It is the end of the season and I just received this item. (It was on sale so that is why it was ordered at the end of the season.) We have used it once but have been very pleased with how durable it is.  The blue cushion covers have not been put on, so I can not comment on how easy/hard that is to do.  I have very excited for spring to roll around so that we can enjoy this the whole spring/summer/fall!!