PBH for kids?

[bellebud]

hope kids like PBH... I just booked our first Universal trip (dh is getting tired of disney and wanted to try something new, and fotl seems like it will be awesome). Anyway, I was going to book rpr, just a standard room (the least expensive way to go, since we've never been there). Then I thought, club level would be nice since we're going to celebrate dd's 8th bday (and ds is 6yo), and the kids LOVE the lounges (more than we adults do even). Anyway, no club level available at rpr, so i asked for club level at hrh (even though i thought we wouldn't like hrh's theme too much), nothing available (we're going in early october). Sooooo, onto PBH, club level available, so i just booked it. I had every intention when i dialed the phone that i'd pick the least expensive option. how'd i end up w/ pbh club level????? (I seem to do this often, now that i think of it). oh well...

anyway, now i'm thinking PBH, while beautiful, is so grown-up. But I guess for a 6 and almost 8yo, all resorts are pretty much 'grown up', except for the values at disney, right?? Is the pool at PBH "fun" for the kids? From what i've been reading here, HRH is super-duper fun. we'll be there for 4 days (not including travel days), so i'm thinking we'll have lots of resort time, since we're not doing anything else (no sea world, etc).

Would you switch to a regular room at HRH, instead of PBH club level, if you had a 6 and 8yo? And isn't PBH the farthest from the parks for walking? I'm sure we'll be back and forth a lot. hmmm... help!!!

(do they even let you change ressies like disney does?)

and has anyone rented a cabana? that seems really neat, and something the kids would think is fun.

 

[calgarygary]

I think your kids will enjoy the main pool at PBH. Here are a couple of pics of it:

 

[Sharon G]

Here's another picture of the beach pool.

My kids really enjoyed the cabana. I liked the fact that you could go for a dip in the morning, leave, go to the parks and come back and your towels and drinks are there waiting for you. No searching for chairs with umbrellas etc.. A little known secret is that your club level gives you $20 off the cabana rental! This is a cabana at the Villa Pool.

Here's one of the fruit tray that comes with the cabana (minus the bananas & some strawberries).

 

[bellebud]

thank you both for the pics! they're just beautiful!

Do you reserve the cabana beforehand? how much is it? I recall seeing a 'yellow submarine' one at HRH. is it ok, and is it worth it (or a pain in the butt) to do a cabana at another resort than your own. I just can't help but feel if they had club level rooms available to HRH, that's our better choice (?????)

From what i'm reading, the rooms are really just as nice and large as PBH, the pool is just as nice (and maybe more fun), and it's closer to the parks. At first I didn't think the kids would care for the music theme, but now I'm thinking they'll think it's neat as we're strolling the halls. I always second guess my resort!

 

[Sharon G]

thank you both for the pics! they're just beautiful!

Do you reserve the cabana beforehand? how much is it? I recall seeing a 'yellow submarine' one at HRH. is it ok, and is it worth it (or a pain in the butt) to do a cabana at another resort than your own. I just can't help but feel if they had club level rooms available to HRH, that's our better choice (?????)

The cabana rental at PBH is $100 before the discount, plus tax and automatic gratuity. If you want a TV it is another $25. I don't know how much they are at HRH. Think I saw it on the website thou. Alot of people reserve cabanas at another hotel from where they are staying. Gives you the best of both worlds!

From what i'm reading, the rooms are really just as nice and large as PBH, the pool is just as nice (and maybe more fun), and it's closer to the parks. At first I didn't think the kids would care for the music theme, but now I'm thinking they'll think it's neat as we're strolling the halls. I always second guess my resort!

We walked over to the parks a few times from PBH. Its not that far, but the boats are more fun! They also have pedicabs. You have to tip them thou. Most people do $5 or $10. Any other questions just ask!

 

[dsmom]

This is just a vote for PB- we love it there! My son is 9 and he loves it also. The cabanas at the villa pool and beach pool are nice- our son loves the beach pool- it has a nice slide. I think it is very kid friendly- the ice cream shop is great as is Sal's and Splendido. Our favorite place to eat there is Trattoria. The boat ride is great and you never have to wait long for one. We are headed back in October for stay number seven.

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Trying to decide between PBH and HRH is a quality problem!! A few thoughts:

Room size - In general the PBH rooms will be a bit larger...A standard room at HRH is doable but may be tight with four.

Location - HRH is an easy walk from the parks, while PBH is a short boat ride or longer walk...Keep in mind that we're not talking about Disney-ish location and logistical issues. You can easily go back and forth between the parks and either PBH or HRH throughout the day.

Pool/amenities - Pools at both resorts are great...Regarding food options, I'd give the nod to PBH since there are a wider array of choices.

Changing ressies - You certainly can and I'd encourage you to keep an eye on the rates over the next few weeks...I typically book early and then re-book as the prices comes down, either at the same or different resort.

Have mucho fun!!!

 

[goofy!]

Another vote for PBH. My kids love it there. And the distance from the parks doesn't seem to be a factor. We always take the boats so we are at the parks in less than 10 minutes.

We do usually rent a cabana for the day at HRH when we are there in the summer. We like the option of experiencing both resorts. We usually get one or two of the cabanas 7-10 (the beach side cabanas) and if I remember correctly, it was around $185.00 for the day per cabana. It has been awhile because we have been in the winter lately and we keep hitting cold fronts, so my prices may be off. With the cabanas, we got 12 waters and 12 sodas, a fruit tray and 2 pool floats. TVs are already there so there was no extra charge for that.