Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort Review – Is The Value Worth The Hype?

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• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a retro-themed, budget-friendly hotel with family suites, two pools (lazy river + water slide), and a private Volcano Bay entrance.
• Guests get early park admission and free shuttles, but Express Pass isn’t included.
• It’s the best value stay for families, groups, or anyone wanting a fun, affordable Universal Orlando trip.

Some people say that Cabana Bay is the best value hotel in Orlando. So, is that true?

I’m a lifelong theme park enthusiast, Universal Orlando Annual Passholder, and travel agent who helps people plan stress-free vacations.

I’ve stayed at Cabana Bay Beach Resort myself, and in this Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: the location, rooms, dining, pools, perks, and, most importantly, whether it’s worth your money.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Overview

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a “Value Inn and Suites” hotel, which is the most affordable tier at Universal Orlando Resort. That means the rooms are budget-friendly, but you’ll still get plenty of perks for staying on-site.

The theme is one of my favorite things about this resort: it’s got a retro 1950s/1960s mid-century modern vibe, with a Jetsons-meets-Florida feel. Think neon colors, classic cars parked out front, a vintage malt shop, and decor that looks like the “future” as imagined in the ’60s.

Even though it’s considered a value hotel, Cabana Bay feels unique and immersive in a way most budget hotels don’t. Visitors looking for something fun and affordable should definitely keep this resort on their radar.

Resort Location

Cabana Bay sits right next to Volcano Bay, Universal’s water park, and even has its own private entrance, one of the best perks of staying here.

From the hotel, it’s about a 20-minute walk to CityWalk, which connects you to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. If you’d rather not walk, free shuttles run regularly, though there’s no direct water taxi access. That said, you can always stroll over to Sapphire Falls and hop on a boat from there.

Cabana Bay also offers a complimentary shuttle to Epic Universe, Universal’s newest park, making it easy to check out everything on property.

The only real drawback is airport transportation: Universal doesn’t include it for free. You can book the Superstar Shuttle (run by Mears), but it makes multiple stops, so I usually recommend ride-share services like Uber or Lyft if you’re traveling with more than one person. It ends up being about the same cost and much faster.

Overall, the location is one of Cabana Bay’s biggest strengths, particularly if Volcano Bay is on your must-do list.

Cabana Bay Rooms and Accommodations

The standard rooms stick with the retro theme and come with either two queen beds or one king. Suites are also available for families who need more space.

But the real standout? Volcano Bay View Rooms in the towers.

I stayed in one of these and let me tell you, it’s worth every penny. At night, I left the curtains open and fell asleep with the glowing volcano right outside my window. I could also see downtown Orlando and the ICON Park wheel lit up in the distance.

And here’s the kicker: with my Annual Pass discount, it was only about $20 more per night than a standard room. For that view and proximity to the water park? Absolutely worth it.

The only drawback is that the tower rooms are a bit of a hike from the lobby, dining, and shuttle buses. Just something to keep in mind if you don’t want a long walk each time you head out.

Cabana Bay Restaurants and Dining Options

Cabana Bay is a value hotel, so don’t expect gourmet dining. But there are still plenty of solid options:

Bayliner Diner

They have the Bayliner Diner, the main food court area where you can get standard theme park food court items, such as hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled cheese, pizza, etc.

I got their grilled cheese and homemade chips. It was fine, but nothing out of this world. However, it’s perfectly adequate for a quick bite to eat. 

Swizzle Lounge

Swizzle Lounge is a retro cocktail lounge in the lobby. I was there during Halloween, and the themed decor was a nice touch.

It’s right in the lobby, which is super quick if you’re waiting to get picked up or just coming back from the theme parks.

Shakes Malt Shoppe

Their newest addition is a milkshake bar called Shakes Malt Shoppe, which was super cute and was themed to a classic 1950s-style counter-service malt shop serving milkshakes and sweets.

I got a breakfast smoothie here because they do offer things like smoothies, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches throughout the day. I also got a vanilla milkshake and they were both pretty good.

The Hideaway Bar and Grill

One pool is home to The Hideaway Bar & Grill (there are two pools at this resort). I did not get a beverage here, but they actually serve food so I grabbed a quick lunch to eat. 

Surprisingly, I loved my turkey club and fries here even more than the food court meal. They gave you a lot of fries, which is always a plus in my book. The turkey club wrap was very good – the avocado ranch they had was actually really great.

Galaxy Bowl

Although I didn’t partake in it, this resort does have a bowling alley on the upper level of the lobby – Galaxy Bowl. You can pay to bowl and you can also get food there to eat, which is unique for a value hotel.

Atomic Tonic

Similar to the Hideaway, Atomic Tonic is the pool bar, located at the other resort pool (with the water slide and diving board).

There’s also a Starbucks in the lobby if you’re craving a pumpkin spice latte or specialty beverage.

Overall, dining here is good, not great. It gets the job done and fits the budget-friendly theme, but you’re not going to book Cabana Bay for the food.

Cabana Bay Pools , Perks, and Amenities

Because this is such a large resort, Cabana Bay actually has two different pool areas. One has a lazy river (how cool for a value hotel!), hot tub, and The Hideaway Bar & Grill – I believe it’s considered the Lazy River Courtyard.

Note that for the lazy river in the pool, you’ll see a lot of people with inner tubes. Those are not free. You do have to pay to rent them. 

They have another pool on the other side of the lobby which has a waterslide and Atomic Tonic bar. Both seem nice and standard hotel pools with the addition of the water side or the lazy river depending on which side you’re on.

One of them did also have a sand beach, but it was kind of far away from the pool and there weren’t any umbrellas back there, so definitely be prepared to get some sun if you want to lay out.

I think the downside to this resort’s pools is that Volcano Bay is literally right next to it, so if you want better pools and water options, it’s right there. When I went on my trip staying at this resort, I mainly just went to Volcano Bay, and so I didn’t do too much at the pools with one of the best water parks right next to it. 

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Even though this is a cheaper resort, they do still offer a fitness center. I didn’t get a chance to really use it but it’s great that for a value resort, they do offer a free fitness center – not many value resorts do that.

Other amenities include:

• Galaxy Bowl, a full bowling alley inside the resort
• Free fitness center, which is rare for a value hotel
• Movie nights by the pool, which is perfect for families
• Gift shop & vacation planning desk for Universal merch and travel needs

Staying here also gets you the standard Universal hotel perks:

• Early park admission (one hour before the general public)
• Free shuttles to CityWalk, the parks, and Epic Universe
• Package delivery from the parks to your hotel

Just note: Express Pass is not included at Cabana Bay (you’ll need to buy it separately).

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great value – Probably the best value hotel at Universal Orlando.
• Volcano Bay access – Private entrance and unbeatable views.
• Theming – Retro mid-century modern vibe is fun and immersive.
• Activities – Bowling alley, lazy river, movie nights, two pools.
• Good for families – Tons for kids to do.

Cons

• No Express Pass included – Only available at certain Signature Collection hotels.
• Not as fancy – Doesn’t have the upscale feel of Sapphire Falls, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay.
• Tower room distance – The walk to dining and shuttles can feel long.

Overall Impressions of Cabana Bay

I really love Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The combination of retro theming, family-friendly amenities, and unbeatable value makes it one of the best choices for budget-conscious Universal guests.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time at Volcano Bay, this resort is a no-brainer thanks to its location and private entrance. Families will love the pools, lazy river, and bowling alley, while solo travelers and groups can still enjoy the fun vibe at a great price.

You could even think about staying here to save some money when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort – as long as you don’t mind being on-property and having to pay/drive to get there yourself.

That said, if you want luxury, fine dining, or Express Pass included, you’ll be happier at one of Universal’s Signature Collection resorts.

For me, Cabana Bay nails what a value resort should be: affordable, fun, and full of perks that make your Universal Orlando vacation stress-free.

If you’re thinking of visiting Universal Orlando, let me help you plan your next trip! With my 25+ years of experience visiting, researching, and working in theme parks, I can help you make sure you have a great time without the stress.

FAQs About Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Can you walk from Cabana Bay to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure/CityWalk?

Yes – it takes about 20 minutes to walk from Cabana Bay Beach Resort to the Universal resort-exclusive entrance near Margaritaville.

Is Cabana Bay pet friendly?

No – Cabana Bay does not allow pets.

What time is checkout at Cabana Bay?

Checkout at Cabana Bay is 11am, but you can always check with the front desk for early checkin and late checkout options.

Does Cabana Bay have a gym?

Yes, and it’s free to use!

Does Cabana Bay have a hot tub?

Yes – there is a hot tub next to the pool near The Hideaway Bar & Grill.

Do you get Express Pass at Cabana Bay?

No – Cabana Bay Beach Resort does not include Express Pass for each guest. Only certain Signature Collection hotels receive this benefit.

Does Cabana Bay Beach Resort have an airport shuttle?

No – Universal Orlando Resort does not currently offer any free transportation to or from the Orlando Airport to its resorts. However, when booking a trip to Universal, you can purchase a ticket for a Mears Shuttle to and from your resort. You can book during the ticket checkout process on the Universal website or visit Mears Attraction Transportation for more information.

Does Cabana Bay have a lazy river or water slide?

Yes – Cabana Bay Beach Resort has a lazy river at one pool and a water slide at the other.

Does Cabana Bay have a shuttle to Universal?

Yes – there are free bus shuttles that will take you from Cabana Bay to all of Universal Orlando Resort’s parks.

Does Cabana Bay provide pool towels?

Yes – there are areas for you to pick up and dispose of pool towels for free, provided there are some available to use.

Does Cabana Bay have a resort fee?

No – there are no extra resort fees added to your stay at Cabana Bay.

Does Cabana Bay have free breakfast?

No – there is not free breakfast included at Cabana Bay. However, you can purchase breakfast items from several places at the resort, including Bayliner Diner, Shakes Malt Shoppe, and Starbucks.