Should you stay at Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort? We’re here to answer that question for you in this Cabana Bay Beach Resort review and guide. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the hotel, from rooms and dining to amenities and location.
BOTTOM LINE: Cabana Bay Beach Resort is one of the most appealing budget options at Universal Orlando. Family suites and proximity to Volcano Bay offer perks you won’t get anywhere else. But Cabana Bay is a volume business, so you need to be okay with crowds at every turn. If you love water parks, don’t care about express passes, don’t mind crowds, love Mad Men, or you need space for a large travel group, Cabana Bay is going to be right up your alley.
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RELATED: Click here to read our reviews and probably offensive opinions of every other Universal Orlando on site hotel. As we always say, there is a fit for every single guest.
What is Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort? An Overview
Cabana Bay’s initial conception came out of wanting to appeal to a larger number of park guests by offering a family friendly budget hotel option. At the time, all Universal Orlando hotels were premium offerings that sat (still do) along the Universal waterway and offered luxury amenities at luxury prices.
Cabana Bay offered something entirely different: a family friendly resort that prioritizes budgets options for food, transportation, and amenities, but still offers amazing park benefits to staying on site at the resort.
The resort is—to this day—by far the largest of the Universal Orlando on site hotel options. While it doesn’t have luxury amenities, it does offer a larger volume of amenities that are unique to the property. And it also has one of the coolest themes.
RELATED: Click here to read about the evolution of Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Immersive Theming: Midcentury Modern
As far as theming, we are in hog heaven at Cabana Bay. If 50s and 60s throwback is your thing, you will be too. From retro-designed toiletries in your bathroom to the Beach Boys playing over all the hotel speakers, midcentury modern decor defines the hotel.
You will imagine that you’ve traveled right back in time. Or at least to the set of Mad Men.
Main Lobby
Cabana Bay largely exists on the ground floor, and the port cochere will drop you right in to the ground floor lobby for check in. It’s extremely large and airy. Cabana Bay is a volume business, so there are many check in desks.
You will find amenities like the Universal Vacation Planning Center, car rentals, and luggage storage in the main lobby. And there is a lobby bar, Swizzle Lounge, as well.
Two Hotels
As we mentioned at the top, Cabana Bay is the largest on site hotel at Universal Orlando. And it is essentially split into two hotels. If you step out the back of the hotel lobby, you will find a retro budget motel complete with outdoor entry guest rooms, its own pool, water slide, pool bar and restaurant (Atomic Tonic), fire pits, cabanas for rent, picnic tables, and tons of pool and yard games.
If you walk down the left side of the lobby, you will find the Universal Studios Store, a Starbucks, and the main Cabana Bay cafeteria.
Just past the cafeteria, you will find a whole other hotel. While the midcentury modern vibe continues, the guest rooms on this side of the hotel are all indoor, giving it a distinctly different vibe from the other side of the hotel.
On this side you will find a pool, a pool bar and restaurant (Hideaway), a lazy river, fire pits, a sand beach, sand beach volleyball, cabanas for rent, outdoor seating for the cafeteria, and a crazy view of Krakatau, the large volcano that centers Universal Orlando’s water park, Volcano Bay.
Volcano Bay Adjacency
One of the biggest perks of staying at Cabana Bay is its proximity to Volcano Bay, the Universal Orlando water park. Hotel guests have there own exclusive dedicated walking path to the park, and, as mentioned above, you can see parts of the park from one of the Cabana Bay pools. Krakatau, the volcano centerpiece of the park, puts on a show every hour. So the entertainment is active.
Holidays at Cabana Bay
Like all Universal Orlando on site hotels, Cabana Bay gets into the holiday spirit in November and December (along with the theme parks) with festive Christmas decorations throughout the hotel. All Universal on site hotels have recently gotten into the Halloween Horror Nights spirit as well.
Should You Stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort?
RELATED: Click here to compare the cost and other amenities of all Universal Orlando on site hotels in our quick look on site hotel chart.
Pros & Cons
While we go into more detail about the benefits and drawbacks of staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort later in this article, a short list of pros and cons are below.
Pros
- Budget accommodations
- Amazing midcentury modern beach theming
- Exclusive theme park benefits
- Convenient access to Volcano Bay via an exclusive walking path
- Location on the north campus close to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk Orlando
- Amazing pool amenities like a lazy river, sand volleyball, and a water slide
- Family suites for large groups
- A bowling alley
Cons
- It is a volume business
- No premier hotel theme park benefits
- Desperate need of refurbishment (which are coming)
Cabana Bay Beach Resort Price Comparison
RELATED: If you are looking to do Universal on a shoestring, check out our guide to the Endless Summer Resorts. They are, in our opinion, the best option for a budget Universal on site hotel stay. Click here for Surfside Inn and Suites. And click here for Dockside Inn and Suites.
The Cabana Bay price comparison is extremely straight forward. It is one of the cheapest options at the resort, and it offers the most bang for your buck that you’ll find at Universal Orlando.
RELATED: Click here to read about annual passholder hotel discounts and why you should absolutely get one for you trip.
The Endless Summer Resorts are the cheaper option, but they have nowhere near the number of amenities that Cabana Bay boasts. We’re talking about a water slide, a lazy river, an ice cream shop, and an actual full bowling alley venue. They are also farther from the north campus parks.
UNLOCKED TIP: Endless Summer is closer to the new south campus.
The new sister budget hotels on the south campus usually price around the same as Cabana Bay, and again, Cabana Bay wipes the floor with them in the amenities department. To be fair, if your goal is proximity to EPIC Universe, the south campus hotels are a better choice.
RELATED: Don’t miss our reviews of the new south campus budget hotels. Spoiler alert: we’re less than impressed. Click here for Terra Luna Resort. And click here for Stella Nova Resort.
The Hotels Across the Street
Aventura Hotel sits across the street from Cabana Bay, and it offers different perks from Cabana Bay, but we think the value is about the same, all told.
RELATED: The hotels across the street: click here to read our review of and guide to Universal’s Aventura hotel. And click here to read our review and guide of Sapphire Falls Resort, one of our favorites at Universal Orlando.
Aventura does not have a lot of amenities of its own, but it has easy access to Sapphire Falls, which does. It also boasts the only north campus roof top bar at the resort.
UNLOCKED TIP: For whatever reason and despite its all star line up of amenities, Universal places Cabana Bay in a tier below both Aventura and the south campus budget hotels. We think it holds its own with both, and might even be better.
Universal Orlando Express Pass Unlimited
Do not stay at Cabana Bay and buy Universal Express Unlimited for everyone in your party. If you plan to buy Express Passes, stay at a premier resort. They pay for themselves.
RELATED: Click here to read more about the Universal Express Pass in our 2026 Ultimate Planning Guide.
This is one of the biggest mistakes we see guests make when planning a Universal Orlando vacation. They focus on saving money on the hotel room and then spend thousands purchasing separately what the premier hotels include for free.
The Unlimited Express Pass Unlimited can run you up to $375 per day, per person. And depending on your party size, that will add up quickly. If you have four (4) people in two (2) rooms at Cabana Bay, buying the Unlimited Universal Express Pass for 3 days can set you back over $4,000. The math isn’t mathing. If skipping the regular lines is important to you, stay at a premier level hotel.
RELATED: Click here to read our review of Portofino Bay Hotel, a premier level resort and our favorite at Universal Orlando.
Exclusive Universal Orlando On Site Perks
Benefits at Every Universal On Site Hotel
As a Value category hotel, Cabana Bay includes every basic on site hotel exclusive benefit, including:
- Early Park Admission: Access to select attractions at Universal Orlando theme parks up to an hour early with valid theme park admission.
- Complimentary Transportation: Shuttle buses and water taxis provide convenient access to all Universal Orlando theme parks and Universal CityWalk. And a dedicated walking path provides great access to the Volcano Bay water park.
- Resort-Wide Charging Privileges: Guests can use their room key for purchases throughout Universal Orlando Resort.
- Universal Vacation Planning Center: You can pick up your park tickets and purchase any other Universal Orlando tickets and passes, or make any reservations, you need.
- Universal Orlando Store: Every on site hotel has a Universal Orlando merch shop. They’re great for picking up last minute souvenirs before you catch your flight, or for grabbing last minute necessities before you go to the parks. Cabana Bay has a huge one where you can pick up retro-themed merch.
- Complimentary Merchandise Delivery: Have purchases from any and all Universal Orlando Resort stores delivered directly to your hotel room. You can shop at any time during you trip and not worry about lugging your merch around. (Easily our personal favorite Universal Orlando on site feature!)
UNLOCKED TIP: Packages will usually show up in your room the day after your purchase. Make sure you leave enough time for your stuff to reach your suitcase before your departure.
Exclusive Theme Park Benefits: What’s Missing?
While the Cabana Bay offers the same exclusive park benefits as every budget hotel at Universal Orlando, it is missing some premier benefits.
Benefits Exclusive to Premier Resorts
- Universal Express Pass Unlimited: Premier level resorts include an unlimited express pass to use at the parks. Skip the lines, every time. Jump back up (jump link) to read some hard numbers on its value.
- Water Taxi Service: Every premier tier hotel at Universal Orlando (plus Sapphire Falls Resort) sits along the Universal waterway and offers relaxing water taxi service that drops you conveniently at CityWalk Orlando, very close to the entrances to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
- Walking Path: Each premier level resort has access to a walking path along the waterway that goes directly to CityWalk Orlando.
UNLOCKED TIP: It is tempting to try to walk across the street and take advantage of both the water taxi and the walking path. And technically you can do this, especially if you are looking for more steps in your day. But fair warning, it is a 20–25-minute walk. It is much easier and faster to take the shuttle bus to the CityWalk depot.
- Priority Seating at Resort Restaurants: Show your room key at restaurants across the resort and skip the walk in guest line.
Because Cabana Bay is not a premier level resort, it does not offer any of these benefits.
Travel and Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Travel to Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Whether you bring your own vehicle, rent a TURO or AVIS vehicle, use a rideshare service, book the Universal Orlando official shuttle, just pull up to the circle entrance of the hotel, and the hotel team members will take care of you.
If you bring a vehicle to the hotel (rented or otherwise) you have two options, self parking and valet. The prices are:
- Self parking: $30 per day.
If you are not staying at the hotel but want to park there for the day, the prices are (30 minutes complimentary):
- Self parking: $53 per day
You’re going to experience similar parking fees at every on site hotel, and it’s frankly why we try to avoid bringing a car to Universal Orlando if at all possible.
Travel to and from the Parks
As we mention above, the shuttle bus is the best option for getting you back and forth from the parks. One goes to each of CityWalk, EPIC Universe, and Volcano Bay.
Volcano Bay Walking Path
As we’ve mentioned, a huge benefit of staying at Cabana Bay is the dedicated walking path to Volcano Bay. If you’re planning to spend time at the water park, you can’t beat it. It is exclusive to Cabana Bay guests, and you must have a room key to get in.
Sapphire Falls Transportation
If you choose to utilize Sapphire Falls transportation, you can take the 25-minute walk and either get on the water taxi to CityWalk Orlando and the north campus theme parks or continue along its walking path to CityWalk.
UNLOCKED TIP: If you take the water taxi back from Universal CityWalk and take the path back to Cabana Bay, you must have your room key to get back into the hotel property.
The water taxi is a boat that docks at Sapphire Falls Resort and takes you via the river to the CityWalk Orlando dock. From there it’s a quick hop to each of the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida front gates. The water taxi is comfortable and breezy, and the views are amazing.
The walking path starts at Sapphire Falls, goes past the Royal Pacific Resort, and ends up at a gate next to Margaritaville at CityWalk Orlando. It has similarly amazing views to the water taxi, and you’ll probably watch several water taxis pass you as you walk.
Ambitious people probably choose to take the path for fun. People like us take the path only out of necessity. The water taxi service closes during inclement weather. You then have the option of the shuttle or the path.
Cabana Bay Transportation
If these options seem like a lot of work to you, the Universal Orlando Resort shuttle bus will take you to EPIC Universe, Volcano Bay water park, and CityWalk Orlando. From CityWalk, you will enter the north campus parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
The bus will drop you off at the shuttle depot near the main Universal Orlando parking lot. From there, you can take the bridge to CityWalk Orlando and the north campus parks. The Volcano Bay park shuttle will drop you at the Volcano Bay bus depot. The EPIC Universe shuttle will drop you at the EPIC Universe shuttle depot.
UNLOCKED TIP: Keep in mind that no matter which entrance you use (CityWalk, water taxi, or walking path) you will still have to go through metal detectors to enter the resort. There is no way to get into the parks otherwise. Security sits at the entrance to CityWalk, both walking path gates, and each water taxi dock.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort Accommodations
UNLOCKED TIP: Make sure to download the Universal Orlando official app. You can link your reservation and check in as early as 48 to 72 hours before your stay. There is a section where they specifically ask you for any special requests for your lodgings. The earlier you make them, the better your chances of getting the room location or features you want instead of choosing from whatever is left when you arrive. (And other guests are using this feature, so the chance of limited options is significant.)
Cabana Bay offers standard rooms, family suites, 2-bedroom suites, and both inside and outside entry options.
UNLOCKED TIP: The shuttle bus to Cabana Bay and most of the hotel amenities are located on the interior entry side of the hotel.
Rooms
Standard Room
Standard queen rooms at Cabana Bay are 300 square feet. They come in standard view, pool view, poolside, and Volcano Bay view options. The rooms are delightfully midcentury modern themed, even down to the retro-themed toiletries.
Room Sizes Compared
At 300 square feet for standard queen rooms, Cabana Bay offers the smallest standard rooms at Universal Orlando. Having said that, most rooms are about 315 square feet, and the standard rooms do not feel smaller than that.
Even Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, and Helios Grand (which are Signature Collection hotels) fall into this size category. The notable exceptions are the Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel.
RELATED: Click here to read our review of the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, another of Universal’s premier level river resorts.
Poolside and Pool View Rooms
You can pay extra for your room to face the pool, whether that’s on the interior entry or the exterior entry side. Poolside rooms are located on the bottom floor of each side. For the exterior side, your room entry will be steps from the pool.
For the interior entry, there are breezeways between the buildings that provide entry close to the pool (and your view will be of the pool). These rooms are about $100 more expensive per night than a standard room.
Volcano Bay View Room
Cabana Bay offers interior entry rooms with great view of Volcano Bay. Whether or not they are worth about $100 extra per night is up to you.
Suites
Cabana Bay offers family suites that include a sleeper sofa and sleep six (6). They also offer a 2-bedroom suites that has three (3) beds and a sleeper sofa, and sleeps eight (8).
Dining at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Like other Universal Orlando budget hotel options, Cabana bay has a grab and go and cafeteria venue as its main all day restaurant offering, as well as a pool bar, a lobby bar, a Starbucks, and a short menu pizza delivery service. Unlike its budget hotel counterparts, it also has an additional pool bar and two pool restaurants. It also has an ice cream shop and a bowling alley with a bar and restaurant.
UNLOCKED TIP: Hours at all Universal Orlando Resort dining venues vary often and a lot of times the listed hours cannot be relied upon. Always double check the hours at check in.
Bayliner Diner
- What: Cafeteria and grab and go venue
- Where: Off the main lobby
- Breakfast: 6:30AM to 11:30AM
- Lunch & Dinner: 11:30AM to 11PM
- Grab and Go: 6:30AM to 11PM
Every budget hotel at Universal Orlando has a single cafeteria style venue that also houses grab and go options. At Cabana Bay it is called Bayliner Diner.
Food
Bayliner is a cafeteria style venue with lines stretching out from stations that offer grill options, deli options, salad options, pizza options, and an international station.
For breakfast, the stations transform to an omelet station, waffle station, pancake and French toast station, breakfast meat station, and a continental buffet.
The pizza station is the same pizza as the delivery service. You can pick it up there or order using pizza delivery to your room (jump link).
And as for grab and go, you can grab water, soft drinks, juice, milk, beer, wine, and more there. Quick grab food options include chips, candy, cold sandwiches, charcuterie, donuts, bagels, desserts, and more.
Dining Room
The dining room at Bayliner Diner is gigantic and one of the main times you can see the nature of the volume business that Cabana Bay is in.
There are around 150 tables in the dining area. There are also several condiment stations that also house the hotel’s indoor Coke Freestyle machines. (Outdoor Freestyle machines can be found poolside.)
UNLOCKED TIP: If you have purchased a Coke Freestyle mug, you can use it here, but don’t forget that you can also just use the Coke Freestyle machines to fill up water bottles instead of purchasing expensive bottled water over and over. Buy one or two bottles and fill them up here. Click here to read about Coke Freestyle and more Universal Orlando tips and tricks in our 2026 FAQ.
Click here to explore the Bayliner menu.
Swizzle Lounge
- What: Lobby bar
- Where: Main lobby
- Hours: 5PM to 12AM (1PM on Friday and Saturday)
Swizzle Lounge is the standard lobby bar at Cabana Bay Beach Resort. It is a cute, retro-themed full bar with tables on the left side of the lobby near the Universal Studios Store.
Don’t forget you can get drinks to go and take them up to your room or elsewhere in the hotel.
Click here to explore the Swizzle Lounge menu.
Hideaway Bar and Grill
- What: Poolside bar and walk up counter restaurant
- Where: Lazy River Courtyard
- Grill: 11AM to 9PM
- Bar: 11AM to 11PM
Hideaway is the poolside restaurant and bar service offered on the interior entry side of Cabana Bay.
It houses a full bar and a walk up counter where you can order food. Hideaway sits tucked away under part of a guest room tower, and as such provides a ton of shade and respite from the heat.
Click here to explore the Hideaway menu.
Atomic Tonic
- What: Poolside bar and walk up counter restaurant
- Where: Cabana Courtyard
- Grill: 11AM to 10PM
- Bar: 11AM to 11PM
Atomic Tonic is the poolside restaurant and bar service offered on the exterior entry side of Cabana Bay. It houses a full bar and a walk up counter where you can order food.
It is out in the open and doesn’t provide the same shade as its Lazy River Courtyard counterpart (link), but it does have shaded tables to sit and eat. It is also open one (1) hour later than Hideaway.
Click here to explore the Atomic Tonic menu.
Galaxy Bowl Restaurant and Bar
- What: Counter service ice cream shop
- Where: Second floor above Starbucks
- Hours: 12PM to 11PM
Cabana Bay houses a ten (10) lane bowling alley on the second floor above the Starbucks that offers full restaurant and bar lane service. It also has a stand alone bar between the bowling alley and the arcade.
The food menu offers a strong mix of traditional bowling alley food, including burgers, fries, wings, salads, pretzels, and chicken nuggets. And they have a nice cocktail list, plus anything you want from the full bar.
Click here to explore the Galaxy Bowl menu.
Shakes Malt Shoppe
- What: Counter service ice cream shop
- Where: Behind the Bayliner dining room
- Hours: 12PM to 12AM
Shakes is right behind the Bayliner dining room before you get to the interior entry guest towers. It offers hand scoop ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies, regular milkshakes, adult milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and several bottled drinks.
The Black and White adult milkshake is a personal favorite of ours.
UNLOCKED TIP: This place can build up a massive line. We always go right a the 12PM opening before the crowds get going or right before closing when they have died down.
Click here to explore the Shakes menu.
Starbucks
- What: Starbucks
- Where: Between the main lobby and Bayliner Diner
- Hours: 6AM to 10PM
There is a traditional Starbucks at Cabana Bay. It is located between the Universal Studios Store and Bayliner Diner.
Delizioso Pizza Delivery Service
- What: Pizza restaurant delivery
- Where: Your hotel room
- Delivery: 12PM to 12AM
- Pick Up: 12PM to 10:15PM
Pizza delivery service is available at this and every budget hotel. It offers pizza and other pizza restaurant fare, like wings and salads. They will also deliver select alcoholic beverages. The menu and instructions will be in your room. You can order for delivery or pick up at Bayliner Diner. You can order by phone. Just press the pizza button!
UNLOCKED TIP: Don’t be afraid to order room service because you have a food restriction.
Click here to explore the Delizioso menu.
Dietary Accommodations at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
RELATED: Click here to read our series that reviews every single food venue at Universal Orlando Resort for celiac safety and gluten free options, including each on site hotel.
Cabana Bay takes the same approach to allergen safe dining as the rest of Universal Orlando Resort, and it’s one of the best at it. The minute you mention a food restriction to your server, they are on top of it. Protocols for safe meal preparation are in place and well practiced at each restaurant.
RELATED: Click here to read more about Universal Orlando Resort’s dietary accommodation policy in our 2026 Ultimate Planning Guide.
Amenities at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Most of the amenities at Cabana Bay are housed between the main lobby and Bayliner Diner.
The Universal store is on the first floor. And all others are on the second floor.
Pools at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Bay’s pool scene is a sight to behold.
Cabana Courtyard
The Cabana Courtyard is located on the exterior entry side of Cabana Bay. It houses a pool, a water slide, cabanas for rent, picnic tables, event spaces, yard games, fire pits, and a poolside bar and restaurant called Atomic Tonic.
Lazy River Courtyard
The Lazy River Courtyard is located on the interior room side of Cabana Bay. It houses a pool, a sand beach, sand beach volleyball, fire pits, a lazy river, and a poolside bar and restaurant called Hideaway. Hideaway is tucked underneath one of the buildings and feels like a dark cave. In a good, break from the sun way.
This courtyard also offers stunning views of Volcano Bay’s Krakatau volcano that centers the Universal water park.
Universal Studios Store
Every hotel has a Universal merch shop. Cabana Bay’s is located off the lobby on the opposite side to the check in desk. It is huge and stretches down the hall to the Starbucks. These stores have last minute items like sunglasses, sunscreen, meds, umbrellas, ponchos, etc. The Cabana Bay store has tons of Cabana Bay and retro-themed merch as well.
They also have tons of merch from every land, including and especially Harry Potter merch. The selection is much more limited than at the big stores at the parks, but sometimes they have unique items you won’t find anywhere else.
UNLOCKED TIP: Pop in here to grab lanyards and pouches to store your tickets and room keys before you head to the parks.
Galaxy Bowl
Hours: 12PM to 12AM
As we have mentioned several times in this guide, Cabana Bay houses its own ten (10) lane bowling alley. It is located on the second (2nd) floor.
You can take an elevator at the back of Bayliner cafeteria to the second floor and walk back around above Bayliner to the amenities, or you can use the stairs directly in front of Starbucks, located between the main lobby and Bayliner Diner.
Galaxy Bowl is such a clutch offering from Cabana Bay and a really fun way to spend an afternoon away from the parks.
UNLOCKED TIP: Always make a reservation for bowling, and the earlier the better. We like to go right around the 12PM opening.
Click here to make a Galaxy Bowl reservation.
Video Game Arcade
Every Universal Orlando on site hotel has its own version of a video arcade. Cabana Bay’s is quite large and located on the second floor next to the bowling alley.
Fitness Center
The fitness center at Cabana Bay is huge and Jack LaLane themed. Tons of Jack LaLane memorabilia lines the walls that you can peruse. There are free weights, machine weights, treadmills, ellipticals, yoga mats, and more.
And there is Jack LaLane merch for sale in the Universal Studios Store. The fitness center is located on the second floor near the bowling alley.
Convenience Amenities
Luggage Storage
This one is important. Don’t waste a day of your trip sitting around waiting for your check in or check out time. Store your luggage and spend that time exploring the resort. This is especially important if you booked a Universal Orlando vacation package. Because your tickets will be valid on the day of arrival and on the day of departure.
Laundry Service
The hotel has credit and coin operated laundry facilities throughout the hotel.
Text Service
All Universal Orlando Resort hotels have a texting service that you can use instead of calling the front desk. This is hardly new anymore as many hotels across the world employ it, but Universal was a pioneer in the field and has been using it for over a decade.
They will send you a welcome text when you check in, and after that if you need anything or have any problems, just text the chain. It’s very helpful and convenient.
Universal Planning Center
Every Universal Orlando on site hotel has a Universal Vacation Planning Center. Cabana Bay’s is located next to the check in desk in the main lobby. The planning centers are important because they’re where you pick up your park tickets from your vacation package.
They also have any and all other park needs covered. You can buy other tickets and passes there, including special event tickets like Halloween Horror Nights.
Food and Grocery Delivery
Before and during the pandemic, you could reliably have packages, groceries, and food delivered to any on site hotel. This is still true in some cases, but over the past couple years we have found that these services are spotty at best. Try it at your own risk.
Events and Meetings
Cabana Bay has a small meeting/event space upstairs near the gym and bowling alley. It also has outdoor event space in the Cabana Courtyard. Read more here.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort FAQ
Cabana Bay Beach Resort Accommodations
Absolutely. It’s the best bang for your buck at Universal. Read more here.
Cabana Bay offers standard rooms, poolside rooms, Volcano Bay view rooms, and family suites. Read more here.
If it is a small event. Read more about Cabana Bay event space here.
Yes. Cabana Bay is in desperate need of refurbishment and the renovations will be happening over the next two (2) years.
Both! Cabana Bay offers both interior entry and exterior entry guest rooms and family suites. Read more here.
Universal Orlando Resort
Yes, many. Click here to read about them.
No. Preferred, Prime Value, and Value (Cabana Bay) level Universal Orlando hotels do not include the Universal Express Pass Unlimited.
Yes, at the Universal Orlando Store located in the hotel lobby.
Amenity hopping works in groups. All north campus river hotels plus Aventura and Cabana Bay Beach Resort are in one group (basically all north campus hotels excluding the Endless Summer Resorts). Go to the front desk of your chosen hotel, show them your Cabana Bay room key, and they will give you a hospitality key to use at that hotel.
The other groups are the Terra Luna and Stella Nova sister hotels on the south campus, and the Endless Summer sister hotels. Helios Grand Hotel is not in a group and does not reciprocate amenities with any other hotel.
Yes. At the Universal Vacation Planning Center.
The best way is the resort shuttle to the theme parks and the dedicated walking path to the water park. Click here to explore Cabana Bay transportation.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort Amenities & Activities
Yes, there are two (2), and they both have tons of amenities including a lazy river and a water slide. Read more here.
Not directly, and the shuttle is easier. Read more here.
Yes. Read more here.
Yes. Read more here.
Yes. Decor can be seen throughout the hotel.
No. Unfortunately, the Mandara Spa at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel closed in December 2024, and it was the only hotel spa on the Universal Orlando property.
Yes. It is retro-themed like the rest of the hotel. Read more here.
No.
Yes.
The hotel offers self parking and day parking. Check out pricing here.
Yes.
Yes, they have self service machines.
Yes. Ditch those bags and go play at that parks!
Cabana Bay Beach Resort Dining
Yes. More than any other on site hotel at Universal Orlando. There is a combo cafeteria plus grab and go venue, a lobby bar, two (2) pool bar and restaurant venues, a Starbucks, a bowling alley with a full food and drink menu, pizza delivery, and a an ice cream shop. Read more here.
Yes, of course. They are great at it. Read more here.
Yes.
Yes. Budget hotels all have Coke Freestyle machines both in the restaurant cafeteria and the pool bars.
It does not have the same in room dining as the Signature Collection hotels, but Cabana Bay, along with every budget on site hotel offering, has a pizza delivery service. Read more here.
Yes. All Prime Value and Value hotels offer pizza delivery service. Read more here.
Yes. Bayliner Diner sells wine, beer, and hard seltzers. You can get liquor at the hotel in drinks at sold at the bars. And also the ice cream shop.
Conclusion: Our Cabana Bay Review and Guide for 2026
Thanks for reading! Make sure to bookmark this post if you’re thinking of staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Click here to reach out if you have any questions or comments. We usually respond quickly!
Cabana Bay is one of those Universal hotels that makes perfect sense for the right trip. It’s fun, colorful, unapologetically retro, and packed with more to do at the hotel than almost anywhere else on property. Between two pools, a lazy river, a bowling alley, plenty of food options, and some of the best theming of Universal’s hotels, you could very easily spend an entire afternoon here without feeling like you’re wasting park time.
But Cabana Bay is also big. Really big. Your room location can make a significant difference in how convenient the resort feels, and this isn’t the hotel I’d choose if my priority were getting in and out of the parks as quickly as possible. The lack of water taxi transportation is especially noticeable when you compare it to similarly priced options that give you easier access to CityWalk.
Still, there’s a reason Cabana Bay has such a loyal following. It doesn’t feel like a generic hotel that happens to be sitting next to a theme park. It feels like part of the vacation. If you want a resort with personality, great pools, lots of amenities, and enough going on to justify a resort day, Cabana Bay is an easy hotel to recommend.
If your Universal vacation is all about maximizing park time, I’d probably look elsewhere. But if the hotel itself is part of the fun? Cabana Bay absolutely understands the assignment.
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