Sapphire Falls Resort

[Mad Dog]

When it doubt add more waterfalls. :thumbsup:

You can never have enough water features or waterfalls. I'm currently digging to put in another pond on my property. That will make 7 ponds when it's done. I'm as obsessed with water features as Disney is with rock work.

 

[Teebin]

^ How large is your property?

 

[Mad Dog]

^ How large is your property?

Apx. three acres.

 

[UAN17]

It looks absolutely gorgeous but I've priced up a trip from the UK and you're talking approx £600 more per person (I'd guess that's roughly $1000) compared to Cabana. I'm not sure if how nice it looks is a good enough reason to book,as I may as well pay an extra few hundred and upgrade to a deluxe and get the unlimited express.

I'll be interested to see how this one goes; maybe they'll add express when they expand ride capacity.

 

[Teebin]

Apx. three acres.

Those must be small ponds to have 7 of them. But I digress.

 

[Mad Dog]

Those must be small ponds to have 7 of them. But I digress.

Not huge. Fish ponds. Anywhere from 14' X 16' to 3' X 5'. A wide range.

 

[Scott W.]

It looks absolutely gorgeous but I've priced up a trip from the UK and you're talking approx £600 more per person (I'd guess that's roughly $1000) compared to Cabana. I'm not sure if how nice it looks is a good enough reason to book,as I may as well pay an extra few hundred and upgrade to a deluxe and get the unlimited express.

I'll be interested to see how this one goes; maybe they'll add express when they expand ride capacity.

I looked at it a while back and it wasn't much cheaper than Royal Pacific and Hard Rock. I'm sure in a year or two, the price will level out.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

You can never have enough water features or waterfalls. I'm currently digging to put in another pond on my property. That will make 7 ponds when it's done. I'm as obsessed with water features as Disney is with rock work.

Another fountain guy? Nice!

 

[Mad Dog]

Another fountain guy? Nice!

Cool.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Good Morning from Sapphire Falls !

 

[UNIrd]

Will this be ready to go in less than 4 months? I'm getting nervous.

 

[Mad Dog]

Will this be ready to go in less than 4 months? I'm getting nervous.

It better be. They're booking reservations.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

I feel like, compared to the other 4 hotels, this one might have been a little... "creatively rushed" in effort to get more bodies in rooms. For me, it's kind of lacking that je ne sais quoi that makes a good hotel great. "Reminiscent of a leisurely estate in the heart of the tropics" is a weak direction to me. And yes, I'm making this judgement by looking at pictures on the internet

Cabana Bay is a tough act to follow in the creative execution department.

 

[UNIrd]

I feel like, compared to the other 4 hotels, this one might have been a little... "creatively rushed" in effort to get more bodies in rooms. For me, it's kind of lacking that je ne sais quoi that makes a good hotel great. "Reminiscent of a leisurely estate in the heart of the tropics" is a weak direction to me. And yes, I'm making this judgement by looking at pictures on the internet

Cabana Bay is a tough act to follow in the creative execution department.

Yeah, but Cabana Bay defied all expectations...or at least mine. I expected Universal's Pop Century and got something of much, much higher quality.

 

[Mad Dog]

I feel like, compared to the other 4 hotels, this one might have been a little... "creatively rushed" in effort to get more bodies in rooms. For me, it's kind of lacking that je ne sais quoi that makes a good hotel great. "Reminiscent of a leisurely estate in the heart of the tropics" is a weak direction to me. And yes, I'm making this judgement by looking at pictures on the internet

Cabana Bay is a tough act to follow in the creative execution department.

Yeah, I'm kind of debating it myself. I'll split my Fall vacation with 9 nights at Portofino and 5 nights at either Cabana Bay (which I like a lot) or Sapphire Falls. I can have a suite at CBBR for the same price as a standard room at Sapphire Falls. It's hard to decide. I just might try Sapphire since it's new & I'm curious. But its still up in the air at this point....I'm already booked for May with Portofino & CBBR.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Yeah, but Cabana Bay defied all expectations...or at least mine. I expected Universal's Pop Century and got something of much, much higher quality.

So based on Disney's tier of resorts, how would you label Cabana Bay?

 

[Mad Dog]

I would rate Cabana Bay as equal to or slightly above Disney's moderates . Value priced suites. Better pools & a Lazy River for sure. Starbucks & a bowling alley. And all for the price of a Disney value.

 

[UNIrd]

So based on Disney's tier of resorts, how would you label Cabana Bay?

I agree with how they have it labeled: Value/Moderate, but definitely leans more towards Moderate. Especially since the majority of the resort is those family suites, which run for around $150 at Cabana and $350 at Art of Animation.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I agree with how they have it labeled: Value/Moderate, but definitely leans more towards Moderate. Especially since the majority of the resort is those family suites, which run for around $150 at Cabana and $350 at Art of Animation.

FWIW the rooms are much bigger and offer two bathrooms at AoA.

I say the rooms are on level of a Moderate but amenities are more in line with a low level Delux. I mean they have a starbucks, three bars, lazy river, and bowling!

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

I would rate Cabana Bay as equal to or slightly above Disney's moderates . Value priced suites. Better pools & a Lazy River for sure. Starbucks & a bowling alley. And all for the price of a Disney value.

Sounds like a low end Deluxe lol. Have not had the chance to go to Cabana Bay as a guest yet.