Cabana Bay vs. Aventura? (1P Vacation Package)

[Quarky]

Thinking about doing something crazy and booking a s u u u u per last minute trip as a solo traveller to Universal, prior to meeting my family for our already scheduled WDW vacation.

Was looking into their 4-night vacation packages and it seems like the stay at either CB or Aventura would cost exactly the same. Which would you recommend for a single adult traveller, particularly in terms of ease of getting to the parks & CityWalk? Wouldn't be doing Volcano Bay, so that's unfortunately not a selling factor for me. Or would CB be more worthwhile solely based on the fact that it's more expensive than Aventura if comparing rack rates? The other option I was looking into was booking a nearby off-site hotel, e.g. the Doubletree nearest Universal, but transportation and safety is a priority for me as a youngish looking female.

Also, unrelated question: does anyone have any experience w/ booking a vacation package and skipping a day? Buying the 4n package and just not showing up the first night would actually still be cheaper than paying for the different components out of pocket at this late stage, but would that be allowed or would my reservation just get cancelled?

 

[damo]

I would book Aventura. If you stay at Cabana Bay, you need to take the bus which drops you off a little further than if you take the boat. Although Aventura does not have its own boat, you don't have to walk very far to get the boat at Sapphire Falls. It is on the same side of the street. At Cabana Bay, if you want to take the Sapphire Falls boat, you need to take the pathway to get over the busy street which is quite a bit longer than walking from Aventura.

I think there would be issues if you didn't actually check in on your first day of the package.

 

[Quarky]

I would book Aventura. If you stay at Cabana Bay, you need to take the bus which drops you off a little further than if you take the boat. Although Aventura does not have its own boat, you don't have to walk very far to get the boat at Sapphire Falls. It is on the same side of the street. At Cabana Bay, if you want to take the Sapphire Falls boat, you need to take the pathway to get over the busy street which is quite a bit longer than walking from Aventura.

I think there would be issues if you didn't actually check in on your first day of the package.

Thanks! This is the specific intel I wanted to know I had thought buses would be my only option, so it's good to know that you can just walk over and take boats from an adjacent hotel!

 

[georgina]

I have never booked a package or stayed at Aventura. The buses from CBBR to the park run very frequently, but do drop you off at City Walk. I often take the SF boat back in the evening & just walk directly across the street to CBBR at the traffic light. Can you start your 4 day package on the day you actually arrive and just leave a day early?

 

[Quarky]

I have never booked a package or stayed at Aventura. The buses from CBBR to the park run very frequently, but do drop you off at City Walk. I often take the SF boat back in the evening & just walk directly across the street to CBBR at the traffic light. Can you start your 4 day package on the day you actually arrive and just leave a day early?

Good to know, thanks.

Unfortunately my plan is limited by the fact that I already have a predetermined end date by which I need to meet my family at Disney World for the Christmas holidays (with all the accompanying reservations, etc.)! I will probably end up just booking two nights and not take advantage of the holiday package, which is actually an excellent deal.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Georgina meant to have the package start on your intended arrival date, and just leave before utilizing the last day on the package. Instead of booking the package to start on the day before you'd arrive, where they might cancel it on you when you "don't show up."

 

[Quarky]

Georgina meant to have the package start on your intended arrival date, and just leave before utilizing the last day on the package. Instead of booking the package to start on the day before you'd arrive, where they might cancel it on you when you "don't show up."

Definitely misunderstood the first time, thank you for clarifying! That's a really smart idea.

 

[damo]

Just be warned that there is no crosswalk walking across the street at Cabana Bay to Sapphire Falls. There are warning signs not to cross there. There is a traffic light but not crosswalk. The walking path to get across the street is quite a bit up the street.

 

[hsmamato2]

Just be warned that there is no crosswalk walking across the street at Cabana Bay to Sapphire Falls. There are warning signs not to cross there. There is a traffic light but not crosswalk. The walking path to get across the street is quite a bit up the street.

so there are two places to cross form one to the other is what you're saying?

 

[damo]

so there are two places to cross form one to the other is what you're saying?

There is a main street with traffic lights between the entrances to the two hotels but there are no crosswalks there and there are signs saying not to cross there. Further up the street, the walking path goes over the main road.

Personally, I wouldn't cross there with kids but YMMV, lol.