Discovery Cove Cabana Questions

[blizzard]

We are taking our first trip to Discovery Cove this fall, and have also booked an Elite Package.

The cabana says there is a "host/hostess" and includes "snack, beverage and towel service". Can anyone who has done this before let us know how this works?

Is the host there full time, or do we have to contact them when we would like something?

What kinds of things is the host expected to do?

Should we be planning to tip them, and if so, each time we ask for something, or a flat rate at the end of the day (or what if we don't end up asking them to do anything?)?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Towels will be supplied in your cabana and swapped out by your attendant with dry ones whenever you need a refresh. They will stock your fridge with whatever your favourite beverages are (alchoholic and non.....they will ask you what your preferences are when you arrive) and bring you a basket filled with your preferred snacks (and refill it as the day goes on). Both the drinks and snacks brought to your cabana are the same ones available throughout the park to all guests at the snack cart.

Hosts are in and around the area on a regular basis. They will pop in and check on your regularly but are not stationed there all day.

Hosts will do most anything you need them to do. Get you additional snacks, fresh towels, replenish your fridge, even pick up your photos for you before the end of the day. If it will make your day easier or more enjoyable, then they are generally more than willing to assist.

We always tipped (despite their multiple assurances that it wasn't necessary) just once at the end of the day. Despite the fact that our needs were minimal, they were always attentive and friendly and at our disposal and we felt they earned a little token of our appreciation.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[scdak]

OP - Gina Gina Bo Bina covered it all for you, I just want to add I loved my cabana experience, its money well spent for sure, enjoy your day at DC -its AWESOME!

 

[gregf71]

I second scdak, Gina covered everything very well. We were at DC on June 30th with the Elite Package upgrade as well. Our attendant took good care of us, but he was managing multiple cabanas...add that to our being in and out throughout the day, we only saw him maybe three or four times, once being at our dolphin swim, confirming with us that he would be picking up our photo package. We gave him a cash tip in the end...you cannot charge it.

One thing to mention about the photo package included with Elite, be aware that it does not include shots from Seaventure if you are doing that. You can borrow a camera from them at Seaventure and take pics underwater yourself, but then the CD costs $60.00 for 1 to how ever many pictures you took with it. They do take a single shot of you getting your helmet on and lowering into the water, but that too is excluded from the Elite photo package. I really wish that one shot would have been included...oh well.

Also, after your dolphin experience, you will be escorted into an area to view the images they took of you and your party. There, you get to choose which images you want printed for your photo album and the poster. You also get to select a photo frame as well. When you pick up your items, or when your attendant delivers them to you, check the frames. The one we got was not the one we chose. We didn't check until we got back to our resort. It was still nice, but it wasn't the one we chose.

Have fun!

 

[blizzard]

Thank you all for your help. I hate to be crass with tipping questions, but genuinely would like to know... How much would you tip for the day if you they fill the fridge and do a few things, but your group isn't overly demanding? Is $20 too little, or is that ballpark?

We're Canadian and conscious of tipping differences between countries. Don't want to shortchange good service.

 

[fantasia73]

@Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina Thanks for the information! That sounds perfect.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you all for your help. I hate to be crass with tipping questions, but genuinely would like to know... How much would you tip for the day if you they fill the fridge and do a few things, but your group isn't overly demanding? Is $20 too little, or is that ballpark?

We're Canadian and conscious of tipping differences between countries. Don't want to shortchange good service.

I am Canadian as well, so I totally appreciate where you are coming from .

We generally tip in the similar range. I would say go with whatever amount you are comfortable with.

 

[jv3cv1]

We love the cabana also. I think tipping is just what you should do they should not have to ask for one.

 

[kabbie]

I'm going to book Discovery Cove for me & my niece for her spring break - March 2018. I wanted to want to book on Blue Friday. My question is: can I book the Elite Package before I book the admission to Discovery Cove? I wanted to spread out the big expenses.

 

[goofballs]

Is the elite package a one-time add on for your entire party?

Also, I read somewhere that cabanas are priced to include 6 guests. Can you pay to add additional people up to a different maximum?

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

When I booked a cabana on my first visit a couple years ago, I remember they asked me about my Discovery Cove reservation. So my assumption is that you must reserve your Discovery Cove tickets and pick a specific date before adding on the Elite package or making a specific cabana reservation.

The elite package is a one-time add on for the party. As for the number of people, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they don't strictly enforce the 6 guest limit. They seemed to be very laid back about the cabana and the impression I got was as long as everyone was being respectful and not causing a commotion, they wouldn't object to there being more people...within reason. I remember reading you can pay a certain amount per person above 6, but can't remember the amount ($15 per person?).

One random memory of my cabana experience. At the end of the day and we were packing up our stuff (we stayed until they were kicking everyone out), our attendant offered us to wipe out the fridge and snack basket and take it all with us. We questioned extensively and she reassured us multiple times that it was perfectly ok and saved her from having to lug all the stuff back to storage. You should have seen the look on our kids' faces becuase we typically don't allow soft drinks and chips in the house! lol