Outside, the iconic sign welcomes us as we drive up.
Classic cars are on display.
I don't know how long it will last, but for now, we can even get inside and play with the windows and locks.
The lobby is gorgeous, open, and spacious!
Hey it's the beautiful Cabana Bay girls!
Let's go upstairs from the lobby to the Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio.
My husband tried out the gym already, and he said the equipment was amazing and everything was brand new. Since I didn't seem to get any photos, we will have to take his word for it.
Now, let's check out the Galaxy Bowl.
There is a great menu at Galaxy Bowl, with lots of food choices as well as cocktails, beer, and wine.
Now we will head down the spiral staircase and find ourselves at Starbucks!
There are beautiful Weeki Wachee inspired murals on the walls as a nod to the classic Florida state park and the iconic Starbucks mermaid.
Check out the coffee bean wall. It shows the life cycle of the Starbucks coffee bean from field to grinder.
A bit further back, there are wonderful smells coming from the Bayliner Diner! This food court has something for everyone to enjoy including a salad bar, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and grab-and-go items.
This place is enormous!
The beautiful weather is calling us - so let's head back out towards the pool - and maybe stop by the Swizzle Lounge.
Upon exiting the lobby we have found the first of two pools that Cabana Bay will have upon completion.
This is the larger of the two. The water slide winds through a dive tower... but no diving off of it please... it's just for show! Sliding however is encouraged. The slide ends with a splash into this 10,000 square foot zero-entry pool.
There is also a hot tub that is not pictured here, but check out all the cabanas there are to enjoy!
The band is loud - but they sound great! They're playing mostly contemporary hits instead of the expected 50's and 60's music.
Look to the left to see the Atomic Tonic Pool Bar.
The signature drink is delicious!
This is the Kids Splash Pad.
Later we can relax by the fire pit.
For now, let's take a stroll along the blue bubble walkway...
to Flamingo Park
where we can sit at a picnic table under retro style pavilions.
Now let's head up to the family suite in the Thunderbird wing. It's a great view from up here on the 4th floor!
The first thing we see inside the family suite is the darling little kitchen area.
The couch pulls out into a sofa bed.
There is a nice room divider that slides shut for privacy.
Turn around to see the bathroom. To the left you have a sink and shower.
Retro-style toiletries!
In the middle there is another sink and mirror - and to the right - a private water closet.
I hope you enjoyed this inside look at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort! Thanks for coming along with me today. I think this resort is really "swell" and it's exciting to know it's just the beginning! What do you think of the resort? Share your comments with us - and have a "groovy" day!
I love this style, the one shot of the pool looks like the scene from the first James Bond movie, Dr. No. Universal outdid themselves on the theming of this place and the prices seem very reasonable to be so close to the parks.
I have no idea what the theme of the fifth hotel is going to be, but I'm sure it will be spectacular.
Can anyway say if the proposed green walkway bridge is already there? It should go from the resort across the road straight into City Walk next to Hard Rock Café.
Who knew that a bowling alley with a few props hung on the wall from the sets of Match Game and Patty Duke would have such a huge appeal. It's a bowling alley folks, and not a particularly big one from what I can tell.
And if you're going elsewhere in Florida on your trip, think about renting the car from a neighborhood place AFTER the UOR part of your trip, so you can avoid paying to park your car on days when, frankly, you don't need it.
That said, judging solely from photos, I think Universal did a MUCH better job of theming Cabana Bay than Disney did with Pop Century.
A trip from LA to Disneyland seemed like a cross country drive. The roadside tourist traps with atomic styled coffee shops are just terrible, but they are affordable and the only restaurant available. Take it or leave it. A burger at Bob's Big Boy is gourmet compared with McDonald's.
The ill fitting clothing never looks good on regular folks and especially with the 60s bouffant hair dos. Too many photographs are fashion NOTs. Cabana Bay will bring everything back into style.
Just looking at the photos gave me a headache. Cabana Bay is retro, but true to the look and feel without being completely tacky. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will feel nostalgic when they see CB for the first time.
Next time I go to Universal, I'll probably look hard at staying there, though if I can afford it, I'll just stay at Royal Pacific because I love the boat access, the beautiful walking path, and the Express Pass. But if I can't swing the cost of Royal Pacific, I'll be more than happy to stay at CBBR as it truly looks like what Disney was too cheap to achieve with Pop Century.
While I do think that Universal did a nice job with the themeing, I just don't find it terribly appealing. I have stayed at Pop Century, and it's tacky and gaudy, but that's part of that resort's theme. This new resort seems to take a nod from Pop Century and focuses it to create that unifying late 50's/early 60's theme, which looks straight out of the old Flamingo or Sands Resorts that met their fates over a decade ago. Considering that long walk to the parks and limited perks, I simply don't see the advantage of this resort over major-brand hotels nearby to UOR. If they had Universal Express, at the $100-$150/night rates, then they'd have me, but with just the early admission, I'd probably just book at the nearby places we've stayed at in the past across Kirkman or on I-Drive.
We make the same cost benefit analysis when determining whether to stay on Disney property as well, and without a significant rate discount or a free dining promotion, we wouldn't stay at Disney resorts either.
Parking fee is probably the only negative, but even with that it's cheaper than the value resorts. And if you do intend to stay there for a few days, you don't need the car. It's just part of cost/benefit. It won't be for everyone.
This place will be packed during Halloween Horror nights for those that don't care about express (since only daytime express is included at the others), but still want to stay onsite.
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