Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Universal Orlando Expands the Cabana Bay

August 31, 2015, 8:30 AM · Universal Orlando Resort today confirmed that it will expand its popular Cabana Bay Beach Resort adding 400 rooms in two new buildings on the south end of the hotel.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

The Googie-inspired resort now offers 1,800 rooms, divided equally between family suites and standard hotel rooms. The Cabana Bay is the lowest-priced of the four Universal Orlando hotels. The tradeoff is that the Cabana Bay is the only on-site hotel not connected to the resort's parks via water taxi and that does not offer free Universal Express passes to its guests. But with prices that rival Disney's Value resorts with accommodations more in line with Disney's Moderates, the Cabana Bay has won fans.

Universal and its hotel partner, Loews, are building a fifth hotel, the Caribbean-themed Sapphire Falls Resort, which will open next year. Positioned between the Cabana Bay and the Royal Pacific both literally and in price, the Sapphire Falls will have 1,000 guest rooms and substantial convention facilities.

The Cabana Bay expansion will open in 2017 and overlook the new Volcano Bay water park, which will open the same year.

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Replies (7)

TonyAtTheShore
Tony Duda
August 31, 2015 at 8:43 AM · And I was hoping the open southern end of the resort was so that all those rooms would have a view of the volcano erupting. Silly me.
RobPastor
Rob Pastor
August 31, 2015 at 10:02 AM · But the Tower rooms facing Volcano Bay will have even a better view. Teebin, on OU, actually said there'd be 2 towers added around 18 months ago. CBBR is a really great resort for the money. The main pool & courtyard just blew me away with it's beauty the first night I arrived. The suites, though on the small side, are a fantastic value for the price. The Lazy River is excellent and doesn't get crowded since you have to bring or buy your own tube (a great idea to keep the Lazy River lazy & comfortable. Pools are large and beautifully landscaped. The food court is interesting and it's a quick trip to the parks via the landscaped walkway or the buses that rarely have a wait of more than a couple of minutes. Lots of bars on property and fire pits for night ambiance. As Robert said, it's priced as a Disney value but it's similar to the Disney moderates.
robert
Editor
Robert Niles
August 31, 2015 at 2:28 PM · People at Universal have been saying since Cabana Bay opened that this expansion was coming, so the formal announcement is not any kind of surprise. Universal was hedging against the resort not being a hit by not just building the whole thing at once. But they've built enough market demand for the resort that going ahead now, and tying the expansion opening to Volcano Bay, just makes good business sense.
TonyAtTheShore
Tony Duda
August 31, 2015 at 2:46 PM · I wonder if these two CBBR towers were in any way confused with the 2 towers oplned about for the Wet & Wild site? I think those will still be built in about 3 years.
robert
Editor
Robert Niles
August 31, 2015 at 3:18 PM · Wet & Wild is a different deal, yes. I expect an announcement on that after Wet & Wild closes next summer.
DanMcNeely
Dan McNeely
September 1, 2015 at 10:08 AM · I’m trying to picture where these rooms will go. Will they take up space in the Waterpark?

Here’s my rough diagram. Guesses on if the new rooms will go in Option 1 or Option 2?

http://screencast.com/t/cQIMWKYYTWi

anonymous
24.0.35.136
September 5, 2015 at 8:51 AM · I think its wrong for not giving the express pass to the guests who stay at cabana bay,you are still staying on property,it kind of tells you that their thought is since you can't afford the high end rooms you are not a important as those who can pay more

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