For my kids’ first visit to Universal Orlando, I really wanted something special. My travel agent recommended Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. It was perfect!
Endless Summer: Dockside | Endless Summer: Surfside | Hard Rock Hotel
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is themed after Florida beach resorts of the 1950s, which means when we arrived, we were greeted with bold colors and shapes before we even entered the building!
Check-in ran so smoothly! We did have to wait a few minutes first, but we were able to get in a room by 10:30AM even though check-in starts officially at 4:00PM. Woohoo!
The resort is split into two sides. The section with shorter buildings is full of family suites. It backs up against Islands of Adventure and Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort with clear views of Universal’s Aventura Hotel. On the other side, the Towers face Universal’s Volcano Bay. Our room was in the family suite section and we had exterior access to our room, as requested. All buildings on our side were close to the pools and parking. We were also in the building closest to both the lobby and the Garden Walk (Castaway/Building 1).
The Room
I am in love with this room! It featured two queen beds and a pull-out sofa, all decorated in colors and shapes that pop! It was much larger than I anticipated and was definitely built with families in mind. The living room/kitchenette had a surfboard-shaped bar with stools, ample in-room seating, a microwave, a coffee maker, a sink, and a mini fridge.
The bathroom had dividers that split the sink/vanity area, shower/second sink area, and toilet into three spaces. This was a blessing when we were getting ready! (And if you’re keeping count, yes, this room had three sinks total!)
There’s also a large closet in the main sleeping area for the stuff you can’t fit everywhere else. It was great for the laundry that was piling up through the week!
The Amenities
The fun continued outside in the pools! Our side of the resort featured a wiggly, irregularly-shaped pool and dive tower water slide. The taller towers surround another amoeba-shaped pool, a hot tub, and a lazy river. (It actually moved at a pretty good clip!)
Inner tubes are not provided for the lazy river, but we knew this ahead of time and packed our own. (Cabana Bay Beach also sells tubes for around $8, though prices vary with size.) We were able to inflate the tubes we brought for free at The Tube Shack. They could also be used in the pools.
Around the pools, we also found chess and checkers, cornhole, and a huge fire pit where s’mores are made at nightly campfires. Both sides of the resort have evening movies outside.
This resort also has its own bowling alley, complete with cosmic bowling!
The Dining
The resort’s main food hall, the Bayliner Diner, was a pleasant surprise. I expected tired cafeteria-style food, but everything we ate there was good! The Bayliner Diner features a deli, pizza and pasta, burgers, and international foods. Our favorites were the Cuban sandwich, churrasco steak, fried plantains, curried cauliflower, and frozen yogurt. The burgers were also surprisingly good!
This was our go-to place to dine. In addition to being tasty, the foods were reasonably priced. We also purchased refillable resort cups for the length of our stay, one of our favorite souvenirs.
The resort also features two pool bars, Atomic Tonic and The Hideaway. Both offer light fare and we were delighted to find one of our favorite dishes, gyros, at Atomic Tonic. We also had the quesadillas. Both were delicious!
Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to eat at The Hideaway, the Swizzle Lounge, or the bowling alley’s restaurant, but if the others are any indication, the food there will be great, too!
Transportation
Cabana Bay Beach Resort does not have access to the water taxi that many other resorts use. Shuttles are provided, though, or you can walk!
The Garden Walk, a raised walkway that passes a few other resorts and ends at CityWalk, in an almost secret entrance near Margaritaville. We actually found that walking (about 15 minutes) was faster than taking the bus, even if we didn’t have to wait for a bus to arrive. Walking to the water taxi at the resort next door and taking the bus both took about the same amount of time (about 25 minutes).
Our Opinion
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the perfect resort for families. It has a fun theme with bold colors, there are tons of activities, and the suites are roomy. The price point is great, too! I wouldn’t be surprised if this resort became our go-to for future family vacations in Florida.
Plan Your Visit
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
6550 Adventure Way
Orlando, Florida 32819
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