Universal Orlando, Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando

By Rebecca JonesUniversal Orlando’s newest — and only — value resort is the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.  This family-friendly resort, which opened in early 2014, is uniquely themed to represent beach getaways in the early 1960s. My family had the opportunity to stay at Cabana Bay in October 2014, and we loved it!There are two types of rooms available, standard rooms that sleep four, and family suites that sleep six. We had a family suite, and it was nice to have a little room to spread out. The family suites open to a living room with a sleeper sofa and two chairs, along with a flat-screen television. The kitchenette boasts a sink, small microwave, coffee maker and dorm-sized refrigerator. There is a sliding door to promote privacy between the living room and bedroom.In the bedroom, you’ll find two queen-sized beds, another television and several drawers for storage. There is a closet with extra linens, and an iron and ironing board. The restroom is split, with a tub/shower and a sink behind one closed door, a sink and mirror open to the bedroomand the stool behind another closed door.Overall, we found the rooms to be comfortable for our family of five. The room’s theming is fantastic, as it is throughout the resort. The décor is truly circa 1962, and even the amenities are true to the era, with Alberto V05 shampoo and Zest soap available for guests’ use.Cabana Bay boasts several family-friendly activities, including an onsite bowling alley, arcade, Starbucks café, Bayliner Diner food court (where you can even purchase s’mores kits for use in the campfire), two pool areas, a sand play area, a splash pad, a lazy river and two nightly movies under the stars. There is also a lounge in the lobby, and one near each pool, along with a fitness area named after Jack LaLanne, for the adults. We visited during the off-season, which was nice, as the pools were practically empty in the evenings when we came back from the parks to enjoy them. There were never long lines in the food court, and plenty of seating for everyone.There is free transportation from Cabana Bay via bus to the City Walk, which you walk through in order to reach the gates of the two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You are able to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Universal Studios one hour prior to park opening when you stay at Cabana Bay. Staying at Cabana Bay does not, however, give you the Express Pass you’d receive by staying at one of the other onsite Universal properties.The Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a wonderful place for your family to stay. Whether small or large, there is room for everyone.If you’d like more information about Cabana Bay in particular, or Universal Orlando theme parks in general, please contact your Wishes Family Travel Universal Parks & Resorts Specialist, or Rebecca Jones, Senior Supervisory Agent Email