Why We Chose Cabana Bay Beach Resort
As a family who loves theme parks and water parks in equal measure, this was the ideal spot for our mid-holiday break. Even though we were staying at Disney for the rest of our trip, the taxi drive to Universal was well worth it for what Cabana Bay offered.
Checking In and First Impressions
Check-in was quick and easy, and we were given our room keys and early entry information for the next morning. The lobby is stunning, filled with bright colours, mid-century furniture, and palm trees. It felt lively and welcoming, and there were plenty of staff around to help.
We had booked a Standard Room, which offered views of Volcano Bay. The room was clean, spacious, and well-equipped with two queen beds, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and a retro-style bathroom with a separate sink are great for getting ready in the mornings with the whole family.
Afternoon at Volcano Bay
As soon as we dropped off our bags, we changed into our swimwear and headed over to Volcano Bay. One of the best parts of staying at Cabana Bay is the private walkway to the water park. It took us less than 10 minutes to get from our room to the park entrance.
Volcano Bay is unlike any water park we’ve ever visited. It’s beautifully themed, with the massive Krakatau volcano at the centre, surrounded by beautiful landscaping, waterfalls, and sandy beaches. We absolutely loved the TapuTapu wearable, which allowed us to reserve our spot in line for rides, access our locker, and even make contactless payments.
Highlights of our time at Universal's Volcano Bay included -
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster – A thrilling water coaster ride through the volcano.
- Honu - 4 person water ride that had us screaming with laughter. It was lots of fun.
- TeAwa The Fearless River – A fast-paced lazy river that was so much fun, we rode it three times!
We decided not to eat at the hotel and headed to CityWalk for dinner. The hotel diner did look lovely but because we only had a short time at Universal this time we wanted to make the most of it.
Early Entry to Islands of Adventure
We checked out early, left our luggage in the luggage storage, and hopped on the free shuttle bus from Cabana Bay to the park entrance. Buses run regularly, and we arrived with plenty of time before the early entry began.
Exploring More of Cabana Bay
The hotel’s food options include:
- Bayliner Diner – Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with lots of kid-friendly choices.
- Galaxy Bowl Restaurant – Located inside the bowling alley.
- Swizzle Lounge – Perfect for a relaxing drink in the evening.
- Hideaway Bar & Grill – By the pool with sandwiches, snacks, and refreshing drinks.
Is It Worth Staying at Cabana Bay Just for Volcano Bay and Early Entry?
Absolutely. Even though we were primarily staying at Walt Disney World, we found our night at Cabana Bay Beach Resort to be an ideal way to enjoy the best of Universal without committing to a full resort change. For families looking to visit Volcano Bay and Universal’s theme parks, staying at Cabana Bay is a fantastic option.
You get:
- Walking access to Volcano Bay
- Early park admission
- On-site dining and entertainment
- Spacious, family-friendly rooms
- Free shuttle service to the parks
It made our Universal experience smoother, more relaxed, and gave us access to two amazing parks without the stress of same-day travel.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're planning to split your stay between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, or just want a convenient hotel close to the water park, Cabana Bay is a fantastic choice for families. We’ll definitely consider staying longer next time to fully enjoy everything this vibrant resort has to offer.
We loved staying on site that we booked a night during the second week of our stay at Aventura Hotel which was another amazing experience.
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