Staycation Fun at Universal’s Cabana Bay Hotel

Staycation at Universal’s Cabana Bay Hotel 🏖️

Sometimes, you don’t need a plane ticket or a passport to have an unforgettable getaway. With a one-night staycation at Universal’s Cabana Bay Hotel, we discovered just how much fun could be packed into 24 hours—and it was worth every second! For anyone that follows me, you know how much we love the theme parks! (And the hotels!) So, with Universal’s special rates, we jumped at the chance to escape the routine and dive into a mini adventure close to home. Plus, we had never stayed at a Universal Studios resort before, so we were beyond excited.

Checking In: Minion-Style Magic 🎉

From the moment we stepped into the retro-chic lobby of Cabana Bay, the fun energy was contagious. The vibe of the hotel was definitely a throwback…1950s-inspired décor like a vintage beach party. Plus—characters like Minions and Gru were walking around the lobby! Despicable Me is my favorite cartoon, so seeing the characters up close (and snapping a pic or two) had me feeling like a kid again.

Bowling the Night Away (and the Best Ribs Ever!) 🎳🍖

After putting all of our stuff in the room (and SURPRISE we were upgraded), we headed straight to the hotel’s private bowling alley. Yes, a bowling alley right inside the hotel! The atmosphere was 150% fun, with neon lights which felt part-bowling alley, part-disco. I am no expert bowler but, it was the perfect activity to relax and still stay active. They also had bowling “games” which I had never done before and didn’t entirely understand, but I won so that was pretty exciting.

But the real surprise? The food. Normally, I wouldn’t expect much from a bowling alley menu, but Cabana Bay’s ribs were out of this world. They were tender and perfectly seasoned and some of the best ribs I’ve had in ages. I’m not exaggerating when I say they could give some BBQ joints a run for their money. Between strikes and spares, we ate everything…and a lot isn’t even pictured lol. If you go, the ribs are a must-try!

CityWalk Sweets and Surprises 🍩🍪

The night wasn’t over after bowling! We headed out to CityWalk since the parks closed a bit early and, of course, to taste test some treats. First stop? Voodoo Doughnut. We tried the Wicked Donut, which looked promising because it was basically a glazed donut with a Wicked chocolate logo. But—brace yourselves—it was horrible. Wet and the wrong kind of sweet and just not it. Let’s just say, that was a one-and-done situation. The Boston Creme with a bit better, but I don’t love Voodoo as much as I want to.

Not to worry, though, because I had a Plan B! Next up was the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, which completely turned the night around. The HUGE variety of sweets was overwhelming in the best way possible, and we may have gone overboard with our selections. Here’s the rundown:

Rainbow Sprinkle Cookie: I didn’t have high hopes for this one—it looked kind of stale when I took it out of the box. But wow, was I wrong. It was life-changing. Soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with colorful sprinkles. Hands down, the best sprinkle cookie I’ve ever had. It alone made the trip to Toothsome worth it. I’ve tried to think of how to explain this cookie and it’s almost like it has a glaze similar to a donut, instead of a royal icing or buttercream topping.

Cookies n’ Cream Macaron: Absolutely delicious! It was perfectly chewy, creamy, and the texture was spot on.

Birthday Cake Truffle and Birthday Cake S’mores: These sounded amazing, but the chocolate coating was overpowering. They should have opted for milk chocolate instead of dark or semi-sweet. Hard to taste the other flavors.

Why Cabana Bay is Staycation Gold 🌟

Our quick getaway to Cabana Bay proved that sometimes, you don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve truly vacationed. Between the retro resort details, character meet-and-greets, bowling with some of the best ribs ever, and a fun trip to CityWalk, it was an unforgettable night. Add in finding a sprinkle cookie that literally changed my life, and it’s safe to say this staycation exceeded all expectations. If you’re looking for an affordable yet exciting staycation idea, keep Cabana Bay on your radar.

Have you ever done a staycation that surprised you? Drop your ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear how you turn quick trips into memorable escapes! 🏖️