Cabana Bay Beach Resort
PleasantvilleGo way back to a bygone era when family vacations were spent actually arguing in person, rather than by sending passive-aggressive texts or inappropriate Snaps. Cabana Bay Beach Resort, the spanking-new “Rat Pack in Palm Springs”-esque hotel complex just outside Universal’s new Volcano Bay water park, harkens back to those good old days with retro styling and mid-century modern decor. (Phone addicts: The bright, geometric murals and ’50s-era motifs are acutely Instagrammable.)
Their Florida resident deals, which begin in August and continue through September, are pretty swingin’, too, with room rates starting at just $104 for a single room and $129 for a family suite, which sleeps six and has an extra-large bathroom and kitchenette.
The tower expansion is now complete, adding 400 more rooms to the sprawling 2,200-room resort. If you think that means you’ll be sweaty-shoulder-to-sweaty-shoulder all the time, that’s not exactly true. The outdoor space at Cabana Bay is positively groovy. The 6,000-square-foot sand beach and 8,000-square-foot zero-entry pool is enough to convince many guests to snag a lounger and bake in the Central Florida sun, or float around in the lazy river for a few hours.
We suggest pre-shopping at one of Orlando’s myriad vintage boutiques. For ladies, a killer caftan and some oversized sunglasses to really get into the spirit; men, those shortie Moondoggy shorts are back in vogue. Show off your glam gams as you sidle up for a Manhattan or to make friends with Sinatra’s BFF, Jack Daniels, at the Swizzle Lounge. Universal just released its new Florida Resident three-park admission prices, so if you want to climb the Krakatau volcano, say hi to Kong and hit up Jurassic Park, you can travel via complimentary woody-style buses. At minimum, you’ll want 48 hours to ensconce yourself – two days for the Universal theme parks and to explore Volcano Bay. Expect to pay about $230 for the two-day, three-park pass for locals.
6550 Adventure Way, 407-503-4000, loewshotels.com/cabana-bay-hotel
