To cabana or not to cabana that is the question! [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

lookingforward

07-09-2003, 10:27 AM

I think the cabanas are worth the money at the Hard Rock but not so sure about the PBH. The pool at the PBH is, in my opinion, much quieter and empty than the HRH. I think you can rent a cabana at the HRH even ifyou are a guest at other Loews hotels, but not sure. We have rented them twice at theHRH, once for the whole day and once for a half day. I enjoyed the cabanas for a few reasons. One is that I have kids and it was a "gathering" spot for everyone. It allowed me to sit out but not get too much sun (I am approaching middle age and much more careful with my skin). It was also great to be able to order drinks and lunch and have it at the shaded table in the cabana. There are two lounge chairs and four regular chairs for you and friends. The fan was nice when I wanted to take a break and read quietly or my daughter wanted to nap. (For mom's they will even bring a crib down to the cabana for your child) We enjoyed the fruit and complimentary drinks and the access to a phone and television that were provided.

We rented the cabana once for the day during the dive in movie and that was really great. Many people stopped by to ask how I rented one and said they thought it would be cool to do during special pool events. I am not sure how much the rentals are anymore but when I did it a year or so ago it was $60 for the day and I got a discount since we were in a club room. I absolutely LOVE the HRH pool. It is so much fun. My kid's favorite hotel and pool.

tazz

07-10-2003, 01:43 AM

Today I called & reserved cabana #6 for Friday night while we're at HRH. I'm worried that I chose a cabana too far from everything. When I made the reservation I asked for the closest to the kiddie pool. Looking at the map, it doesn't look like this one is by the kiddie pool?? We want to be close to where our 4 yr old ds will be most of the day. #2 was also available. Does anyone know if you can you watch the movie from Cabana #6?? Or is #2 or 3 a better choice?

By the way, it was $40 for the day (8am - 11pm) if you are staying club level, otherwise it is $75 for the day.

shpedly

07-10-2003, 07:57 AM

I think #6 would be hard to see the movie. They set it up in the sand area in front of the kiddie pool facing the pool. For the movie, I would go with #2, but this is the farthest from the kiddie pool. It would depend on whether being by the kiddie pool is the most important. With a 4 yr old, I wouldn't think #2 would be the best. The ones like 8, 9 would be closest, but they would be behind the movie screen?

lookingforward

07-10-2003, 09:12 AM

8 and 9 are right at the kiddie pool and number 10 is close and also by the water slide. Number 6 has a restricted view (trees) which makes it nice for adults but not for families. I know because we had 9 reserved once and they tried to talk me into number 6. There used to be a cabana map on this website, maybe you could do a search and find it again.

taylor1293

07-10-2003, 01:13 PM

Cabana's 7 and 8 are right behind the kiddie pool. #7 is their themed "yellow submarine" cabana. We had both of these on our last trip.

However, if you want to see a movie, I don't think 7 or 8 will work because I believe (not positive) that they tear these down for the movie.

I would think cabana 1 or 2 would be your best bet for being able to view the movie from your cabana.

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/hrockmap.html

Here is a hotel map. The yellow boxes are the cabana's (with the exception of the 3rd box, I think that is where you pick up towles/floaties ect). Start at the top right and move clockwise.

Teresa

lookingforward

07-10-2003, 08:39 PM

Cabanas 7, 8 and 9 are very close to the kiddie pool. Cabin 10 is great if you have older kids because it is right near the volleyball area and the great water slide. They do tear down 7 and 8 for the movies (they put up a huge screen in this area) now that I remember it because that is what we had reserved for the dive in movie and they called to tell us we had to move and offered us cabana 6 which is partially obstructed and would have been of no use for the movie (since the screen is on the same side).

tazz

07-11-2003, 07:31 PM

Thanks everyone! I changed to cabana #2.

MadamG2U

07-11-2003, 10:04 PM

still trying to decide what to do.

tazz

07-12-2003, 02:51 AM

MadamG2U

I think you will have a very relaxing day hanging out in the cabana and everyone in your group will be happy to get back from the parks and have the cabana to recooperate at if they get back in time. We're planning to go to the parks in the morning for a short while, then hang out at the cabana the rest of the day and into the evening (I reserved for the whole day because the HRH only does full day reservations for Fridays). I think it will be great because if our ds gets tired, he can just rest on the lounge in the shade. I'm looking forward to this down day for us.

-Sherry

MadamG2U

07-12-2003, 09:26 PM

Tazz thanks so much for the reply. I still haven't decided but am leaning towards doing it. One questions. I have friends who live not to far away and was thinking that day would be a nice day to visit. Would the hotel have a problem with my inviting 2 friends over?

shpedly

07-14-2003, 07:45 AM

I can't imagine that they would. They do not check id's except to get towels, and you can get as many as you want with your resort id. Nobody checks otherwise. Coming in or out of the hotel. They only give six drinks in the fridge, so you'll need to buy extra. We always just brought drinks from our room from our cooler. We bought stuff at the Super Target and kept it in our room cooler.

tazz

07-14-2003, 05:04 PM

One thing, when I made my reservation, the guy said we could not bring any outside drinks into the cabana...they have to be purchased at the pool. I will bring them from the club level tho. I'm not paying twice.

taylor1293

07-14-2003, 06:26 PM

Tazz,

We brought outside drinks into our cabana and put them in the frig :). Mostly from the club level, but we also brought some beer down from our room (carried it in my big bag).

There was no way I was going to pay high prices for soda and beer that I already had available to me. However, we did end up spending way too much money on "blue suede shoes", an awesome frozen drink from the pool bar! Yummy! :Pinkbounc

Teresa

pixie dust gal!

07-19-2003, 03:00 PM

We just returned from HRH and we had cabana #10 (our favorite) for 10 days. During the summer, it is so HOT that we need a cabana to stay at the pool all afternoon.

We have always brought extra drinks down to the cabana with us whether we were on the club floor or not (this stay we were on the club floor). I have always bought extra juice boxes and soda - we have done this for every stay (about 6 trips so far) and have never received a comment.

Debbie

kjcolv

07-21-2003, 04:00 PM

We just got back from PBH and had a cabana rented for just the reasons you mentioned. We needed a break for a day and I had friends in town that I wanted to visit. I had a cabana reserved at PBH. I didn't realize the PBH cabanas were at the "quieter pool" (the one without the slide). There are no cabanas at the beach pool. My kids wanted the slide. They called HR for me and there were no cabanas available, however they took my name and called the next day to say they had a cancellation. We had cabana 8 and it was great. We brought drinks and put them in the fridge. No one looks in the fridge, the wait staff stops by to see if you need anything but they never said a word about our other drinks (of course we did order enough to keep them happy!!). OUr friends came and there was no problem, there were towels at the cabana and we could get more with our room cards. It was a nice break and I highly recommend it. My friends enjoyed getting to come to the hotel and hang out with us. If you are looking for quiet place then the PBH cabanas are a good choice, although the villa pool never looked busy to me so you could have a quiet space without the cabana. If it's for kids and friends I'd say HR is the place.

MadamG2U

07-21-2003, 07:06 PM

kjcolv, thanks so much for the reply. If I can ask how much did it cost to rent the cabana for the day? Also if I plan to go to the park in the morning would that be a problem? I am so looking forward to this trip! Aug. 9th just wont come fast!

Thanks again!

kjcolv

07-22-2003, 10:29 AM

It was $74.00 (including the tax for the day) 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. We went over around 10 and stayed until 5:00 when it started raining and they had to clear the pool deck. They put a sign on the table in the cabana saying (Reserved for Smith) and a plastic chain with a reserved sign on the cabana furniture. Some of the cabanas stayed like that for most of the day, so you could go to the parks and then to the pool. Just be aware of the weather, it rains frequently in the late afternoon. We thought about going back for the evening but we never made it.

I also thought it was clever and really appreciated that the cabana furniture was different patterns and colors from the surrounding furniture, even different cabana to cabana, so there was no mistaking what was "reserved" furniture. That was you could put your lonuge chair out in the sun and not worry about someone taking it while you were gone to the pool or something. I thought overall it was a great value and the perfect break.

MadamG2U

07-22-2003, 03:46 PM

Thank you! Thank you! You have definately helped with my decision. I will be calling them to reserved a cabana or do I have to wait until I get there?

kjcolv

07-22-2003, 04:01 PM

You can and SHOULD call ahead of time to reserve. Enjoy!!

crazyme5kids

07-22-2003, 04:41 PM

I reserved the yellow submarine cabana yesterday. What is the kiddie pool like? How close is the cabana to the kiddie pool and the regular one (10 feet 15 feet?), and about how far is the slide from this cabana? Also I forgot to ask over the phone, but is this cabana near the beach area? Last on my question list, is the regular pool zero entry depth near this cabana?
Thanks for any info you can give me!

kjcolv

07-22-2003, 05:10 PM

Wow, I wish I had a map and I'm not very good with directions. (okay I wrote all the below and then found a map, so you can look at the map and ignore all this below http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/hrockmap.html , your cabana will be the lower one of the two in front of the kiddie pool #13 on the map) We were right next to the Yellow Submarine Cabana. The kiddie pool is round with three sets of fountains and the yellow submarine cabana would be to the side of the kiddie pool. I was worried about lots of kids running around but it stayed pretty quiet. I actually enjoyed having the kiddie pool in front of us because when you were walking back to the cabana you could walk through the pool and rinse your feet. There were several adults who would come and sit in the kiddie pool to cool off. I will say by the end of the afternoon the water in the kiddie pool was very, very warm. The pool is somewhat elongated so to help with directions, picture a rectangle with the slide at the first shorter end, more or less. The kiddie pool and cabana would be about the middle of the bottom longer side. The bottom longer side is all zero entry, great for sitting and cooling off. The other side (top of the rectangle) is walled. Also close to the cabana is one of the hot tubs. The bar is on the opposite side of the pool, but the staff is good about coming by and taking orders. The slide entry (from the cabana) is around the end of the pool and on the top corner of the rectangle. Close enough for the kids and far enough that you don't get traffic. You may be able to see the slide from your cabana, but if not it only will take a couple of steps forward to see it. The beach area with volleyball is by the slide and at the short end of our rectangle. There are multiple beach/sand areas all around the pool. We were there on a Saturday and there were plenty of chairs available all around. There is a very large deck area all around the pool. I'm not good with distances, someone else can correct me. I'd say from the yellow submarine cabana to the main pool is maybe 40 - 50 feet. The cabana is set back a little and is to the side of the kiddie pool, perhaps 15 feet away. To get to the slide would be a longer walk but not bad. Hope this helps.

crazyme5kids

07-23-2003, 10:01 AM

Thanks kjcolv! That's the kind of info I was hopping to hear! I am so looking forwrd to lounging at the pool.

TimeforMe

07-23-2003, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by pixie dust gal!
We just returned from HRH and we had cabana #10 (our favorite) for 10 days.

Why is cababna #10 your favorite? I am considering reserving one for our upcoming stay. DH will be picking my kids' friends up at the airport one day to join us and I thought that would be a good day for moi to relax at the cabana:smooth: It must've been wonderful (but expensive) to have it for 10 whole days. Lucky you!

tazz

07-23-2003, 02:30 PM

Now I'm wondering if I should change our Friday cabana to #10. Can you still see the movies from #10? We have #2 and I think that's too far from the kiddie pool for 4 yr old ds. I'm also thinking of getting the submarine cabana on another day. What's the difference between this one and the regular cabanas? Thanks again for all the information everyone!!! I love this site!

tazz

07-23-2003, 02:43 PM

I called and found out #7-10 are torn down for the movies. So, I kept my reservation for #2 on Friday and made an additional reservation for Saturday #10. You can see the movie from #2 which is partly why I wanted the cabana...I'm worried it will be crowded and we plan to be at the parks during the day. The yellow submarine cabana is $100 non-club and $70 club and includes 2 tubes and free refills on drinks (soda/water) all day. Might be worth it if you're not club level, but we'll just go up to the lounge and get more drinks if needed. I think for $40 it will be worth it for the privacy, having a place to hang out, and a place to keep our stuff while enjoying the pool.

crazyme5kids

07-23-2003, 02:58 PM

I was told, or maybe I heard wrong, that Cabana #7 (yellow submarine) gets drink refills 1 time. Does anyone know which is right,is it all day refills or just once?

>>^..^<<

08-11-2003, 04:13 PM

Hi - I am bumping this thread because I just booked a few cabanas :)

40.00 for a full day is great! (for the non themed ones)

I have the yellow submarine, the aquarium one and #2 on the movie night :)

Any recent reports on Cabana use?

>>^..^<<

bjakmom

08-11-2003, 09:16 PM

Tiger Lilly's Mom just posted some great HRH photos on this thread: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=419499

There is a picture of the pool from her upper level room window that gives a terrific view of cabanas 7 - 10 - check it out, it gives you a great idea of how the cabanas are situated around the kiddie pool area.

torismom

08-31-2003, 09:28 PM

We have cabanna 7 booked for a day in Oct. I think it will be great. There are 5 kids and 3 adults. They only had the yellow submarine so we took it. Opinions on people who have had this one would be great. Also, is it only 1 free refill or all day?

Thanks

taylor1293

08-31-2003, 09:52 PM

We had cabana 7 and thought it was really cute :).

It is right behind the baby pool so if you have any little ones, it will be perfect!

IMO, it wasn't worth the extra money (over a regular cabana) for the fruit basket, floaties, and free refill. But it is certainly worth it if the other option is no cabana at all! And yes, it is just one free refill.

If you want pictures of the yellow submarine cabana, I will e-mail them to you. Just PM me your e-mail address :).

Teresa

tiggerguy2000

09-01-2003, 07:57 PM

Let us know about your cabana when you return.Im going with # 5

bobsfamily

09-03-2003, 05:22 PM

We just had this cabana for the weekend (sat and sun) and it was well worth it! We brought some beers down and cokes from the club level.. no one said anything.. course it was very busy both days.

The cabana #2 is very near the beach bar, you can see the movies from it, set back just a little from the pool, but on the upper level, so you still see it all! We had it from 8 am til 11 pm and used it for quite a bit of that. Did the parks in the am and pool after lunch. Sunday stayed til almost midnight talking with people in #1. The service was acceptable, as they were slammed. We had a reserve anyway.

I would say that it made the HRH stay better than it would have been without it. On Sat. we sat and watched the College games, going for a dip every once in a while... every guy who came by had to stop to see what the score was... no matter who was playing!

IMHO you can't go wrong with them at HRH... don't know about any of the other hotels.

Bob

>>^..^<<

09-03-2003, 06:08 PM

Hi Bob... I had cabana # 2 on a dive in movie night and it was great :)

tiggerguy - I had cabana # 5 and wasn't happy with the TV - it didn't get all the channels like the other cabanas I had,

I couldn't get CNN, my daughter couldn't find that WB channel either. I didn't like the location - I preferred cabanas 7, 8 , 9 & 10 or 1 & 2.

>>^..^<<

AspiringCindy

02-25-2004, 04:05 PM

Just to keep everyone updated, I just booked cabana #9 for Aug. 2004 and was quoted $100/day for a non-themed cabana. The themed cabanas are $110...and soon all the regular cabanas will also be $110. There are no longer offering the half day rental(3:00-11:00PM).

mouseclick1

02-25-2004, 08:25 PM

We had cabana #9 on our Christmas trip. I loved having the cabana, and really liked the location of #9. I do see that the price has gone up!

Harryo

02-26-2004, 09:48 AM

How do you rent a cabana ? Do you call 1-800-be a star ? or is there another number to call?

bratray

02-26-2004, 02:06 PM

hi

what happens if it is a real rainy day and you really can't enjoy the pool\cabana- do you get your money back- or is there a penalty for cancelling at the last minute

thanks

lisa:sunny:

highlander447

02-26-2004, 02:21 PM

I called the hotel direct and they put me through to Cabana Rentals sorry don't know what happens if it rains not even going to think of that:p

YCFAN

03-03-2004, 03:26 PM

We had #2 for the dive-in movie and it was great!! Beware people taking your chairs though. I got up to walk to the pool to see what my teenager was saying and when I came back someone had taken one of the chairs in the cabana and drug it all the way down around the pool and was sitting in it. Considering there were 5 of us, I wasn't very happy. I decided not to complain and then wished I had because later when I mentioned it to the pool guy the next day he said if that happens, just tell someone working at the pool and they will go and retrieve it. Oh well.....people! It was very convenient not having to fight the crowds that night though. We were there in July and the place was packed. The next day we rented the Yellow Submarine cabana over by the kiddie pool (DS 2) and we loved it too. Great place for the baby to get out of the sun and still be close enough to play in the water.

threeboysmom

03-07-2004, 12:45 PM

We are staying at the RPR in May - does anyone know if it is worth it to rent a cabana here? If so, is it the same price as the HRH? $100/day? Do they show movies at RPR as well? Can you see the screen from any of the cabanas?

Sorry for the deluge of questions? I'm a cabana novice..... :)

highlander447

03-07-2004, 02:50 PM

I think the price of the cabana is the same and yes they do have dive in movies at all the onsite hotels on diffrent nights HRH is FRiday night not sure of others:jester:

crashresq

03-10-2004, 02:30 PM

Just this second got off the phone with cabana rentals at the HRH. Here is the deal......Call direct (407)503-2200, much easier than the BE A STAR nunber, ask for recreation dept, they handle the cabana reservations directly. I spoke to AMY. As of 2:15 there were 9 cabanas left, (I took #2 for my stay beginning March 26). She will make the reservation for you, and reconfirm your hotel reservation if needed. Also if staying club level the new rate is $50.00

mad4themouse

03-27-2004, 07:17 AM

Yesterday I booked Cabana #10 at the HRH for our trip in July. The cost was $125 because it's themed. The cabana comes with the sodas and snacks, refills on the sodas and 2 pool floats.

I chose #10 because Amy said it was closer to the slide. Since the kids are older, we don't need to be anywhere close to the kiddie pool. Personally, I just want a shady place to relax by the pool.

Thanks to everyone for posting the info here! I'm really getting excited now that we're getting close to our "100 days-to-go" mark!

DisneyMomx7

03-29-2004, 07:25 PM

Thanks to everyone for all the information about the cabanas at HRH. Without this board we wouldn't have known anything. Universal doesn't do very well with their advertisements. Hope we got it right. We have cabana #1 for the Friday night movie. We had to rent it all day ($100). Also I was told we couldn't bring in any food or drink. Does that apply to the little kids snacks? Can't wait. We've never been to Universal so everything is new to us. Hope that they have some of the magic that Disney has.

bjakmom

03-29-2004, 09:34 PM

Disneymomx7 - we spent our first day in cabana #1 - it was very nice - right near (but not too) the Beach Club pool bar/restaurant and the rest rooms. I don't know how it was for the movie, because we went out to dinner instead. We always carried down the sodas/water we were drinking and took them into the cabana. I certainly wouldn't 'announce' it, but I can't imagine who/why they would be checking to see if you are bringing food or drinks into the cabana. The waitresses were the only ones in/out of the cabana and they were sooo great! - unless you were setting up a big spread (or your own bar;)), I don't think it would be an issue. One night some of our group tried to bring a bottle of wine through the pool area and one of the pool guys very nicely told them "no glass" in the pool area, he even went and got us plastic cups and helped them pour the bottle into the cups before bringing it to the cabana- when we were there the young people working by the pool couldn't have been nicer !! Enjoy !!:smooth:

AspiringCindy

03-30-2004, 05:52 PM

Does anyone know if you have a full day cabana rental?...could you use it...then leave for 4 hours, then return to the cabana? Or do they assume you will not be back?

bjakmom

04-01-2004, 03:25 PM

It was ours for the whole day - we came and went every day- met at the cabana, went to the parks, back to the cabana for a swim, out for dinner, most nights the kids went back in the evening to watch TV or we went back in the evening to relax and have a cocktail - yep, it's yours from the time the pool opens until it closes !! :sunny:

AspiringCindy

04-01-2004, 03:55 PM

AWESOME!!!
Originally posted by bjakmom
It was ours for the whole day - we came and went every day- met at the cabana, went to the parks, back to the cabana for a swim, out for dinner, most nights the kids went back in the evening to watch TV or we went back in the evening to relax and have a cocktail - yep, it's yours from the time the pool opens until it closes !! :sunny:

SpideyHulk24

04-02-2004, 10:27 PM

I am definitely renting one for my next trip!

01Sweetpea

04-03-2004, 09:57 AM

Is it worth it if you're only going to use the pool 1/2 a day? My boys are competiting at TKD Nationals, and competition is on a Saturday at WOS in Oct. Competition will probably be over by 2, and we should be back at HRH by 3. The last thing I want after a day of competition is to come back to the pool and not be able to find a lounge chair to sit and and relax. Would the cabana be worth it? I'm thinking #10 since my kids would really enjoy the slide.

bjakmom

04-03-2004, 02:47 PM

01sweetpea - that is a hard call to make, as much as I love having a cabana, it is a lot of $$ (especially for the 'themed' ones) if you will only be using for a few hours. If, however, you are going to go back to the pool at 3 and plan on spending the rest of the day and evening there (perhaps even eating dinner there from the Beach Club), if you have a group (or an infant like we did) and want a place to sit/meet very comfortably, if you are going over a holiday weekend and think the pool might be really crowded, or if you can simply easily afford the extra $$ for the convenience/luxury then I'd say go for it. If not, I would be surprised that you would have difficulty finding a lounge or chair to sit by the pool for a couple of hours - the pool area is huge and I don't think October is a particularly busy month (except maybe for Columbus Day) - but maybe the locals can tell you more about that.

DisneyLisa

04-04-2004, 04:30 PM

Thanks for all the info everyone...I just booked #10 for our trip in July. We plan to spend the day relaxing at the pool & this sounds like a great way to enjoy it. I was told #10 is one of the most popular cabanas and therefore hard to get so I took it. There will be me & DD (16), a friend & DD (15) so this looks like a good location for us. I was told it comes with 6 sodas (& one refill), a fruit basket, 4 bottles of water, 2 pool floats and is Stevie Wonder/Aquarium themed. I can hardly wait. :)

highlander447

04-04-2004, 04:40 PM

U will love no 10 its the biggest and the deck chairs are similar to Margretville very cool:jester:

DisneyLisa

04-04-2004, 04:54 PM

Can you tell me how the sodas work...is there a selection, do you order them or what? For example, I drink diet Coke, DD likes regular (actually she hates coke...loves Pepsi ;)). Thanks.

highlander447

04-04-2004, 05:00 PM

We didn't get to chose but the selection was 2 coke reg, 2 diet coke and 2 sprite but perhaps u can choose we just never asked as we liked the choices on offer just ask at fitness center as it is them that deal with all cabana matters:jester:

DisneyLisa

04-04-2004, 05:03 PM

Sounds like a perfect combination...thanks. :)

Kina

04-07-2004, 10:39 AM

Hi :wave:

I have a few questions, I hadn't really heard about cabanas before I came across this thread.

We are thinking of upgrading to club level room, so say if we do, I see people have brought drinks down from the lounge to their cabana. Are the drinks in bottles (e.g. beers and soft drinks)? I thought that you could only get beers in the evening if you were club level?

So you basically rent out your cabana and sit back and relax, you come and go as you please? Did someone say their was a TV in theirs? Some people have said they stay in their in the evenings, how come (just wondering what the attraction is, you can see movies from there?)?

You get fruit and a selection of drinks in a fridge. You also have access to a waitress, is that to bring you main meals (that you pay seperately for)? I take it if it is you have to tip the waitress as normal. Do you have to tip anybody else (I am not a bad tipper, but just curious).

Sorry to bombard you all!!

highlander447

04-07-2004, 12:51 PM

I will try to answer your questions if u are staying club u get a hefty discount on your Cabana I think half price so thats pretty good as for taking drinks etc in cabana its up to each person when I booked it I was told no personal coolers that was all as for stayig in it at night at HRH their is usually somr form of pool entertainment at night via a DJ playing music and organising games so it is nice to sit and chill in the Cabana watching the goings on our joining in at Movie night I suppose u can watch the movie from your cabana but do not know which cabana is better for that but I can tell u Cabanna 10 is the best more room better seating etc all Cabanas have TVs in them which is nice for some background noise if u are shading yourself everyone at pool has access to waitress but in cabanna u have a phone which u can use to order from bar etc as for tipping at the pool u are charged a 15% service charge for all purchases whether u use waitress or not so it can be pretty steep to tip waitress 15% and the bar at 15% thats a 30% increase on what u are paying for :jester:

Kina

04-07-2004, 12:53 PM

Thanks Highlander :)

maggiew

04-13-2004, 12:05 PM

OMG. I just reserved Cabana #1 at Hard Rock Hotel for Friday, Aug. 20!!! I NEVER splurge on things like this and it feels sooooo good!!!!! It was $100. I figure with all the money I have saved from these boards that I could spend this. I got a great rate at PBH ($155) and great price on tickets (5 days for $81.95) so I can splurge a little, right???

I figured it was going to be our 5th of 5 days at the Universal, so we could take it easy and relax at the pool!! This is the night of the dive-in movie, I believe.

One question I have. We are checking out of Portofino Bay that day. Can we store our things there until we leave? We won't have a rental car to load them in. We may stay offsite for this last night or have my in-laws pick us up late that night (They live in St. Pete. Beach).

Maggie

AlexandNessa

04-13-2004, 05:54 PM

maggie, yes, the PBH will hold your luggage for you. :D

Everyone here seems to like the HRH cabanas, and there's lots of good info here on them.

What about the RPR cabanas? Anything special or different about them? We are two couples (30-something and 40-something), and we're all staying club level at RPR in October. Just looking for a place to relax without too much sun and hang by the pool. Hoping to sneak a few beers down from the Club Lounge and veg among good friends! We also require a bar and appetizers easily accessible. Being near a restroom wouldn't hurt either.

Do we need to book at the HRH instead to get the really good cabanas (obviously we will not be needing a themed cabana as all of us are childless. We're not even good aunts and uncles. I just found out that my only niece is 3 and not 4. Told her parents to save the birthday card I just sent her in February for next year. You know, the kiddy ones with the big cut-out "you're 4!!" Imagine my shame when, on Easter Sunday, I learned she just turned 3.)

And, I assume all the cabanas are basically the same in structure? I've seen the ones at the PBH -- can I expect the same kind of cabanas at the RPR?

P.S. Don't you think the PBH cabanas would be SSOOOOO much cooler at the Beach Pool than the Villa Pool?

Thanks for any help!

AspiringCindy

07-15-2004, 11:29 AM

Bumping!...This thread has a lot of good info!

expatscot

07-16-2004, 09:16 AM

Just booked #2 for August 17!! Nothing available for movie nights but still plenty mid week - might even book another day when we're there if its so good.

Thanks to everyone on the cabana threads, without them I would have known nothing about them!

Michigandermom

07-16-2004, 09:26 AM

I just booked Cabana #1 for Friday July 30th! Can't wait!

expatscot

07-16-2004, 09:41 AM

Your so lucky to get that for movie night at such short notice! Have a great time

D&R love Disney

07-16-2004, 12:37 PM

I got cabana #2 for August 20th. It's our first time staying at HRH.

d4est

07-20-2004, 07:26 AM

bumping--looking for a reply about RPR cabanas

YCFAN

07-21-2004, 04:19 PM

Just had cabana #2 for movie night July 9. If you sit in the left hand lounge chairs your view will be obstructed a little by plants but the two right hand lounge chairs are perfect for the movie. I love the cabanas and we had one for each day we were there. It's perfect if you have little ones to get out of the sun and there's a feeling of just plain old being special when you're sitting in one. Does that make sense? All I know is this is our fourth trip to HRH and I get one everytime we go.

Disbug

09-15-2004, 02:00 AM

What do you think? Will it be too cold to be hanging out at the pool in mid-December? HOW heated are the pools? My DD10 will swim no matter what, I am just wondering about the rest of us, LOL!

bjakmom

09-15-2004, 09:45 AM

Disbug - you just never know about those winter days ! - we had a cabana for each of our 4 days this past January (16-19) and used them every day. Every day we were in bathing suits - it was about 70 degrees - on check out day it was much cooler and a bit drizzly, but we loved spending our last few hours after check out watching TV in the cabana, sitting in the hot tub, and enjoying our last meal in the cabana before we had to leave for the airport. IMHO, having a cabana in the cooler weather will make you more comfortable around the pool while the kids swim - you can close some of the sides. We had a large gang with 5 rooms, so it was a great place for kids, teens and adults to hang out together throughout the day and night.:smooth:

Disbug

09-21-2004, 07:06 PM

I've reserved HRH Cabana #9 for December 20 and 21st! What a nice surprise this will be for my family! :Pinkbounc

bjakmom

09-21-2004, 11:09 PM

#9 is where we just were in August !!- awesome location - right next to the kiddie pool - close to the slide and rear hot tub - Enjoy!!:smooth:

SplashMom

09-22-2004, 02:21 PM

I have just booked cabana #1 for Friday night movie night (not for 6 months yet, Easter weekend--can you tell I am a bit obsessed with planning lol!!). Could anyone tell me if this is a good location? I have read this thread but I hadn't heard about the cabanas until this. I understand you get some soda, lounge chairs, and a TV. Do all cabanas get fruit baskets and tubes or only the themed ones? Any info on #1 would be appreciated. Since I have never been to HRH before, I have no idea about the location. There were other cabanas available but the lady who took the booking said that #1 would be great for the movie night. Our kids are older (14DD and 17DS) so the kiddy pool is not important. Thanks! :hyper:

highlander447

09-22-2004, 02:36 PM

I think all Cabanas get the tubes etc the themed ones get a free refill:jester:

YCFAN

09-22-2004, 04:12 PM

The tubes and the re-fill on sodas for the frig come only with the themed cabanas. Fruit comes with all of them. #1 wil be great for the dive-in movie. We had #2 in July. #1 is the first cabana next to the Beach Club Bar and Grill. Every cabana also has a phone and a ceiling fan. I love the cabanas. We had one every day we were there in July. I prefer the ones over on the other side because they're near the kiddie pool and hot tub but for dive-in movie night #1 and 2 are best.

smg1062

09-27-2004, 08:25 PM

for the ADD in me (no disrespect):

1) How far in advance should I book a cabana? (We're going for Xmas/New Years weeks)......3 months and counting.

2) Does it matter which cabana? Are there cabanas that offer more than others?

3) Is the cabana rented for a 24 hr period or pool hours?

THANKS IN ADVANCE for the tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

ellieb

09-28-2004, 08:39 AM

YCFAN- Thanks for the info on which cabana's are good for the dive in movie night. I have #2 for Friday April 15th and then #7 from 16 & 17. I actually chose themed and glad I did since it states that there is refills on drinks. We will be a party of 5 adults and 2 children so this will work out great for us.
I am really excited to get to this hotel. Now if only the ENT or AP rates would come out I would be all set
:cool:

YCFAN

09-28-2004, 08:51 AM

smg1062: You can reserve a cabana as soon as you have a confirmed reservation. If you want a particular cabana then I'd do it as soon as I could. I've never been during the winter so I'm not sure how in demand they are during that period; they're very popular in the summer. Themed cabanas offer two pool floats and a re-fill on your drinks in the frig. They're decorated in different themes......Beatles, Stevie Wonder. They are also more expensive by about $40 I think. The cabanas are open only when the pool is open.

ellieb: You were married at the YC!! How wonderful!

ellieb

09-28-2004, 09:28 AM

YCFAN- I actually was married at the Wedding Pavillion in Disney but had my reception at the Yacht Club Asbury Hall Ballroom and had my Illuminations Dessert party at the lower UK in Epcot.
You can view my pictures at the following link if you like

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=o9nzib...93&x=1&y=tvglw1
Registration is free

It was sooo much fun that I can't wait to do my VR (vow renewals) in 2008, for my 5 year anniversary.

YCFAN

09-28-2004, 09:32 AM

I'd love to see the pictures but it says the album has been deleted and to contact you to share it again. Thanks.

ellieb

09-28-2004, 09:50 AM

I'm sorry, try this link
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=o9nzib3.3suhsa93&x=1&y=tvglw1

If that doesnt work I will have to wait till my daughter comes home from school to help me post it. She is the computer wiz in the family.:teacher: :thewave:

YCFAN

09-28-2004, 10:15 AM

That worked! The pictures were gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them. I love the way your daughter was dressed. She truly looked like a princess! I've always wanted to do the dessert party for Illuminations. If you don't mind would you PM me with a little information like general cost and number of people required? Thank you.

YCFAN

ellieb

09-28-2004, 11:02 AM

YCFAN- I sent you an email explaining all. Thanks for your kind words.
:earsboy:

twinmomplus2new

10-11-2004, 09:28 AM

We rented Cabanna number 10 in August. I loved the location of this cabanna not too far from ther kiddy pool. and we could sit and watch our older kids come down the slide.
We actually had my twins 4th Birthday party in the cabanna with about 15 people. we had a great time. After reading some of these posts. I realize I was not as on top of things as I thought. I was on club Level and I paid 75 not the 40 rate, Never recieved a refill on drinks and or fruit and the kids got no floats. Well live and learn I guess.:rolleyes:
I would definatelt rent a Cabanna for any pool time, I was planning on spending. One of my fave photos from the trip is one of my 4 year olds wrapped in a towel with a can of coke watching cartoons. ;)