Restrictions on "cabana" Beachcomber Shacks at Typhoon Lagoon

[jasko5990]

Here's my situation: My family of four (two adults and two teenagers) will be vacationing with a family of six (two adults and four teenagers) and are planning on going to Typhoon Lagoon on the same day. I'm interested in renting one of the Beachcomber Shacks, and I know they only accommodate six people. The four adults will probably spend most of the day in the shack, and the six teenagers will probably spend almost all of the day on the water attractions, but we want them to be able to come to the shack if they need us or want to get out of the sun. If two of the teens are in the shack with the four adults, will the other teens be allowed to stop in if they need money or just want to rest in the shade for a short time? Is the decision up to the shack attendant, or is there a "guard" that checks for something like a wristband? I'm not going to "sneak" anyone anywhere, I just want to know if we can reserve only one shack since I doubt there will be more than five or six people in shack at any given time. In the event we do need to reserve two shacks, are there any next to or close to another, or are they spread out in different areas in the park? Also, how far in advance can they be reserved?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Although I work at TL I can't give an answer. However, if you call 407-WDW-PLAY they should be able to give you details (and also that is the number to make reservations).

 

[noahsmom]

Please post what you find out about this. Next summer we will have my niece and her family with us which makes 7. Three are kids. We've had a cabana in the past and loved it. We're hoping we'll be able to do it again. It's unlikely that we'd all be there at the same time. The only thing that could be an in issue is the refillable mug but we could buy an extra one.

 

[noahsmom]

I just called and asked about 7 (4 adults, 3 kids) and was told we would need to rent 2 cabanas. So I guess we will pass on a water park. Too bad, we really enjoyed it last year. Seems silly to me since 2 of the kids are small and it's unlikely we would all be in there at the same time.

 

[kaybird]

I would certainly not pass on the water park just because of not getting a cabana, but that's just us. As you say, the kids will have a great time running around, and there are plenty of places for the adults to "set up camp" as it were.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We rented a cabana this past May. There were 7 of us - 2 were very young children, 2 teenagers, and 3 adults. When I made the reservation, they wanted me to rent 2 cabanas. I told them I would only have 6 people on the day of the rental in order to be able to rent just one. I wasn't trying to take advantage of the system - but I definitely wasn't going to rent 2!
It worked out just fine. We were rarely all there at the same time.
The only thing is, you won't be able to order up food/drinks for everyone... I'm sure that would not be allowed, as the poor attendant wouldn't be able to handle that many orders.
We thoroughly enjoyed having the cabana and Typhoon Lagoon was great!
Hope this helps.

 

[noahsmom]

Thanks for the info! My DH was planning to do the same thing. We will never all be the cabana. We had a cabana last summer and I can't imagine being there without one. The towel rental alone is enough to keep me away!! How far in advance can you reserve one? Last year we got it when we entered the park.

 

[tinkerone]

what is the rental cost? what are the advantages? I assume you pay for the food. do cups come with it? tell me all, i may have to rent one.
tia

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yesterday I spoke with one of the people at TL directly involved with the rental of the cabanas.

1. Reservations are only taken for future days at 407-WDW-PLAY. Payment is made at the time of reservation, but it may be cancelled without penalty up to the time of Park opening on the day reserved for.

2. Without a reservation cabanas (and umbrella stations) are on a first-come, first-served basis only. Reservations cannot be made on the day of use.

3. As the cabanas are prepaid, they will be held during the entire day if the rentor does not show up.

4. Infants (children under three) do not count against the limits.

5. A few additional guests (usually children) will be allowed but there is a charge of $25 each which must be paid for the special wristbands. This charge adds additional water, refillable mugs, towels, etc. Normally the number of additional guests cannot exceed four people.

6. If you have a cabana (as opposed to special umbrella) there is an attendent who will rifill your mugs and purchase food for you, but you have to pay for the food (this means you don't have to stand in line).

 

[noahsmom]

what is the rental cost? what are the advantages? I assume you pay for the food. do cups come with it? tell me all, i may have to rent one.
tia

The price is steep - $250 and when we first heard it we thought no way. Then we went to get towels, there were 6 in our group. The towels were $2 each, that was a minimum of $12 just for one towel each. So then DH decided to look at the cabanas closer. For the $250 you get a dedicated spot with comfortable chairs, a small locker, cooler FULL of water, unlimited towels, an attendant who will get fresh towels whenever you want, refillable mug for each person, and the attendant will get lunch for you (you pay for the lunch). The real value came in the afternoon when it rained. We were snug and dry in our cabana while we watched everyone else run for cover - and all the $2 towels were soaked!

We love the extra attention and pampering while on vacation. Probably why we love WDW and DCL. For our family it's worth the price, but I really don't think I'd want to be there without a cabana.

Also, I just called and cabanas can be reserved 6 months in advance.

 

[tinkerone]

anyone have a picture of these? they sound intersting.
also, do they give you a menu to look at or do you need to know what you can get?

 

[GEB@okw]

Pictures? Anyone?

 

[Brandis]

We booked one last friday. Cost was $150. Not sure if the price varies by season or if they came down in general.

Here is a photo of our cabana:

There were 3 cabanas in our area, 2 together, we had one of them and a 3rd one behind and a bit to the left of ours. They were on the righ of the wave pool, when following the wall.

 

[tinkerone]

We booked one last friday. Cost was $150. Not sure if the price varies by season or if they came down in general.

Here is a photo of our cabana:

There were 3 cabanas in our area, 2 together, we had one of them and a 3rd one behind and a bit to the left of ours. They were on the righ of the wave pool, when following the wall.

it looks pretty open, did you have a problem with people thinking that they were open to the public spots? and a question i had earlier, did they bring you a menu to order from for food? what about drinks? were any provided?
tia

 

[Brandis]

There was only a a doorway-sized entrance on the right which could be closed off by a rope. Everywhere else you would have to crawl under some roping to get in and it's pretty obvious that it is a private area. also the 2 side by side cabanas shared kind of a common space in front (probably for sunbathing) which was also enclosed and I think there was some kind of "Reserved" or "Private" sign there.

In the ice-filled cooler box were plenty of water bottles and each of us got a mug with a "unlimited refill for the day" barcode sticker.

On the photo, you can see something standing on the locker, that was the food and alcoholic beverages menu you could choose and order with the cabana attendant. They had 2 salads, 4 entrees and some desserts.

There is also a blackboard attached to the column holding the locker and some chalk which was useful for leaving a message to others from your party, if you went to get a drink refill or so.

Useful information: The pool attendants are not allowed to accept tips. After she brought us our food and we paid her, we told her to keep the change but she said she isn't allowed to take any tips.

When the park closed (at 5PM), she came by and told us to take our time and that while we wouldn't be allowed in the water anymore we could stay in the cabana for another 30 to 45 minutes without a problem. It was quite nice to have the park to ourselves for a while. We even could watch the surfers who came in after the park closed. It was interesting to see how they made different waves for them than the ones they do during the day.

 

[tinkerone]

There was only a a doorway-sized entrance on the right which could be closed off by a rope. Everywhere else you would have to crawl under some roping to get in and it's pretty obvious that it is a private area. also the 2 side by side cabanas shared kind of a common space in front (probably for sunbathing) which was also enclosed and I think there was some kind of "Reserved" or "Private" sign there.

In the ice-filled cooler box were plenty of water bottles and each of us got a mug with a "unlimited refill for the day" barcode sticker.

On the photo, you can see something standing on the locker, that was the food and alcoholic beverages menu you could choose and order with the cabana attendant. They had 2 salads, 4 entrees and some desserts.

There is also a blackboard attached to the column holding the locker and some chalk which was useful for leaving a message to others from your party, if you went to get a drink refill or so.

Useful information: The pool attendants are not allowed to accept tips. After she brought us our food and we paid her, we told her to keep the change but she said she isn't allowed to take any tips.

When the park closed (at 5PM), she came by and told us to take our time and that while we wouldn't be allowed in the water anymore we could stay in the cabana for another 30 to 45 minutes without a problem. It was quite nice to have the park to ourselves for a while. We even could watch the surfers who came in after the park closed. It was interesting to see how they made different waves for them than the ones they do during the day.

thanks, great info. was there a place to change and what about washrooms? were they close by? looks like the cabanas on cc can be closed off to change but these obviously do not have that.
again, thanks. i just may have to get me one.....

 

[mrbghd]

We rented a cabana this past May. There were 7 of us - 2 were very young children, 2 teenagers, and 3 adults. When I made the reservation, they wanted me to rent 2 cabanas. I told them I would only have 6 people on the day of the rental in order to be able to rent just one. I wasn't trying to take advantage of the system - but I definitely wasn't going to rent 2!

So you lied about the number in your party in order to avoid the occupancy limit on the cabana? Interesting interpretation of the phrase "take advantage of the system."

I really just don't get why so many people think that their situation is so unique and special that the stated policies should not apply to them.

 

[Brandis]

There were toilets between the shark reef and the snack shack by the lazy river, pretty close to the cabana, but no changing rooms. We just changed in the toilet.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

So you lied about the number in your party in order to avoid the occupancy limit on the cabana? Interesting interpretation of the phrase "take advantage of the system."

I really just don't get why so many people think that their situation is so unique and special that the stated policies should not apply to them.

Point well taken...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You are allowed a couple of extra people, but you have to pay $25 each at the rentel location and these extra people will also get wristbands and the number of towels and water, mugs, etc., will be increased.