Park Days With Picketts

We’ve stayed at Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort before and always enjoyed it, but this trip was a little different — it was our first time going with a baby. Traveling as a family definitely changes the experience, and I wasn’t sure how everything would work out. Would the room feel big enough? Would the pool be baby-friendly? Would it be easy to manage meals and naps without too much stress?

Cabana Bay ended up being a really good choice for us. It had plenty of space, lots of family-friendly touches, and enough to do that we could enjoy ourselves without feeling like we had to leave the resort. Of course, there were a few challenges, but overall it was a fun and memorable getaway. Here’s how our stay went.

Parking

Parking was probably the one part of Cabana Bay that we didn’t love. The good news is there are plenty of spaces, and you can usually park close to your room without a long walk. There’s also garage parking if you prefer that. The not-so-great news? The cost. Since we had two cars, the parking fees added up quickly — almost as much as our actual stay. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’re driving in with family.

Check-In

Check-in itself was a breeze, which was such a relief with the baby. While my husband handled the paperwork, I took our little one to explore the lobby. We peeked into the gift shop, made a quick Starbucks stop, wandered through the food court, and even went upstairs to check out the bowling alley. We didn’t end up bowling since it was packed, but it looked like a fun option if you catch it at a quieter time.

The Room

We booked a family suite, and it ended up being the perfect size for our group of four adults plus a baby. The suite had two queen beds, a pull-out couch (so three beds in total), a sitting area, a kitchenette, and a sliding door that gave some privacy between the bedroom space and the living area.

The hotel provided a pack and play for the baby, which was a huge help. Overall, we felt like we had plenty of space to spread out. The only hiccup was housekeeping — they never made it to our room, maybe because we were inside so often during the day. We had to hunt someone down for fresh towels, which wasn’t ideal but manageable.

The Pool

Most of our time was spent poolside, and it was definitely the highlight of the trip. The view of Volcano Bay from the pool area was beautiful, and the lazy river was a big hit for us. There’s also a splash pad, though it’s definitely more geared toward toddlers who are walking, not crawlers (the ground was a bit rough).

One thing I really appreciated was how family-friendly everything felt. Towels were provided, and when we realized we forgot swim diapers, the resort had those available too. They also let us use a baby float in the pool, which made things so much easier. Since our room was close by, it wasn’t hard to pop upstairs for naps and then head right back down to the pool.

The only tip I’d give: get there early if you want good seats.

Food & Dining

For the most part, we kept meals simple. We brought food for breakfast and lunch, then hopped on the free buses to CityWalk for dinner each night. Our go-to spot was Margaritaville — it’s become a family tradition, and we jokingly call it “old faithful” because it’s where we always end up when we can’t decide.

One funny side story: I had a total “mom brain” moment and left my purse at the restaurant. Thankfully, Universal’s guest services called me that same night to let me know they had it. I was able to pick it up the next morning, which was such a relief!

Back at the resort, I didn’t try the full food court or room service, but I did make multiple Starbucks runs (crowded but quick) and we made two trips to the ice cream shop — both times were delicious, and surprisingly, there was no line.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Cabana Bay turned out to be a great choice for a staycation with a baby. It had enough to do that we never felt like we had to leave the resort, but with CityWalk and the parks just a quick bus ride away, we had the best of both worlds. The retro theme is fun, the pools are fantastic, and it’s very kid-friendly. If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to stay at Universal Orlando, Cabana Bay is worth checking out.