Cabana Bay Beach Resort: The thrills of staying at Universal’s newest on-site hotel

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For over a year, I drove by Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s construction site, eagerly noting how much I couldn’t wait to experience it. Just based off of its concept art, I knew it was going to be a special addition to Orlando. And a few months ago, my boyfriend, Sean, made it even more special – he told me we were staying at Cabana Bay for my birthday!

Cabana Bay Beach Resort, operated by Loews Hotels, is Universal Orlando’s newest on-site property. It’s designed to not only transport you back to a completely different time and place, but to also be much kinder to your wallet.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

Cabana Bay opened on March 31, 2014, and, currently, only phase one is complete. Once all is said and done, it will include two massive pools, a lazy river, bowling alley, fitness center, and multiple fire pits. (The second phase, which will include the much-anticipated lazy river, is scheduled to open June 16.)

Driving up to Cabana Bay’s main entryway is something I will never forget. I immediately felt as if we had stepped into the 1950s.

[youtube_video]9wpd_p3W3sY[/youtube_video]

A Cabana Bay Team Member welcomed us, and, after check-in, we walked up to our suite to find a retro-themed room with two queen-sized beds and a pull-out couch in the living area.

The rooms are vibrant and authentic, right down to the alarm clock on the nightstand, and the suites also come with a kitchenette that provides a good-sized in-room refrigerator and microwave. Sleeping six, the rooms are homey and spacious – perfect for families, couples, and even a group of friends looking for a Universal getaway. There is also a partition between the bedroom and living space.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

We immediately began exploring the property, and, with every turn, I found something new to love. We first headed back to the lobby, where palm trees towered over us as vintage furniture, a bar, and the check-in desks await new arrivals. The oldies tunes are carried throughout the resort, and we all found ourselves dancing and singing along. There is also an on-site Universal store here with a variety of souvenirs.

We wandered back beyond the lobby to find a Starbucks and then hit the Bayliner Diner, which is a cafeteria-style dining option with many delicious selections. From breakfast to dinner, we were never disappointed with what we chose, and the prices were really fair. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity for photos with the classic cars out front, so that was definitely next, followed by a trip to Galaxy Bowl and the Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio!

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

Galaxy Bowl seems a little pricey at $19 per person for the hour ($15 for the lane, $4 for shoes), but, then again, even “regular” bowling to me seems pricey. I predict that once Cabana Bay full opens in about a month, Galaxy Bowl will be packed, especially on rainy days and when guests need a break from theme-parkin’. There is also an arcade next door.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

The Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio includes state-of-the-art equipment that even allows you to choose where you’d like to work out – biking by the Eiffel Tower, running through New Zealand, and climbing in the Rocky Mountains are all options. A friend noted that it was very clean, towels were easy to find, there were lockers and showers available, and antibacterial wipes were provided for the machines.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

We then took a pathway that led us down to the pool area. Cabana Bay’s zero-entry pool is a force to be reckoned with, as it includes a slide, enclosed kids’ splash area, sand beach, and the Atomic Tonic bar. Every drink our group had throughout the weekend was more delicious than the next, and every bartender we encountered quickly became a new friend.

As our group sat here surrounded by Cabana Bay’s signature “Castaway,” “Thunderbird,” and “Starlight” signs and classic oldies tunes, I no longer felt like I was in Orlando at all. The hotel made me feel as if I were on a remote ’50s island, completely removed from my day-to-day life, and entirely transported to this place called “vacation” I hear so much about.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

That night, we headed over to Pat O’Brien’s in CityWalk and took the Cabana Bay bus, which was a quick and easy ride. The next morning, we took the same bus to start our day at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida with, again, no real trouble. It wasn’t until later in the afternoon, when we started to notice the literal swarms of teenaged groups taking over USF, that we started to have problems.

These middle- and high-school groups were here to celebrate their graduation, which is a huge accomplishment, but they come by the busload, and those buses clog up the surrounding roadways – especially the one to and from Cabana Bay. As the bus system is really Cabana Bay’s only supposedly quick means of transportation, this became a nightmare end to our nearly perfect day.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

After waiting in line for nearly an hour for the bus, and not getting a straight answer as to what our next best option might be, our positive demeanors quickly faded. As a group of six adults and two kids, we didn’t want to risk walking if it was unsafe. Finally, a Team Member assured us that sidewalks were provided, and we decided to make the trek back on foot.

The main walkway to and from Cabana Bay is not completed, and I hope it will eventually provide a much more pleasant way to get to CityWalk should the bus not be a viable option. After talking with Cabana Bay’s Team Members, they noted that they do get a lot of complaints about both the walk and the Gradventure activities. (The final Grad Bash/Gradventure date was May 16, so we won’t have to worry about this for another year.)

Cabana Bay Beach Resort - May 2014.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – May 2014.

All in all, we were really pleased with our stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, even with a few minor hiccups. We all absolutely raved about the decor and attention to detail that has gone into making it what it is – and we are still talking about the pool, Atomic Tonic, and what a great experience it was for everyone in our group, who ranged from ages two to 32. My parents also stopped by to check it out, and you could see the twinkle in their eyes as they experienced Cabana Bay and the retro vibes it provides.

We’re already discussing the possibility of a future trip to Cabana Bay, perhaps around the kickoff of our annual Halloween Horror Night festivities, and we can’t wait to experience the lazy river!

To learn more about this hotel, visit our guide to Cabana Bay Beach Resort in the OI Universal Center. If you have questions, we have answers in the OI Forums. Otherwise, you can read more about all the hotels in and around Orlando in the OI Blog archive.


Cabana Bay Beach Resort – map

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[sws_author_bio user=”CasieShimansky” size=”105″ authorposts=”More OI posts by Casie” name_format=”About the author”] [/sws_author_bio]

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Diana
Diana
May 21, 2014 8:02 pm

Great review Casie, looks like a place to stay when we’re down there. I love retro themes! That’s too bad about the bus, but I’ll just take note not to visit in May!

Valerie Webster
Valerie Webster
May 21, 2014 1:24 pm

my girls will be there Monday night..

Anna Jerome
Anna Jerome
May 21, 2014 2:27 pm

We will see you oct 8- oct 14

Anna Jerome
Anna Jerome
May 21, 2014 2:28 pm

I loved it in April !

Kim Silfies
Kim Silfies
May 21, 2014 6:02 pm

I was also there this week and was shocked by all the kids!! Wish we could have been warned about them closing early

Melissa McLaughlin
Melissa McLaughlin
May 21, 2014 6:22 pm

You probably went during gradadventure.

Andre Somma
Andre Somma
May 21, 2014 7:34 pm

Great review of a really cool looking resort. Hope to stay there soon. Thanks for the video tour. (ginger )

DragoHarley
DragoHarley
May 22, 2014 3:22 pm

This was a really terrific review. I love how Casie writes. How to put this? It’s like, when reading it I felt I was really there. I could even feel the warm sun on me and could smell the pool chlorine. Those pictures are just wonderful too. Hope to read more great stuff from Casie!

About Casie Shimansky

Casie {kay-cee; KC} Shimansky is an award-winning social media manager and recognized photographer. Originally from New Jersey, she grew up in the theme parks, moved to Orlando with her family in 1993, and met her now-husband at Universal Orlando while working at Men in Black: Alien Attack in 2005. Dog Mom to two German Shorthaired Pointers, she is also a lover of pizza and Halloween and is a fierce advocate for Children's Cancer Research, having gone BALD just two days after getting married. Casie raised over $26k in 2018 alone for the cause.

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