Questions about cabana capacity

[lephelps]

Our cabana is booked for our upcoming trip...but I have a few questions:

- Capacity is 6.
What does that specifically mean? We have 10 in our party (6 adults, 4 kids) and I highly doubt we'll ever have more than 6 people in the cabana. They wanted names for everyone when I made the reservation so I gave the 6 adults' names. Most likely, the only constant occupant will be my mom, who doesn't swim but wants to hang out at the pool while the kids swim/play. I would guess most of the time it will be my sister, myself, and my mom at the pool w/ the kids. The guys may swim for a bit but I can see them spending most of the time in Downtown Disney or maybe even renting a car and checking out some LA sights on our park "day off."
Will there be problems if random members of our party pop in and out of the cabana during our rental time so long as there's less that 6 total in the cabana at once?

- Cabana location requests.
If we want to request a specific cabana location (like near the water slides), should that be done before we leave home or should we wait and make the request when we check in? We check in on Tuesday and have the cabana reserved on Saturday.
And, are requests generally honored or is it purely random as to which cabana you'll get? Reason I ask is I expect the kids will spend most of the time on the slides so figured we'd be better with a cabana near them.

Thanks for any details or answers from someone who's gone through this process before.

 

[smiles33]

I haven't gone yet, but when I called to confirm my reservation for this weekend, the CM told me I could not request a specific cabana. She said it's first-come, first-served and that I should just show up and look for the cabana host/hostess. Yikes! I'm going to try to be there early and hover as I really wanted a cabana near the slides so I can watch my kids from near the cabana.

 

[Malcon10t]

If you have 10 people, you really should consider 2 cabanas. They limit it to 6 as the space is limited and you will end up flowing into other peoples areas. The cabana attendants will have the space set up for 6. Last year we had 8 (one was a 2yo) and this year we will have 2 cabanas (for 11 people.)

Cabana requests are difficult. There are only 3 cabanas by the slides. When you arrive, your name will be on a welcome card in front of the cabana.
Here's the space.

Here is how you will find your cabana.

 

[lephelps]

If you have 10 people, you really should consider 2 cabanas. They limit it to 6 as the space is limited and you will end up flowing into other peoples areas. The cabana attendants will have the space set up for 6. Last year we had 8 (one was a 2yo) and this year we will have 2 cabanas (for 11 people.)

Cabana requests are difficult. There are only 3 cabanas by the slides. When you arrive, your name will be on a welcome card in front of the cabana.

Thanks for the details on what happens when you arrive for your reservation and for a couple pics showing how people will fit into the cabana.

To be honest, I'm actually more worried we'll have rented a cabana for a half day just for my mom (and me, if I can escape the kids) and for people to pop in and out briefly. We only rented for a half day because we're not really the "sit on the beach/sit by a pool" type of vacationers and we figured 4 hours is more than enough pool time for anyone who wants it.

My brother is not one to sit by a pool or swim and my sister and bil have a pool in addition to living near the ocean so I can see my bil and brother (and even dh) heading to ESPN or elsewhere in DTD for a much-needed break from the family and to enjoy some rare kid-free time.

My two nieces are young (3 and 5) so will need one of us with them at the pool at all times. My boys are older (9 and 13) and are nearly impossible to lure out of any pool when the opportunity arises. I can see them stopping in now and then for a quick drink/snack or to bug grandma to come watch them do something really cool but otherwise not spending much time out of the water.

My main concern was due to Disney wanting the names of everyone for the reservation, as though there might be some kind of checkpoint before anyone can enter the cabana area. Though I honestly don't see it happening, I'll ensure there aren't more than 6 people in the area at one time. This will be our 5th day with 10 of us in a 3BR suite so I anticipate dh and bil, at the very least, will be anxious to escape the nutty family they married into for a few hours.

 

[BunnieGene]

We are visiting later this month and have a cabana day scheduled... This is the first year I recall being asked the names of everyone in the party. This is our fourth summer at DL; is this a new rule this year?

 

[rentayenta]

Anyone know how far in advance we can rent a cabana and the cost?

 

[BunnieGene]

Anyone know how far in advance we can rent a cabana and the cost?

You can reserve exactly 60 days in advance... Not sure about the cost... Maybe $180 for a half day

 

[lephelps]

I haven't gone yet, but when I called to confirm my reservation for this weekend, the CM told me I could not request a specific cabana. She said it's first-come, first-served and that I should just show up and look for the cabana host/hostess. Yikes! I'm going to try to be there early and hover as I really wanted a cabana near the slides so I can watch my kids from near the cabana.

Thanks for the info. I know I found at least one thread that spoke to requesting cabanas by either the slides or the other pool area so it sounds like maybe something that has changed. I don't recall the time frame of that post so it could have been shortly after the cabanas opened and Disney was still working out the kinks in logistics.

I'm sure we'll be happy wherever we end up but since my mom will be there primarily to watch the grand kids play I'm hoping we wind up wherever they preferr to be.

 

[mom2tinkandmickey]

We have one reserved for later this month. I don't have my notes with me, but the cost is around $125 for 4 hours (2-6), and I was told it is in the E ticket pool area. I called at 45 days, and was only able to reserve it for one of the 2 days were wanted. They were already all reserved.

 

[smiles33]

I thought the cost for 1/2 day was much higher than $125--like $150 or $180? We reserved it for just a half day so we can take advantage of EMH and eat lunch first before going to the pool. I don't have my notes at work with me but when I called exactly 60 days out, I was allowed to request one by the slides. It was only when I called a few days ago to confirm the res that the CM told me they don't reserve locations (any more?). She also added that cabanas are assigned on a first-come, first served basis (which I confirmed as this means I need to go earlier than 2 pm!) and instructed me to just look for the host/hostess.

 

[Malcon10t]

We have one reserved for later this month. I don't have my notes with me, but the cost is around $125 for 4 hours (2-6), and I was told it is in the E ticket pool area. I called at 45 days, and was only able to reserve it for one of the 2 days were wanted. They were already all reserved.

According to Disney guest services just now, 1/2 days are $149, pls tax for a total of $160.92 or $249 + tax for a full day. (Plus your tips to the attendants.)

You can call for reservations 60 days out and there is no guarantee on where you will be.