Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
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Photos: Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Our take
By Matt Spaulding, Founder and writer
Cabana Bay is Universal's 1950s motor-court fantasy scaled up to 2,200 rooms, and both halves of that matter. The mid-century styling goes deeper than a paint job, and the recreation runs well ahead of the price tier: two courtyards with zero-entry pools, a sand beach, a waterslide, a lazy river (tubes cost extra) and the ten-lane Galaxy Bowl. The best feature is geographic, with one big asterisk. A dedicated path and private gate put you inside Volcano Bay in a few minutes, no bus involved. But Volcano Bay closes on October 26, 2026 for the season, with reopening expected on or before April 1, 2027, and the path closes with it, so a winter stay loses the thing this hotel does best. The other trade is Universal Express Unlimited. Cabana Bay guests do not get it, so if you plan on riding hard at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, price the Express add-on before calling this the cheaper stay. Then there is scale. Reviewers describe 20-minute waits at the Bayliner Diner food court after park close, the Cabana Courtyard pool packed over spring break, and a long interior walk from the lobby to a far room. Rooms are clean but plain, and the split bathroom in the family suites puts the sink on the shower side instead of with the toilet, which parents either love or find awkward. Best booked for water park season, with patience for crowds.
Quick facts
- Express Pass
- Not included. Universal Express Unlimited comes with a stay only at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific, covering participating rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Epic Universe sells its own Express, which must be bought and comes with no hotel stay.
- Parking
- Self-park $26 plus tax per night, per vehicle.
- Resort fee
- None
- Park access
- Free shuttle to CityWalk and the parks, or a 15 to 25 minute walk on the Garden Walk path. No water taxi dock here; Sapphire Falls next door has one. Private gate into Volcano Bay, closed with the park from October 26, 2026, with reopening expected on or before April 1, 2027.
- Pool
- Two courtyards: zero-entry pools, sand beach, waterslide, lazy river (tubes extra), hot tubs.
- Rooms
- 2,200 total. Standards 300 sq ft sleep 4; family suites sleep 6 with kitchenette.
Where you are
📍 6550 Adventure Way, Orlando, FL 32819Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Open in Maps →Cabana Bay sits on Adventure Way on Universal's south campus, right next to Volcano Bay and a short walk from Sapphire Falls. International Drive dining is a few minutes by car.
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Is Universal Express Pass included at Cabana Bay Beach Resort?
No. Universal Express Unlimited comes with a stay only at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific, and it covers participating rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Cabana Bay guests buy Express separately. Epic Universe sells its own Express Pass as well, and no hotel stay includes that one either.
Does Cabana Bay charge a resort fee?
No. Cabana Bay does not charge a nightly resort fee, which is unusual for Orlando. Parking is the fee to budget for instead.
How much is parking at Cabana Bay?
$26 plus tax per night for overnight guests, charged per vehicle. That is the self-park rate the hotel publishes.
How do you get to the Universal parks from Cabana Bay?
Free shuttle buses run roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, and the ride to CityWalk takes just a few minutes. You can also walk the Garden Walk pedestrian path in about 15 to 25 minutes. Volcano Bay has its own gate and path straight from the resort, though both close with the park on October 26, 2026, and the operator expects the park to reopen on or before April 1, 2027. Epic Universe is bus only, around 15 to 20 minutes. Cabana Bay has no water taxi dock; Sapphire Falls next door does.
Do Cabana Bay guests get early park admission?
Yes. Every Universal on-site hotel guest gets up to one hour of Early Park Admission at select attractions, with Universal choosing the park. It is a separate perk from Express, it includes Epic Universe, and Cabana Bay gets it in full.
Is Cabana Bay worth it without Express Pass?
Mostly if your trip is water-park heavy and falls while Volcano Bay is open. Epic Universe sells only single-use Express, so the unlimited perk is worth less than it looks if Epic is a big part of your plan. If you are riding hard at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in peak season, compare the total with Express bought separately against Portofino Bay, Hard Rock or Royal Pacific, where it comes with the room.
Things to do nearby
All Orlando things to do →
Airboat tourBoggy Creek Airboat RidesKissimmeeAn airboat ride across open Everglades marsh, 30 minutes south of Disney, wild gators and all.See tickets →
Museum & funKennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexMerritt IslandWalk beneath the real Space Shuttle Atlantis and a 363-foot moon rocket, an hour east of the parks.See tickets →
Wildlife & natureCentral Florida Zoo & Botanical GardensSanfordA calm, cheaper half-day with 350-plus animals, 35 minutes north of the theme-park crowds.See tickets →
Airboat tourOrlando Everglades Join-In Airboat Tour (with Transportation)OrlandoA no-rental-car airboat ride through Central Florida marshes, with the "Everglades" name doing some heavy lifting.See tickets →