Disney Moderate Resorts vs. Cabana Bay if not visiting parks?

[mwilcko]

I am looking at a short trip in November where we would have 3 full days to work with. Looking for a more laid back vacation where we hang at the resorts (kids just want to swim anyway) and perhaps give Sea World a try. Right now I have booked both Port Orleans Riverside and Universal Cabana Bay. Going to cancel one, but wanted to get your thoughts on which resort offers more for kids onsite (6 and 10)? I have never been to a Universal Resort, but have stayed at a few Disney (typically moderates) and enjoyed all of those except for All Star Movies. Port Orleans is a few hundred more for the four days, but offers transportation to Disney Spring and Magical Express which cuts the difference down a bit. For Cabana Bay, hopping to the other resorts and trying out their pools and restaurants might be fun. City Walk doesn't sound like it has a lot for kids?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

IMHO, City Walk has a bar/nightclub feel at night. I've gone there with DS (now 11) and we enjoy the restaurants and the mini-golf, but it's not a place I would want to hang out with kids. DS is definitely a better fit for kids, IMHO. You have the option of bowling, characters in flight, etc. If I had to choose between the two, I would probably do POR, however, keep in mind, with both resorts, you are paying more due to proximity to the parks - Uni or WDW. If you aren't going to either and you are thinking of going to SeaWorld, why not stay closer to SeaWorld? The Hilton Orlando is close and has a nice pool and lazy river. You could always uber to DS for an evening if you are interested. Also, for me, it would be very hard to stay at Cabana Bay and not go to Volcano Bay right next door!

 

[chalee94]

...however, keep in mind, with both resorts, you are paying more due to proximity to the parks - Uni or WDW. If you aren't going to either and you are thinking of going to SeaWorld, why not stay closer to SeaWorld?

I agree that it wouldn't make sense to pay for park proximity that you are not using. There are a number of resorts in that area which would be nicer and cheaper than the onsite resorts.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I have stayed at both. If you are going to do Sea World one day Cabana Bay is close to it.
I do like both resorts for different reasons.
With that said Cabana Bay wins hands down for s resort time place. There are a lot of things to do and the place is great. In fact it is one of the top 3 resorts we like to stay.
Besides having City walk which has cool things you can pool hop at Universal hotels.

Good luck!

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d pick Cabana Bay for the lazy river. There’s also a bowling alley at the resort.

 

[AussieFan8]

I've stayed at both and would give a slight edge to Cabana Bay. My daughter loved Cabana Bay far more than POR. Have a great trip!

 

[nkereina]

I would vote Cabana Bay as well. It has a much nicer pool than any of the WDW moderate resorts, and with resort time, the option to pool hop to the other resorts is a great perk. Come to think of it, I think all of the Universal hotel pools might be nicer than most Disney pools, frankly. Plus, the bowling alley is a good option as well.

As for City Walk, they have a movie theater and miniature golf. Being in City Walk, its much easier to get to than any of the Disney mini golf courses. Most of the restaurants at City Walk are family friendly - Toothsome would really appeal to kids. Later on at night, 8-9pm, the clubs and bars on the second level open up and start to get busy. Families are still welcome in the restaurants and stores though. But, it is much smaller than Disney Springs.

 

[glocon]

If you choose CB, you can also pool hop to all the other UO resorts.

 

[bumbershoot]

Cabana Bay.
I don’t hang out at Disney springs at night, so i wouldn’t worry about what city walk at night was like either.

But for me I also would NOT be able to resist the Uni parks. I’ve stayed at Disney 6 times now without hitting a park, but that’s impossible for me at Uni.

 

[mwilcko]

Thanks so much for your feedback, I think I'm going to give CB a try. Now, if I can just find good flight prices. Southwest released their November flights today and the prices were much higher than in the past :-(

 

[RJstanis]

Thanks so much for your feedback, I think I'm going to give CB a try. Now, if I can just find good flight prices. Southwest released their November flights today and the prices were much higher than in the past :-(

I've stayed at most of the Disney moderates and Cabana Bay a few times, and feel like Cabana Bay is somewhere between moderate and deluxe. Other than theming at some of the Disney moderates, we loved CB more. We're not Disney Springs enthusiasts but definitely more to do there than City Walk with kids. I can go shopping anywhere though, so Id much rather spend my time checking out the resorts and pools, so CB would be my choice too.

I'd give it time if you are looking for flight deals. I probably wouldn't even begin to look until the end of summer. If you are one of those who gets more comfort in having your flight booked way ahead of time than getting the best deal, then so be it. Our family typically waits in that 3-8 weeks out window to typically find better deals.

 

[bocaj1431]

I have stayed at both and prefer POR. In fact we will be staying at POR and doing two days at Universal.
Cabana bay was a nice hotel and the lazy river was a plus but the food at the hotel was horrible. POR has a great quick service with lots of options and the food actually tasted good.
There also were more activities for kids at POR. And as you mentioned, there are the boats at POR which transfer you to Disney springs which in my opinion is a far better experience than city walk. I also felt the quality of service at POR exceeded Cabana Bay.
The only positives I see that might outweigh POR is that kids might prefer the theme of Cabana Bay over POR and if you plan on going to Volcano Bay, which was awesome, it is right near the hotel.

Have a great trip!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Why not one of th DS hotels? You would have easy access to DS and save quite a bit compared to either of your current resort options.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks so much for your feedback, I think I'm going to give CB a try. Now, if I can just find good flight prices. Southwest released their November flights today and the prices were much higher than in the past :-(

I think you'll like Cabana Bay. We stayed there about a year and a half ago, and really enjoyed it! We were there mostly for the Universal parks, but we could easily have spent more time at the resort if it had been a longer trip. The retro feel was fun, and the staff was nice.

I would hesitate to do Citywalk only because it's so close to the parks, and I would have a hard time not going in. But if that's not a temptation for you, it really is fine for kids during the day.

I haven't been to SeaWorld in a long time, but we did enjoy it when we went!

 

[buzznina]

Stayed at both and POR is one of our favorite Mod resort but CB has so much more activities (even better than the deluxes) to offer. We also found the food to be very good and you get bigger servings, not the WDW standard 2-3 pieces of bacon etc. Plus, they have a starbucks, a better arcade and a bowling alley which was real fun. So we would definitely choose CB. Our DDs enjoyed Citywalk and we did not find it to be for adults only just because it has some clubs.

 

[DizDaD7]

I am looking at a short trip in November where we would have 3 full days to work with. Looking for a more laid back vacation where we hang at the resorts (kids just want to swim anyway) and perhaps give Sea World a try. Right now I have booked both Port Orleans Riverside and Universal Cabana Bay. Going to cancel one, but wanted to get your thoughts on which resort offers more for kids onsite (6 and 10)? I have never been to a Universal Resort, but have stayed at a few Disney (typically moderates) and enjoyed all of those except for All Star Movies. Port Orleans is a few hundred more for the four days, but offers transportation to Disney Spring and Magical Express which cuts the difference down a bit. For Cabana Bay, hopping to the other resorts and trying out their pools and restaurants might be fun. City Walk doesn't sound like it has a lot for kids?

TBH...
If we didn't purchase DVC, then we'd be staying at the Mods. for all these years, and for future visits as well.
CSR in particular followed by a close 2nd POR.
For your trip I'd keep POR, for it's laid back feel, awesome main pool, and for it's proximity /boat ride to DS...
thats just me

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would hesitate to do Citywalk only because it's so close to the parks, and I would have a hard time not going in.

Nah. Easy. Just don't buy tickets, don't carry any cards, and make sure you don't have enough cash.

 

[married2grumpy]

CB has lots of amenities and is a fun resort. DH and I had a great non park stay there. I like POR but if not going to the Disney parks I would choose CB.

 

[pigletto]

Cabana Bay. You will pay less and get more IMO. You also couldn’t be in a better spot to do Volcano Bay Water Park if you decide to do that instead of Seaworld.
I love Port Orleans Riverside but only for a Disney Park focused trip. For the type of trip you are talking about Cabana Bay is a much better value IMO.

 

[Sue M]

I think CB is a good choice. Has so many things with pool with slides, lazy river, bowling, and there is a bus from a Universal resorts to Seaworld. Personally I don’t find Disney Springs kid friendly at night, lots of drunk people walking around there too.