Universal’s Cabana Bay is the best budget Orlando Waterpark Hotel because they have an awesome lazy river and water slide. Universal Resorts is known for their amusement park but they have several nice hotels. Cabana Bay is the budget Universal Resort hotel similar to Disney’s Value Resorts but better. It’s perfect for an affordable family vacation. In addition to enjoying Cabana bays lazy river waterslides and pools, Universal studios allow you to pool hop (check directly with the resort for any Covid restrictions).
It’s a great waterpark hotel for a cheap family vacation. Book a room with a kitchen. If no there are affordable dining opportunities to help you stick to your family vacation on a budget.
While Cabana Bay has it’s own entrance to Universal’s Volcano Bay Water park, admission is not included with your stay. If you are planning to also visit the parks, learn why Universal Studios is great for young kids too.
Cabana Bay Budget Orlando Waterpark Hotel Cost
A night at cabana bay starts at around $148.79 in February 2021. This price can dip lower or higher depending on the season. Family Suite that sleeps six includes kitchenette with fridge and microwave starting at around $197.10. Having the Kitchenette with fridge and microwave can save a lot of food for a family. Eating out of your suitcase is an easy way to save especially when you fly southwest airlines where you can check 2 bags for free.
Staying at Universal Studios Orlando’s Cabana Bay on Points
You can book Cabana’s Bay through the Chase Ultimate Reward portal. A rate of $148.79 per night with the Chase Sapphire Reserve portal (1.5x) is only 9,919 PTS per night with family suites around 13,140 pts per night.
Resort Hotel without Visiting the Park
You can visit Universal Resort Hotels with out visiting Universal Studios Theme parks. The resort themselves are a nice vacation. Cabana Bay has a bowling alley (For an additional fee) and resort shuttle to Universal’s City Walk with restaurants and entertainment available.
Universal City Walk
Universal City Walk is an entertainment area that is fun to visit. There’s some great restaurant for families such as Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium where they have amazing chocolate desserts and a fun steam punk robot theme. Margaritaville is another fun family restaurant in City Walk, with stilt walkers that will make a balloon creation for your kids and also the pixy stick waxy sticks that kids can play with and create things while they wait for their meal. There’s also more affordable options such as Hot Dog Hall of Fame and Burger King.
Cabana Bay Tips
- Bring your own soap and maybe all toiletries. Cabana Bay tries for an authentic experience so you get zest soap and V05 shampoo and conditioner. I don’t mind the V05 but I am allergic to zest and its a pretty harsh soap for anyone who isn’t.
- The giant windows looking out to the pool area is wonderful but do not hold out sound so we were able to hear the movie night sound. bring ear plus or avoid pool view rooms is you are sensitive to noise and want to sleep before 11pm.
- Bring your own pool float for the lazy river to save but you can also buy pool floats there depending on size and features the price varies.
- There’s a microwave in the lobby by the food court if you bring microwave food you can heat it there and then just sit and enjoy it in the food court. they also sell food staples there but packing your own pbj can save money. the food court has condiments if you forget any.
Pool hopping at Universal Orlando Resort hotels
During non-Covid times Universal Orlando allows for pool hoping. This can be a fun way to explore different resorts. Hard Rock Hotel plays music that you can hear under water in their pool. Sapphire Falls has a someone basic waterslide but it’s our kids favorite. Royal Pacific has a boat splash area near their pool. Occasionally they have evening entertainment such as a dive in movie or Hula and fire dancers. If you stop at Royal Pacific make sure to grab their Shipwrecked nachos a full order is enough for a meal for 2-4 people. You can ask for half beef and half chicken to add variety. Ask the Hotels for their weekly entertainment schedule so you can see what’s being offered during your stay.
Cabana Bay is The Best Budget Orlando Waterpark Hotel
Cabana Bay is the best Orlando Budget Waterpark Hotel because they have an awesome lazy river and water slide. Combined with the ability’s to resort hop , and access to Universal’s City walk, will make for a very fun vacation. While there may be bigger water park hotels, Cabana bay is the Best Orlando Budget Water Park Hotel.
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