1st time to epic.... which hotel is good for 1st timers

[Christinagizzy!]

We are headed to universal for the first time as in anyone else. However, we've never stayed at a universal resort. We r already booked for endless but had to buy another 1 day ticket to add to our universal trip. Cabana is having a deal and I heard about their lazy river. Would it be worth staying at cabana the 1st night or stick to staying at endless docside for 2 nights in a row? I also heard that cabana does transfer luggage to endless. Is this true?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

They are fully refundable until 5-6 days out. I would look at doing both nights at one hotel. I don't think the price difference between the two would justify one night at each, holding luggage each day, etc. I am not sure if Cabana Bay will transfer luggage - I wouldn't count on it. The premier hotels sometimes do, but they have actual bell services instead of just luggage hold desks.

Cabana Bay is a step up and priced a little more per night than Dockside. Cabana Bay is closer to the action (although both have buses as the best transportation to the parks, Cabana Bay is a few minutes closer ride and if you wanted you could walk from Cabana Bay). They have a nice food court, retro theming, and the lazy river in addition to traditional pools. Dockside has only the traditional pool, more basic theming, and the ability to walk to offsite food/Walgreens more easily.

 

[Christinagizzy!]

They are fully refundable until 5-6 days out. I would look at doing both nights at one hotel. I don't think the price difference between the two would justify one night at each, holding luggage each day, etc. I am not sure if Cabana Bay will transfer luggage - I wouldn't count on it. The premier hotels sometimes do, but they have actual bell services instead of just luggage hold desks.

Cabana Bay is a step up and priced a little more per night than Dockside. Cabana Bay is closer to the action (although both have buses as the best transportation to the parks, Cabana Bay is a few minutes closer ride and if you wanted you could walk from Cabana Bay). They have a nice food court, retro theming, and the lazy river in addition to traditional pools. Dockside has only the traditional pool, more basic theming, and the ability to walk to offsite food/Walgreens more easily.

But technically would cabana be closer to epic? Would I cancel dockside and do both nights at cabana? Or book w dockside and be slightly closer to epic?

 

[Christinagizzy!]

They are fully refundable until 5-6 days out. I would look at doing both nights at one hotel. I don't think the price difference between the two would justify one night at each, holding luggage each day, etc. I am not sure if Cabana Bay will transfer luggage - I wouldn't count on it. The premier hotels sometimes do, but they have actual bell services instead of just luggage hold desks.

Cabana Bay is a step up and priced a little more per night than Dockside. Cabana Bay is closer to the action (although both have buses as the best transportation to the parks, Cabana Bay is a few minutes closer ride and if you wanted you could walk from Cabana Bay). They have a nice food court, retro theming, and the lazy river in addition to traditional pools. Dockside has only the traditional pool, more basic theming, and the ability to walk to offsite food/Walgreens more easily.

Btw... thank you for your recommendation

 

[CAPSLOCK]

On the maps Dockside is a few minutes closer to Epic. But literally it's gotta be less than 5min difference between the hotels - Cabana Bay will get you to CityWalk 2-3min faster and Dockside should get you to Epic maybe 3-5 minutes faster. Personally I wouldn't pick based on that.

Pretty much it's Dockside for a little cheaper or Cabana Bay if you want the better pools/theming. Or if you are looking at the various family suites, whichever room setup works best for your family.

Cabana Bay is also a bit livelier in the lobby/pool areas.

Yeah, you could cancel Dockside & book CB, or modify your Dockside reservation to be the two nights.

 

[Christinagizzy!]

Ok so price wise the deal I see... is a $12 dollar difference. I can cancel by Oct 12th. Based on what you know each one offers, comfort and amenities., for a couple..., which resort would you personally choose? I want to make the right choice and my husband does love a good lazy river. But we also know it's an older resort. Bus service will be the same then? Theur shuttles are reliable?. Don't smell moldy? Sorry for all the questions. Being that it's our first time, I just want to do it right.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I pick Cabana Bay if the price is that close. The lazy river is quite nice. I enjoy the more themed experience. The hotel is older but that doesn't bother me - to be fair I'm not picky about such things.

If you're just using it as a place to sleep & shower it probably doesn't much matter. If you'll use the lazy river, it's worth the upgrade. Side note - you can bring your own tube, they have an air hose.

The shuttle buses are extremely reliable at both, and clean. Busier times (park open) there will be a line but the buses keep pulling up & filling up. They do pack the buses pretty full when there's a line. Quieter times there is generally a bus waiting that will leave once another bus arrives, or once pretty much all the seats are taken / a few people standing. I don't think we've ever waited more than 10min for a bus at Universal, although we have sat on the bus 5-10min before it takes off - at least that's sitting in AC.

I have heard that sometimes Dockside & Surfside share buses but have not experienced this personally, and we go at quieter times. Haven't heard if any hotels will share for Epic.

Oh, and Cabana Bay has retro brand toiletries: Zest & V05! Dockside's are generic.

 

[Christinagizzy!]

I pick Cabana Bay if the price is that close. The lazy river is quite nice. I enjoy the more themed experience. The hotel is older but that doesn't bother me - to be fair I'm not picky about such things.

If you're just using it as a place to sleep & shower it probably doesn't much matter. If you'll use the lazy river, it's worth the upgrade. Side note - you can bring your own tube, they have an air hose.

The shuttle buses are extremely reliable at both, and clean. Busier times (park open) there will be a line but the buses keep pulling up & filling up. They do pack the buses pretty full when there's a line. Quieter times there is generally a bus waiting that will leave once another bus arrives, or once pretty much all the seats are taken / a few people standing. I don't think we've ever waited more than 10min for a bus at Universal, although we have sat on the bus 5-10min before it takes off - at least that's sitting in AC.

I have heard that sometimes Dockside & Surfside share buses but have not experienced this personally, and we go at quieter times. Haven't heard if any hotels will share for Epic.

Oh, and Cabana Bay has retro brand toiletries: Zest & V05! Dockside's are generic.

Fantastic! Booking that deal now. Thank you for the great info! So excited! Thats great about the tube's! He will be happy and I do love a good retro theme. I'm normally a disney gal. However, the busses are very slow and at times, I've waited longer than expected due to them feeling. Still love disney, nut it will be nice to finally see how universal does things. Plus, I heard we could walk to another universal resort and take the boat if we wanted to instead of the bus? I always wanted to try that as well. It might be fun to resort hop kind of? Eat somewhere different for dinner. Thank you again! Awesome advice

 

[Lewisc]

We don't know what hotels will have direct bus service TO EPIX (could be all), which will share buses and which (if any) will transfer at Citywalk.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Plus, I heard we could walk to another universal resort and take the boat if we wanted to instead of the bus?

Yes, to CityWalk & continue on to other hotels, but of course not to Epic. It's a lovely boat ride!

You can pool hop to the other hotel pools if you want, too (from CB, you cannot from Dockside).

 

[disneyseniors]

Yes, to CityWalk & continue on to other hotels, but of course not to Epic. It's a lovely boat ride!

You can pool hop to the other hotel pools if you want, too (from CB, you cannot from Dockside).

I thought you could pool hop anywhere on the Universal site. You can't pool hop from Dockside? I wonder why when they advertise that you can pool hop on site?

 

[Christinagizzy!]

Yes, to CityWalk & continue on to other hotels, but of course not to Epic. It's a lovely boat ride!

You can pool hop to the other hotel pools if you want, too (from CB, you cannot from Dockside).

Pool hop? So of we wanted to pool hop to hard rock, saphire or royal pacific, we can now? That is amazing! Challenge accepted

 

[Christinagizzy!]

We don't know what hotels will have direct bus service TO EPIX (could be all), which will share buses and which (if any) will transfer at Citywalk.

Oh goodness I hope they have dedicated busses direct to epic from the resorts. We want to take advantage of early entry