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Enjoy vibrant, retro-style with rooms and suites brilliantly designed for fun and affordability. Relax with a splash, surrounded by amazing iconic architecture inspired by classic Florida beach resorts of the 1950s and 60s. Sample a variety of options in the incredible food court. Every day comes with fun for all ages with two massive pools, a winding river, a bowling alley and more. It’s all within walking distance of Universal’s Volcano Bay. Plus you’ll enjoy the exclusive benefits of staying in Universal. Breeze into one of the Universal parks an hour earlier than other guests with Early Park Admission*. Plus, it’s a quick hop from Universal’s hotels to the parks with free shuttles. *Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regularly scheduled park opening to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando, and Universal’s Volcano Bay. Valid at select attractions at each park. Attractions are subject to substitutions without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort is applauded for its excellent location near theme parks and the convenience of its shuttle service, according to many guests. The hotel's retro atmosphere and family-friendly amenities, including pools and a lazy river, are popular features, though some visitors mention overcrowding. While the service is generally commended for being helpful, experiences with slow service have been noted.
Travelers have called out the rooms for being somewhat outdated and not always well-maintained, with noise being a common issue. Opinions on the resort's value are mixed, with some guests finding it economical and others pointing out additional expenses.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Cramped
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Mixed
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Efficient
Amenities
Satisfactory
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I had ther pleasure of staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort with my family and extended family. We chose this resort due to everything we read and saw online that Universal was doing for health and safety protocols. From the time we checked in until check out, we felt they did a fantastic job...not just at the hotel, but throughout the theme parks as well.
Team Members at Cabana Bay were very friendly and courteous. Instead of housekeeping each day, they simply offer a text option where you can send any requests (such as for towels, garbage, full clean, etc). This was great since I generally do not like to have housekeeping during my stay (less people in the room, less touch points). Any time we had a request, it was fulfilled promptly.
The resort was spotless and we always saw someone cleaning and wiping off rails, seats and such. Security did temperature checks upon check-in and each day before you head to the parks. They give you a colored wrist band to wear so that you can bypass temperature checks once you get to the theme parks. There are social distancing markers throughout the resort including Bayliner Diner and Starbucks. You wear a face mask everywhere expect while eating or swimming. It sounds cumbersome, but we were so used to it, we hardly noticed it by day two.
The hotel is currently operating with lower capacity (I believe about 25-30%) and that keeps areas from getting crowded. The pool with the lazy river was open the entire time and the second pool (with the slide) was open on the weekends. We stayed in a Volcano Bay View Standard Room and had a gorgeous view from Beachside, 7th Floor. I should highly recommend these rooms as they are quite large and awesome views. I will note, though, that the "drumming" at Volcano Bay Water Park starts at about 7:30am. We were usually up by then, but if you expect to sleep in, wear ear plugs.
Easy walk to Volcano Bay and the bus is super quick to CityWalk. For something fun to do with the family, purchase a s'mores kit for $7.99 (s'mores for 4) and roast marshmallows on one of their fire pits.
Overall, we stayed a week and had a fabulous time!
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Universal's Cabana Bay Beach, General Manager at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Responded Aug 28, 2020
Thank you for your review and for choosing Cabana Bay. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and that you were able to take advantage of the different amenities on property. There is so much to love about a stay at our resort. We appreciate your wonderful feedback and look forward to another fun and memorable stay in the future. Have a swell day, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Management.
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This was our 3rd trip to CBBR. We went in June 2016 (Thunderbird), February 2017 (Continental), and this past March 2020 (Starlight). Both the 2016 and 2020 stays were in a family suite. Negatives: the hotel is showing her age a bit. Minor signs of wear and tear around the facility, furniture, etc. They changed the themed room keys and buses, which are minor details, but do detract from the otherwise perfect execution of the hotel's theme. POSITIVES: our family suite had a tip top bath area, including a tub that drained perfectly and no signs of mold or mildew (no small feat in Orlando). The resort has so many extras, including a laundry area in each building. The service was on point. We checked out Friday, and they gave us a "key" so that we could access all of the hotels areas, including the showers in the fitness center so that we could shower before leaving for home.
Purchasing the on site souvenir cup is a good deal. With a large Icee coming in at 4 bucks a pop, that 20 dollars per person on a cup paid for itself in about a day and a half and we were there for a week!
To be honest, we could have easily stayed at the resort for a long weekend and never missed going to the parks. It is a great way to spend a few lazy days!
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Lots of room options - exterior entry, with pool access is the best!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Universal's C, Manager at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Responded Mar 17, 2020
Thank you for your review and for choosing Cabana Bay. We're happy to hear your overall experience was great, from our clean rooms, to the many on-site amenities we have to offer. We also appreciate your kind feedback on the excellent service provided by our team members. We certainly hope you will choose to spend your next Spring Break with us here at Universal Orlando! Have a swell day, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Management
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Made plans to go to Cabana Bay for my 55th birthday. Almost cancelled because of major surgery 2 weeks prior. Glad I didn’t. Firstly, check in is a breeze. Fast, friendly & caring staff. While waiting for the wheelchair several employees offered places to sit and to help me take a few steps to get there. The room was PERFECT! We booked a family room. Plenty of space. The A D A shower was spacious and easy to use. Ramps everywhere. Easy to get around. Everything at the Bayliner Diner restaurant was easy to reach or staff was exceptionally helpful in getting it for me. There was a fire pit to relax by and marshmallows to roast for a reasonably priced snack. The movies are great and easy to get to. In short, glad I didn’t stay home. Had no idea just the hotel could be this fun. Thank you Cabana Bay staff for the smiles, laughter and a happy birthday! We will be back!!!!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had an eight day stay at Cabana Bay. Housekeeping did not come in daily but was available to bring whatever we needed via a simple text (that was nice). We did get one housekeeping visit around day 4 due to length of stay but wish we had gotten more. For the price of the room, this should happen daily unless guests opt out.
Given the physical space, the overall look and feel of the resort was excellent with the exception of the rooms themselves. We upgraded on arrival to a suite which still lacked space an amenities (not sure it was worth the upgrade fee). The retro furniture fit the style of the hotel but it wasn't very user friendly or comfortable. It has dirty/worn look and our family wasn't comfortable sleeping or using them. The room always felt like it had a smell and lots of humidity, especially when we returned from the parks as the air kicks off with no one around. The beds and blankets were also average at best.
regarding Bayliner Diner, we really enjoyed the food offerings but during our stay it lacked cashiers. At most, we saw two working as you cash out and many times just one. Lines would form well into the main space of the diner hindering guest from looking around and selecting their good. At peak times the diner needed at least 4 cashiers to check out food and move along guests.
On a positive note, we stayed on the Bayliner side and always noticed how prompt the elevators were and for the most past, bus transportation to and from the parks was running pretty frequent.
As for the pool, we spent two days there and understand why sand was used (beach resort feel) however, our family thought it was unnecessary and dirty. Side note, we woke up early every day (pool side view/6th floor) due to maintenance blowing the sand off the pool side sidewalks. This lasted for a long time and was very annoying. Both pool and lazy river were exceptional. I Wish the Lazy River was a little warmer to match temp of main pool though.
Kids are already missing the souvenir cups and refills on drinks while there. They lived at the Icee machine! Overall, I would rate this a positive experience given the pure volume of guests and all of their needs! If asked would we return, I would say yes, but it would take a promo deal to get me to hit the submit button.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed the 1st week of December, which in my opinion is the best time to stay during the Holiday season. Thanksgiving travelers are gone and the Christmas travelers haven't come in yet either. You still get the Holiday experience with fewer travelers.
I have stayed many times onsite with Disney, but never with Universal. This was a first and was a good experience but less "convenient" than Disney. If you are used to Disney and the Magic band and app, none of that happens with Universal. You have an actual room key card for room access and access into the pool area. The app does not connect your room reservation information, its manly for the parks. You can have purchases sent to your resort rather than carrying around the park but we didn't use that. The dining plan doesn't work at the resort, only the parks and city walk.
This year, due to the pandimic made things a little different. The room was clean and fresh. The hotel grounds were clean as were the dining areas. We stayed 5 nights, no housekeeping during the week unless we requested additional items or cleaning. If you need cleaning they will schedule a time for when you will be out if your room. We did need a few extra items during the week, which were delivered to the room in bags (towels, cups, blankets, pillows). The family suite with exterior entrance was great for us, (myself, 16yr old boy, 20yr old boy) plenty of room, 2 queen beds and full pull out couch, microwave and small fridge. The exterior entrance rooms are on the outside if the hotel, if you have a car you can park outside your room which is very convenient. Only one pool was open through the week, the pool closer to Volcano bay with the lazy river. I didn't like that you have to buy a tube for the lazy river, maybe non-pandemic they have them available to use without buying.
The parks were clean and maintained well. The pandemic precautions were easy to follow. All lines were spaced, indoor theaters were spaced out so guests had 3 seats between parties. Hand sanitizer was provided before every ride/show by the team members and available from touchless dispensers at the end of every ride. Many of the rides posted long wait times (50, 60, 80min, etc) but they did not take that long. We rode Hagrids which had a posted time of 80mins, we were off the ride in 50mins.
I would definitely stay with Universal again and Cabana Bay.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Value
Rooms
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a “family suite” and it fit the 4 of us but was very cramped. Shower and toilet are in separate closed door rooms which was nice, but you had to maneuver yourself just perfectly to get in and close the door. The pool and slide do not look as nice as in the picture, the water slide was not running on Thursday or Friday but was on Saturday. At the Bayliner Diner the food was not good at all and extremely expensive, the staff serving the food were less than happy to be there and not friendly. The food options sit out at the serving stations (even the pizza) and was not fresh. After three $75-$100 failed attempts we went for breakfast and again, the pancakes were hard, eggs colds and microwaved type meat. Also not many kids options, at the bowling alley dinner, we had to ask if they have anything for kids. Bowling was a nice feature but will cost $16.99 a person. (The other two restaurants were not open) We finally got smart and went to dinner at City Walk on Saturday night and had a fulfilling meal worth the price. The shuttle feature to/from the park was nice, it only drops and picks up at City Walk. Also, the hour early admission was not offered at Universal Islands of Adventure. Over all, this resort served its purpose but I wished we would have paid a little more for better accommodations, food being the number one item.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel was good for the price but we arrived in low season. The property restaurants were also decent but nothing fancy. There were two pool areas and at first it was a bit of a maze to find the other one but once we found the way, it was ok. This is an excellent property if you like water slides and plan to visit Valcano Bay. The water park is next to this property so you can walk there. As a tip, they charge for towels at Valcano Bay so you should bring your own if you are trying to save a few dollars.
We stayed in a family room so we had a microwave and fridge with a small sink. The room was ok but with 5 of us in there, it was a bit squishy. The room also does not provide privacy for parents traveling with children. Overall, the hotel was clean, the rooms were cleaned daily and everyone was friendly.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Universal's C, Manager at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Responded Mar 3, 2020
Thank you for your review. We're delighted to hear you had an enjoyable time during your visit and had the chance to experience our pool areas and convenient walkway access to Volcano Bay. We also appreciate your feedback on our family suites and friendly staff. We look forward to welcoming you back to Cabana Bay the next time you visit Universal Orlando. Have a swell day, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Management
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We had a great experience during our 8 night stay at Cabana Bay. There was a minimal line at check in and our Volcano View room was ready early. What a beautiful view too! I wish the Volcano View rooms in the Towers had bathtubs but they do not. It was a small sacrifice for that view though. Another sacrifice for the view is the distance from the main lobby. It’s a bit of a walk from the lobby and restaurant but it’s all worth it for that Volcano View! Our room was clean and cozy and the beds were very comfortable. These rooms have a small fridge but no microwave. If you’re a light sleeper and you look forward to sleeping in in the morning these might not be the rooms for you as you can hear the drums and music from the waterpark very early each morning.
We chose this hotel for its water amenities and its closeness to Volcano Bay. The waterslide was closed in the hotel pool when we were there and I’m unsure why, but being pass holders and steps away from Volcano Bay we didn’t miss it too much. The day we tried the bowling alley we discovered they were booked for the day so if that’s something you’re interested in make sure you get your name on some kind of list for that.
The food was ok. Probably better than most hotel food but nothing great though. Breakfast was our favorite meal to eat in the hotel. We discovered we could have a meal at City walk for the same price so we ate most of our meals off property. I did like the Mac and Cheese though.
There was no housekeeping, but Im the type of guest that doesn’t like people in and out of our room anyway. They did offer a midweek “refresh” though to come in and clean halfway through our stay since it was a longer stay. Anytime I needed anything I text the number they gave me at check in and my issue was addressed promptly whether it was needing fresh towels, or garbage taken out.
Transportation to the parks was great! We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus.
We had such a great trip in June we booked a return trip for August before we even left the property. I can’t wait to return!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my Wife and I’s first visit to Cabana Bay and it was a Perfect Weekend!! I’ll start with our room was immaculately clean. We were in the Beachside Bldg room 8411 which also had a great view of Volcano Bay Water Park. It was just a short walk to buses and Bayliner Diner. Bayliner diner was perfect place to eat. It’s set up like a food court with great selection and above average food at reasonable prices. There was a large area to sit and eat. The staff did a great job cleaning tables when people finished. Buses ran every 10-20 minutes and extra buses were put on at peak times. We never waited more than 10min. The pools are Heated with lots of chairs. It was a little cold this weekend but we managed to go swimming for a little while and also enjoyed the Hot Tub. If you don’t care about Express Pass that you get at the Higher priced Hotels and want a an on-site hotel that’s clean and comfortable I recommend the Cabana Bay!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Universal's C, Manager at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Responded Feb 4, 2020
Thank you for a great review! We are thrilled to hear you and your wife had a fun and memorable first stay at Cabana Bay. There is definitely something for everyone to enjoy. We're also happy to hear you loved our food selection and reasonable prices offered in our Bayliner Diner. It is a pleasure when we can make an impression on our guests! We look forward to many future stays. Have a swell day, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Management
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We chose this Resort specifically for the amenities that it had to offer for our family vacation. When we arrived the water slide pool was closed M-F so we were unable to use it. The family suite that is suppose to sleep six was so small the four of us were cramped. Our room was dirty and not equipped with all the necessities such as pillows and blankets for the pull out bed. Both fans did not work in the bathroom and shower, the blow dryer was barely hanging on to the wall and most of the cover plates for the outlets we either broken or hanging on by one screw. The resort was only offering minimal housekeeping services so it was a real hassle to get clean towels and the garbage emptied. This also resulted in other guests leaving garbage and dirty dishes right outside their room in the hallway. I recommend eating somewhere other than the hotel. We paid 70$ for a hospital cafeteria style breakfast that was terrible along with service to match. It was nice however that they had a shuttle service that took you to City Walk for free and was always available.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Orlando area.
PRICE RANGE
C$258 - C$362 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaCentral FloridaOrlandoFlorida Center
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2,200
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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