We spend a good amount of time over at the Disney Resorts. But, Universal Orlando? You wouldn’t believe some of the AWESOME spots where you can stay during your visit to the parks.

We’ve given you tours of Universal’s Aventura Resort and Loews Royal Pacific Resort, as we wait for places like Loews Sapphire Falls Resort to reopen soon! Just like Disney’s resorts, Universal has different levels of hotels to fit all needs and budgets. And, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort just might be the BEST Value Resort out of both Universal Orlando and Disney World.

When you take a trip to Universal’s Cabana Bay, you’re transported back to the 1950s and 1960s with a retro atmosphere and all sorts of incredible features.

The decorations themselves are already perfect for your cutest photo-ops…

…but we NEED to talk about those amenities. Cabana Bay has two huge pools, complete with a waterslide…

…and a lazy river. (The Hippy Dippy Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort is quaking!)

After you take a dip in the pool, you can work out in the hotel’s gym, the Jack LaLanne Fitness Studio

Or, you can score a strike at the 10-lane bowling alley, or even face off against your friends at the arcade inside the hotel. This definitely isn’t something you see at your everyday Value Resort.

The food we’ve eaten so far (one meal paired with a cocktail) was way better than we’ve had at Disney’s Value Resorts. Plus, there are fire pits and s’mores kits, a literal Starbucks…

…and both sit-down dining and bar locations.

The resort itself is HUGE with 920 family suites that come a kitchenette and sleep up to six people and 1,280 standard rooms that sleep up to four, as well as 2-bedroom suites.

Guests even receive Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and select attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the parks officially open.

Cabana Bay is within walking distance to Universal’s parks with a private entrance leading to Volcano Bay. Universal’s CityWalk is close by as well, and complimentary shuttle buses are available for transportation.

Compared to Disney’s Value Resorts (Art of Animation, who?!), Universal’s Cabana Bay has more amenities, dining locations, and exists in closer proximity to the parks. For rates that are generally lower than you find at Disney’s Value Resorts, you’re getting more amenities at a lower price!

At Disney’s Value Resorts, you’ll find bright, larger-than-life theming which has a whimsical feel similar to Cabana Bay. However, their pools are a bit more simple, lacking exciting features like lazy rivers and slides. You can still find water slides at Disney’s Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, but you’ll have to pay more.

A serious perk of Cabana Bay is its proximity to Universal’s theme parks. The majority of Disney’s Value Resorts aren’t particularly close to the parks, and many only offer bus transportation. Though, at Pop Century Resort, you’ll have access to the Disney Skyliner. Generally speaking, to be close to Disney World’s parks, you’ll have to shell out a lot of cash to stay at a Deluxe Resort.

So, when it comes to Value Resorts, Universal’s Cabana Bay scores some serious points. And, we’ll be sure to give you a tour of everything happening in Universal Orlando soon. Stay tuned to AllEars for the latest theme park news!

Is Universal Orlando’s dining plan REALLY worth it?

What’s your favorite Universal Resort to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

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