Does Universal Studios categorize its resorts in official tiers after the fashion of Disney? I don’t think it does – I think you just kinda deduce how fancy each hotel is through pricing comparison.
UNIVERSAL RESORT MATCHUP: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Were you to apply a Disney-style tier overlay to Universal’s resorts, however, Aventura and Cabana Bay would be their two moderate-level options. Neither resort is cheap, per se, but they’re definitely cheaper than Sapphire Falls, Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino. (Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside would be their value resorts; for this exercise we’re ignoring the new resorts over by Epic Universe.)
Depending on the type of room you choose, a room at Cabana Bay might be a bit more expensive than Aventura and vice versa. Yet their pricing and amenities are similar enough to warrant comparison. Which one is right for you is a personal decision – which I will now intend to influence. Let’s discuss!
LOCATION
Both Cabana Bay and Aventura resorts are on the walkway that travels along the entirety of the original Universal property, from CityWalk all the way down through Volcano Bay. Aventura is technically slightly closer, as it is positioned one street further up the walkway.
Depending on where you stay in Cabana Bay, the difference may be so negligible as to not make a meaningful difference. It only takes a minute to cross one more street. However, if you’re staying at the diametric opposite end of Cabana Bay itself, say in the towers on the far end, you’re looking at an additional 8+ minutes of walking just within the resort itself.
The other interesting thing about Aventura is that you can enter the path at two different spots. If you step onto the path where it parallels the road, it’s the same experience as coming from Cabana Bay. Alternatively, you can walk through the Sapphire Falls hotel next door and take their path entry point on the other side of the building. This way is a bit more scenic as you pass through some fancier hotel landscaping and decoration along the water before merging with the main path later on.
Should you be planning to spend the bulk of your vacation at Volcano Bay, Cabana Bay is directly next to this park. However, it’s the farthest from CityWalk and the main park complex of the on-site resorts.
I’m going to give this one to Aventura for the options and the fact that the experience is the same regardless of your room number. That might change if I were planning a Volcano Bay-heavy trip, although again, Aventura isn’t that much farther.
ROOMS
In terms of room quality – furniture, bedding, etc. – I don’t think there’s any noticeable difference between Aventura and Cabana Bay. Their room type inventory is different, though, so that may be a factor.
Aventura’s tower mostly houses standard rooms. You know, two queens or a king, TV, mini-fridge – all the stuff most hotels have in the modern era. They do advertise some suites, but they’re specifically described as “kids suites” with an extra interior room outfitted in bunk beds. If you’re not a family with kids, that might not be the kind of suite you need.
Cabana Bay, on the other hand, offers a mix of standard rooms and suites that are probably more like what you imagine, with two distinct living areas. You get the back bedroom plus the living room area with its pullout couch and slightly expanded “kitchen.” I say “kitchen” in quotes because you couldn’t really cook-cook here beyond what the microwave allows, although there is a counter and some stools.
The suites are quite reasonably priced, so if you like extra space Cabana Bay has a distinct advantage. Point for Cabana Bay.
VIEWS OF UNIVERSAL
What Aventura offers that Cabana Bay cannot is some serious views. Okay, Cabana Bay does have some parks views – of Volcano Bay. That’s not nothing, of course, but Cabana Bay is MUCH shorter than Aventura.
Aventura, by contrast, is seventeen stories tall and has the views to match… That is, if you’re lucky enough to wind up toward the top. (I wound up toward the bottom as evidenced by the photo at the top of this post, but being behind the hotel sign was also kind of interesting…) High enough up you’re bound to have a solid vista, whether it be of Universal or Fun Spot or even Disney. You can buy your way into these rooms if you prefer a guarantee. I’m inclined to give this point to Aventura.
Even if you aren’t in a high-up-there room, you can still gain access to Aventura’s rooftop through Bar 17 Bistro. Which is as good a segue as any into
RESTAURANTS
Cabana Bay and Aventura both have a lobby Starbucks. They both have a quick service food court, and both remain open late for Halloween Horror Nights. Both have a lobby bar. And both have a full service restaurant… each of which has a unique “feature.”
Bar 17 Bistro is Aventura’s rooftop bar, and its thing is The Views. You can see all of Orlando up there!
Galaxy Bowl is Cabana Bay’s full service restaurant, and its thing is that it’s also a functioning bowling alley. As far as I can tell, the bowling and eating aspects are separate and incur their own individual charges and reservations. Also, I swear when I’ve stayed at Cabana Bay in the past there was a sign that sign bowling was for Cabana Bay guests only, but the internet says I’m wrong about that. Am I crazy, or has the policy changed? Or am I crazy AND the policy has changed?
I would call this one a wash, except that Aventura is also directly next to Universal’s Sapphire Falls resort. This one is a tier up and has multiple nice restaurants – like Strong Water Tavern – you can explore in a fancier setting. You could of course walk over from Cabana Bay too, but it’ll take longer. One point to Aventura.
THEME & AMENITIES
For the most part, Aventura and Cabana Bay offer the same amenities. Both have a gym, although Cabana Bay’s has a light Jack LaLanne overlay to it (and you can even pick up some Jack LaLanne merch in the gift shop!). I haven’t been to the gym at Cabana Bay, but it does look fancier than Aventura’s.
Both resorts also have a pool complex with an associated pool bar, of course – but Cabana Bay also has a lazy river. They also offer cabanas for rent.
If theme is important to you, Cabana Bay is stronger there too, with a ’50s Atomic Age design. Aventura also has a distinct vibe, but it’s much more swoopy-modern – not so much camp. You may prefer the latter if elegance is more your vibe, but I’m inclined to give this point to Cabana Bay for both the overt theme and beefed up pool complex.
FOOTPRINT
By footprint I mean the overall size of the resort grounds – and that is arguably the biggest consideration when choosing between these two hotels.
Cabana Bay is large and sprawling, with multiple buildings spread out across its area. Walking from one end to the other can easily take ten or more minutes depending on how fast your party walks. If your room is on the outer fringes, it can also take a while to walk to the main building and its shops and restaurants. For those in the far towers, you’ll need to tack on elevator or stair time. And this is all assuming good weather; you’re exposed to the elements between Cabana Bay’s infrastructure.
Aventura, by contrast, consists of a singular tower. That’s it. Top floor? Bottom floor? It’s all an elevator ride away: bars, restaurants, gift shop, concierge, gym. You never have to go outside if you don’t want to.
Now, that being said, Aventura’s amenities are also scaled down accordingly. Just about everything about Cabana Bay is bigger, including the gift shop and common areas. Larger parties might even prefer this in combination with Cabana Bay’s suites.
Personally I would give the point to Aventura, as I value efficiency of both time and space. But this one is definitely up for debate.
SO WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY DURING YOUR UNIVERSAL TRIP?
Tallying up my points in the above sections, Aventura is the winner… with a pretty big caveat: those points were awarded based on a narrow scope of priority largely reflective of my values. Value is subjective, baby!
My preference for Aventura is largely centered around the ease at which you can move about the resort regardless of where fate places your room. If you care more about increased space, or want to spend a whole afternoon in the lazy river, or adore Atomic Age decor, Cabana Bay could readily take the W. I don’t think there’s a wrong choice here.
And indeed, there is even a secret third choice: pick one and hang out at the other! Cabana Bay’s main building and pool are within ten minutes’ walk or less of Aventura’s tower. While it won’t be quite as convenient to eat at Bar 17 Bistro or go bowling from the other hotel, it doesn’t require more than a little bit of walking time. I understand Universal even allows reciprocity between pools!
Now if you’re hoping for a Sharknado, you’ll have to go to Cabana Bay for that. Don’t forget to pack your chainsaw.
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