2016

Dan Murphy said:
Are the CM's tipped per food run, or at the end of their shift?

So, this is an excellent question. I was and still am uncertain on the proper protocol. It is in our nature to tip for the type of service we received, it makes me feel uncomfortable not to, quite frankly. I tried to tip the first CM at one point when we were leaving and I knew we wouldn't be back before her shift ended, but she refused. It was one of those "I'm not sure if I should push or concede" moments. I conceded with no tip, but I didn't feel good about it.

We've only rented a cabana at the water parks once but we had the same situation..... we tried to tip at the end and the CM said they are not allowed to accept it. This has always seemed odd to me and not sure if it's the norm? I just don't know.

We mostly stay club level at Disney resorts and we have the same situation at times, CMs are not allowed to accept tips there either.

I know tipping is one of those highly subjective things so I'd love to hear other thoughts.

One of my comments to Disney after our rental was to be proactive in letting guests know if tipping is appropriate or not.

hiroMYhero · Dec 2, 2016

GADisneyDad14 said:
So, this is an excellent question. I was and still am uncertain on the proper protocol. It is in our nature to tip for the type of service we received, it makes me feel uncomfortable not to, quite frankly. I tried to tip the first CM at one point when we were leaving and I knew we wouldn't be back before her shift ended, but she refused. It was one of those "I'm not sure if I should push or concede" moments. I conceded with no tip, but I didn't feel good about it.

We've only rented a cabana at the water parks once but we had the same situation..... we tried to tip at the end and the CM said they are not allowed to accept it. This has always seemed odd to me and not sure if it's the norm? I just don't know.

We mostly stay club level at Disney resorts and we have the same situation at times, CMs are not allowed to accept tips there either.

I know tipping is one of those highly subjective things so I'd love to hear other thoughts.

One of my comments to Disney after our rental was to be proactive in letting guests know if tipping is appropriate or not.

In regards to tipping, a CM can only accept a tip if it has been offered 3 times. They must decline twice and per guidelines, they can accept the third offer.

I've always felt it was sad when a CM has declined twice and then the tip was not offered that one last time. Why it's this way, no one seems to know.

GADisneyDad14 · Dec 2, 2016

hiroMYhero said:
In regards to tipping, a CM can only accept a tip if it has been offered 3 times. They must decline twice and per guidelines, they can accept the third offer.

I've always felt it was sad when a CM has declined twice and then the tip was not offered that one last time. Why it's this way, no one seems to know.

Really? I offered twice... once more would have done the trick? I guess I should have known that?

hiroMYhero · Dec 2, 2016

GADisneyDad14 said:
Really? I offered twice... once more would have done the trick? I guess I should have known that?

Yes. Once more and it would have been accepted. I'm on the phone with a CM who has had to decline tips that were offered at Fairytale Wedding receptions. She is listing off the denominations that were only offered twice.

GADisneyDad14 · Dec 2, 2016

Well that's unfortunate. Part of me feels like a jerk for not insisting more, but the other part of me thinks Disney should make it clear when/if tips for the kind of service offered with these cabanas is appropriate.

Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL · Dec 2, 2016

hiroMYhero said:
In regards to tipping, a CM can only accept a tip if it has been offered 3 times. They must decline twice and per guidelines, they can accept the third offer.

I've always felt it was sad when a CM has declined twice and then the tip was not offered that one last time. Why it's this way, no one seems to know.

Wow! I never would have guessed this. Good to know. Thanks.

Nancyg56 · Dec 3, 2016

GADisneyDad14 said:
Really? I offered twice... once more would have done the trick? I guess I should have known that?

I believe that the CM can accept, bu then must turn it in to the manager, The tip is then pooled and used for a treat for the team. I have no first hand enxperience here, but this is what I have read.

Nancyg56 · Dec 3, 2016

j2thomason said:
I have a friend who is taking 23 of her family member to WDW in a few weeks. This would be a great option for them to have a place to meet up. I know it is only set up for 8 people. Is there a lanyard or armband that you get to access entry to that area?? Is that something they could trade out with other family members??

And this is how it ends. A space intended for 8, matched with the price for 8....used by 23. Not okay.

I think that after reading the review, this is a good idea for some families. If I was with my entire crew, planned on touring MK during a busy time and knew that we were not heading back to the resort, I would book it.

I was discussing this last evening with my DD and DSIL. Both agreed that for our family, this would be a good use of money if we wanted to spend an entire day in the MK> The reserved viewing spaces, along with the shaded breezy cabana alone would be worth the money. To be honest, if the dining options were better, I would not even not book a TS meal on the day we chose to use the cabana.

I am like that Mom someone posted about upthread. Give me a book, a chair and a cool drink and I could relax for a few hours without even thinking about what I was missing.

I was talking with a client yesterday, and thought that his family would be the family whose dynamics were perfect for this. His wife has a heart condition, her stamina is low. Their daughter is 6, and he is worried their WDW window while she is in that "magical" age is closing. I did tell him that we needed to chat because IMO, Disney is one of the best destinations if you have any physical limitations, and that I would send him here for some help, but think abut his family. They would be good to go with one of these cabanas. Their perhaps once and done trip would be a little pricier, but Mom could rest when she needed to, no wasted time staking out their spots for entertainment and parades, and they would have a location that was secluded enough so they were not uncomfortable.

EnchantedTikiGal · Dec 3, 2016

GADisneyDad14 said:
Yes, there is a lanyard, but no, I'm going to guess Disney would frown upon that. Not really how the system is supposed to work from my perspective. Personally I'd advise against it.

I was told when I made a reservation (first day they went on sale) it'd be wristbands.. I like the idea of lanyards more, but I can see them wanting something more non-transferable.

Micca · Dec 3, 2016

rteetz said:
$650 * 100 * 365 = $23,725,000 in one year

Disney sees big numbers every day, but at nearly 24 million a year I think you've got their undivided attention.

AngiTN · Dec 3, 2016

In regards to the tip thing, I wonder if it's a wages and taxes thing
Tips are supposed to be claimed and become part of wages. The people in these position may not be ones set up to include tips. Which also explains the commonly reported pooling of tips to do something for the group. That way no one person benefits, no taxes come in to play

mefordis · Dec 3, 2016

hiroMYhero said:
Yes. Once more and it would have been accepted. I'm on the phone with a CM who has had to decline tips that were offered at Fairytale Wedding receptions. She is listing off the denominations that were only offered twice.

I don't see myself ever offering anything more than twice. I offer, if they say no I say, "Are you sure? Just take it." Then if they reply no again it's over. It just seems excessive to offer three times. Now I know it's the deal at Disney I will but it is a weird rule.

hiroMYhero · Dec 3, 2016

mefordis said:
I don't see myself ever offering anything more than twice. I offer, if they say no I say, "Are you sure? Just take it." Then if they reply no again it's over. It just seems excessive to offer three times. Now I know it's the deal at Disney I will but it is a weird rule.

It is a weird rule. Also, tips that are offered 3 times and accepted do not have to be pooled. If the tip is given to a Coordinator/Captain and designated for the CMs who provided service, then the tip is divided amongst all those onstage at that time.

What is interesting to note is that CMs in any role can readily accept gifts. When we have stayed CL, we "gifted" restaurant gift cards and they were accepted when presented - a good option that didn't have to be declined.

freediverdude · Dec 3, 2016

One other situation that I could see someone splurging for this, if it hasn't been mentioned yet, is families with autistic children, who might want to eat in a quiet place or have quiet time that isn't so distracting to the child. This could make the difference in wanting to take the kid into a theme park or not. Although I agree for most people it would seem easier and probably cheaper to get a room at the Contemporary instead.

GADisneyDad14 · Dec 3, 2016

hiroMYhero said:
What is interesting to note is that CMs in any role can readily accept gifts. When we have stayed CL, we "gifted" restaurant gift cards and they were accepted when presented - a good option that didn't have to be declined.

EnchantedTikiGal said:
I was told when I made a reservation (first day they went on sale) it'd be wristbands.. I like the idea of lanyards more, but I can see them wanting something more non-transferable.

Ok good, I'm not the only sucker that has willingly paid Disney for a cabana!

I kid, I kid.

I'd actually prefer wristbands, and if they were like the ones you get at the parties it would be very difficult to transfer to someone. Very hard to get those off without breaking unless the CM puts it on very loose.

I'll say the lanyard they gave us looked like it was somewhat hastily prepared. Printed on stock paper and run through a laminator. Just text, no graphics or anything. I've done other upcharge things like the Villians Siniter Soirée from a few years ago where they gave us absurdly nice / high quality lanyards. This wasn't the case here.

We tied our lanyards to our belts mainly because it felt kind of silly to walk around with them around your neck all day. But you had to be kind of careful because they're not indestrutable and could easily rip if pulled hard enough.

j2thomason · Dec 3, 2016

Nancyg56 said:
And this is how it ends. A space intended for 8, matched with the price for 8....used by 23. Not okay.

I think that after reading the review, this is a good idea for some families. If I was with my entire crew, planned on touring MK during a busy time and knew that we were not heading back to the resort, I would book it.

I was discussing this last evening with my DD and DSIL. Both agreed that for our family, this would be a good use of money if we wanted to spend an entire day in the MK> The reserved viewing spaces, along with the shaded breezy cabana alone would be worth the money. To be honest, if the dining options were better, I would not even not book a TS meal on the day we chose to use the cabana.

I am like that Mom someone posted about upthread. Give me a book, a chair and a cool drink and I could relax for a few hours without even thinking about what I was missing.

I was talking with a client yesterday, and thought that his family would be the family whose dynamics were perfect for this. His wife has a heart condition, her stamina is low. Their daughter is 6, and he is worried their WDW window while she is in that "magical" age is closing. I did tell him that we needed to chat because IMO, Disney is one of the best destinations if you have any physical limitations, and that I would send him here for some help, but think abut his family. They would be good to go with one of these cabanas. Their perhaps once and done trip would be a little pricier, but Mom could rest when she needed to, no wasted time staking out their spots for entertainment and parades, and they would have a location that was secluded enough so they were not uncomfortable.

Okay, okay!! I'm sorry I even asked the question!! Honestly these people are paying for 23 people to go to Disney and then go on a Disney cruise.....I think they can afford to rent all the tents if they want to. I don't think they would ever try to scam Disney. They have no need to want to do that. Having such a large group, I just thought renting the cabanas would be a great place for them to meet.

5kidsmommy · Dec 3, 2016

Nancyg56 said:
And this is how it ends. A space intended for 8, matched with the price for 8....used by 23. Not okay.

I think that after reading the review, this is a good idea for some families. If I was with my entire crew, planned on touring MK during a busy time and knew that we were not heading back to the resort, I would book it.

I was discussing this last evening with my DD and DSIL. Both agreed that for our family, this would be a good use of money if we wanted to spend an entire day in the MK> The reserved viewing spaces, along with the shaded breezy cabana alone would be worth the money. To be honest, if the dining options were better, I would not even not book a TS meal on the day we chose to use the cabana.

I am like that Mom someone posted about upthread. Give me a book, a chair and a cool drink and I could relax for a few hours without even thinking about what I was missing.

I was talking with a client yesterday, and thought that his family would be the family whose dynamics were perfect for this. His wife has a heart condition, her stamina is low. Their daughter is 6, and he is worried their WDW window while she is in that "magical" age is closing. I did tell him that we needed to chat because IMO, Disney is one of the best destinations if you have any physical limitations, and that I would send him here for some help, but think abut his family. They would be good to go with one of these cabanas. Their perhaps once and done trip would be a little pricier, but Mom could rest when she needed to, no wasted time staking out their spots for entertainment and parades, and they would have a location that was secluded enough so they were not uncomfortable.

These are why I would totally think about renting one if my entire family of 7 went. My daughter has some health issues and while she uses a wheelchair at Disney she still gets exhausted. Our youngest is autistic and gets overwhelmed. If we were going to be there all day this would be a good option instead of taking the boat back over to Fort Wilderness where we stay. I think the cost is reasonable given the amenities.

Private Cabanas at Magic Kingdom: Last Day to Rent One - February 17, 2017

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