9 nights at Cabana Bay with AP. What do we need to plan?

[Mikeb1892]

My wife and I did a 1 day split between UO & IOA back in 2009, but haven't been since. DS14 & DS8 have never been. We're planning 9 nights at Cabana Bay, with Standard AP for the boys and my wife, and Preferred AP for myself. We'll be driving to Florida from PA (have done this many times for WDW) and looking for some money saving tips for our trip. Will most likely be checking in either 7-31 or 8-7 for 9 nights. Schedule is open for our time there. Not doing any Disney parks but do want to do Disney Springs. Would like to do Volcano Bay but not sure I want to spend the extra money for that. Only other thing we know we want to do during our trip is mini golf a few times, and head to Coco beach for a day so we have lots of open time to plan. Couple initial questions:
Do we have to pay to park at Cabana bay? If so, how much? Any way "around" this?
How is the transportation from Cabana Bay to the parks? City Walk?
How busy will the parks be this time of year?
What else should I be asking/planning for?

 

[schumigirl]

My wife and I did a 1 day split between UO & IOA back in 2009, but haven't been since. DS14 & DS8 have never been. We're planning 9 nights at Cabana Bay, with Standard AP for the boys and my wife, and Preferred AP for myself. We'll be driving to Florida from PA (have done this many times for WDW) and looking for some money saving tips for our trip. Will most likely be checking in either 7-31 or 8-7 for 9 nights. Schedule is open for our time there. Not doing any Disney parks but do want to do Disney Springs. Would like to do Volcano Bay but not sure I want to spend the extra money for that. Only other thing we know we want to do during our trip is mini golf a few times, and head to Coco beach for a day so we have lots of open time to plan. Couple initial questions:
Do we have to pay to park at Cabana bay? If so, how much? Any way "around" this?
How is the transportation from Cabana Bay to the parks? City Walk?
How busy will the parks be this time of year?
What else should I be asking/planning for?

Some of the info you’re asking for is in the Cabana Bay sticky.

If you have a car, plan to include the cost into your stay.

Since it’s been a while since you’ve been, there are several stickies that may be of use to you at the top of the forums.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Thanks @schumigirl. I'll check those stickies out. Any other tips/ observations you could provide? I'm really bummed about the $17 per night parking fee . Any workarounds on that?

 

[Loudbmw]

Regarding the $17/night parking fee - once Cabana Bay waived it for me as I had a lengthy stay. With the financial shape of the hospitality industry, I wouldn’t count on it.

It couldn’t hurt to ask nicely.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

CBBR transportation to the parks & CityWalk is one and the same - a bus that drops you off at the security entrance to CityWalk, which you then walk through on your way to the parks. The buses are quick, painless, clean, and socially distanced (at least, they were socially distanced when I went last year). Found there was practically always one waiting, and you can count on a 5min wait for the bus tops. You can also walk to the parks along a nicely manicured path. This method puts you at a little security station into CityWalk right near Universal Studios.

VB blockout dates are through Aug. 15 for the APs - all day for the Seasonal APs and before 4pm for your Preferred. Since single day tickets are less than the upgrade to the 3 park APs anyway, you'd be looking at doing just a single day at VB for $80/person. It is a really nice water park and convenient to CBBR. However, you'll have a pool with a lazy river right at the hotel, so it's up to you whether the slides (and the awesome fast "lazy" river) at VB are worth the expense. If you're looking for a cheaper water park day, you might also consider Aquatica instead - Sea World's water park. IMO it is comparable to VB and right now tickets for your August dates can be had for $42.99, so almost half the price. Although they do charge to park also.

 

[Bethany10]

We love Cabana Bay, but I'm not aware of any workarounds for parking. Especially with recent events.

The pools at the hotel are amazing. The floats for the lazy river are extra, but you can bring your own and they will inflate them for you. If you're staying in a family suite there's a small, fridge in the room along with a microwave. We found hitting the local grocery store for breakfast items and snacks to be a money saver.

 

[friarfan]

Wé are booked aug 7 for 7 nights at cabana bay. Took advantage of annual pass discount. From what I see on school calendar school begins aug 10 which should make parks less crowded with locals. Also beginnig that week universal usually offers appréciation days for passholders. Check the passholder information page on website if you go those dates.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Also beginnig that week universal usually offers appréciation days for passholders. Check the passholder information page on website if you go those dates.

What are some of the benefits on the appreciation days?

 

[friarfan]

Google - universal orlando passholder appreciation days