Ok came in plastic, if you look at all pictures, behind the pillow they are different. My pillow has no connect things, and what is that opening, is it for refreshments and ice( not mentioned at all. Big enough for 2 people.or 2-4 kids. Mine didn't have holes or rope on side like shows. I feel like the bottom part could be a better air bubble what I mean is, my butt sunk to floor. And no I'm not fat.and as far as it holding air, well I ll see in morning. The air holes were hard to close mainly one then others