Cabana Bay Beach Resort | Page 129 | Inside Universal Forums
Inside Universal Forums
Inside Universal Forums
  • Home
  • Forums
    New posts Search forums Account Upgrades
  • News
    Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Orlando Universal Studios Japan Universal Studios Singapore Universal Studios Beijing
  • Merchandise
Log in Register
What's new Search

Search

By:
  • New posts
  • Search forums
  • Account Upgrades
Menu
Log in

Register

Install the app
  • Signing up for a Premium Membership is a donation to help Inside Universal maintain costs and offers an ad-free experience on the forum. Learn more about it here.
  • Forums
  • Universal Parks & Resorts
  • Universal Orlando Resort
  • Universal Orlando Hotels
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clive
  • Start date Start date Jul 9, 2012
Prev
  • 1
  • …

    Go to page

  • 127
  • 128
  • 129
  • 130
  • 131
Next
First Prev 129 of 131

Go to page

Next Last
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,561
TheCodeMan95 said:
Will definitely be waiting for AP prices to come out again!
Click to expand...
and those aren't as broad based as they used to be either. Fortunately CBBR, thanks to the Dockside and Surfside resorts, seems to have enough vacancies that they usually have AP discounts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, TheCodeMan95 and UniversalRBLX
UniversalRBLX

UniversalRBLX

Time Traveler
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
7,721
Location
Cabana Bae
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,562
TheCodeMan95 said:
Will definitely be waiting for AP prices to come out again!
Click to expand...
Mad Dog said:
and those aren't as broad based as they used to be either.
Click to expand...
Mad Dog beat me, I was going to say that it's become difficult to find decent AP rates nowadays. That's why I'm shocked whenever the "Universal is cheaper" argument comes on this board. Table Service is still cheaper than most WDW places... but it's getting close.

Mind you, Universal's hotels are a far better value but it's not cheaper anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: n i c k, Suchomimus, TheCodeMan95 and 1 other person
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,563
UniversalRBLX said:
Mad Dog beat me, I was going to say that it's become difficult to find decent AP rates nowadays. That's why I'm shocked whenever the "Universal is cheaper" argument comes on this board. Table Service is still cheaper than most WDW places... but it's getting close.

Mind you, Universal's hotels are a far better value but it's not cheaper anymore.
Click to expand...
I miss Bill Davis as President!!!.There's definitely a different management mindset than during the past decade. ....Yes, price creep at Universal hotels has been at a higher percentage than Disney for the past few years, and they do less for the AP's at the hotels overall than they used to. And the deluxe hotels certainly don't treat the guests as well as they used to when they had the Rewards program. Especially troubling is how they limit the Stay More Save More so often from the higher tier hotels. I'm guessing that by the time Epic opens Universal hotels will be really close to WDW hotels price wise. Park wide, Universal no longer has more value than Disney. Prices are basically identical. And Disney has an edge in Operations, which are better than Universals since covid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, OrlandoGuy, TheCodeMan95 and 2 others
UniversalRBLX

UniversalRBLX

Time Traveler
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
7,721
Location
Cabana Bae
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,564
Mad Dog said:
I miss Bill Davis as President!!!.There's definitely a different management mindset than during the past decade. ....Yes, price creep at Universal hotels has been at a higher percentage than Disney for the past few years, and they do less for the AP's at the hotels overall than they used to. And the deluxe hotels certainly don't treat the guests as well as they used to when they had the Rewards program. Especially troubling is how they limit the Stay More Save More so often from the higher tier hotels. I'm guessing that by the time Epic opens Universal hotels will be really close to WDW hotels price wise. Park wide, Universal no longer has more value than Disney. Prices are basically identical. And Disney has an edge in Operations, which are better than Universals since covid.
Click to expand...
If it weren't for Universal's constant construction, I'd be more annoyed. Could make the argument that Universal has "justified" price increases for a while, but now it's getting Disney-level crazy. Pair that with APs probably jumping up in price next year (like the $50-100 increase this year) with APs potentially not including Epic...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mad Dog
Jake S

Jake S

Webslinger
Staff Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2023
Messages
3,523
Age
33
Location
california
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,565
OrlandoGuy said:
Welcome to 2023. I remember being in a really nice hotel about 20 years ago as a kid and my dad saying it was a whole $300 a night…we collectively as a family thought that was wild. Today, 300 is a steal for an airport Courtyard Marriott.
Click to expand...
Is this true? I’ve got stays booked at both Cabana Bay ($650 total for three nights) and the DoubleTree near the park ($470 for three nights) over a weekend in mid-September.

No doubt prices have increased on just about everything, but I don’t think we’re quite here yet.
 
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,566
UniversalRBLX said:
If it weren't for Universal's constant construction, I'd be more annoyed. Could make the argument that Universal has "justified" price increases for a while, but now it's getting Disney-level crazy. Pair that with APs probably jumping up in price next year (like the $50-100 increase this year) with APs potentially not including Epic...
Click to expand...
Universal depends pretty heavily on AP's, way more than WDW. If they're smart they'll recall the major mistakes they made on AP treatment when they opened Hogsmeade at USH, and not make those same missteps prior to opening Epic. I'm kind of hoping Universal has a flat, or slow, 2024, like they've had in 2023 since April, so they don't stay so cocky, and get back to the old 'Universal' way of value to their customers. They seem to be in greedy mode now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, UniversalRBLX, IzzyB and 1 other person
TheCodeMan95

TheCodeMan95

Dragon Trainer
Joined
Jul 24, 2018
Messages
5,207
Age
29
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,567
UniversalRBLX said:
Mad Dog beat me, I was going to say that it's become difficult to find decent AP rates nowadays. That's why I'm shocked whenever the "Universal is cheaper" argument comes on this board. Table Service is still cheaper than most WDW places... but it's getting close.

Mind you, Universal's hotels are a far better value but it's not cheaper anymore.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was able to book CBBR with the AP rate I believe in February last year.

Of course, the prices could also be shown as higher because of how far out we are as well. I just can't wrap my head around an over $70/night increase actually being the case lol
 
IzzyB

IzzyB

Webslinger
V.I.P. Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
4,902
Location
Orlando, FL
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,568
Mad Dog said:
Universal depends pretty heavily on AP's, way more than WDW. If they're smart they'll recall the major mistakes they made on AP treatment when they opened Hogsmeade at USH, and not make those same missteps prior to opening Epic. I'm kind of hoping Universal has a flat, or slow, 2024, like they've had in 2023 since April, so they don't stay so cocky, and get back to the old 'Universal' way of value to their customers. They seem to be in greedy mode now.
Click to expand...
I also think it would be a smart move to use AP holders to test run such a large new park before the grand opening mass crowds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, UniversalRBLX, Mad Dog and 1 other person
UniversalRBLX

UniversalRBLX

Time Traveler
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
7,721
Location
Cabana Bae
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,569
Mad Dog said:
Universal depends pretty heavily on AP's, way more than WDW. If they're smart they'll recall the major mistakes they made on AP treatment when they opened Hogsmeade at USH, and not make those same missteps prior to opening Epic. I'm kind of hoping Universal has a flat, or slow, 2024, like they've had in 2023 since April, so they don't stay so cocky, and get back to the old 'Universal' way of value to their customers. They seem to be in greedy mode now.
Click to expand...
Yup - they had to lower prices and remove a few blackout dates. 2024 so far looks to be slow, so we'll see what happens.

IzzyB said:
I also think it would be a smart move to use AP holders to test run such a large new park before the grand opening mass crowds.
Click to expand...
I don't doubt they'll have AP previews for soft openings/rehearsals... but I question what happens post-public opening. Ignoring the AP issue for a second, why do they want to complicate the ticketing structure to make Epic a single-day ticket only? Lots of people value Universal for its decent deals on multi-day park-to-park tickets... why throw all of that away? I get the worry over APs running over the park, but if you want to extend the number of days someone visits the resort you need to make it convenient and not require just single-day tickets for 1 park, and then a separate pass for the others.

Back to Cabana Bay, I hope future Epic-resort area hotels are like this one. Endless and the Stella/Luna resorts are "simple" in design but don't look as unique/appealing as Cabana Bay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, Mad Dog and TheCodeMan95
OrlandoGuy

OrlandoGuy

Jurassic Ranger
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
1,560
Location
Chicago
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,570
Jake S said:
Is this true? I’ve got stays booked at both Cabana Bay ($650 total for three nights) and the DoubleTree near the park ($470 for three nights) over a weekend in mid-September.

No doubt prices have increased on just about everything, but I don’t think we’re quite here yet.
Click to expand...
I mean of course it depends on where you’re going and when (and a lot of times I’m booking business travel last minute which raises prices). But the main point I was trying to make was that high-end price points from the 2000’s/2010’s have become more “average” without a notable increase in quality. And it’s definitely not a Universal-specific trend.

ETA: and this trend seems to be outpacing regular inflation. Hotels, flights, and fast food are the three things that stand out to me as the most exponentially inflating prices since 2020.
 
Last edited: Dec 28, 2023
  • Like
Reactions: Suchomimus, TheCodeMan95 and UniversalRBLX
graspthesun

graspthesun

Jurassic Ranger
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
1,460
Location
New Orleans
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,571
Mad Dog said:
I miss Bill Davis as President!!!.There's definitely a different management mindset than during the past decade. ....Yes, price creep at Universal hotels has been at a higher percentage than Disney for the past few years, and they do less for the AP's at the hotels overall than they used to. And the deluxe hotels certainly don't treat the guests as well as they used to when they had the Rewards program. Especially troubling is how they limit the Stay More Save More so often from the higher tier hotels. I'm guessing that by the time Epic opens Universal hotels will be really close to WDW hotels price wise. Park wide, Universal no longer has more value than Disney. Prices are basically identical. And Disney has an edge in Operations, which are better than Universals since covid.
Click to expand...

I still don't understand why Loews got rid of their loyalty program especially when hotel companies that were around the same size like Omni and (circa 2018) Sonesta were leaning into it more to try to pull share from the larger companies. I remember they were promising internally to roll out something new and more personalized while I worked for the company, but I don't think it ever got off the ground.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mad Dog
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 28, 2023
  • #2,572
graspthesun said:
I still don't understand why Loews got rid of their loyalty program especially when hotel companies that were around the same size like Omni and (circa 2018) Sonesta were leaning into it more to try to pull share from the larger companies. I remember they were promising internally to roll out something new and more personalized while I worked for the company, but I don't think it ever got off the ground.
Click to expand...
Yes, they promised a new program, then reneged on it. Service levels at the Portofino and RP resorts have really suffered since they ended the program. They used to really take care of their repeat customers, treated us like gold. Now, nothing. They act like they couldn't care less if you come back or not. At one point we were well over 100 nights at Portofino, and about three or four dozen at RP. I've drastically cut my trips to Universal the past two years. The Universal & Loews special touch just doesn't seem so special anymore. I may as well stay at CBBR, which I like, as long as it's worth the price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95
TheCodeMan95

TheCodeMan95

Dragon Trainer
Joined
Jul 24, 2018
Messages
5,207
Age
29
  • Dec 29, 2023
  • #2,573
Mad Dog said:
Yes, they promised a new program, then reneged on it. Service levels at the Portofino and RP resorts have really suffered since they ended the program. They used to really take care of their repeat customers, treated us like gold. Now, nothing. They act like they couldn't care less if you come back or not. At one point we were well over 100 nights at Portofino, and about three or four dozen at RP. I've drastically cut my trips to Universal the past two years. The Universal & Loews special touch just doesn't seem so special anymore. I may as well stay at CBBR, which I like, as long as it's worth the price.
Click to expand...
I can say with full honesty, I've never had anything other than great service at CBBR. I'm sure others have had different experiences, but there's a reason we go every trip!
 
  • Like
Reactions: n i c k and Mad Dog
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 29, 2023
  • #2,574
TheCodeMan95 said:
I can say with full honesty, I've never had anything other than great service at CBBR. I'm sure others have had different experiences, but there's a reason we go every trip!
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree. CBBR is a decent alternative to the Deluxe Resorts that have gotten too expensive, while their service has declined......We certainly like CBBR, but miss what we used to experience at Portofino and RP when they had the Rewards program, and more affordable prices. Hopefully they don't jump the CBBR prices way above the inflation rate like they did with the upper tier hotels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95
TheCodeMan95

TheCodeMan95

Dragon Trainer
Joined
Jul 24, 2018
Messages
5,207
Age
29
  • Dec 29, 2023
  • #2,575
Mad Dog said:
Yes, I agree. CBBR is a decent alternative to the Deluxe Resorts that have gotten too expensive, while their service has declined......We certainly like CBBR, but miss what we used to experience at Portofino and RP when they had the Rewards program, and more affordable prices. Hopefully they don't jump the CBBR prices way above the inflation rate like they did with the upper tier hotels.
Click to expand...
Well, the CBBR prices have certainly seemed to skyrocket!

At this rate we may end up at Endless Summer lol
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Mad Dog
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

Veteran Member
V.I.P. Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
23,932
Location
Pittsburgh area
  • Dec 29, 2023
  • #2,576
TheCodeMan95 said:
Well, the CBBR prices have certainly seemed to skyrocket!

At this rate we may end up at Endless Summer lol
Click to expand...
This is the scenario I'm expecting for USF for 2024:..... Starting with Spring Break they'll jack up all the hotel prices.....Then they'll advertise all kinds of 'Discount Packages' because Epic opens in 2025. The rubes won't realize they're essentially fake discounts and will rush to book the 'so called' discounted rates. From what I've seen of their management moves the past couple years, so very Chapek like, that's what I'm predicting. :D
 
  • Like
  • Sad
Reactions: UniversalRBLX and TheCodeMan95
TheCodeMan95

TheCodeMan95

Dragon Trainer
Joined
Jul 24, 2018
Messages
5,207
Age
29
  • Dec 29, 2023
  • #2,577
Mad Dog said:
This is the scenario I'm expecting for USF for 2024:..... Starting with Spring Break they'll jack up all the hotel prices.....Then they'll advertise all kinds of 'Discount Packages' because Epic opens in 2025. The rubes won't realize they're essentially fake discounts and will rush to book the 'so called' discounted rates. From what I've seen of their management moves the past couple years, so very Chapek like, that's what I'm predicting. :D
Click to expand...
I can certainly see the discount thing coming to fruition!
 
UniversalRBLX

UniversalRBLX

Time Traveler
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
7,721
Location
Cabana Bae
  • Dec 30, 2023
  • #2,578
Mad Dog said:
This is the scenario I'm expecting for USF for 2024:..... Starting with Spring Break they'll jack up all the hotel prices.....Then they'll advertise all kinds of 'Discount Packages' because Epic opens in 2025. The rubes won't realize they're essentially fake discounts and will rush to book the 'so called' discounted rates. From what I've seen of their management moves the past couple years, so very Chapek like, that's what I'm predicting. :D
Click to expand...
The Ol' Disney Way

January/February is looking ridiculously soft in Orlando, and I'd imagine we're getting lots of AP-added "benefits" next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95 and Mad Dog
IzzyB

IzzyB

Webslinger
V.I.P. Member
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
4,902
Location
Orlando, FL
  • Dec 30, 2023
  • #2,579
UniversalRBLX said:
The Ol' Disney Way

January/February is looking ridiculously soft in Orlando, and I'd imagine we're getting lots of AP-added "benefits" next year.
Click to expand...
They already added some for January, honestly mostly lame ones. For sure not, "I need to go to Uni" benefits. SW often got me to add trips to them with their benefits and I always ended up spending more money while there.

I will get the lanyards, but only because we already plan to go in January since we just got passes and want the kids to experience everything since it was their Christmas present.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95 and UniversalRBLX
Cygnus

Cygnus

Shark Bait
Joined
Sep 3, 2022
Messages
254
Age
24
  • Dec 30, 2023
  • #2,580
UniversalRBLX said:
The Ol' Disney Way

January/February is looking ridiculously soft in Orlando, and I'd imagine we're getting lots of AP-added "benefits" next year.
Click to expand...
i think the 3 months free promo is already back, or coming back soon, with the added january bonus benefits
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCodeMan95 and UniversalRBLX
Prev
  • 1
  • …

    Go to page

  • 127
  • 128
  • 129
  • 130
  • 131
Next
First Prev 129 of 131

Go to page

Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.
Share:
Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

Book with our Travel Partners

MEI Travel

Latest posts

  • Mike S
    Nintendo Switch 2
    • Latest: Mike S
    • 11 minutes ago
    Games, Movies & Sports
  • Mike S
    Super Nintendo World (UOR) - General Discussion Thread
    • Latest: Mike S
    • 15 minutes ago
    Universal Epic Universe
  • EllieB
    Universal Great Britain - News & Info
    • Latest: EllieB
    • 17 minutes ago
    Other Universal Parks & Resorts
  • Captain Spaulding
    Halloween Horror Nights 34 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors
    • Latest: Captain Spaulding
    • 57 minutes ago
    Halloween Horror Nights 34
  • Parkscope Joe
    Is Epic Universe the future of theme park structure?
    • Latest: Parkscope Joe
    • Today at 10:17 AM
    General Discussions

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link
  • Forums
  • Universal Parks & Resorts
  • Universal Orlando Resort
  • Universal Orlando Hotels
  • Style variation
    System Light Dark
  • Contact us
  • Terms and rules
  • Privacy policy
  • Help
  • Home
  • RSS
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2025 XenForo Ltd.
  • This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn more…
Back
Top