We just returned from a 4-day Universal Orlando trip, and we based ourselves at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort. With its vibrant, 1950s/60s retro theme and promises of a "blast from the past," it’s one of the most popular hotels on property.
But is it really the best value for your money?
On our first day, we had time to relax at the hotel, swim in the pools, and eat on-site, all to find out. Here is our honest Cabana Bay Beach Resort review.
Getting There
As we mentioned in our Breeze Airways PVU to MCO review, we took the 5-hour, nonstop flight. From the MCO airport, we took Universal's SuperStar Shuttle to get to Cabana Bay, and honestly, we don't recommend it.
It was $39 per person, which was much more than an Uber or Lyft would have been for 5 people. It also took a very long time because we had to wait for everyone to get on. Luckily, Cabana Bay was the first stop or it would have taken even longer. In our opinion, a rideshare would have been both faster and significantly cheaper. We'll have a full breakdown of this experience in a separate post.
1. The Vibe & The Pools (A Perfect Arrival Day)
This is Cabana Bay's biggest selling point. The theme is immaculate, but the pools are the main event. This hotel has two massive pool complexes:
- The Cabana Courtyard: This is the iconic one you see in photos. It has a huge pool, a dive tower-themed water slide, and cabanas for rent.
- The Lazy River Courtyard: It has a second large pool and a winding lazy river to relax and enjoy a peaceful day at the resort.
We spent our second afternoon doing exactly this: we relaxed and we swam. It was the perfect, low-key way to rest up before a full day at the parks the next day. A helpful tip: You can buy a retro-themed float for the lazy river in the gift shop, or you can bring your own to save money!
2. The Food: Eating at The Bayliner Diner
We ate at the hotel for a few meals, and the main food court is the Bayliner Diner. This is a huge win for value. It's not a tiny, overpriced counter; it's a massive food court with multiple stations: a burger station, a pizza/pasta station, a salad/deli station, international food and more.
It's perfect for families who all want something different. The prices are reasonable (for a theme park hotel), and the quality was surprisingly good. It’s a great way to save money instead of doing a pricey table-service meal every night.
3. The On-Site Perks (The Real Value)
The "value" at a Universal hotel isn't just the room price; it's the on-site perks. As a "Value Inn and Suite" resort, Cabana Bay has three game-changing benefits.
- Early Park Admission This is, without a doubt, the most valuable perk. Every day, Cabana Bay guests get to enter one of the parks (usually Islands of Adventure) a full hour before the general public. For our 1.5-day park sprint, this was essential.
- Private Walking Path to Volcano Bay This is a great tip that many first-timers miss. Cabana Bay has its own private, dedicated walking path and security entrance to Universal's Volcano Bay. You can see the volcano from the hotel. It is, without question, the best hotel to stay at if you plan to visit the water park.
- Free & Easy Park Transportation Cabana Bay has a dedicated bus fleet that runs constantly. It also has a walking path (the Garden Walk) that you can walk to CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios in about 15-20 minutes. We chose to do this every day so that we could get a bit more exercise in. It was also peaceful and enjoyable to see different parts of Universal Orlando Resort.
4. Luggage Service & Hotel Staff
A huge convenience we used was the luggage storage service. On our departure day (Saturday), we had to check out in the morning, but our flight wasn't until later.
The hotel staff held our luggage for us all morning while we went back to the parks for one last half-day. When we returned to catch our shuttle, the retrieval process was quick and easy. It was great knowing our bags were secured, and it let us maximize our last bit of park time without any hassle.
We also want to mention that every hotel staff member we interacted with, from the check-in desk to the luggage service, was incredibly nice and helpful.
5. The "Honest" Part: What's NOT Included?
To be an honest Cabana Bay Beach Resort review, we have to tell you the main trade-off.
Cabana Bay does NOT include the free Universal Express Unlimited Pass. This perk is reserved for Universal's Premier hotels (Hard Rock Hotel®, Loofs Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific). The Express Pass is what lets you skip the regular lines on most rides.
This is the main "value" decision you have to make.
Our Final Verdict
So, is Cabana Bay Universal's best value hotel? Yes, for 90% of families, it absolutely is.
You get the single-most-important perk (Early Park Admission) and have the best pools and theme on property, all at a "Value Inn and Suite" price.
While you don't get the free Express Pass, the money you save by staying at Cabana Bay can be used to purchase Express Passes a la carte for one day of your trip—often still saving you money over a Premier hotel. It’s our top recommendation for Utah families who want the full Universal experience without the Premier price tag.
Disclaimer: This post may contain referral links. Booking through these links may earn a reward at no cost to the traveler.
Your Next Step
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