Cabana Bay! New Universal Hotel in 2014!!!

[Jennasis]

Call me crazy but it looks like USO's poor attempt at Pop Century and a complete rip off the CARS theme area at AoA. Motor courts? Come on...

And no unlimited Express PAss? PASS.

 

[macraven]

i know a lot of peeps are excited about a third hotel onsite.




i would have preferred a third park at UO.

 

[damo]

i know a lot of peeps are excited about a third hotel onsite.




i would have preferred a third park at UO.

Well....hopefully adding the new cheap hotel will get more people going to USF and that in turn will get more rides and improvements at the parks. I don't know if there was enough space for a third park.

I don't see the similarities between this resort and Pop Century.

Since Disney has a hotel themed to just about everything imaginable, I think we could probably draw a comparison no matter what theme Universal chose.

 

[si-am]

Ugh, I was excited at first, but once I saw the drawings... not so much anymore. It looks like a tacky Motel 6 from the early 1970s. Like a wood-paneled, shag-carpeted basement that hasn't been updated in decades.

I just don't know that this really has enough appeal to be successful. Plus, the main entrance does look like too much of a rip-off of Disney's values.

 

[JessicaR]

That looks like it could be an incredible pool area. I see a slide!

 

[keishashadow]

I don't think everyone will be heading to the Wizarding World. If there is a new Transformers ride as well as a new Diagon Alley/Gringott's area at the Studios, we should see half the people going to IOA and half the people going to USF.

With the addition of the new hotel, there will be about double the rooms available than before. With the addition of early admission at USF, we'll have double the amount of early admission than we do now. It should even itself out. I agree with AlexandNessa that the offsite packages probably won't continue to exist.

I quite like the new hotel theming as does my family. I most likely won't stay there because there is no need and express is too important to us, but I can see it being very attractive.

Some sites are saying that the hotel is going in adjacent to RPR where others say it is going in the lot over from RPR. Either way, there will still be an empty lot. Perhaps a water park is going there?

or that long-rumored timeshare lol If there's open space, I vote for a 3rd 'mini' park too.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I'm surprised Loews is involved in the new venture, doesn't seem to be a fit for the brand. Perhaps they have long term contract for right of 1st refusal for new hotels onsite or they're going with a different corporate direction. Wonder how they're going to work the rewards program for new resort?

Assume that the 900 suites will be very pricey, just as in the AoA.

 

[macraven]

i did a search to see if Loews Hotels operate any value type of hotels.
nothing came up but the luxury hotels.


When you stay at one Loews, you can guess what amenities, service, set up, the other Loews establishments will have for their guests.

I wonder if Loews Hotels is going to start doing value resorts at other places now besides Orlando.

Maybe there are going to branch out like the Hilton Hotels have with the value/discounted hotels.

 

[macraven]

Thanks. I guess if there's anew HP section opening up too, then I ought to go ahead and book Loews on-site as soon as I can for the 2 days. I'm new to the Universal thing,(we are Disneyphiles) How early can you book on-site hotels?

you won't be able to book now for 2014.

i think bookings are available thru feb 2013 at the present time.


i usually book close to a year out and then modify my rate when the discounts are released.

 

[damo]

or that long-rumored timeshare lol If there's open space, I vote for a 3rd 'mini' park too.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I'm surprised Loews is involved in the new venture, doesn't seem to be a fit for the brand. Perhaps they have long term contract for right of 1st refusal for new hotels onsite or they're going with a different corporate direction. Wonder how they're going to work the rewards program for new resort?

Assume that the 900 suites will be very pricey, just as in the AoA.

Loews might just manage it and not actually have any part in the ownership.

 

[Harry Potter]

Not very excited for this resort. I would NEVER stay there.

It is understandable that Universal want to tap into the burgeoning value-priced accomodation onsite, but it does nothing for me at all. The exterior of the hotel just looks horrible.

I would hope that this monstrosity cannot be seen from my room windows at RPR.

Otherwise, Loews would now offer us at RPR a 'pool view' or a 'motel view'.

I also happen to believe that once people get their heads around NO EXPRESS PASS at CBBR, Loews will start raising prices at the HRH, PBH, and RPR in order to 'justify' the added "bonus" of getting the 'free' Unlimited Express.

It used to be free in terms of being built into the price. Now it will be seen as a bonus, and we will have to pay the premium for it. Otherwise, UOR will say, if you wanna be a cheapskate there is always the motel...

 

[keishashadow]

Not very excited for this resort. I would NEVER stay there.

It is understandable that Universal want to tap into the burgeoning value-priced accomodation onsite, but it does nothing for me at all. The exterior of the hotel just looks horrible.

I would hope that this monstrosity cannot be seen from my room windows at RPR.

Otherwise, Loews would now offer us at RPR a 'pool view' or a 'motel view'.

I also happen to believe that once people get their heads around NO EXPRESS PASS at CBBR, Loews will start raising prices at the HRH, PBH, and RPR in order to 'justify' the added "bonus" of getting the 'free' Unlimited Express.

It used to be free in terms of being built into the price. Now it will be seen as a bonus, and we will have to pay the premium for it. Otherwise, UOR will say, if you wanna be a cheapskate there is always the motel...

they'd be not to adjust prices, but rack rate and the price you wind up paying would likely be more akin to WDW CRO type marketing with promos rolled out as needed to fill the resorts and very few people paying full fare except on holidays. I'm told there have been pin codes going out for at least 2 seasons to specific guests already.

 

[Metro West]

Wow...I guess I'm the only person who actually likes the retro decor. I think the hotel looks fun and interesting since it's not styled like every other hotel you see.

As far as perks go, I look at it like buying a car. If you want all the bells and whistles that come on a Caddy, buy a Caddy. If you can't then don't expect all the same goodies on a Dodge. In this case the Caddys are the current onsite resports and the Dodge is the new hotel but I don't think rates will rise at the other hotels just because this one doesn't offer unlimited Express. People should not expect the same perks if they aren't paying the higher rates but future guests will have to take into consideration when deciding on a hotel.

 

[damo]

Wow...I guess I'm the only person who actually likes the retro decor. I think the hotel looks fun and interesting since it's not styled like every other hotel you see.

As far as perks go, I look at it like buying a car. If you want all the bells and whistles that come on a Caddy, buy a Caddy. If you can't then don't expect all the same goodies on a Dodge. In this case the Caddys are the current onsite resports and the Dodge is the new hotel but I don't think rates will rise at the other hotels just because this one doesn't offer unlimited Express. People should not expect the same perks if they aren't paying the higher rates but future guests will have to take into consideration when deciding on a hotel.

I like the vibe too. It looks sleek and uncluttered. I like the tons of glass in the lobby and the rooms themselves. I like the lack of bright bold colours on the exterior. I like the large pool and the water slide. It just reminds me of a big resort that I would have liked to have stayed in when I was a kid.

 

[Rip]

Wow...I guess I'm the only person who actually likes the retro decor. I think the hotel looks fun and interesting since it's not styled like every other hotel you see.

As far as perks go, I look at it like buying a car. If you want all the bells and whistles that come on a Caddy, buy a Caddy. If you can't then don't expect all the same goodies on a Dodge. In this case the Caddys are the current onsite resports and the Dodge is the new hotel but I don't think rates will rise at the other hotels just because this one doesn't offer unlimited Express. People should not expect the same perks if they aren't paying the higher rates but future guests will have to take into consideration when deciding on a hotel.

I think it looks pretty cool as well. As far as the rates at the others going up, I doubt this will impact that. I remember hearing a lot about how rates were going to skyrocket after HP opened but I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary in terms of the rates I generally get when we go, and we've gone at least twice per year.

 

[AlexandNessa]

LOL, I look at those pictures, and I immediately think it looks old and needs a major renovation. There is cool retro. Then there is cheap gimmick. Sometimes the line is blurred, but IMHO, I think they missed they missed the mark on this one.

Harry Potter, I agree with you ... I would not want to look out my RPR window with a view of this monstrosity.

 

[ADP]

I wonder if this new resort will tie-in with the new ride reservation system somehow? Thoughts?
http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/07/10/universal-orlando-testing-new-ride-reservation-system/

 

[disneyfan67]

LOL, I look at those pictures, and I immediately think it looks old and needs a major renovation. There is cool retro. Then there is cheap gimmick. Sometimes the line is blurred, but IMHO, I think they missed they missed the mark on this one.

Harry Potter, I agree with you ... I would not want to look out my RPR window with a view of this monstrosity.

I have faith in the Loews Hotel corp and think they have some beautiful properties. As long as they don't go all "Disney All Star cheapness" when building this resort and cut corners, imo, everything should be ok.

I remember 5 years ago when some of you on this board convinced me to go to USO for the first time and I tried my first onsite resort there, I was impressed with the PBH and how Loews does things. I'm willing to give this new resort a chance.

I'm glad to see Universal expanding on all levels and offer more and more competition to WDW in every way.

IMO, Disney has taken advantage of their fan base by offering less and less over the years and allowing things to get stale. USO is forcing them to up their game.

 

[keishashadow]

After viewing the above-posted rendering of the lobby, i'd say it's rather reminiscent of the one at bay lake tower

 

[AlexandNessa]

I really hope they do not allow pool hopping for guests who stay at this resort.

Anyone heard anything about this?

 

[damo]

After viewing the above-posted rendering of the lobby, i'd say it's rather reminiscent of the one at bay lake tower

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?