We did three hotels this trip
1 night Endless Summer Surfside
1 night Royal Pacific
3 nights Cabana Bay
Quick takes:
None of the mini-fridges had a freezer section to put an ice pack.
Did mobile check in for all three hotels. All three were ready before check in. I suspect to get best locations, you should do walk up check in. I was just happy to get a room early.
All hotels had elevators that we did not have to wait for
Only Cabana Bay had reliable hot showers
Endless Summer:
- Nicest staff. Might have just been luck. Easy mid-day checkin.
- Felt less crowded than other hotels.
- Is slightly closer to Epic than Cabana Bay.
- People appreciated that there was a Walgreens next door. Made no difference to me.
- Had Instacart groceries delivered no problem to drop-off area.
- Basic theming.
- Nice breakfast in lobby.
- Quiet rooms.
- Little splash pad (not used).
- Liked the room dividing wooden “waves” in the lobby. Otherwise minimal theming, but it was there.
- Dumpster view from our room was not ideal.
- Uber to Royal Pacific was easy.
Royal Pacific:
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Felt fancy
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Upgraded toiletries
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you get a lei upon entry
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no one asked to verify AP
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Unlimited Express passes on check in and check out days is fantastic
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boat to parks was great option. Try not to miss a boat. Waiting is annoying. Still better than walking in heat. And better than walking through City Walk
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walk was not long, but don’t go up the winding hill to the lobby like we accidentally did. Also, wrong choice in the heat.
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Hotel lobby restaurant renovation was LOUD and ANNOYING (think demo work) when we were checking bags.
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Bag check upon check-out before parks was way way slower than expected. I don’t know if they were understaffed or if the people in front of us were just extra
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Don’t get the mezze platter at the downstairs restaurant. Driest falafel I have ever had
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quietest hotel rooms
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2nd floor of tower 2 had a jungle-y view.
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Ubered to Cabana Bay mid-day. This was a good choice for us with too many bags
Cabana Bay:
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Excellent theming
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Best room for families (2 queen, 1 pullout, microwave, larger mini fridge, counter space)
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Love the dining lounge area for its spaciousness— pizza was only ok. Chicken fingers and fries were better. Ice cream was good, but not premium quality.
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Lazy river was nice. A bunch of leaves from surrounding plants was somewhat distracting but not a dealbreaker.
IMPORTANT: YOU CAN HEAR EVERY FREAKING THING in the adjoining room’s lounge/kitchen. Sleeping in that front area is NOT for light sleepers. Also, the pullout bed is hella hard. Our bed at home is super firm, but this is like a thin mattress on a slab. Not fit for adults at all. The nice thing I have to say is that there are no springs poking you.
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The doors above you and to the side will make noise. It is super annoying. They need doors that shut more quietly. Especially when you are trying to sleep at 10pm for an early day and others are just returning from a late night.
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Other beds are squishy
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Busses to City Walk / Parks were full
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Busses to Epic were not as plentiful as expected. We hopped out of line and got an Uber to not waste time before noon. Rideshare drop off at Epic is a few steps more than busses, but not by much.
EDITED TO ADD: Flight cancellation now has us in Hilton Buena Vista Palace - Disney Springs. This place feels dated and less well kept up than any of the Universal properties in this post. Food options at 2:00pm were not that great here either. Pool looks cool. Currently raining w lightning though. We’ll see if we get to use it. So far, so quiet. We’ll see what happens when all of the dance and volleyball teams make it back to their rooms. Edit two: It is blissfully quiet here and showers are hot! Lazy river an upgrade from Cabana Bay — cleaner, longer, and free tubes to float in. Lots and lots of seating by the pool. Easy walk to Disney Springs. Was able to see Epcot fireworks. This could be an excellent hotel if they splurged to fix the room wear and tear and upgraded some other small things.
