Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[disneyholic family]

ok people, i need your advice, help, thoughts, opinions, etc etc


i was all set on trying for a serenity bay cabana.....

but now i'm having second thoughts...

from what i've read, swimming is better at the private family beach than at SB...
also, the ocean bottom at SB is much rockier than at the FB cabana beach...

and also, the FB cabanas are close to the shopping.....of course, we could always just hop on the tram and head over to do a bit of shopping..

i just don't know what to do!!!

my booking window is TOMORROW!!

 

[Bear3412]

ok people, i need your advice,

Trust me, stay with SB. Peaceful, better view, less people. Come on, you went through this already. You chose, stick with it, and be happy, without worries, looking back. Don't second guess yourself or you will be displeased. Yes, it's far from the store, so are most locations, including the FB cabanas. Shop on the way to SB, or on the way back. Odds are you will get a cabana. Aren't there better things to worry about than which one you will have the opportunity to reserve? SB or FB?


Did you see this? First photo. Perhaps this will help with your decision, or not.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2336376&page=47

 

[disneyholic family]

Trust me, stay with SB. Peaceful, better view, less people. Come on, you went through this already. You chose, stick with it, and be happy, without worries, looking back. Don't second guess yourself or you will be displeased. Yes, it's far from the store, so are most locations, including the FB cabanas. Shop on the way to SB, or on the way back. Odds are you will get a cabana. Aren't there better things to worry about than which one you will have the opportunity to reserve? SB or FB?


Did you see this? First photo. Perhaps this will help with your decision, or not.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2336376&page=47

second guess myself is my middle name!!!

worry worry worry is my other middle name!

which cabana did you book?

 

[disneyholic family]

am i wrong, or does the private family beach seem cleaner than SB?

it seems like they leave SB 'as is'.....or is that not true?

 

[Bear3412]

am i wrong, or does the private family beach seem cleaner than SB?

it seems like they leave SB 'as is'.....or is that not true?

The FB is groomed daily. SB maybe groomed occasionally or as needed. Great observation. I thought that was on the comparison list?

And in theory, - relatively - perhaps FB has less rocks/chunks/sea urchins than SB.

Sounds like you are changing your mind. So, your folks would enjoy seeing 2000 people in sight on the FB? It's your call. Hey, book one on each beach, then your set.

 

[disneyholic family]

The FB is groomed daily. SB maybe groomed occasionally or as needed. Great observation. I thought that was on the comparison list?

And in theory, - relatively - perhaps FB has less rocks/chunks/sea urchins than SB.

Sounds like you are changing your mind. So, your folks would enjoy seeing 2000 people in sight on the FB? It's your call. Hey, book one on each beach, then your set.

i was considering that - i'm seriously psycho - you should be happy you're not on our cruise!!

in a moment i'm going to post a new thread about palo dinner/brunch dining times.....

and by the way, i just decided to give up on remy and go with palo for both dinner and brunch.....i think.....maybe.....i might change my mind..

don't worry - this will all be over after my booking window opens tomorrow night when i finally have to commit (or be committed )

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

ok people, i need your advice, help, thoughts, opinions, etc etc


i was all set on trying for a serenity bay cabana.....

but now i'm having second thoughts...

from what i've read, swimming is better at the private family beach than at SB...
also, the ocean bottom at SB is much rockier than at the FB cabana beach...

and also, the FB cabanas are close to the shopping.....of course, we could always just hop on the tram and head over to do a bit of shopping..

i just don't know what to do!!!

my booking window is TOMORROW!!

Personally, I think if your party is all adults, you should reserve a SB cabana and leave the FB cabanas for families with kids that don't have SB as an option.

I also don't believe you should reserve one on each beach until you decide.

As we all know, the cabanas are a hot commodity and I'm sure we all appreciate others being considerate.

 

[diane648]

no, we're on October 21st - i'm booking at 120 days.

good luck on getting the cabana!!!!! i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you (and me)..

but even if you don't get it, keep checking....i hear they come available all the time as people decide to cancel..

We're on the same cruise! I'm hoping for a FB cabana, but we're only Silver and not concierge, so it's doubtful since we won't be able to book for another 30 days or so.

Good luck, and happy cruising!

Diane

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Just curious. If a family of four happens to be fortunate to reserve a Cabana on the family beach, will they only give you four wrist bands? Can you ask for six, since you technically paid for six? My thought is to share with someone who proves worthy. Even perhaps minors, who click with my own minors, , of course with parent approval. Or share wrist bands with adults who click, without minors. Whatever, point being, do they print six bands for $500? Or is there a limit due to the lifeboats, and capacity issue? TIA

You can make arrangements at GS to share your cabana with another family/cabin. I'm not sure if you'd be able to add on only part of another family/cabin, but it never hurts to ask.

Without arrangements being made ahead, you will receive wristbands for the number of people in your family only.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

The FB is groomed daily. SB maybe groomed occasionally or as needed. Great observation. I thought that was on the comparison list?

And in theory, - relatively - perhaps FB has less rocks/chunks/sea urchins than SB.

Sounds like you are changing your mind. So, your folks would enjoy seeing 2000 people in sight on the FB? It's your call. Hey, book one on each beach, then your set.

We have had cabanas on both FB (with kids) & SB (without) and I honestly can't say as I noticed any real difference in the beaches.

FB is in a cove and more protected while SB is more open to the ocean. We enjoyed swimming just as much at both and I don't recall anyone hurting feet on shells at either.

The kids did find a hermit crab on FB though!

Both are beautiful and relaxing - and I can't wait to get back!!

 

[jjgarv]

Trust me, stay with SB. Peaceful, better view, less people. Come on, you went through this already. You chose, stick with it, and be happy, without worries, looking back. Don't second guess yourself or you will be displeased. Yes, it's far from the store, so are most locations, including the FB cabanas. Shop on the way to SB, or on the way back. Odds are you will get a cabana. Aren't there better things to worry about than which one you will have the opportunity to reserve? SB or FB?


Did you see this? First photo. Perhaps this will help with your decision, or not.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2336376&page=47

Totally agree! If DH and I weren't traveling with our daughter, we'd be at Serenity Bay from dawn until dusk. We spent some fabulous days at Serenity Bay prior to becoming parents!

 

[poohj80]

Just curious. If a family of four happens to be fortunate to reserve a Cabana on the family beach, will they only give you four wrist bands? Can you ask for six, since you technically paid for six? My thought is to share with someone who proves worthy. Even perhaps minors, who click with my own minors, , of course with parent approval. Or share wrist bands with adults who click, without minors. Whatever, point being, do they print six bands for $500? Or is there a limit due to the lifeboats, and capacity issue? TIA

I think you would be able to get additional wristbands, but you would be asked to name who you would be sharing with just to ensure teh staff knows who to expect and where to find them if needed while on CC.

 

[Bear3412]

.... this will all be over .... tomorrow night when i finally have to commit (or be committed )

 

[disneyholic family]

Personally, I think if your party is all adults, you should reserve a SB cabana and leave the FB cabanas for families with kids that don't have SB as an option.

I also don't believe you should reserve one on each beach until you decide.

As we all know, the cabanas are a hot commodity and I'm sure we all appreciate others being considerate.

i was joking about the double booking...
i guess you don't know me and don't know when my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek (as it so often is)....

as for FB only being for families with minors....
i disagree...
the FB is for everyone, young and old...
SB is restricted, but not FB....

someone here commented to me that they thought FB would actually be better for an elderly person as it's more centrally located and much easier to get around than at SB...

 

[disneyholic family]

Yes!

When I got up at midnight to book our cabana there were only 2 left and I was too tired to choose right then - so I booked both!!

(I have researched now, decided which one we wanted, and let the other go. )

interesting quote

 

[jilljill]

i was joking about the double booking...
i guess you don't know me and don't know when my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek (as it so often is)....

as for FB only being for families with minors....
i disagree...
the FB is for everyone, young and old...
SB is restricted, but not FB....

someone here commented to me that they thought FB would actually be better for an elderly person as it's more centrally located and much easier to get around than at SB...

Tongue in cheek/sarcasm does not come across plainly on a message board and that can cause problems with posts being taken the wrong way. It's best to just come right out and say what you want to say. Please don't take this personally as it's not directed at you, but should serve as a reminder for everyone that not everyone reads a post and takes it the same way.


I have to totally agree with you that the FB is for EVERYONE and if a party of adults wants to reserve a FB cabana they have every right to do so. Not every adult wants to be at SB, many like to be close to Pelican Plunge and the dedicated snorkel area which you can't be if you have a cabana on SB.

 

[maryisme]

i was considering that - i'm seriously psycho - you should be happy you're not on our cruise!!

in a moment i'm going to post a new thread about palo dinner/brunch dining times.....

and by the way, i just decided to give up on remy and go with palo for both dinner and brunch.....i think.....maybe.....i might change my mind..

don't worry - this will all be over after my booking window opens tomorrow night when i finally have to commit (or be committed )

Hi,

This may or may not be the case but be sure your cabin is not linked to another whose booking date has not opened yet or you will be unable to book any excursions. Same applies to any cabin not paid in full that you may be linked to.

DCL will split the ressies for booking purposes then combine again.

Good luck snagging one.

Mary

 

[princssdisnygina]

Hi,

This may or may not be the case but be sure your cabin is not linked to another whose booking date has not opened yet or you will be unable to book any excursions. Same applies to any cabin not paid in full that you may be linked to.

DCL will split the ressies for booking purposes then combine again.

Good luck snagging one.

Mary

This is not true.... you can book but only for the people in your cabin, then when their booking window opens you can go back and edit/add them. You can book for Palo and Remy though for everyone in your party.

 

[ibouncetoo]

someone here commented to me that they thought FB would actually be better for an elderly person as it's more centrally located and much easier to get around than at SB...

.

 

[maryisme]

This is not true.... you can book but only for the people in your cabin, then when their booking window opens you can go back and edit/add them. You can book for Palo and Remy though for everyone in your party.

edited to clarify

The above info is correct however that is not what i am referring to. DCL has (or had) a glitch in their ressie system that has troubled a few disboard members that i know of. So unless it has been corrected you will be unable to book anything for anyone including your cabin. Trust me...been there done that.

Just a heads up.

Maryann