Universal Resort 2016 - Day 1, Cabana Bay Beach Resort

We said our goodbyes to Doug's aunt and cousin and we drove to Orlando. We arrived at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort mid-afternoon.

The hotel is totally retro - 50's and 60's style. Very cool...

We had a suite on the parking lot side of the hotel. And we were a bit nervous about that at first because we were directly across from the new hotel (Sapphire Falls) being built - lots of construction...

But I have to say, we didn't hear anything. The rooms were practically soundproof. The construction didn't bother us one bit.

 Here is the view of the resort on the pool side...

The lobby was so retro - loved it...

Our room was perfectly comfortable...

Bri had her own private sleeping area - she could slide the door closed and be by herself...

Pull out couch...

After getting settled in, we took a walk around the grounds and had some dinner in the food court.

This is where the shuttle bus picks up...

Retro cars...

The food court was great. Lots of different options and it was never crowded. We were always so tired after getting back from long days at the park. We just ate here quietly each night...

50's and 60's commercials were shown on large movie screens...

After dinner the first night, we walked by this lounge...

The bowling alley...

We stopped in the game room for a while...

We had to stop in an look at the Jack LaLanne workout center...

Doug worked out here one evening...

The pool was all lit up in the evenings (evenings were a bit too chilly for us to go swimming)...

View from the front of our room. I think the colored lights might be from the Wet n Wild Park...

We did stop at the gift shop in the hotel the first night to get Harry Potter jellybeans (you know - the ones with the terrible flavors mixed in) and a chocolate frog with a wizard card.

Doug and Bri started trying the different flavors before bed. It all started with smiles...

Then the smiles dissipated...

I couldn't stop laughing at their reactions. I wasn't brave enough to try any. It was good enough just watching them.

Finally, it was time to turn in. Staying at a Universal Resort allows visitors to access Harry Potter's Wizarding World an hour early. So we got up early each morning to catch the shuttle and get to the parks at 8AM.

We knew a front was moving through and that it was going to rain (thunderstorm) overnight. We just hoped all the rain would be gone by morning.

Cabana Bay is considered a "moderate" resort, but it suited us just fine. We actually really loved the hotel. Thumbs up from me.

Stay tuned for Day 2...