Universal's Cabana Bay beach Resort in Orlando FL
Universal Studios Hotels and Resort brings you transports you and your family back to a 1950’s and 1960’s beach resort with a Mad Men vibe but with present day amenities for families. Your family is going to LOVE the vibrant, retro-style rooms and suites brilliantly designed for endless family fun in the sun. Whether you are heading to Universal Resorts Cabana Bay Resort for maximum relaxation or ready to hit the theme parks running, Cabana Bay will exceed all expectations for hotel guests, and you will not want to leave. Plus, with the great value you will get from booking this resort option, youll have travel money left to book a return trip!
Universal's Cabana Bay beach Resort in Orlando FL
The food options are divine, the massive pools and splash area are amazing, the sandy beach area is plentiful, and the recreational amenities indoors will impress you at every turn. There is a bowling alley and a game room for endless fun. This is just the beginning though of all of the family fun awaiting you at Cabana Bay Universal Studios Resorts. Read more to find out why your family needs to book a trip to Universal Hotel Cabana Bay Resort ASAP!
Cabana Bay Resort Universal Studios Orlando: Must Know Before You Book
Be prepared to make your family vacation a splashing success by planning ahead for which activities you want to be sure to do and making it a great experience! Here is a closer look at the activities and favorite things available for guests at Cabana Bay Resort that you will not want to miss as well as guest rooms overview, info about hotel reservations and savings, and comparison to other Universal Themed resorts.
What Outdoor Activities are Available for My Family During My Stay at Cabana Bay Resort?
The swimming pool area is massive and shallow for easy access for even the youngest of swimmers. The lazy river courtyard layout is perfect for not seeming overcrowded even during busy summer months. During our trip in December, it was 89 degrees, and we basically had the entire Cabana courtyard pool to ourselves.
A winding lazy river to float and relax, water slide, a sand beach, two fire pits and a splash pad await families ready to unwind and relax. The boys loved the outdoor games like
Hula Hoops, Redneck Golf, Cornhole, beach balls, ping pong tables, chess and checkers are just a few of the courtyard activities available for guests while hanging outdoors with your family.
Cabana Bay Resort staff plan and host poolside activities for guests and if you ask the front desk what is happening when you check in they can give you the times and activities that will be happening during your stay. There is ample seating outside from picnic tables to comfortable lounge seating by the outdoor pool. Adults will love the poolside bar for beverages while they relax. The entire entertainment complex is so well designed for ample fun in the public spaces for the whole family.
What Indoor Activities are Available for My Family During My Stay at Cabana Bay Resort?
Bowling at Cabana Bay Resort
10 lanes of bowling fun away at Galaxy Bowl. There is a full bar and table service restaurant at Galaxy Bowl. Reservations are required so plan ahead for this experience for your family while staying at the Cabana Bay Resort at Universal Studios.
Arcade at Cabana Bay Resort
Arcade games are always a fun family hit! This is a great way to take a break from the pool!
Gym / Fitness Center at Cabana Bay Resort
If you want to stay consistent with your fitness routine while on vacation at Cabana Bay Resort, you have a studio waiting to use at Cabana Bay Resort.
Rooms at Cabana Bay Universal Studios Orlando Overview
You will choose a hotel room from interior view or exterior view room type. On the website it isnt very clear the differences. I even live chatted with a Universal Studios employee and they didnt clearly explain it either. The bottom line is you MUST book an interior view room. The view from the interior rooms are overlooking the pool and resort amenities such as cabanas, sand play area, bar. The exterior view rooms face the parking lot. I am SO relieved I opted to pay the additional fee for an interior view room because opening the door to such an amazing scene every morning was such a perk!
Interior Room at Cabana Bay Resort
The website and staff were not super clear when I was booking our trip so I want to be sure to make it widely known that if you are booking a trip to Cabana Bay Universal Studios Florida you MUST and I repeat MUST stay in a interior view room.
This means that when you open your room door you are facing the courtyard and pool. The view is amazing and so pretty. It truly is like being transported back to the Mad Men era. I truly could not believe how lovely the view out of our interior view room at Cabana Bay was for the amazing price we paid for the room. It is proof that with Universal Resorts, you do not have to sacrifice quality of amenities and rooms with price.
Exterior Room at Cabana Bay Resort
The exterior view room means that you will be facing the parking lot. I am not knocking this choice, but for 10-20 dollars more a night why wouldn’t you just book a interior view room so you can wake up and walk out of your room and stare at the gorgeous pool vs parked rental cars. You will also hear people coming and going to and from cars at night as well. Call me bougie, but for the love of a good resort stay, please book the interior view room! Thank me later.
How many rooms are at Cabana Bay Resort?
There are 2100 rooms total at Universal Studios Cabana Bay Resort. However, the layout of the resort makes it feel like a small resort with far less rooms. Of the 21 rooms, 920 Family suites with kitchenettes that sleep up to six and 1,280 are Standard rooms that sleep up to four. While Cabana Bay Resort is big and accommodating a large number of Universal Resort guests at the biggest individual Universal Studios resort, the layout is perfection!
At Cabana Bay Resort there are three separate four-story buildings that house family suites. The buildings are known as the Starlight, Castaway, and Thunderbird. Comparitively to the last Universal Resort we stayed at, Dockside Inn and Suites, which is technically the same size, it felt so much smaller and high end with 4 floors in 3 buildings vs a mega tall one building layout.
Room Tour at Cabana Bay Family Suites
We were only in our room at the Cabana Bay Universal Studios Resort to sleep, but we had enough space! The layout with the partition and sliding door helps it feel like separate rooms. The private entrance with amazing views was amazing way to start and end our day.
Two queen beds plus a pull-out sofa were more than enough sleeping space for our family of 5. After busy days of tons of fun in the sun, we were all asleep in minutes. The kitchenette was perfect for storing snacks and drinks that we grabbed in the dining area. While 430 square feet for all 5 of us isn’t a ton of space, the layout really was enough for us to get ready. We had a coffee maker in the room and free wi-fi.
The family suite has a microwave, small fridge & sink in the kitchenette with an island for sitting to eat or prepping snacks for a day in the Florida sun.
The room boasts two TV’s which is great for families.
I did prefer the actual room at Dockside Inn and Suites more, it felt more spacious and open and with the separate bedroom with a door it felt like more privacy. However the halls were loud and packed at all hours, I LOVED Cabana Bay resort and the layout so much more, I still would stay at Cabana Bay 100% hands down over Dockside Inn and Suites any day.
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Cabana Bay Universal Studios Resort Orlando?
Room rates will change of course depending on when your family is traveling to Universal Studios Cabana Bay hotel, but to give you an idea you could stay in an interior view poolside room for 314 per night before taxes and fees. Or you can travel during non peak times of the year such as during mid November for 244 per night before taxes and fees you will get the lowest rate. We love traveling during non peak times not only to save money but because its less crowded and resort amenities are much more enjoyable.
Our favorite time to stay at Universal Studios Resorts is in late November or early December. We've done our trip during this time the last three years and we have almost had the resorts to ourselves which is worth our children missing days from school to have a much more enjoyable experience and not have to fight crowds or feel crammed while trying to enjoy resort amenities.
How Much Does Cabana Bay Resort Cost in Comparison to other Universal Resort options?
First off, you cannot go wrong at ANY Universal Resort. Universal breaks down their resorts into four categories: Value $, Prime Value $$, Preferred $$$ & Premier $$$$. Depending on what your families budget is you can find a Universal Property that works for your stay which is what I love most about staying at the Universal Studios resorts.
Cabana Bay is a Prime Value resort. So it is on the lower end in terms of cost comparatively to the others. Cabana Bay is less than 300$ a night during non peak travel times vs closer to 1000 a night for the preferred or premier resort options. It really depends on how much your family can / wants to spend on their resort room.
ALL Universal Resort properties have fabulous amenities and areas to hang out in both indoor and outdoor year-round, so if you do not plan on spending a ton of time in your room (Why would you?) save a ton of money and consider Cabana Bay.
The Universal website has a great comparison of properties and offers for rooms, amenities and dining and theme park benefits. You can find that comparison here.
Dining Options at Cabana Bay Resort
There are 8 dining options while staying on resort at Cabana Bay Resort Universal Studios Florida.
Start your day with a Starbucks favorite beverage, have Delizioso Pizza delivered to your room with room service when taking it easy or stop by the Swizzles Lounge for snacks and beverages located in the resort lobby. Dont forget to eat at the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant while knocking down pins or head to the massive Bayliner Diner where you can find basically anything you could want or need located in a incredible food court setting. There is TONS of seating, and this is open late if you are returning from theme parks or arriving check-in time is late at night. The Shakes Malt Shoppe has you covered for a sundae to meet those sweet cravings.
But the real gem is the Hideaway Bar and Grill steps away from the lazy river. You will find snacks, meals and beverages for a poolside treat while lounging and letting your stress melt away! I love how family friendly the dining experience is giving you full-service restaurants to low key casual dining. I was majorly impressed by the reasonable price for the dining on property!
Are tickets to Universal Studios Theme Parks included with my stay at Cabana Bay Resort?
You can walk to Universal’s Volcano Bay from Cabana Bay Resort. The view of Volcano Bay driving into the resort is such an awesome sight! Volcano Bay water park would be something I would recommend for older children or groups of adults visiting, but if you are going with just younger children they will be super happy with the on site pool at Cabana Bay.
Enjoy Early Park Admission* to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ up to one hour before the parks open is available for guests of the on-site hotels and resorts (valid theme park admission required).
Is CityWalk Worth Visiting While Staying at Cabana Bay Resort?
Cabana Bay Resort provides complimentary shuttle buses and walking paths around the resort. So, it’s just a quick hop to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk. We have loved going to Universal CityWalk for dining and shopping while staying on Universal property. City Walk is within walking distance from some of the other Universal Resorts.
Are there discounts for Universal Cabana Bay Resort Stays?
YES! There are discounts for Florida residents during select travel dates. Be sure to inquire with Universal staff when booking. There are also group discounts as well.
Is transportation from Orlando Airport included with a stay at Cabana Bay Universal Resort?
Universal's SuperStar Shuttle service provides dedicated welcome service and transportation between Orlando International Airport and our spectacular Universal Orlando Resort Hotels (fees apply). Guests may inquire about booking this service by calling 800-823-4733 prior to arrival at Orlando International Airport.
Where is Universal’s Cabana Bay Resort located?
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
6550 Adventure Way
Orlando, FL 32819
Not sure what Universal Resort to Stay at? Read these other reviews below!
Dockside Inn and Suites Universal Review
The Dockside Inn & Suites was able to open in December of 2020 making it the newest addition to the Universal Resort Orlando, Florida group. This is the reason my family wanted to try the Dockside Inn & Suites resort option during our Orlando, Florida stay being that it was less than a year old at the time of our visit.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Family Review -
The activities team runs fun and entertaining activities by the pool all day ranging from hula hooping, art, bingo, hot potato, relay races and more.
The poolside cabanas are available to rent and were absolutely fabulous and cozy with a large sofa, table with 4 chairs and a tv. The cabana was a great place to sit and cool off on the really hot Florida days. This Universal Resort option comes with a much bigger price tag, but is a great option if you are looking for a more premium resort experience and cost is not an factor!
With an overall score of a 10/10 on our experience at Cabana Bay I am already planning a return trip! You cannot go wrong with staying at any of the Universal Resort Hotel options, but if I had to pick one that we have enjoyed the most its Cabana Bay hands down! You cannot match the quality of amenities and experience for the price!
