Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a great option for the entire family if you’re looking for a place to stay during your visit to Universal Studios Florida.
The retro theming throughout Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort takes you down memory lane with the perks of modern amenities.
There are many benefits to staying at one of the Universal Orlando Hotels during your visit especially if you’re on a budget.
Thanks again to Universal Orlando Resort for hosting a portion of our visit. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
There are eight Universal Orlando Hotels to choose from and Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is categorized as a “Prime Value” hotel.
Benefits of Staying at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Early Park Admission up to one (1) hour before the theme parks open – (You still need to purchase theme park admission)
- Complimentary resort-wide shuttle bus transportation
- Resort-wide room key charging privileges
- Free merchandise delivery to the hotel for your purchases at select stores in Universal’s theme parks and CityWalk.
- It’s a short walk from Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort to Universal Volcano Bay
- Complimentary Fitness Center
- Complimentary wireless internet access
You can read my tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort on a budget here.
Complimentary Shuttle Buses
The complimentary shuttle service runs every 15-20 minutes from 7am to midnight. It’s nice to save some steps especially if you’re taking advantage of early park admission into the parks.
Our motivation to get up for early admission was to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade section of Universal Islands of Adventure.
We took one of the first shuttles over to the parks so that we were closer to the beginning of the entrance line before Universal Island of Adventure opened.
The entrances for Universal CityWalk and the two main theme parks are within relatively close proximity/ walking distance.
Guests enter through Universal CityWalk first, and then they can continue walking left toward Universal Island of Adventure or continue walking right toward Universal Studios Florida.
We also enjoyed exploring Universal CityWalk in the evenings after the parks closed. It was nice to relax on the shuttle back to our hotel vs. dealing with parking/driving after a long day.
Types of Guest Rooms at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Guests can choose from standard rooms or family suites during their stay.
There are 9 rooms available for guests who are hearing impaired and 15 rooms with wheelchair-accessible room accommodations.
The Standard Rooms are 300 square feet and have two queen beds, iconic decor, and a flat-screen TV.
The Family Suites have 430 square feet of living area and can sleep up to 6 people, with two queen beds, a full-size pull-out sofa, and a compartmentalized bathroom. Guests can choose either interior hallways or exterior entries for their rooms.
If you want a specific view of Volcano Bay from your room, Standard Rooms and 2-bedroom Suite options are available. The Volcano Bay View 2-Bedroom Suite is the largest room option at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort at 772 square feet and can sleep up to 8 people.
This suite has 2 full bathrooms, a full-size pull-out sofa in the living room, 2 full beds in one bedroom, and 1 queen bed in another.
*Complimentary cribs for guests with young kids are available upon request at the hotel.
Check Universal Orlando Resort Ticket and Hotel Packages
Tour of the Poolside Family Suite – Interior Entry
During our visit, we stayed in the Poolside Family Suite. The bedroom section of the suite had two queen-sized beds and a flat-screen TV on the wall.
I loved looking out our large circular window with great views of the pool below day or night.
There was a sliding privacy partition that worked well when the boys wanted to stay up later watching TV.
A closet area is on the bedroom side of the suite with an iron, ironing board, hairdryer, and in-room safe.
The compartmentalized bathroom has a sink and shower/tub in one room, a toilet on the other side, and another sink in the middle.
This can be helpful when everyone is trying to get ready at once.
Before you go to bed you may want to leave the light on in the bathroom and crack the door a little if you have guests who tend to wake up in the middle of the night.
The kitchenette in the family suite has a microwave, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and sink.
You can bring additional snacks, drinks, or breakfast items to save money during your stay. It’s also nice to reheat your leftovers the next day if you dine out.
If you want to order pizza to enjoy in your room Delizioso Pizza is onsite.
Another flat-screen television is on top of the dresser with two drawers in the living area and two drawers that open up in the bedroom area which was a clever design.
The bar area of the kitchenette has two stools and two small tables are in the seating area with the sofa bed and two lounge chairs.
Save on Booking Your Booking Your Stay at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Enjoy Access to Two Separate Pool Areas at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
During your stay, you have access to both pool areas. The outdoor ramp walkway takes guests to the other pool area.
There are beach towels provided by both pools for Cabana Bay guests to use during their stay.
Lazy River Courtyard and Pool
If you arrive earlier than your check-in time, you can enjoy the pool area while you wait for your room to be ready.
Stop by the front desk for a temporary key for the pool entry and they can store your luggage and text you when your room is ready.
I’d recommend packing a separate bag with swimwear and sunscreen for your family so that you have it handy for the pool. I also like to pack my AquaVault small portable safe that attaches to my chair to store our cell phones while we swim.
Hotel guests still have access to the pools for additional swim time that day after checking out of their hotel room.
The heated lazy river onsite is a great way to relax and unwind. You can purchase an inner tube for the lazy river or bring your own.
Guests are also allowed in the lazy river without a tube. I loved that the lazy river doesn’t spray you with additional water along the way.
While floating in the winding river we chatted with a couple who booked our hotel because they were specifically looking for hotels with the best lazy river in Orlando.
You can enjoy drifting peacefully around the river if you choose to or there are a few little waterfalls along the side if you want to get splashed.
The huge zero-entry heated pool provides easy access for younger guests, wading, or guests with mobility issues.
The Lazy River Courtyard also has a sand beach, two fire pits, and the Hideaway Bar & Grill if you want something to eat or drink while you’re out by the pool.
There is lots of seating around the outdoor pool near the pool or in the sand.
The Hideaway Bar & Grill offers snacks, meals, and alcoholic beverages a short walk from the lazy river.
Cabana Courtyard And Pool
The draw for the Cabana Courtyard and Pool is the dive-tower-themed water slide and cabana rentals.
Cabana Rentals at the Cabana Courtyard
If you prefer a more private, dedicated space by the pool, you may want to consider renting a cabana.
The Cabana rentals are for up to 6 people. Each cabana rental has two cushioned lounge chairs, an armoire, a table with four chairs, an LCD TV, a personal safe, and a refrigerator stocked with 4 water bottles.
You can reserve a cabana in advance at the hotel front desk or on the same day at Atomic Tonic Bar.
This section also has shaded picnic tables and a large fire pit.
Cabana Courtyard has an outdoor grill and bar, The Atomic Tonic bar with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and alcoholic drinks.
Dining at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
We ate dinner at the Bayliner Diner at the hotel for lunch and ate one breakfast during our 3-night visit. We chose to eat the rest of our meals while at the parks or at Universal CityWalk.
Bayliner Diner
Bayliner Diner has a variety of food stations in the food court to choose from with breakfast foods in the morning and burgers, salads, pizza, and more for lunch and dinner.
I liked that we could each go to whichever food station appealed to us most and then meet in line to pay for everything together.
There were also plenty of “grab and go” items for purchase.
We opted for their chicken sandwiches and burgers with fries for lunch.
We tried the omelet, croissant sandwich, and Belgium waffle for breakfast.
Shakes Malt Shoppe
If you’re craving ice cream, Shakes Malt Shoppe has creative smoothies and sundaes on the menu.
Swizzle Lounge
(Located in the hotel lobby)
This lounge has made-to-order cocktails, beer, wine, whiskey, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Starbucks
If you prefer more options for coffee there is a Starbucks conveniently located in the lobby of the hotel.
Galaxy Bowl
(Located on the second floor of the lobby building)
There are 10 bowling lanes at the hotel’s bowling alley, Galaxy Bowl for an additional fee.
Reservations are required for bowling and The Galaxy Bar restaurant with a full bar and American classics if you want to eat while you bowl.
Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio
(Located on the second floor of the hotel lobby building)
If you’re inspired to workout during your stay, there is complimentary access to the fitness studio named after Jack LaLanne.
He was known as the “Godfather of Fitness” and had a popular fitness program on TV from 1951 to 1985.
Game-O-Rama Arcade
(Located on the second floor of the hotel lobby building)
Kids will probably want to play games at Game-O-Rama on the second floor of the hotel lobby building.
Shop at the Universal Studios Store
You’ll find souvenirs, apparel, toys, and more at the Universal Studios Store near the lobby.
If you purchase Express Passes for the park you may want to consider purchasing a lanyard in the gift shop or bringing a lanyard from home to help keep them handy while in the park.
The attendants will check your pass at the entrance line and later scan your pass before you ride.
Parking and Transportation Options at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
There is a fee for overnight parking for guests and for day guest parking.
Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle is a transportation option from Orlando International Airport to Universal Orlando Resort Hotels. You’ll want to inquire about the fee and more info before you arrive at 800-823-4733.
There is an Avis desk in the hotel lobby if you need to make arrangements for a rental car. (407) 503-4156.
Compare Resorts at Universal Resorts Orlando
Universal Resorts Orlando offers eight themed hotels onsite for guests to choose from. Guests can determine which property fits their amenity preferences and budget.
Pros and Cons of Booking Your Hotel Directly vs. With a Third-Party Site
Universal Orlando Hotels can’t modify reservations made through a third-party site. You’d need to deal with the third-party site directly for issues and changes.
If you book a Universal Orlando Hotels “Premier Hotel” through a third-party site you will still receive the complimentary Universal Express Unlimited access.
Universal Orlando Hotels offers direct Vacation package deals that include their best deals on hotel accommodations AND theme park tickets.
Florida residents also have exclusive deals just for them.
A travel advisor registered to sell vacations for Universal Orlando Resort may have additional package options to offer.
View Universal Orlando Resort Ticket and Hotel Package Promotions
Universal Resorts Orlando “Premier” Hotels
Preferred category hotels have complimentary water taxi service and dedicated walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk.
These preferred category hotels also have complimentary Universal Express Unlimited access to skip the regular lines on participating rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands Adventure.
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – a stunning re-creation of the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy
- Hard Rock Hotel – featuring a California mission-style design inspired by classic rock music
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort – an exotic South Seas retreat filled with tropical wonders
Universal Resorts Orlando “Preferred” Hotels
Preferred category hotels have complimentary water taxi service and dedicated walking paths to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – a Caribbean hideaway inspired by the scenic rivers and waterfalls of the islands
Universal Resorts Orlando “Prime Value” Hotels
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – a vibrant, retro-style resort inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel (Prime Value Category) – a sleek and stylish hotel that offers contemporary guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and the destination’s first-ever rooftop bar and grill
Universal Resorts Orlando “Value” Hotels
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort –- Surfside Inn and Suites – a relaxed and easy retreat with a surf and beach vibe woven throughout
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort –- Dockside Inn and Suites – blends the coastal vibe of escaping to the perfect sunset with the cool feeling of a beach retreat
