Cabana Bay plus Universal Express Purchase or Royal Pacific Resort?

Mamaesq479

Mamaesq479

New Member
Original Poster
I'm taking my 11 year old on a 3 day trip to Universal this summer. I'm having trouble figuring out whether it is better to book Cabana Bay and book the Universal Express separately or to book at Royal Pacific Resort with the Universal Express included.

Thank you!!
 
ParentsOf4

ParentsOf4

Well-Known Member
Mamaesq479 said:
I'm taking my 11 year old on a 3 day trip to Universal this summer. I'm having trouble figuring out whether it is better to book Cabana Bay and book the Universal Express separately or to book at Royal Pacific Resort with the Universal Express included.
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How many days are you planning to visit the theme parks? How many nights in a hotel? What specific nights? (Rates for Universal Express and the hotels vary depending on the dates.)

For many combinations, it costs about the same or less to stay at the Royal Pacific. However, there are some combinations that are less at Cabana Bay.

There are 4 types of Express Pass: Universal Express Unlimited Both Parks, Universal Express Unlimited One Park, Universal Express Both Parks, and Universal Express One Park. The most expensive one starts at $100/person/day in July. That one is equivalent to the one you get by staying at the Royal Pacific. The least expensive one starts at $60/person/day.

An apples-to-apples comparison means at least $200 per day for the two of you.

Keep in mind that Guests at the Royal Pacific get Express for both the day of arrival and the day of departure. So, stay 2 nights and get 3 days of Universal Express Unlimited Both Parks.

Finally, also keep in mind that the Royal Pacific is a nicer hotel, certainly worth a few extra bucks per night.

My opinion is that if you intend to buy Universal Express for at least 2 people every day, then you might as well upgrade and stay at the Royal Pacific.
 
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BrerJon

BrerJon

Well-Known Member
I just did a quick check for July 12-14, and for three days regular Express for 2 people it was $560.

Cabana Bay rack rate for those dates was $169 per night, $507 total, so with the pass that would be $1067.

Royal Pacific rack rate was $329 per night, so for three nights that's $987.

Now obviously you might be getting better deals on the hotels than the rack rate, but it definitely seems like you'd save money by going Royal Pacific, and although Cabana is great Royal Pacific is a step above, so definitely worth it if Express is important.

The main factor that changes the math is if you decided just to have one day of Express and use regular lines for the remainder of the trip, as then Cabana comes out cheaper.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
BrerJon said:
I just did a quick check for July 12-14, and for three days regular Express for 2 people it was $560.

Cabana Bay rack rate for those dates was $169 per night, $507 total, so with the pass that would be $1067.

Royal Pacific rack rate was $329 per night, so for three nights that's $987.

Now obviously you might be getting better deals on the hotels than the rack rate, but it definitely seems like you'd save money by going Royal Pacific, and although Cabana is great Royal Pacific is a step above, so definitely worth it if Express is important.

The main factor that changes the math is if you decided just to have one day of Express and use regular lines for the remainder of the trip, as then Cabana comes out cheaper.
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Every time I've planned a mock trip to Uni (I do it every few months...don't ask why) I find the same. Better value to just go with Royal Pacific or one of the other "deluxe" options. And, imho, Express Pass is very much worth it!
 
danpam1024

danpam1024

Well-Known Member
Stay away from Cabana Bay, although the hotel is stunningly beautiful, MOST of the patrons leave something to be desired, RP is cheaper :) Plus unlimited EP to purchase is good for one park, the one from the hotel is not. We tried ONCE to go without EP-never again.
 
F

fosse76

Well-Known Member
danpam1024 said:
Stay away from Cabana Bay, although the hotel is stunningly beautiful, MOST of the patrons leave something to be desired, RP is cheaper :) Plus unlimited EP to purchase is good for one park, the one from the hotel is not. We tried ONCE to go without EP-never again.
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Nonsense. I have stayed at Cabana Bay times 4 times now and have NEVER encountered "undesireable" guests, unless of course you mean anyone who is not in the top income bracket.

As far as pricing, I agree with everyone else. It will be cheaper to stay at Royal Pacific with its "included" express passes than to stay at Cabana Bay, where you have to buy express passes in the park each day you want them. In the summer, the least expensive express pass (one park, one use per attraction) can reach $100. Per day. If you are only going to Universal for one day and only spending one night at the hotel, then Cabana Bay MIGHT be cheaper.
 
danpam1024

danpam1024

Well-Known Member
fosse76 said:
Nonsense. I have stayed at Cabana Bay times 4 times now and have NEVER encountered "undesireable" guests, unless of course you mean anyone who is not in the top income bracket.

As far as pricing, I agree with everyone else. It will be cheaper to stay at Royal Pacific with its "included" express passes than to stay at Cabana Bay, where you have to buy express passes in the park each day you want them. In the summer, the least expensive express pass (one park, one use per attraction) can reach $100. Per day. If you are only going to Universal for one day and only spending one night at the hotel, then Cabana Bay MIGHT be cheaper.
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We have stayed 3x, once 2 weeks after opening. Let me just say, on our last stay, there were FECES in the hallway. I don't care what tax bracket you happen to fall in, that is UNACCEPTABLE! We are FAR from being in said "top bracket" and will NEVER stay there again.
 
JoeCamel

JoeCamel

Well-Known Member
Sorry but I agree with Pam, I have stayed three times and agree that it is beautiful, the pools are great but I need a good bed, a good shower and quiet so I am ready to hit the parks early. I don't get that at CBBR. Next time I move up to a moderate or better, I won't do CBBR no matter what discounts they throw my way.
 
danlb_2000

danlb_2000

Premium Member
danpam1024 said:
Stay away from Cabana Bay, although the hotel is stunningly beautiful, MOST of the patrons leave something to be desired, RP is cheaper :) Plus unlimited EP to purchase is good for one park, the one from the hotel is not. We tried ONCE to go without EP-never again.
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We stayed at Cabana last year and loved it, nothing really to complain about. We didn't do Express Pass so that makes the decision a little easier.
 
BrianV

BrianV

Well-Known Member
Royal pacific is also a bit closer walking distance. We have always stayed there for proximity, quality, and EP.

Last trip we took a short walk CB and it looked lovely. I would have had no problem staying there, except that I'm totally hooked on RPR. (Stayed there in January and will again in august).
 
Eckert

Eckert

Well-Known Member
Plus, being able to take a boat that'll drop you off right in the middle of CityWalk is such a good perk. It's like taking a taxi to Times Square!
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Eckert said:
Plus, being able to take a boat that'll drop you off right in the middle of CityWalk is such a good perk. It's like taking a taxi to Times Square!
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Depends on when you go. If it even has a slight threat of rain the boats dont run. In a four day stay we had pretty bad weather, and even when it wasnt raining there was the threat of it and the boats didnt run.

But, thats abnormal, so its just a side note.

However, the walking path is extremely pleasant...and they run rikshaws that are tip only all day on them, which is also a fun experience.
 
Eckert

Eckert

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
Depends on when you go. If it even has a slight threat of rain the boats dont run. In a four day stay we had pretty bad weather, and even when it wasnt raining there was the threat of it and the boats didnt run.

But, thats abnormal, so its just a side note.

However, the walking path is extremely pleasant...and they run rikshaws that are tip only all day on them, which is also a fun experience.
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A win-win situation!

Mind you OP, this pleasant walking path englanddg is referring to are the paths from Royal Pacific/Hard Rock/Portofino to CityWalk...Cabana Bay does have a walking path but it is MUCH longer and is basically the sidewalks next to the roads on your way to the parking structure. Not as pleasant.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Eckert said:
A win-win situation!

Mind you OP, this pleasant walking path englanddg is referring to are the paths from Royal Pacific/Hard Rock/Portofino to CityWalk...Cabana Bay does have a walking path but it is MUCH longer and is basically the sidewalks next to the roads on your way to the parking structure. Not as pleasant.
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Correct. I am talking about the paths from the "deluxe" resorts.

They were great to stroll along after a long day at the park.
 

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