Cabana Bay Beach Resort Coming to Universal Orlando

[Melanie]

Universal Orlando Announces A New On-Site Hotel

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ANNOUNCES A NEW SPECTACULARLY THEMED ON-SITE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT

New Hotel Will Add 1,800 On-Site Suites and Standard Rooms

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 9, 2012)– Universal Parks & Resorts and Loews Hotels & Resorts will build a new hotel development at Universal Orlando that will add high-quality, high-value options for families wanting an affordable on-site experience.

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer two distinct experiences within the development's multiple buildings: 900 family suites, capable of sleeping six, that include kitchen areas and 900 standard guest rooms - offering both moderate- and value-priced accommodations. It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014.

The hotel will be themed differently than anything else currently available at Universal Orlando. It will evoke the driving vacations so many Americans grew up enjoying with their families - spending time at sweeping motor courts just off the highway, where families relaxed and played after a long day's drive. The new hotel's hip, vintage look will be accented with bold design, dramatic, clean lines, bright, period colors and touches of neon. Inside areas including the lobby, dining areas and large, comfortable rooms will follow suit. The hotel will have two themed pool areas.

"Our new hotel will give guests an affordable, incredibly themed on-site hotel experience unlike anything else at our resort," said Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer, Universal Parks & Resorts. "Our new family suites and family-value pricing will give our guests on-site options they've never had before."

The hotel will be built on a 37-acre site within Universal Orlando Resort and adjacent to Universal's Islands of Adventure - just off Hollywood Way and Turkey Lake Road. Site work will begin soon. Pricing information, opening timeframes and room on-sale dates will be released over time.

The new hotel will allow families to choose between value pricing or the higher level of benefits and service that come with staying at other on-site Universal Orlando hotels - Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. It will provide early park admission, proximity to Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and resort-wide charging privileges - but will not offer complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Access.

"The Cabana Bay Beach Resort furthers our goal of operating special and distinct properties in important markets," said Paul Whetsell, Loews Hotels & Resorts president and CEO. "This is another important step in our plan to expand the Loews system in major markets across the United States."

About Universal Orlando Resort
There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation, but there is only one place where vacation becomes adventure: Universal Orlando Resort. It is a unique destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It's the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained - you become part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D. And now open: the new, heart-warming and hilarious Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride.

Universal Orlando Resort is an NBCUniversal company.

[Melanie]

Artist renderings.

[Jeri]

It looks and sounds neat, but I find it interesting that they announce this when AoA is opening. And to me it sounds like they are kind of copying AoA.

Oh, well it still looks nice, but not sure about the 60's looking decor.

[Disneymom4ever]

Looks nice, but I agree, not sure about the theming. We always stay onsite for the use of the unlimited express passes, which to me, are like gold when it's crowded. But since they're not offering that here, I think we'll have to pass, and continue with the Royal Pacific.

[Melanie]

But since they're not offering that here, I think we'll have to pass, and continue with the Royal Pacific.

It's interesting that the Express Pass won't be offered here.

[DizneyFreak2002]

This is the 4th hotel I hinted at a while ago... Looks beautiful!!!! Nothing like AoA.... Not cartoony like AoA... This will be popular with families... Just the shot in the arm Universal Orlando needed!! Let the expansion begin!!!! Next up: SS44 announcement...

[DVC2004]

Nice to have another choice! We love staying onsite at Universal. I have always been impressed with the Loews hotels.

[buzznwoodysmom]

but will not offer complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Access.

This one line is why we won't ever stay there. The main perk (at least for my family) of staying at a Universal Resort is the unlimited Express Pass. Without it, we'll gladly stay at one of the other Universal Resorts.

I see a few people feel they are copying Disney. It doesn't remind me at all of Art of Animation, other than that it's a family suite and will sleep 6. It looks like a nice place, but I'm not interested unless they include Express Pass.

[faline]

Do you think that everyone who plans a trip to Universal knows about the front of the line access?

For those who aren't knowledgeable, they might choose the stay based on the dollars and room size feeling like they're getting a bargain. Even if folks pay the additional money for the front of the line access, they might not realize they could have had it included if they selected a different resort - just conjecture on my part especially since I still hear folks at Disney say things like "You have to pay extra for that" when referring to Fast Pass or have no clue at all about Fast Pass even when the instructions are clearly spelled out in every guidemap one picks up as one enters the park.