When we plan a trip to Orlando, there’s one hotel that consistently makes our list: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. It’s not the fanciest option in town, but for our family, it checks all the right boxes — and then some!
Here’s why we keep coming back (and a few honest drawbacks to know before you book):
💰 Great Value for Families
Traveling as a family can get expensive fast, especially when you’re heading to the theme parks. What we love about Cabana Bay is that it gives us a lot of bang for our buck.
We’re a family of five, and it can be tough to find a hotel room that’s both affordable and has enough space for everyone to breathe. At Cabana Bay, we can book a family suite — which gives us a little extra room and even includes a small kitchenette — without breaking the bank. It’s the perfect middle ground between budget and comfort.
🌴 Fun Amenities for All Ages
Cabana Bay has a retro beach vibe that makes the whole place feel like a vacation from the moment you arrive. Our kids LOVE the two giant pools, complete with a lazy river, water slide, and splash areas. There’s also:
- A food court with plenty of kid-friendly and adult-approved options
- A cute little ice cream shop that’s our nightly treat
- A Starbucks in the lobby — super convenient for early mornings, though be warned: the line can get long around park opening time!
- A self-service laundry room (which has saved us more than once after long theme park days!)
- A couple of bars, including one inside near the lobby and one outside by the pool — perfect for relaxing while the kids swim
🕐 Early Park Admission = More Fun, Less Waiting
One of the biggest perks of staying at a Universal hotel is Early Park Admission. Even though Cabana Bay is more budget-friendly, it still comes with this benefit. That means we get into the parks an hour before the crowds, which is huge for hitting popular rides with shorter waits.
However, it’s important to note that Cabana Bay does NOT include Universal Express Passes, which allow you to skip the regular lines at most attractions. That perk is reserved for guests at Universal’s higher-end hotels like Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay. You can still purchase Express Passes separately, but they are not included with a stay at Cabana Bay.
🚌 Easy Access to Universal Parks & CityWalk
We love how easy it is to get from Cabana Bay to the Universal parks and CityWalk. You can either:
- Walk on a scenic path that’s just under a mile long — it’s surprisingly manageable even with kids! The path is mostly shaded, and there’s some lovely scenery along the way. One of our favorite parts? You can wave to the boats in the canal and if you’re lucky, the captain will give you a friendly honk in return!
- Or hop on one of the free shuttle buses, which run often and are super convenient.
Travel Tip: If you’re planning to walk to Universal Studios or CityWalk often, ask for a room close to the walking path when you book. The resort is pretty spread out, and starting near the path will make your walk a lot easier (especially after a long day at the parks).
⚠️ A Few Honest Drawbacks
No hotel is perfect, and Cabana Bay does have a few downsides worth noting:
- It’s not as fancy as some of the other Universal hotels — It’s more casual and retro than luxurious.
- We’ve had some issues with outlets in the rooms — a few didn’t work, which can be frustrating when everyone’s trying to charge their phones and devices.
- It’s not the closest hotel to Universal’s upcoming new park, Epic Universe — so if that’s your main focus, there may be better options location-wise.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Cabana Bay might not be the most glamorous hotel in Orlando, but it hits the sweet spot for our family: it’s fun, affordable, convenient, and packed with enough amenities to make it feel like a vacation even outside the parks.
If you’re planning a Universal Orlando trip with kids (or just want a lively, budget-friendly place to crash), Cabana Bay Beach Resort might just become your family favorite, too.