Are you trying to decide if the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is best for your trip to Orlando?
Universal Orlando is one of the most visited resorts around the world, giving guests the dream vacation of their choice.
Home to four theme parks and several hotels and resorts, Universal Orlando, is a vacation destination for many people offering comfortable lodging arrangements.
Still, none of them would provide you with the exciting stay that the Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers its guests.
An on-property hotel at Universal Orlando, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is ranked as one of Universal’s Prime Value category hotel.
If you’re looking to visit Universal Orlando on a budget, then Cabana Bay is a great choice.
It offers you a beachfront vibe and exciting amenities, all of which make your visit to Universal Orlando a memorable one!
Here’s my full guide and review just for you.
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Cabana Bay at a Glance:
- You’ll enjoy the 1950s themed décor
- 2 outdoor pools on-site and a lazy river
- Amenities: WiFi, great bedding, bowling alley, hot tub, family suites, an arcade, world-class bars and more!
- Standard Room prices starting from $145 a night and Family Suites starting from $186 a night
- Check-in time: 4:00 p.m.; Check-out time: 11:00 a.m.
- You can choose to also self-park you car at the resort’s car park for an added fee of $26 per night with in and out privileges while day guests can expect to spend $53 for parking.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about staying at this Orlando resort!
What to Expect at the Universal Orlando Cabana Bay Beach Resort
If you love a great 1950s themed décor featuring bold colors, then the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is for you.
Featuring a classical retro theme, the Cabana Beach Resort reminds you of the classic Florida beach hotels of the 1950s and 1960s with its mid-century colors and quirky shapes.
The resort’s retro interior features a quasi-motor hotel style complemented by its mid-century modern architecture, interior design, and styling.
It’s 1950s décor runs through the hotel from its entrance through its rooms, restaurants, shops, and even extends to the car park.
How much does it cost to stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort?
With Standard Room prices starting from $145 a night and Family Suites starting from $186 a night, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is very budget-friendly.
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How far is Cabana Bay Beach Resort from Universal Studios?
A walking distance from the Universal theme parks (including Volcano Bay), the Cabana Bay Beach Resort puts you right at the center of Universal Orlando.
The resort also offers guests a one-hour early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and other select attractions at the theme park.
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Amenities at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
The Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers you free internet services for the duration of your stay, keeping you in the loop with the world even while on vacation.
Its rooms are Wi-Fi enabled and feature cable programming allowing you full access to all your entertainment choices.
Plus, the bathrooms are equipped with both a bathtub and a shower as well as other complimentary toiletries.
It also includes conveniences such as an ironing board/iron, hairdryers, coffee/tea makers.
You can choose to escape to the pool or lazy river for a day of relaxation or rejuvenate your body in the fitness center.
For any complaints or help, its 24-hour front desk is readily available for you and its staff are always at hand to meet your every need.
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How much does it cost to park at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort?
You can choose to also self-park you car at the resort’s car park for an added fee of $26 per night with in and out privileges while day guests can expect to spend $53 for parking.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
7 Best Things to Do at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
When lodged at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, there are several fun activities you can spend your vacation doing rather than sleeping in all day.
1. Float In The Lazy River
The resort features 2 pools, one of which is a lazy river where you can take a quick swim to calm your nerves.
While the pool is open, guests are advised to purchase a tube and float to go swimming in the pool.
But you don’t have to if you just want to relax by the poolside.
2. Take A Walk
The resort features beautiful walking paths that provide fantastic views of the resort.
Take some time each day for a slow relaxing walk around the resort to enjoy its beautiful sights.
You can also head to the Volcano Bay water theme park for a day out in the sun.
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3. Bowling
The hotel has an incredible bowling alley where you can spend some quality time bowling.
However, the bowling alley only features only ten lanes, so it is important that you make a reservation before you head out to bowl.
You can also grab food and drinks at the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant located in the bowling alley.
Which has some of the best wings and drinks on property at Universal Orlando.
Just ask them to cook your wings well done (extra crispy) and get the Lemon Pepper Wings! Thank me later 🙂
Making Our Experience EPIC at Galaxy Bowl Restaurant!
Plus, they made my daughter’s birthday super special by treating her like a princess the whole time we were dining there.
They even came out with a surprise dessert for her along with a fun song to complete her visit.
It was not only special to her but to me and her father because the smile that they put on my daughter’s face was priceless.
I just wish I remembered their names to put on this guide but unfortunately I do not remember.
Anyway, thank you to the Team Members at Galaxy Bowl Restaurant for making the day so special for my baby girl.
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4. Watch A Movie
The theater located at the end of the Bayliner Diner shows some pretty interesting movies you should definitely not miss.
On special occasions, you can sit on the lawn by the pool to watch a movie.
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5. Go Gaming
The resort’s arcade room is fully equipped with modern games that produce a night of fun.
At the end of each game night, be sure to turn in your tickets to claim your prize.
You’ll never believe this but I played the spinning game that you see at arcades and on my second try I WON THE FULL JACKPOT of tickets!
It was the most amazing feeling in the world as this kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me often.
I was jumping up with excitement as the thousands of tickets hit my arcade card for over 5 minutes.
Even writing this makes me remember just how amazing that day was and how it made my overall stay at Universal’s Cabana Bay EPIC!
6. Make Some S’Mores
At the Bayliner Diner, you can also buy a s’mores kit and gather your family around the fire pit outside the diner to make s’ mores.
This is an excellent ending to a fun-filled day.
7. Meet and Greet Universal Characters
On Friday evening, guests at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort get special visits from some of Universal Orlando’s theme park special characters.
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Room Options at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
The Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers visitors three room options:
- Standard Rooms
- Family Suites
- A 2-Bedroom Suite (these are hard to come by and you may have to contact Universal Orlando directly for this room option)
These rooms provide you with all the relaxation you need and a home away from home experience at budget-friendly prices.
The rooms are painted using bright colors and prints and a decent size for a hotel.
Standard Rooms
The standard rooms are about 300 square feet in size, and each of them features two queen beds, a flat-screen TV, mini-refrigerator, themed bedspreads, and exciting retro wall décor.
Each room also comes with a coffee pot brewer, ironing board, hairdryer, and an in-room safe, all of which makes the Cabana Bay Beach Resort the ideal vacation home.
Each standard room comes with its own bathrooms, which feature retro-themed toiletries, which testifies to the resort’s attention to details.
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Family Suites
For family vacations, the family suite with 430 square feet of living area is your best bet. It features a large room separated by a sliding partition for full privacy.
It has a living area that features a pull-out sofa, a bedroom area with two queen beds, all of which sleeps up to six people.
The family suite comes with a compartmentalized bathroom allowing up to three users at once, saving you time.
It also features a kitchenette, microwave, sink, and mini-refrigerator where you can cook and store your own meals.
At the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, you can choose between the Courtyard suite or Tower suite.
The Courtyard Suites and rooms vary in size, offering a view of the pool while the tower suites and rooms are the same sizes and offer visitors a view overlooking the Volcano Bay Water Park.
Read: Your Ultimate Universal Orlando Packing List Guide
Restaurants and Dining Options at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
When choosing vacation lodges, one major factor guests often consider is food.
The Cabana Bay Beach Resort features a wide range of dining options for guests.
It includes a lobby bar, food court, bowling alley restaurant, Shakes Malt Shoppe and a lobby Starbucks.
On a night in, you can also order for in-room pizza delivery.
Bayliner Diner Food Court
If you love a good burger, pasta, milkshake, or salad, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort has something for you.
Most popular among the Cabana Bay Beach Resorts is the Bayliner Diner food court, where you can purchase your breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals.
Make a quick stop at the Deli Station for freshly baked bread and visit the Burger Station for hot sandwiches, cold shakes, and tasty burgers.
The Bayliner Food Court also features a Dessert Station where guests can satisfy their sweet tooth cravings.
Just know that the food here is hit or miss especially at breakfast so if you do eat here, I recommend going for lunch or dinner.
At the “Grab and Go” area, you can easily pick up your snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to go without bothering about a long line or filled dining area.
Galaxy Bowl Restaurant
If you love to bowl, then you can grab a quick meal between frames at the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant in the hotel’s bowling alley.
Featuring a casual table dining service area, you can grab any meal you want from the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant.
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Pool-side Dining
For poolside snacks and refreshments, visit the Atomic Tonic and The Hideaway Bar & Grill, these restaurant feature signature cocktails, beer, snacks sandwiches, and grilled food.
For kids, they also serve a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages, making sure everyone’s taste is satiated.
Starbucks
Start every day of your vacation with a cup of cappuccino or opt for a café latte to brighten up your afternoon all from the Starbucks café located in the resort’s lobby.
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Swizzle Lounge
Now this is the place to be after a long day at the Universal Orlando parks!
You can grab a nice cocktail at the bar or you can take it with you to relax outside or back to your room.
Hanging out at the Swizzle Lounge is one of my favorite things to do at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Just be sure to order a Spicy Margarita which comes with Patrón Silver Tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde, lime juice, agave nectar.
You’ll also want to hangout here during Halloween Horror Nights as they’re always transforming this place into a haunted speakeasy!
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My Cabana Bay Beach Resort Review
Overall, I really enjoyed my 2-night stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
During my visit I was pleased with how good the Team Members were with keeping everything sanitized and clean all over the property.
Guests of the resort were also mindful of keeping with the physical distancing, so I didn’t feel unsafe at anytime. Even during my visit out to the pool.
Pros of Staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- The hotel has the convenience being close to the parks with free shuttles to get you there
- Early theme park access
- A super close walking pathway to Volcano Bay
- The bathroom was a perfect size with good water pressure and temperature in the shower is decent
- The pools are spacious so you don’t feel like you’re close to other people
- Check-in was easy and straight to the point
- You can text message the front desk with any additional requests you may have
- Clean room
- Spacious room for small family in the suites
- Convenient kitchenette to store food
Cons of Staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Poor food selection and taste (however, it’s better than on my previous visits)
- Not enough on-site dining locations
- Beds feel a bit worn-out in the room with lumps in them
- Steep daily parking fee of $26
- Quite a walk in distance to Universal Studios (expect a 25-minute to 30-minute walk)
I do recommended the Cabana Bay Beach Resort for anyone looking for a budget-friendly Orlando hotel on Universal property that’s affordable.
Also, I will say that the Team Members were so kind during this trip and made it easy for me to connect with them via text message.
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What to Expect on Your Stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Now that you know what to expect at this Universal Orlando resort, let’s go over a few questions you may have.
Does Universal Cabana Beach have FREE breakfast?
Unlike popular assumptions, the Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort does not serve guests complimentary breakfast.
However, its rooms all include a mini refrigerator where you can store your meals as well as a microwave to warm them up.
For coffee drinkers, they include a coffee maker in the room, although you have to make your own coffee.
For meal options, the hotel features a food court, which is open from as early as 7 a.m. on most days, where you can purchase anything you want to eat.
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How do you get from Cabana Beach Resort reach to Universal?
Just a short walk from the Universal Orlando theme parks, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a walking distance from Universal.
It features clearly carved walking parts that allow for group strolls down to Universal.
The resort also provides complimentary shuttle buses every hour that moves guests down to Universal.
How do I check out of Cabana Beach?
Checking out of the Cabana Bay is just as easy as checking into the resort. You can choose to check out over the phone, at the express check-out box placed at the front desk.
For those who prefer to check out the traditional way, you can easily walk up to the front desk and check out.
Does the Cabana Bay Beach Resort charge for parking?
Yes, the Cabana Bay charges for parking. Overnight guests are charged $26 plus tax a night to park at the Cabana Bay.
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How long does walking from Cabana Bay to Universal Studios take?
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is within walking distance from the Universal Studios theme park. The walk from Cabana Bay to Universal Studios is a 20-30 minute walk, but it depends on just how fast you can walk.
The resort features a walking path that takes you directly to the theme parks. There are also shuttles that move every day from the resort to the theme parks.
Does Cabana Bay Beach Resort have a shuttle to Disney?
No, the Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort does not have shuttles that go to Walt Disney World.
Your best bet would be to take advantage of a rideshare program such as Uber or Lyft.
What time does Cabana Bay pool close?
The main pool hours are between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. while the lazy river pool opens from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Just know that these hours do change based on the travel season.
Book your discounted stay at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort TODAY!
3 Easy Tips for planning a stay at the resort
Before choosing to stay at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, there are certain tips to help you plan your visit, and we have listed some of them here.
- More than two people, opt for the family suite: the family suite is perfect for a family of up to five, so consider the size of your Family when picking rooms.
- Be sure to pick up snacks: Breakfast is not complimentary, and hotel meals could get expensive, so be sure to pick up some snacks on your to the resort.
- Plan for extra charges: For additional services like self-parking gaming, swimming and shuttles, there might be some extra charges attached to these services, so be readily prepared for them.
Ready to start planning your next Universal Orlando vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
My Final Thoughts on Staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
A very close second after Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort remains a choice vacation destination for both solo travelers and family travelers.
The beautiful retro décor and budget-friendliness of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort make it a choice hotel for many visitors to the Universal Orlando theme parks.
The resort boasts of premium living arrangements and amenities all at a mere twenty minutes walk from Universal Orlando.
Are you thinking about staying at this Universal Orlando resort? Let me know in the comments section below!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
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(Original Article Date: January 7, 2021/Updated on April 10, 2025)