What is the Difference Between Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Resort?

What is the Difference Between Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Resort?

What is the Difference Between Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Resort?

This article is your guide to Cabana Bay vs. Endless Summer Resorts! Both Endless Summer Resorts and Cabana Bay Beach Resort offer budget-friendly hotels at Universal Orlando. The biggest differences between Cabana Bay and Endless Summer are the pricing and location of the hotels. Cabana Bay Beach Resort is slightly more expensive, with a better location than theme parks and water parks.

In this guide, we’re going to compare Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer hotels to help you with your decision.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for a Universal Early Park Admission calendar, be sure to check out our Orlando crowd calendar, which we include in all of this information! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What is the Difference Between Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer?

Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer

Both Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Endless Summer Resorts fall into “value” categories, which means these resorts are affordable but don’t offer the nicest benefits and amenities. Cabana Bay is a Prime Value resort, so it is slightly more expensive than Endless Summer, but better amenities like a lazy river and more restaurants. Endless Summer Resorts refers to two different sister hotels that exist on the same “campus” but have separate buildings and rooms for guests to book.

Main Differences Between Cabana Bay and Endless Summer Resorts

Resort Tiers:

  • Endless Summer Resorts: Value category – cheapest, budget value
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Prime Value, offering slightly better amenities and perks

Location:

  • Endless Summer Resorts(Both Dockside Inn and Surfside Inn & Suites): On-site, but the farthest hotels, about a mile, requiring transportation to parks by bus
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Closer to theme parks and Volcano Bay with walking paths to CityWalk

Cabana Bay Beach Resort room pricing

  • Standard Room – Starting at $145
  • Universal Cabana Bay Family Suite – Starting at $180
  • Volcano Bay 2 Bedroom Suite – Starting at $395

Endless Summer Resort 2024 room pricing

  • Dockside Standard – Starting at $99
  • Dockside 2 Bedroom Suite – Starting at $144
  • Surfside Standard – Starting at $96
  • Surfside 2 Bedroom Suite – Starting at $144

Room Comparison:

  • Endless Summer Resorts: Offers standard and 2-bedroom suites with a basic beachy theme
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Features standard rooms, family suites, and Volcano Bay view rooms with a vibrant retro theme

Theme and Design:

  • Endless Summer Resorts: Subtle ocean and sunset themes with a focus on comfort
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Bright, bold, retro-neon theme reminiscent of the 1950s beach resorts

Pools:

  • Endless Summer Resorts: Basic pool offerings without additional water features
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Features a lazy river and two pool areas, including a slide and more recreational activities

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando Characters

Endless Summer vs Cabana Bay – Which Has a Better Location?

Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer

When it comes to Cabana Bay or Endless Summer Resort for location, Cabana Bay beats Endless Summer. While there is free transportation from every single Universal Orlando hotel, this is the only Universal Resort that is located “off campus” and is across I-4 about a mile from the parks. All other Universal Orlando hotels are connected to CityWalk through transportation (Bus or Boat) or the Garden Walkway.

Especially if you plan on visiting Volcano Bay Water Park, there is a separate entrance just for Cabana Bay guests, which is only a 5-minute walk away. There is a walking path from Cabana Bay to Universal that takes about 20-25 minutes to walk right into CityWalk. Whether it be for the theme parks or for Volcano Bay, all around, Cabana Bay Beach Resort beats Endless Summer for location.

Winner: Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Related Post: Guide to Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando with Free Shuttle

What Resort is Cheaper to Say at – Endless Summer or Cabana Bay Beach Resort?

dockside-lobby

If you’re looking for the cheapest option for your Universal Orlando vacation, then Endless Summer is the best choice for your needs. With that being said, Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s pricing is not too much higher, so we don’t consider the price to be a deal breaker.  Most rooms won’t cost you more than $150 at the Endless Summer Resorts, but the cheapest rooms at Cabana Bay start at $145. This means that no matter what, you’ll be paying more at Cabana Bay.

When considering the price and choosing between Endless Summer and Cabana Bay, both resorts fall within the value tier and offer affordable options compared to other Universal hotels. However, it’s important to note that if you’re in search of family suites at Universal Orlando, Endless Summer Resorts do not provide them.

Winner: Endless Summer Resorts

Related Post: Shop Endless Summer Rooms

Which Has Better Rooms?

Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Rooms

Comparing rooms for Cabana Bay and Endless Summer Resorts, there isn’t much of a difference looking at the big picture. Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers 2,200 guest rooms, Dockside Inn & Suites has 2,050, and Surfside Inn & Suites has 750 different rooms. That means, overall, each resort has plenty of rooms to choose from, except Surfside Inn & Suites, which has a significantly lower room count.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Rooms

  • Standard Rooms: 300 sq. ft., two queen beds, flat-screen TV, and accommodates up to 4 guests. Options include indoor, outdoor, poolside, or Volcano Bay view rooms. The Volcano Bay View rooms are a favorite—you wake up to a stunning view of the volcano!
  • 2-Bedroom Suites: 772 sq. ft., two full bedrooms, a queen bedroom, full-size pull-out sofa, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette. Sleeps up to 8 guests.
  • Family Suites: 430 sq. ft. suite to accommodate up to 6 guests,  with queen beds, a full-size pull-out sofa, and a separate living area. The suite includes a kitchenette with a mini-fridge and microwave, a small dining area, and a split bathroom with separate vanity, shower, and toilet areas.

Which Resort Has Better Pools?

Pools-Cabana-Bay-Vs-Endless-Summer

Cabana Bay Beach Resort is one of the best hotels on Universal property with what they offer for their pools, especially since it has a lazy river! There are many areas to splash around or catch some sun rays, with guests loving the pool area at Cabana Bay.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Pools

First off, not only is Cabana Bay Beach Resort only a 5-minute walk away from Volcano Bay, but it also has pretty amazing poolside offerings. There are two different pool areas at Cabana Bay: the Atomic Courtyard and the Lazy River Courtyard. The Atomic Courtyard features zero-entry pools, a sandy beach, a themed dive tower water slide, a poolside bar, and poolside activities (hula hoop contests, ping-pong, poolside movies).

The Lazy River Courtyard has the same pool features, like zero-entry and a sand beach, but also a lazy river!

Endless Summer Resort Pools

For Endless Summer Resorts, you’re going to find rather generic hotel pools with nothing special. There are no hot tubs, fire pits, cabanas, or even obvious theming, for that matter.

Surfside Inn & Suites: has a pool that is surfboard shaped and even has a part of the pool that is a little more shallow and has fewer jets for kiddos to enjoy. Surfside Inn & Suites also has a poolside bar named Sand Bar, which has all of the fancy beachy drinks anyone could ask for.

Dockside Inn & Suites: have two different pools which, much like Surfside, aren’t disappointing, but nothing to write home about. There are two different towers at Dockside Inn & Suites offer for guests, each with its pool. Each pool has a pool bar where guests can order specialty drinks, but you will not find much more than a nice shady spot to sit in the sun.

As for Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer for pools, hands down, Cabana Bay Beach Resort is almost worth the pools alone to book!

Winner: Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Related Post: Cheap Hotels Near Universal 

Cabana Bay Beach Resort vs Endless Summer Resorts – Which has Better Dining?

Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer dining

It is a bit of a draw when it comes to dining at these two value resorts. Neither of them has restaurant options that are going to blow you away but offer cheaper, simple dining options for families visiting. Below is a list of what you’ll find for food at Cabana Bay and Endless Summer Resorts.

Universal Cabana Bay Dining

  • Bayliner Diner – Affordable grab-and-go options – like pizza, pasta, burgers, and more
  • Galaxy Bowl – Dine-in bowling experience with a menu that includes appetizers, burgers, deli sandwiches, pizza, and hot dogs.
  • Atomic Tonic – Bar food (wings, pizza, sandwiches, cocktails)
  • Hideaway Bar and Grill – Quick, simple eats (nachos, salads, burgers, hot dogs, wraps)
  • Swizzle Lounge – (beer, wine, cocktails)
  • Starbucks

Universal Endless Summer Dining

  • Pier 8 Market (Dockside) – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner food court with grab-and-go options like waffles, fried chicken, burgers, pizza, salad, and desserts.
  • Beach Break Cafe (Surfside) – Casual food court with burritos, roasted chicken, burgers, salads and more!
  • Sunset Lounge (Dockside) – Cocktails, beer, wine
  • Oasis Beach Bar (Dockside) – Specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic smoothies
  • Sand Bar (Surfside)- Specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic smoothies
  • Starbucks

When it comes to Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer, we think that the dining options can go either way! Both resorts offer “cheaper” dining options and food courts, except Galaxy Bowl, which is a fun experience but still rather generic food.

Winner: Draw

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Which is Better – Universal Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer Resorts?

Endless Summer vs Cabana Bay

Cabana Bay Beach Resort does have a slight edge and comes out the winner, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is best for you. If you’re looking for a quick, fun Universal trip with the most savings but still on Universal property, the Endless Summer is perfect for you. The rooms are spacious and clean and even have great offerings throughout the resort, while they are not special, they are still better than most average hotels.

There are Cabana Bay family suites, which is perfect for those with a family, but it could mean that there are more children at Cabana Bay vs. Endless Summer. Which, for some people, can be a deal breaker. Cabana Bay is one of the best family resorts to stay at, but if you are looking for an adults-only Universal trip or have older children, then you may enjoy Endless Summer. For an adults-only trip, our favorite value resort is Endless Summer Surfside because it is quieter than Dockside.

Both resorts have great value and have serious perks to them. Just plan and prioritize if time in your hotel room and hotel property is important enough to care about the details we’ve compared in this article.

Related Post: 14 Hotels Within Walking Distance Of Universal Studios Orlando (30 Mins Or Less!)

Cabana Bay vs Endless Summer FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you walk from Cabana Bay to Universal?

A: Yes! With the Garden Walkway paths, the walk from Cabana Bay to Universal Orlando theme parks is about 15 – 20 minutes, depending on the pace.

Q: Is there a lazy river at Universal Endless Summer Resorts?

No, there is no lazy river at Universal Endless Summer Resorts. Surfside Inn & Suites offers one pool, and Dockside Inn & Suites has two pools.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks, be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!

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Nik Chapman

Nik Chapman is the executive editor and one of the main content creators for The Park Prodigy blog and social media pages. With a lifelong love for Disney and Universal, Nik immersed herself in the Orlando area for three years to fully indulge in the magic of the theme parks. In between going to the parks and creating content for The Park Prodigy, Nik also hosted a Disney themed podcast with her two best friends and helps run multiple Disney-themed social media accounts which help over one million people per year. Drawing from their experience as a local Florida resident, Nik brings a unique perspective to the world of theme parks.