Aquatica - Cabana & Lounger Rental

[zebsterama]

Hi everyone,

I figured this would be the most appropriate place to post these questions - apologies if I was incorrect.

Apologies -- I've edited the thread (removed the Banana Buffet question); I noticed that a similar thread (which I missed - sorry ) was already started.

My family of 4 (all considered adults now ) plan to do an 8 night stint at Universal next summer. We will have the Orlando express ticket and plan to do a day at Aquatica.

A few questions regarding rentals please :

We're thinking of renting a cabana at Aquatica. Has anyone rented a cabana or perhaps a set of loungers? Are they worth it? How far in advance should they be rented? Where in the park are they located?

Thanks to everyone for their help!

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I think the cabana rentals at Aquatica are a fantastic deal. We have rented one on each of our three visits. Their prices are based on the season, so you will pay more in the summer than you will in the off-season, but they are still an incredible deal IMHO (particularly when you compare them with Disney's version of waterpark cabanas ).

They all have ceiling fans inside, which are a godsend in the summer heat. They each have a large locker inside the cabana, as well as your own large fridge. They come stocked with 12 bottles of Dasani water, and 8 rental towels too. And when we were there last summer, the cabana rental also entitled us to in-park discounts on merchandise purchases, as well as other special offers.

We love the Aquatica cabanas better than any others as the sides completely close up, so if you want an afternoon siesta (or a private place to change in or out of your swimsuit) you have it. No need to use the busy change rooms.

We also loved the location.....right next to the wave pool .

We have rented the cheapest option (the standard cabana) in each case, and thought it was great. I wouldn't go for the upgraded options, but that's just me. In August 2012, we paid $89 for one day and $50 for the second day (they offered us a second day at half price if booked for one of the following 7 days), and our Christmas Eve day rental was only $30 with our passmember discount. Disney, in comparison, is $319 for a similar package, and the "cabanas" don't even have sides for privacy .

 

[zebsterama]

G-G-Bobina .... thanks very much for the info. Much appreciated.

I didn't know about the locker -- that's a major bonus .

Quick follow-up, can I assume that the water bottles in the fridge are included in the rental?

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Quick follow-up, can I assume that the water bottles in the fridge are included in the rental?

Yes, ma'am!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Some pics that might help:

Uluwatu cabana area entrance (must have wrist band to enter, usually staffed by an Aquatica team member):



Cabanas when fully closed:



Standard cabana:



Fridge and locker:

 

[zebsterama]

That's awesome; thanks very much for the pics and the info!

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I think the cabana rentals at Aquatica are a fantastic deal. We have rented one on each of our three visits. Their prices are based on the season, so you will pay more in the summer than you will in the off-season, but they are still an incredible deal IMHO (particularly when you compare them with Disney's version of waterpark cabanas ).

They all have ceiling fans inside, which are a godsend in the summer heat. They each have a large locker inside the cabana, as well as your own large fridge. They come stocked with 12 bottles of Dasani water, and 8 rental towels too. And when we were there last summer, the cabana rental also entitled us to in-park discounts on merchandise purchases, as well as other special offers.

We love the Aquatica cabanas better than any others as the sides completely close up, so if you want an afternoon siesta (or a private place to change in or out of your swimsuit) you have it. No need to use the busy change rooms.

We also loved the location.....right next to the wave pool .

We have rented the cheapest option (the standard cabana) in each case, and thought it was great. I wouldn't go for the upgraded options, but that's just me. In August 2012, we paid $89 for one day and $50 for the second day (they offered us a second day at half price if booked for one of the following 7 days), and our Christmas Eve day rental was only $30 with our passmember discount. Disney, in comparison, is $319 for a similar package, and the "cabanas" don't even have sides for privacy .

Just a heads up that they changed out the cabanas, so the sides don't close completely anymore. They're the same as the ones that they have at Discovery Cove now.

Not the best picture, but...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just a heads up that they changed out the cabanas, so the sides don't close completely anymore. They're the same as the ones that they have at Discovery Cove now.

Not the best picture, but...

Thanks for the update, Mike.

What an absolute bummer .

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Just a heads up that they changed out the cabanas, so the sides don't close completely anymore. They're the same as the ones that they have at Discovery Cove now.

Not the best picture, but...

http://s150.photobucket.com/user/wh...4-4491-a130-df0bfceff5c0_zpsfc95d1d7.jpg.html

Thanks for letting us know.
I wonder why they changed them?

 

[Jaime4004]

We just came back from Aquatica. It was a great park, had never been there. Thought about renting a standard cabana but it would have cost $200 for the seven of us. The price they show in the website for the season is for 4 people, each extra person cost more, then there are taxes of course. That wasn't worth it IMO. Now i'm glad we didn't because we parked ourselves under a large umbrella (there are loads of them, no problem getting one) and hardly went back to our stuff the whole day. A cabana would have been a waste for us. We brought our own towels and water...

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Thanks for the update, Mike.

What an absolute bummer .

Thanks for letting us know.
I wonder why they changed them?

I would have loved to be able to change in the cabana. We stayed until closing and the shower/changing areas were a madhouse. If I tried to change in the cabanas though, I'm sure I would have been arrested, or at the very least, banned from Aquatica for life!

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Thanks for the update, Mike.

What an absolute bummer .

And Gina, thanks for your tips and advice. I'm still really glad we got the cabana. We had lightning in the area for a while, and we were able to wait it out in the cabana area there. And for part of it, they closed the slides, but the wave pool was still open (I guess quicker to evacuate as the lightning got closer). So it was very convenient for us to go in the wave pool when allowed.