Discovery cove cabanas

[Mikeandrach]

Hi, we are going in 2022 (end of July), I have reserved the date but now looking at cabanas.

My inclination is to pay for the vip cabana, but is it worth it over the elite in the opinion of anyone whose been?

The differences seem small but I have a feeling I’ll regret trying to save a couple of hundred quid if we don’t go down the vip route

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

[Darthmickey]

Why have a cabana at all - loads of space at Discovery Cove to feel you’re not on top of anyone

[DM275011]

We have had both the VIP and elite. To be honest I wouldn't go for the VIP again. You really don't need the reserved seating as it's never that busy. The animal encounter was a sloth that is often around the park anyway and both come with a host that tops things up if required and brings the photo package to you. All the cabanas are well positioned, our favourite was by the grand reef, you literally took 5 steps from the cabana and you were in the water.

[cornishfrogboy]

Got to be honest and say that in my 8 visits, I have always arrived at opening and left after last food has gone from the restaurant. I have never spent more than an hour on a lounger on any of those visits, river run, bird aviary, animal interactions, wave pool, restaurant.. there is simply too much to do and I could not conceivably get any benefit from a Cabana.
There is such a feeling of space (other than occasionally in the ray pool), that I have never wanted seclusion.

There are other Orlando parks where I might consider it. I guess we are all different!

[BaconAndAvocado]

We had a cabana (not VIP) in 2017 which was, through pure luck, positioned right next to the Grand Reef, possibly the same one as the poster upthread!

We loved being that close to the Grand Reef, watching our DCs playing in the water and being able to take shelter during the inevitable August afternoon heavy rain shower. DH also loved having beers within arms reach in the fridge!

[gjdjud]

We did the elite package in 2019. One of the highlights of our holiday. The buoy given is a nice decoration in our downstairs w.c! It’s a lot of money but I’ve no regrets about doing it. Having the mini fridge was great, a locker and also an attendant who took care of all our photos which are part of the package. We had a fantastic location over looking the dolphins. It was amazing.

Just to edit. On our first trip we went without the cabana, a great day still but we had trouble getting anywhere with shade as we were advised to get breakfast before it got busy and most of the shady bits had gone by the time we were done.

[APP]

[Mikeandrach]

Thanks guys I think we’re going elite, 600 ish but not worth quarrelling over that in the context of the holiday, we’re there for a month so I’m sure we’ll have many more questions to come!

[Lou1982]

We did a VIP cabana in October 2019. It was really expensive but we loved it, would happily do it again

[Gabblemum]

We have been twice and did Cabana both times. Once very shady lazy river area second right next to the reef as above. They didn’t have VIP / Elite then. Are they VFM? Maybe not... are they worth it, definitely ... 100%.

[SuziQz]

We did the elite package when we went in 2016, at the time it was a one off trip of a life time so we didn’t want to miss out on anything. We wanted to do the dolphin swim and get the buoy for DS, plus get the photos/video so it made sense to book the package. Also, I don’t swim so I wanted the cabana in case DH and DS went off snorkelling. As it was, our cabana was by the reef so I could wander into the water with them too. As someone said before, it was great having the attendant to collect your photos etc for you. We had a brilliant day