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Cabana Bay

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Last updated: December 23, 2024

Overview

Cabana Bay features 1950s and 1960s designs, two large pools with artificial beaches and zero entry sloping bottoms, and a lazy river. Cabana Bay is an excellent choice for price- and/or space-conscious families visiting Universal.

Cost Range

$164-$358

Lodging Area

Universal Orlando Area

Category

Value

Transportation

Bus, Walk

Guest Overall Rating

Based on 119 surveys. (See our Ratings and Research page for details)

Our Overall Rating

Pool: B

Room Quality
Check-in Efficiency
Quietness of Room
Park Transportation
Hotel Pool
Staff
Food Court

Universal Orlando's Cabana Bay Beach Resort Room Tour

Universal Orlando's Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Family Suite Tour

Resort Strengths

The best Value resort in Orlando

Midcentury theming is way beyond what you'd expect to get at a value resort

Pool complex includes a lazy river

On-site fitness center and bowling alley - both unusual for Value resorts

Exclusive entrance to Volcano Bay

Resort Weaknesses

Overnight parking fee

Family suites have only one bathroom

Noise from nearby Volcano Bay can reach some guest rooms

No short walking paths or water taxis to theme parks and CityWalk

What Readers Are Saying About Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

We had a wonderful, relaxing stay at Cabana Bay. We had a spacious suite and a gorgeous pool area for a lower rate than a much smaller room at Disney's French Quarter.

B

Beth E

August 23, 2022

We spent 3 nights at Cabana Bay. It exceeded our expectations and was far better in quality, value, service and amenities than its Disney World counterparts (Pop Century). The theming was far beyond anything that Disney has - we expected to see Don Draper drinking a martini at the Swizzle Lounge,

B

Beth T

May 2, 2022

We stayed at Cabana Bay on our travel day and were thoroughly impressed and thought it would be a great place to stay in the future. The Bayliner was a good breakfast and the pool area looked fantastic.

J

Jason F

April 26, 2022

We loved Cabana Bay. It had something for all of my kids (oldest is 17, youngest is 5), so everyone was happy. My husband and I even got some time while the kids were swimming each night to sit at the pool side bar and fire pit to just wind down after the day at the parks.

K

Kristi O

February 5, 2019

Loved, loved, loved Cabana Bay! The rooms were a good size and the cafeteria style restaurant was quick, reasonably priced and tasty. The pool area was awesome!

K

Kristi L

December 27, 2018

We had a fantastic time - the staff at Cabana Bay were super, and the dining was great with lots of choices.

K

Kathy H

March 10, 2018

Rooms

Standard rooms are 300 square feet - about 40 square feet larger than Disney's Value resort rooms.

  • Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
  • Dresser with drawers
  • Full-length mirror
  • Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Flat-panel TV
  • Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Hair dryer
  • Digital thermostat
  • In-room safe
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

Retro theming even extends to the toiletries, which include the fondly remembered Zest and VO5 brands.

The bath is divided into three sections: toilet, sink area, and shower room with additional sink; all are separated by doors, so three people can theoretically get ready at once.

  • Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
  • Open clothes hanger bar
  • Dresser with drawers
  • Full-length mirror
  • Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Flat-panel TV
  • Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
  • Starter supply of disposable kitchenware: paper plates, bowls, and cups; plastic forks, knives, and spoons
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Hair dryer
  • Digital thermostat
  • In-room safe
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

A bar area allows extra seating for quick meals, and a large closet has enough space to store everyone's luggage. Built-in USB charging outlets for your devices are a thoughtful touch.

Cabana Bay Standard Room

Cabana Bay Standard Room

Cabana Bay Standard Room

Cabana Bay Standard Room

Cabana Bay Standard Room Bathroom

Cabana Bay Standard Room Bathroom

Cabana Bay Standard Room Bathroom

Cabana Bay Standard Room Bathroom

Dining

Galaxy Bowl Some people enjoy the athleticism of basketball, while others admire the grace and skill of soccer, but we at TP favor bowling, as it’s the only one in which you can participate while eating chili-cheese fries. Galaxy Bowl has several tables where you can enjoy a meal, but you can also order snacks and drinks while enjoying a game of bowling. When the wait for a lane grows long (as it often does on rainy days), ask for a table, and order drinks and appetizers until your turn arrives. The limited menu offers fast-food selections similar to items served downstairs in the Bayliner Diner, and quality is about on par for greasy bowling alley grub. Draft beer is served in pitchers, and the list of specialty drinks is nearly as long as the food menu. There are two Coke Freestyle machines at Galaxy Bowl for your Sonic Fill mugs. If you want the alcohol without the ambience of falling pins, the hotel lobby’s Swizzle Lounge serves craft beers and classic cocktails.

Atomic Tonic Grill

Bayliner Diner Cabana Bay’s Bayliner Diner is a food court–style cafeteria with several different stations offering a wide range of food options. The preparations are a cut above the counter service found inside the parks. For breakfast, the diner serves up all the usual suspects. Get waffles or French toast, or wait for a made-to-order omelet, but avoid the precooked eggs on the combo platter and the croissant sandwich. The seating area, filled with booths and tables, is large. Large screens play retro commercials to evoke a feeling of nostalgia. The diner offers a considerable amount of usable outlets to charge your phones and tablets, including one outside every booth. If you prefer to dine poolside, the Hideaway Bar & Grill by the lazy river slings burgers, fish tacos, and Honolulu-style hot dogs, while Atomic Tonic near the waterslide serves kebabs and falafel wraps.

Delizioso Pizza

Shakes Malt Shoppe Located near Bayliner Diner, grab ice cream, shakes, smoothies, sundaes, baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches at Shakes Malt Shoppe.

Starbucks Coffee - Cabana Bay Beach Resort Starbucks at Cabana Bay was the first full-service onsite Starbucks location at any Disney or Universal hotel, and is still the most stylish in town. The mermaid imagery from Weeki Wachee Springs is used in large murals evoking the spirit of Old Florida while other artistic flourishes (including creative uses of coffee beans and even coffee cups) help create a relaxing atmosphere.

Atomic Tonic Casual pool bar at the Cabana Courtyard featuring signature frozen and non-frozen drinks, beer and wine. There are two large flat screen TVs to watch while enjoying a beverage and you can't miss the gigantic rocket ship in the middle of the bar. Chips and small snacks are available and from 4PM-Midnight you can have items delivered from Delicioso Pizza including salads, pizzas, and breadsticks. The drinks are strong and the signature Atomic Tonic is worth trying. We particularly enjoyed the Starlight Express for the amount of fresh fruit that was mixed into the drink and the Castaway Mai Tai. Most of the cocktails are $9 but for $13 you can get them served in the 20oz Cabana Bay Cup (with refills for $11.) There are beers on draft, bottled beer and even Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can (be sure to ask for the brown paper bag Pabst beer doozie.)

The Hideaway Bar & Grill Tropical pool bar at the Lazy River Courtyard serving simple grill menu, signature frozen and non-frozen drinks, smoothies, beer, and wine.

Swizzle Lounge This casual bar sits in the main lobby area, directly across from the check-in desk. There is plenty of seating at the bar itself and tables nearby. Theme-appropriate music plays as guest sip away on drinks that pack a wallop like the Blood Orange Side Car or classics such as a Tom Collins or a Manhattan.

Cabana Bay Pizza Delivery Pizzas and salads delivered to your room.

Amenities

SWIPE TO EXPLORE

Two Pools + Lazy River

Cabana Bay has the best pool complex of any Value resort in Orlando. The Cabana Courtyard and Pool has a towering waterslide, picnic tables, and fire pit. The Lazy River Courtyard has a zero-entry pool and lazy river. It's like a mini water park at your hotel.

Arcade

The Ace The Arcade is on the second floor of the hotel, off the main lobby, and features relatively recent video games of all kinds.

Fitness

The Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio is on-site and has weights, treadmills, and other equipment for your workout.

Bowling

Galaxy Bowl is the resort's own bowling alley. We've done it and it's a hoot. Also has a bar and restaurant.

Priority Restaurant Seating

Guests staying at Cabana Bay get priority seating at many Universal park and CityWalk restaurants. Check with the front desk for options.

Early Park Admission

Guests staying at Cabana Bay get in up to one hour early to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Resort amenities at-a-glance
Universal-owned
Early Park Admission
Suites
Room Service
Wireless Internet
Fitness Center
Water Sports
Transportation to Parks
Universal Express
Club Level
Marina
Tennis
Beach
Biking
Airport Transportation

Practical Matters

Check In/Out Time
Mobile Check-In
Theme Park Tickets
Dining Reservations
Laundry
Lost and Found
Shopping
Child Care

Transportation

Driving to the Resort
Getting to the Parks
and Universal CityWalk
Getting to Another Hotel from Cabana Bay
Getting to Walt Disney World

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