Cabanas at Royal Pacific Resort

[lookingforward]

We booked cabana 1 at the RP. The women who took are ressie said that it was the second closest to the pool (#2 is closest). Can anyone tell me if this is true and will I be able to see the pool?

Also, we are staying on teh club floor and I was told that the half off cabana deal is only for your hotel, not any others. Just wondering because the hard rock has availability. Thanks!

 

[lindalinda]

This picture was taken near cabana 1, I was sitting by the hottub, the cabana is across on the other side of the hottub.

 

[bjakmom]

I can't remember how well you can see the pool from cabana #!, but I have several pictures of the cabanas here on the DIS photo forum: http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1867&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500
The RP cabanas are quite small compared to the HRH cabanas and at least 2 of the 3 sit right on the hot tubs - no privacy at all, IMHO. There are also some pics of the HRH cabanas and pool in my pics, in case you haven't used them before and want to compare the two. I'm pretty sure the 1/2 price only applies to where you're staying, but I would call HRH and double check with them - cabana rentals are handled by the gym. Hope the pics help!

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks for the great replies! I think I am going to cancel because the cabanas seem too far away and removed to me. I have a 7year old and two teenagers and would feel isolated from them while they are in the pool. Plus, the cabanas seem so small! The hardrock has a table and are MUCH bigger. Oh well.

 

[Kimberle]

I can't remember how well you can see the pool from cabana #!, but I have several pictures of the cabanas here on the DIS photo forum: http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1867&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500
The RP cabanas are quite small compared to the HRH cabanas and at least 2 of the 3 sit right on the hot tubs - no privacy at all, IMHO. There are also some pics of the HRH cabanas and pool in my pics, in case you haven't used them before and want to compare the two. I'm pretty sure the 1/2 price only applies to where you're staying, but I would call HRH and double check with them - cabana rentals are handled by the gym. Hope the pics help!

Oh my gosh, I can't believe the price they charge for *that*! It looks like 2 lounge chairs with a tiny table under a cover. It also looks like there is a small fridge by the side.

 

[lindalinda]

They are small, but you can reserve extra chairs as well. Theres a TV and a fruit basket and I believe water. I dont think they are necessary, there are plenty of umbrellas you can grab at RPR iff you want to stay out of the sun. I never had any trouble getting chairs either.

 

[minniebeth]

We stayed at RPH and honestly, for what they charge, yuck. They were moldy and not kept up very nicely. HRH on the other hand...wow!!! Very nice, looks like they would be well worth the cost. Just my honest opinion....

 

[princesspumpkin]

I reserved a cabana at the Hard Rock last month. It was #10 - the Stevie Wonder one. We had a group of 19 who were at the parks that day, so it was a great meeting place. My sister and mother stayed there most of the day, and everyone else came back and forth from the parks. My mother doesn't swim and loves to watch tv, so it was perfect for her to do what she likes as well as be with the family. My sister kept her company. Having our own server was fantastic - and we used her well! I don't care to sit out in the sun, so being in the cabana was nice while DD-9 was swimming. We saw the RPR cabanas and we were sooo glad that we rented one at HRH. BTW, we were staying at RPR.

 

[dtuleya]

Ok, going to show my complete stupidity here, but what's the big hoopla about renting a cabana? I must be missing something here.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Ok, going to show my complete stupidity here, but what's the big hoopla about renting a cabana? I must be missing something here.

IF you plan on spending a very long time at the pool, and have small children (or maybe an older person), a cabana is a great place to be cool for them. My 67 year old mother, who doesn't like the heat, but loves her grandkids, stayed in the cabana watching tv under the ceiling fan, while the kids were swimming. The server came to us for food and drink orders throughout the day, so she didn't have to go anywhere to get stuff. The fridge kept our waters and sodas cold until we were ready to drink them. Not everyone likes to be out in the hot sun tanning or reading a book while their kids swim. (And my sister closed the curtain and got changed inside instead of walking to the restroom).

 

[bjakmom]

The first time I ever rented a HRH cabana was about 4 summers ago when DS was just 14 - mom/teenboy trip. We stayed at RPR, but they used to rent the cabanas for 1/2 days then. We went to the parks until 2, then took the boat over to HRH for the afternoon - I was the coolest mom ever for this treat!! DS is a musician and loves music 'history'(sadly, that means my generation ), so he loved wandering around the hotel checking out all of the memorabilia and soaking in the 'cool' atmosphere. We changed into our suits right in the cabana- ordered and ate our dinner right there. DS loved having the tv videos on and did a little reading (some surfing or music magazine, I'm sure) and we even took a little nap - then we went back into USF for a few quick rides on MIB - then back to the cabana until they closed the pool.
When we've stayed at HRH a few times since then with FL friends and family joining us (also staying at HRH), the cabanas have been the perfect place for everyone to hang, eat, relax while coming and going from the parks - when DGrD was 5 mos, it was great to have room for her stroller for her to nap in the shade. In January, the sports fans appreciate the TV to watch the playoff games throughout the day. We enjoy ending our day sitting in the lit cabana, watching TV, visiting, playing cards, enjoying a drink (they have let us bring our own wine, as long as it's in plastic cups) and sitting in the hot tub. We have also booked cabanas on check in and check out days - it's convenient to have a place of your own while waiting for your room to be ready, or waiting to leave for the airport - we get in a few last hours of precious sun and swimming, close up the cabana for everyone to change, grab our luggage and sadly drag ourselves back to our 'real' lives!

 

[robvia]

I agree that the cabanas at the RPR are out of the way and not a big deal.
At the HRH, cabanas 7-10 are the ones everyone wants. They're next to the kiddie pool, slide entrance, and path that leads to the parks. #7 is the Yellow Submarine.
The PBH has 3 cabanas at the main pool. They're in a good location a short walk to the slide.
I took a bunch of pictures on my latest trip, but still have to make a web page.

It's worth the money if you'll be hanging out at the pool most of the day, and the weather is nice.