Discovery Cove -Shoes and Cabana question

[swcolleen]

Hi! Two questions in my planning for an upcoming trip to DC.

1. Is the cabana upgrade worth it for just two people-especially if one plans to spend most of the time in the water? Will we be able to find chairs in the shade without a problem if we don't have a cabana? (And I realize Cabanas need to be reserved ahead of time).

2. Water shoes. I know nothing about water shoes other than I want to get some for me and DH before our trip. Any recommendations? or specs to look for when shopping? Not likely to find any locally so most likely ordering off of Amazon

Thanks!!

 

[PrincessP]

Can't answer #1, but for #2....

I always get water shoes for my family to wear on our beach trips. I get them at Wal-Mart. They are usually in the $7.00 range. They get sandy and wet all week at the beach, and we throw them away at the end of vacation. I've seen them at Target in the swim section for $20+. I like the cheaper ones b/c they work fine, and I feel like I get my money's worth in our week long vacay and don't feel bad throwing them away.

We've had them with and without draw strings. It's nice to have the draw strings with kid shoes b/c you can still get a snug fit even if they have growing room at the toes. But it's not critical.

The shoes at Wal-Mart are pretty true to actual shoe size. They usually come in size 1-2, 5-6, 10-11, etc.

 

[swcolleen]

Thanks. I can check walmart. We are not quite swim season but they may have stuff so I will check. Thanks for suggestion!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I agree with PrincessP....go for some inexpensive water shoes. Walmart.com currently has them for $4.98 a pair. Toss 'em when you're done.

As for the cabana....."worth" is so very subjective. We love having a cabana because we adore the opportunity to kick back and enjoy a rest in the afternoon. We are also travelling in the summer so getting out of the sun for a bit is imperative for us lily-white northerners. We've been twice before, so we don't feel the need to go, go, go all day long. We like having a private "meeting place". We like having our locker in the cabana vs. the general locker area. We love being pampered and attended to by our personal cabana girl (or boy). We love having a fridge. Is it a must, though? Absolutely not. Our first visit we did not have a cabana and had a spectacular time. There are lots of loungers for guests to enjoy throughout the park (shade will vary at each depending on the time of day) so you will still have places to relax when you are tired. If you think you won't use the cabana, then I would say skip it because it *is* a big expense on an already pricey day.

 

[swcolleen]

Thanks for the cabana feedback. It's just the two of us and I know most of my time will be exiting or in water. My husband plans to do more chillin and I want to be sure he has a chair and hopefully some shade as well. Since we are going in spring too it shouldn't be as hit as summer. I was worried about chairs access but I am sure they are probably stocked with enougj(I would hope!) it's our first time and I am very excited. But he is going more for me so I want him to enjoy himself as well and he is not a hot weather fan lol

 

[Woodview]

As there are only 2 of you " No need for A Cabana " as you will find a place to sit down & be in the shade.

I would wear an old pair of laced runners that can be thrown away later.

Not so much for walking in the sand but wearing them " in the flowing river "

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

As there are only 2 of you " No need for A Cabana " as you will find a place to sit down & be in the shade.

I honestly don't think I'd ever consider a cabana a "need" at DC....for any family. Its a nice splurge, but never a necessity.

 

[swcolleen]

Thanks for the feedback! I am really excited for this trip. We couldn't do it on our honeymoon 10 years ago b/c I didn't know about it in time so I have been anxiously awaiting our return trip to do it!!

 

[rottiemom]

About water shoes...
I picked up a pair of Keen Newport H2s for our first WDW trip thanks to advice gleaned from the disboards. I have to say that this was my best shoe purchase EVER! And if you saw my shoe closet you'd know that's saying a lot .

The H2s are a kind of sneaker/sandal/watershoe combo and they are my go to shoes for any kind of theme park/aquarium/beach/lake/warm weather 5K dog walk/etc.

They are comfortable, with a firm footbed. It doesn't matter if they get wet because they dry quickly and once you put them on they stay put. They're more expensive than a typical watershoe (mine were around 40$ at sieratradingpost but I've seen them at DSW too...picked up a pair for my "boots all year" husband last summer and he grudgingly loves them too ). I lived in these shoes for our SW/AQ/OU/IOA trip last year.
summers worth of heavy use and lots of getting wet but the shoes are still in great shape.

Buy them a size up and make sure to test wear them first to assess any potential blister spots.