Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Fun for the Whole Family
By: Becky Criswell
February 26, 2026
Last winter, my family enjoyed an amazing trip to Universal Orlando, and there are so many wonderful things I could share—along with a few lessons learned along the way. Today, I want to start by sharing our experience staying at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, a resort that truly surprised us in the best way.
The Room
Cabana Bay is an excellent option for a budget-friendly Universal vacation, especially for larger families. The resort offers family suites, which comfortably fit our family of six.
Our suite included:
Two queen beds
A pull-out sofa
A kitchenette with a sink, mini fridge, and microwave
One feature we especially appreciated was the split bathroom layout. The bathroom is divided into three separate areas—the toilet room, a main sink area, and a separate bath/shower with a second sink. This setup made getting everyone ready at the same time much easier (a big win for busy mornings!).
We also had plenty of space for luggage and storage, which is always a plus on longer trips.
Room tip: I highly recommend requesting a room near the elevator. I know—this might sound counterintuitive. Isn’t that noisy? Surprisingly, no! We were the second room from the elevator and loved the location. Cabana Bay is a very large resort, and being close to the elevators meant we were just steps away from dining, transportation, and amenities. The elevator area is set apart from the hallways, so noise was never an issue.
If possible, request a room in the Continental or Americana buildings to stay close to the action.
Getting to the Parks
Transportation to the theme parks was incredibly convenient. On one of the warmer days, we even tried the walking path to CityWalk, which runs alongside the river and is really beautiful. Depending on your pace, it takes about 30–40 minutes to walk, and you’ll pass through a much less crowded security area than the main entrance—definitely a bonus.
Cabana Bay is also perfect for Volcano Bay guests. The water park is just a short walk away!
Most of the time, we used the complimentary bus transportation. Buses pick up just outside the main entrance, and we never waited longer than 5–10 minutes. The ride to CityWalk was quick—about 10 minutes—making it easy to come and go throughout the day.
Dining
Cabana Bay offers a variety of dining options, including pool bars, pizza delivery, Shakes Malt Shoppe, Starbucks, and Galaxy Bowl Restaurant. However, our family spent most of our time eating at Bayliner Diner, the resort’s main food court serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Bayliner Diner features multiple food stations, making it easy for everyone in your group to find something they’ll enjoy. Portions were generous, and everything we tried was delicious.
You’ll find:
Burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, and sandwiches
Salads and international dishes
Kid-friendly favorites and adult-approved options
While my kids raved about the chicken tenders and pizza (no surprise there!), my husband’s favorite meal was the Mojo Roasted Chicken with jasmine rice and seasonal vegetables—a standout dish!
Breakfast options included eggs, waffles, French toast, bacon, sausage, and breakfast sandwiches. There’s also a grab-and-go section with pre-made items, snacks, and some gluten-free options, which was perfect for busy mornings.
We also loved the self-serve frozen yogurt station, and on our final night, we treated ourselves to sundaes and shakes from Shakes Malt Shoppe—a must-do before heading home!
Pools & Resort Amenities
During our stay, temperatures dipped below 50 degrees (very cold for Florida!), and the pool areas were closed much of the time. Even though the pools are heated, they may close if cold weather lasts several days—something to keep in mind for winter visits.
On one warmer afternoon, my husband and three of our kids were able to enjoy both pools. They reported that the pools themselves were very warm, though the splash pad area was too chilly to fully enjoy.
Cabana Bay offers:
One pool with a kid-friendly water slide
A second pool with a lazy river (inner tubes available for an additional fee—you can also bring your own!)
Poolside bars, lounge chairs, and daily activities
Cabana rentals for extra comfort
One fun surprise? On the way back from the pool, my kids ran into Gru from Despicable Me hanging out in the lobby! Character sightings like this are common and add a fun, unexpected touch to your stay.
We stayed at Cabana Bay for seven nights, and even then, we couldn’t fit in everything the resort offers. Between the pools, character meet-and-greets, ice cream stops, shopping, the arcade, and the fitness center, our days were full. We didn’t even get to Galaxy Bowling, poolside movie nights, or the fire pits with s’mores—which just gives us an excuse to go back!
Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers an incredible amount of family fun, comfort, and convenience—often without ever needing to leave the resort. It’s a fantastic option for families looking to stay close to the action while still enjoying spacious accommodations and plenty of amenities.
If you’d like to explore Cabana Bay or any of Universal Orlando’s other amazing resorts, I’d love to help you plan the perfect stay.
Note: This stay was booked using rates available to the general public.