ExpatDisneyLover
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
This is my first stay at a Universal hotel and my first trip to Universal Studios Orlando. I am a dedicated Disney fan and well just found myself out of the Disney prices for this 14 day trip. So after looking around and finding the "stay more, save more" rate for Cabana Bay Beach Resort decided to give it a go. I also enjoy Harry Potter so thought a Universal annual pass would be a good idea since I am here for 14 days.
First impressions - I love the hotel. For the price (something like $85/night) absolutely cannot be beat IMO- anywhere in Orlando that I am aware - and I have lived in Orlando for almost a year back in 2011 and stayed in several different hotels in the area. One of the things I was annoyed about in choosing a Universal hotel was the charge for parking. However, upon check in, they gave me a discount of half price parking since I was staying for so long. This made me really grateful as it was a sore point for me. Good job on that one Universal! Excellent customer service! After checking in, I went to the Attractions ticket desk at the hotel and picked up my preferred annual pass which I had paid for online - easy breezy. Another customer service plus. I also went to the gift shop and put some money on a Universal gift card to use for dining and shopping. It has worked very well and I will definitely do this again - really helps to manage money when I didn't want to put the $1,400 hold on my credit card for room charging.
Room quality - The room quality is a great value. It feels even better in person than the photos. The bed is super comfortable and I have slept great from day one. Way more comfortable than other budget priced hotels I have stayed at - including Disney ones. The room size is good value - queen beds and the bathroom has a little bit more space than some. The sheets are also comfy - not at all scratchy. Plus the aircon/heating is super quiet - hardly noticeable when it comes on. Universal did a nice job on this hotel! Well done! I will definitely book again.
Amenities - So far I have used the lazy river and pool including the pool side movies. The weather is a bit chilly but the pools are warm and I have enjoyed taking an afternoon/evening swim since arriving. There are plenty of towels, which was really helpful last night when it was so cold - definitely needed a pile to get warm. It was really nice to have what we needed - a lot of us wrapped up like mummies waiting for the Harry Potter pool side movie to start. I purchased a tube for about $10 which I thought was well worth it as it is huge and a nice souvenir saying "Cabana Beach Resort". I haven't eaten at the food court yet.
In relation to the other Universal hotels - since I haven't stayed at them - don't know but as far as convenience goes, the bus transportation is good from Cabana Bay. In the future I may choose Sapphire Falls for the water taxi - it does make a difference IMO - and it is a bit of a walk from Cabana Bay to Sapphire falls along the garden path and when my feet are hurting I don't often choose it so take the bus which requires one to go through the Universal garage area - not a deal breaker but noticeable.
All in all - I would stay here again in a heartbeat. In fact it could easily become my go to resort in Orlando. First I need to try Sapphire Falls - I suppose - or at least some of the other Universal hotels. Highly recommend for good value the "stay more, save more" rate.
First impressions - I love the hotel. For the price (something like $85/night) absolutely cannot be beat IMO- anywhere in Orlando that I am aware - and I have lived in Orlando for almost a year back in 2011 and stayed in several different hotels in the area. One of the things I was annoyed about in choosing a Universal hotel was the charge for parking. However, upon check in, they gave me a discount of half price parking since I was staying for so long. This made me really grateful as it was a sore point for me. Good job on that one Universal! Excellent customer service! After checking in, I went to the Attractions ticket desk at the hotel and picked up my preferred annual pass which I had paid for online - easy breezy. Another customer service plus. I also went to the gift shop and put some money on a Universal gift card to use for dining and shopping. It has worked very well and I will definitely do this again - really helps to manage money when I didn't want to put the $1,400 hold on my credit card for room charging.
Room quality - The room quality is a great value. It feels even better in person than the photos. The bed is super comfortable and I have slept great from day one. Way more comfortable than other budget priced hotels I have stayed at - including Disney ones. The room size is good value - queen beds and the bathroom has a little bit more space than some. The sheets are also comfy - not at all scratchy. Plus the aircon/heating is super quiet - hardly noticeable when it comes on. Universal did a nice job on this hotel! Well done! I will definitely book again.
Amenities - So far I have used the lazy river and pool including the pool side movies. The weather is a bit chilly but the pools are warm and I have enjoyed taking an afternoon/evening swim since arriving. There are plenty of towels, which was really helpful last night when it was so cold - definitely needed a pile to get warm. It was really nice to have what we needed - a lot of us wrapped up like mummies waiting for the Harry Potter pool side movie to start. I purchased a tube for about $10 which I thought was well worth it as it is huge and a nice souvenir saying "Cabana Beach Resort". I haven't eaten at the food court yet.
In relation to the other Universal hotels - since I haven't stayed at them - don't know but as far as convenience goes, the bus transportation is good from Cabana Bay. In the future I may choose Sapphire Falls for the water taxi - it does make a difference IMO - and it is a bit of a walk from Cabana Bay to Sapphire falls along the garden path and when my feet are hurting I don't often choose it so take the bus which requires one to go through the Universal garage area - not a deal breaker but noticeable.
All in all - I would stay here again in a heartbeat. In fact it could easily become my go to resort in Orlando. First I need to try Sapphire Falls - I suppose - or at least some of the other Universal hotels. Highly recommend for good value the "stay more, save more" rate.
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I was kind of wishing I had done a split stay between the two. Yeah I do like the vibe at Cabana Bay - and the room is soooo comfortable IMO! I keep saying to myself - "I love this hotel!" I don't say that about many hotels - maybe Animal Kingdom Lodge but other than that can't think of any. About the dimensions - sorry yeah I am in a standard tower room - only a round table and dresser here. But hope you can find out what you need. Enjoy your future trips!
