Cabana Bay Beach Resort

[rhino4evr]

I usually tend to agree that most reviews on sites like Trip Advisor seem to gravitate towards the negative. Based on the actual reviews though, it seems like they have a lot of work to do when it comes to service and housekeeping. These things will most likely be rectified soon.

 

[fryoj]

Heres the problem with comparing the hotel to Disney. I'm going to Universal In November. I haven't decided on where I'm staying yet, but I'm considering staying at CBBB. If I don't stay at CBBB, I'm not going to go stay at a Disney Hotel. I'm going to go across to the Holiday Inn or another hotel thats within walking distance. If I do stay at CBBB and don't like it, the next time I go to Universal, I'm not going to go to a Disney hotel, I'm just going to spend my money at another hotel locally. Universal has been big with partnering with other hotels locally for vacation packages. They've promoted that on their site heavily. If they are going to now try to drive those same customers to their value hotel, they need to be comparing themselves to the Holdays, Ramadas, etc that they are pulling these customers out of.

 

[TylerDurden]

You don't think it's fair to compare a product to it's direct competitor? Particularly one that is in the same market? It is less expensive, better amenities (lazy river, fitness center, bowling alley, lobby bar and 2 pool bars), and an actual theme compared to the 800lb gorilla down the road. Is it perfect? No, it's a "value" resort. Will it succeed? Yep.

No, comparisons are always inevitable and neccessary, obviously. Comparisons for the sake of comparisons/valuation arent the issue in my opinion. The problem comes with *justifying* Universal's shortcomings by means of comparison to Disney. If every little thing Universal does has to be considered better or worse than what Disney is doing, thats only rectifying thr shadow Disney currently casts over Universal. However, when Universal can be judged against nothing but its OWN standards, then it will really shine.

Like I said, if opening reviews for Art of Animation consisted of the same criticisms, would there be people saying "well Cabana Bay has the same issues"? Or would they just serve as another reason to criticize Disney.

Nothing will ever be perfect at either resort. But Universal has reached a point where they can be fairly judged on their own merits. By constantly comparing to Disney, people are admitting in a way that Universal is still playing catch-up, but thats not how it ought to be.

 

[Tbad556]

I actually have family staying at the Resort this weekend (starting tonight) and I'll be joining them tomorrow night (though I'm going to spend time there tonight as well). I'll give my personal thoughts sometime later this weekend or Monday. It'll be interesting to see the experience matches up with the current reviews. I definitely think that sites like TripAdvisor tend to mostly attract the rare, negative experiences, but I'm sure some of them are completely valid.

 

[UNIrd]

I think it'd be difficult not to compare the hotel to Disney when they've had "value" or "moderate" resort hotels down the road for years. It's just the reference point most of us have for on-site theme park resorts. Closest thing to the family suites here would be those at Art of Animation and that "value" resort goes for at least twice the price of what I paid at Cabana Bay.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

I'm laughing reading the tripadvisor reviews for this hotel. Like, really -- you're gonna complain that they didn't have Bailey's Irish Cream at the POOL BAR? Come oooonnnn.

Cheaper hotels elicit harsher reviews because the clientele are deluded.

 

[Nick]

I recently stayed at the Art of Animation, and even though it was a budget hotel, with small rooms with thin walls. The overall experience, theming, and service knocked it from from being 3 stars to 4. My only real complaint was the awful food court, which was extrememly over crowded due to the lack of options elsewhere. The pools were excellent, and the themeing top notch. Service? forget about it, you may be staying at a budget hotel, but they treat you like you're staying at the Ritz.

I've always loved the AoA food court. My family has actually gone over to walk the grounds and to eat there specifically before.

 

[UNIrd]

I'm laughing reading the tripadvisor reviews for this hotel. Like, really -- you're gonna complain that they didn't have Bailey's Irish Cream at the POOL BAR? Come oooonnnn.

Cheaper hotels elicit harsher reviews because the clientele are deluded.

Honestly, a few of the reviews gave off the vibe that they felt everything should be cheaper because they're at Universal and not Disney. Really? I think I even read a comment that said "$9 for a drink? And no mouse?" I wish that I could reply and say "Yeah, $9 for a drink AND Optimus Prime, bitch."

 

[Miketheboss]

Honestly, a few of the reviews gave off the vibe that they felt everything should be cheaper because they're at Universal and not Disney. Really? I think I even read a comment that said "$9 for a drink? And no mouse?" I wish that I could reply and say "Yeah, $9 for a drink AND Optimus Prime, bitch."

LMAOOOOOO!!! Dead !

 

[Nick]

I think it'd be difficult not to compare the hotel to Disney when they've had "value" or "moderate" resort hotels down the road for years. It's just the reference point most of us have for on-site theme park resorts. Closest thing to the family suites here would be those at Art of Animation and that "value" resort goes for at least twice the price of what I paid at Cabana Bay.

As has been said, it's not about comparing - comparing hotels of similar build and price range is natural. It's about justification for Universal's wrongs. "Well Disney does it..." it doesn't matter if Disney does something. Universal needs to be held to their own standard and THAT is the point Tyler was trying to make, not that we shouldn't compare.

 

[rhino4evr]

I'm laughing reading the tripadvisor reviews for this hotel. Like, really -- you're gonna complain that they didn't have Bailey's Irish Cream at the POOL BAR? Come oooonnnn.

Cheaper hotels elicit harsher reviews because the clientele are deluded.

I kind of take offense to your comment. Disney/Universal/Orlando vacations on getting more and more expensive by the month. Just because someone chooses to stay at a value hotel does not make them a lower class citizen, moronic, or "deluded".

I do agree that complaining about what liquor is available at the pool bar is pretty stupid however.

I've seen just as stupid/snooty reviews at 5 star hotels on Trip Advisor.

 

[Eric]

I kind of take offense to your comment. Disney/Universal/Orlando vacations on getting more and more expensive by the month. Just because someone chooses to stay at a value hotel does not make them a lower class citizen, moronic, or "deluded".

I do agree that complaining about what liquor is available at the pool bar is pretty stupid however.

I've seen just as stupid/snooty reviews at 5 star hotels on Trip Advisor.

I think the point was more that value hotels tend to have a different clientele than say, a 5 star hotel. Of course, there are exceptions, but there's no arguing that fact.

Regardless, there are definitely some good points that are made in the reviews. It will take some time to work out the kinks and really get everything running smoothly over there. After walking around the hotel, it's rather impressive for a "value" resort, and I hope that it stays that way.

 

[andrew]

I'm laughing reading the tripadvisor reviews for this hotel. Like, really -- you're gonna complain that they didn't have Bailey's Irish Cream at the POOL BAR? Come oooonnnn.

Cheaper hotels elicit harsher reviews because the clientele are deluded.

That is one of the most absurd things I have read on these boards. I don't think wanting Bailey's at a BAR is that far of a stretch. Worth going to Trip Advisor about? Maybe not. But that doesn't mean that the person is deluded.

I stay at cheap hotels all the time. Sorry to hear I am deluded.

 

[natespf]

That is one of the most absurd things I have read on these boards. I don't think wanting Bailey's at a BAR is that far of a stretch. Worth going to Trip Advisor about? Maybe not. But that doesn't mean that the person is deluded.

I stay at cheap hotels all the time. Sorry to hear I am deluded.

I can not speak for that poster, but I don't think it was meant to be offensive. Maybe they could have worded it better as they are not ALL deluded. But what would you call someone complaining about paying $50 to feed a family of 4 including a soda and 4 ICEEs in a Resort? Again I do not want to downplay any of the legitimate issues brought up, but some of the things are funny.

Most of the problems stem from it being a brand new resort riding on capacity. So hopefully the staffing issues can be worked out quickly and the training refined.

 

[andrew]

I can not speak for that poster, but I don't think it was meant to be offensive. Maybe they could have worded it better as they are not ALL deluded. But what would you call someone complaining about paying $50 to feed a family of 4 including a soda and 4 ICEEs in a Resort? Again I do not want to downplay any of the legitimate issues brought up, but some of the things are funny.

Most of the problems stem from it being a brand new resort riding on capacity. So hopefully the staffing issues can be worked out quickly and the training refined.

Maybe it should have been worded in a way that didn't describe people who stay at cheaper hotels deluded. He did not call those expecting a lot for less deluded. Either way, wanting Bailey's at a bar, regardless of where it is, is not a high demand. That's like expecting whiskey or rum.

 

[rhino4evr]

When I stay at a value resort I usually expect less, and appreciate more. When I stay at a really nice and costly resort I expect a lot more, and get less. There are a lot of negative reviews on trip advisor for "so called" 5 diamond hotels. When you have that kind of reputation to uphold a lot of folks will try their hardest to find flaws.

I'm not a picky person. But if I came back to my room and my door was unlocked, or if my belongings were stolen I'd be pretty pissed off too.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

I kind of take offense to your comment. Disney/Universal/Orlando vacations on getting more and more expensive by the month. Just because someone chooses to stay at a value hotel does not make them a lower class citizen, moronic, or "deluded".

I apologize for the deluded comment guys -- I didn't mean to offend anyone. What I meant is that sometimes "value" hotels can attract clientele that like to complain about everything... the type of person that walks into a place feeling entitled and wants something for free before anything goes wrong. But the same goes for the clientele at high-priced hotels. It was a poor comment.

 

[UNIrd]

I apologize for the deluded comment guys -- I didn't mean to offend anyone. What I meant is that sometimes "value" hotels can attract clientele that like to complain about everything... the type of person that walks into a place feeling entitled and wants something for free before anything goes wrong. But the same goes for the clientele at high-priced hotels. It was a poor comment.

I totally got what you meant. No offense taken here.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Some nice CBBR pictures on booking.com

 

[Nitro_230]

I kind of take offense to your comment. Disney/Universal/Orlando vacations on getting more and more expensive by the month. Just because someone chooses to stay at a value hotel does not make them a lower class citizen, moronic, or "deluded".

I do agree that complaining about what liquor is available at the pool bar is pretty stupid however.

I've seen just as stupid/snooty reviews at 5 star hotels on Trip Advisor.

While I'm not sure, I suspect the poster who used "deluded" was trying to get at the fact that the values are more likely to get complaints in a setting like trip adviser because people are getting the value version of the experience. If you go into CBBR with the same expectations you would have of the other three hotels your going to have some issues. And while yes you should expect that not everyone does (which is understandable considering even at a value level your dropping a lot of cash for a hotel)