Volcano Bay Cabana Question

[jdrasin]

We are leaving next week for our first trip to Universal (5 days at Portofino). The big unknown for me right now is if we should keep the cabana I reserved. I reserved it when they first became available figuring I could always drop it. Since then I have seen very mixed reviews of them. While we can afford it, I certainly don't want to drop $350 on something which ends up not adding much to the experience.

We have Saturday 9/23 currently scheduled as our main VB day (we may visit other times) and right now it looks like rain and mid 80s, but that's a long ways off.

All thoughts welcome. We're getting excited for our trip.

Joseph

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I did two days one with the cabana and one without in August. I honestly felt it was worth it if you got it at a good price. We enjoyed using the tapu from our cabana. It was nice to have a spot to go to that was shaded and away from the main part a bit. The only thing is I did feel that I had to put time in the cabana to get my money's worth. We go all the time and don't take many breaks. I would do it again.

 

[bchbetha]

What are you hoping to get out of having a Cabana?

 

[jdrasin]

What are you hoping to get out of having a Cabana?

What a good question I think I was hoping to have something that would make the day more relaxing because we didn't have to look for a place/lockers, (though the private chairs give that) had a place to pick rides, and would be a fun experience for the kids (this might be the bigger aspect). I thought the place might be mobbed and having a private area where we could avoid crowds sounded really nice.

The price was actually $299.

Joseph

 

[zbsigpi]

We went during Labor Day weekend and did not get a cabana. The next time we go we will get a cabana.
We were normally on the go at all times during our time there, but would love a cabana for the following reasons.
A place to 'get away' and relax. We loved floating in the lazy and "angry" rivers but could get old if wait times are long.
The ability to hold place in multiple ride lines simultaneously.
The ability to order food (lines at restaurants can get long).

 

[jdrasin]

We went during Labor Day weekend and did not get a cabana. The next time we go we will get a cabana.
We were normally on the go at all times during our time there, but would love a cabana for the following reasons.
A place to 'get away' and relax. We loved floating in the lazy and "angry" rivers but could get old if wait times are long.
The ability to hold place in multiple ride lines simultaneously.
The ability to order food (lines at restaurants can get long).

Are you able to hold places in multiple lines? Also, how effective is the food ordering? Do you have to wait around a lot for it.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi no it is the same system one line at a time even with the cabana. There is a separate menu that contains certain foods from all the menus, that you have to order from. The cabanas hostess has a little chalkboard and chalk to leave messages back and forth in case you are not in the cabana when she/he comes. You can flag down anyone of them and ask to have your hostess come over. Once, we ordered food it took about 45 minutes so we just waited close to the cabana. the hostess comes frequently to see if you need something.

 

[Annchristine65]

We have one reserved for Friday the 22nd. I payed the same $299 plus tax. I think it will totally be worth it. Locker, towels, water, snack and fruit baskets. Tapu tapu right in the cabana. The shade will be nice and if it does rain for a bit we'll have shelter and not have to cram into the restaurants with everyone else. Also not having to wait on the lines in the restaurant will be nice too. I'm not much into water parks but my family is so it will also be a nice place for me to hang out. It's a splurge but worth it for us.

 

[jdrasin]

It's likely to rain some of the time we are there, so that will be nice to have shelter. I figure we're going once and who knows when we'll be back, so why not splurge a bit.
Thanks for all the perspectives.

 

[SkiTeton]

Is there a price breakdown of all "add-ons" at Volcano Bay? For instance, for all types of cabanas, "private chairs", etc. Does the price change based on day or season?

 

[jdrasin]

They do charge differently based on season/demand. I know in the bigger thread folks were posting what they paid and it was quite a range. I think the Cabanas ranged from $199-$499 for lower singles.

 

[jdrasin]

So we decided to keep it and were happy we did. We had an absolutely fantastic time at Volcano Bay from early opening (8AM) to close (8PM). I don't know how you even decide if the cabana was 'worth it', but it certainly made the day much more fun. Being able to check into rides, having a home spot, and being right next to the little kids play area (where my wife got to read while watching our youngest) was pretty sweet. It may have been our favorite day of our trip.

Joseph

 

[dizneedoll]

Awesome! Glad you had a good time. What were the crowds like and did you have long wait times with the Tapu thingy?

 

[jdrasin]

Awesome! Glad you had a good time. What were the crowds like and did you have long wait times with the Tapu thingy?

Crowds weren't that bad, especially early/late. 8-9 (early entrance) everything was basically walk-on. 9-10 probably 15-30 minute waits, but by then we'd done all the big headliners multiple times. Throughout the day the drop-slide and coaster were hour+, but we were getting in lines for other things and hanging out in the play areas and lazy rivers (both were really nice). I never felt the liens were impeding us at all. By the end we'd done the dropdoor (only one of three were working) 1 time, the coaster 3-4, Hanu 4-5, etc.... We really didn't have any issues with the tapu tapu, but I know some others have. We also kinda thrilled ourselves early and were fine being a little slower paced throughout the day. Heck, my 6 year old mostly wanted to live in the kids play area while my wife read and watched.

And, as others have said, it is a really pretty park.

Joseph

 

[dizneedoll]

Crowds weren't that bad, especially early/late. 8-9 (early entrance) everything was basically walk-on. 9-10 probably 15-30 minute waits, but by then we'd done all the big headliners multiple times. Throughout the day the drop-slide and coaster were hour+, but we were getting in lines for other things and hanging out in the play areas and lazy rivers (both were really nice). I never felt the liens were impeding us at all. By the end we'd done the dropdoor (only one of three were working) 1 time, the coaster 3-4, Hanu 4-5, etc.... We really didn't have any issues with the tapu tapu, but I know some others have. We also kinda thrilled ourselves early and were fine being a little slower paced throughout the day. Heck, my 6 year old mostly wanted to live in the kids play area while my wife read and watched.

And, as others have said, it is a really pretty park.

Joseph

Sounds like you had a good plan. We are going Dec 3-10and hoping we have warm weather, but even if it's cold we are still going!

 

[jdrasin]

Sounds like you had a good plan. We are going Dec 3-10and hoping we have warm weather, but even if it's cold we are still going!

It was very mild (for Orlando mid-Sept) when we were there. Low 80s. Felt fine until night time. Many of the slides you aren't actually in much water. The lazy rivers were warm, but the wavepool is really cold.

Joseph