As a local Orlando family, sometimes the best vacation is a staycation. Recently, we decided to celebrate our son’s 9th birthday with a staycation at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and it was an absolute blast!

One of the highlights of our stay was renting a cabana. These cabanas are like little private retreats within the resort. Included in your cabana rental:

young boy sitting in a lounge chair in a bathing suit staring at the camera smiling
Photo by contributor Sarah Lewis.
  • Comfortable seating: The cabanas come with lounge chairs and a dining table, perfect for relaxing and enjoying meals.
  • Mini-fridge: Stocked with bottled water and sodas to keep everyone hydrated.
  • TV: A flat-screen TV to catch up on your favorite shows or watch a game.
  • Ceiling fan: To keep you cool on hot Florida days.
  • Safe: For storing valuables while you enjoy the pool.
  • Towels: Plenty of fresh towels for everyone.

The cabanas are available from 9 am to 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to soak up the sun and enjoy the amenities.

A weekend of fun

Our weekend was filled with activities. The kids spent hours in the two massive pools and the lazy river and lounging in our cabana. The resort also offers a bowling alley, arcade, and fitness center — ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

Some afterthoughts

While we loved our stay at Cabana Bay, one area that could use improvement is the food

young boy in a pool float in the pool smiling at the camera
Photo by contributor Sarah Lewis.

and drink service. Unlike some other resorts, Cabana Bay does not offer poolside food and drink service. This meant we had to walk over to the bar to place our orders. It wasn’t a major inconvenience, but having the option to stay seated and have everything brought to us would have been ideal.

Looking ahead

For our next staycation, a great option would be a cabana at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Not only does this resort offer a beautiful Caribbean-inspired theme that I personally prefer over the retro theme of Cabana Bay Beach Resort, but they also provide poolside food and drink service. We stayed at this resort in April for our daughter’s birthday and although we didn’t rent a cabana during her birthday visit, the food and beverage poolside service and being able to lounge in my beach chair all day while having someone come take my order and bring me food and drinks all day was absolutely heavenly. This small detail makes a big difference in creating a truly relaxing experience, allowing us to fully unwind without having to leave our seats.

Here are a few local places that offer cabana rentals with food and beverage service, making your stay even more relaxing and enjoyable:

1. Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water theme park, offers cabana rentals that provide a private retreat amidst the thrilling attractions. These cabanas include food and beverage service, where attendants bring your orders directly to you, allowing you to relax without having to leave your cabana.

2. Aquatica Orlando

Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld’s water park, also offers cabana rentals with food and beverage service. These cabanas provide a shaded, comfortable space with concierge service for dining, ensuring you can enjoy meals and drinks without leaving the comfort of your cabana.

3. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon offers Beachcomber Shacks, which are private, shaded areas equipped with comfortable seating, a locker, refillable drink mugs, and towel service. They also provide food and beverage service, so you can relax while enjoying delicious meals and refreshing drinks.

4. Disney’s Blizzard Beach

At Disney’s Blizzard Beach, you can rent Polar Patios, which offer a private shaded area with comfortable seating, a cooler stocked with ice and bottled water, and a locker. Attendants provide food and beverage service, bringing your orders directly to you for a seamless, relaxing experience.

5. Reunion Resort & Golf Club

Reunion Resort & Golf Club offers luxurious cabana rentals at their water park, which includes access to multiple pools, a lazy river, and water slides. Their cabanas come with dedicated attendants who provide food and beverage service, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing day by the pool.

6. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers private cabana rentals at their beautiful pool area. These cabanas include a mini-fridge, a flat-screen TV, and a dedicated server who provides food and beverage service, ensuring a luxurious and relaxing poolside experience.

7. JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa offers cabana rentals at their stunning rooftop pool. These cabanas come with comfortable seating, a ceiling fan, a TV, and dedicated food and beverage service, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy your day.

  1. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offers cabana rentals at their stunning pool area. These cabanas are equipped with comfortable seating, a ceiling fan, a mini-fridge, and a flat-screen TV. The resort provides dedicated food and beverage service, allowing you to enjoy meals and drinks without having to leave your cabana.

These options provide a range of experiences, from water parks to luxury resorts, ensuring that you can find the perfect cabana rental with food and beverage service for your next staycation or day out.

two young children, one boy and one girl, looking at their window to the pool from their hotel room for a staycation at Cabana Bay, Orlando, FL
Photo by contributor Sarah Lewis.

A staycation at a local resort is perfect for Orlando families looking to take a break without the hassle of long travel days. It’s a great way to enjoy quality family time, explore new amenities, and celebrate special occasions. Plus, staying local means you can easily pack up and head home if needed.

Our staycation at Cabana Bay Beach Resort was a memorable experience that our son will cherish forever. Renting a cabana added an extra layer of comfort and luxury to our weekend. 

So, if you’re a local Orlando family looking for a fun and convenient getaway, consider booking a staycation at one of these fantastic resorts and/or waterparks. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a weekend of relaxation, you’re sure to create wonderful memories with your loved ones.

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Sarah Lewis
Sarah Lewis is a Travel Advisor and a stay-at-home homeschooling Mom to her two children. Paulyanna and Bubbie (Notley III). She met her husband Notley while they were both serving in the Marine Corps. They’ve been married 14 years as of May 2023. Originally from Wisconsin, Sarah and her family have moved all over the U.S. for her husband’s career, but have finally settled down in Central Florida close to one of their favorite vacation destinations: Disney World! She has been obsessed with all things Disney and Disney Princess since she was a little girl! She never had the chance to go to Disneyland or Disney World as a child, but when her husband’s job moved them to West Palm Beach, FL, just 3 hours from Disney World, she knew this was her time! She took her very first trip to Disney World when her children were 3 and 6 years old. Being able to experience it for the first time through the eyes of her children was the most magical experience ever! She LOVES going back with her children and seeing them light up again and again! Sarah and her family are Disney World and Universal annual passholders as well as Disney Vacation Club Members! Traveling and vacationing as a family started with Disney World, but it didn't end there! Sarah motto in life has always been "Life should be lived salty and free. Adventure with a sense of freedom and a touch of salt!” Life should be lived to the fullest, taking risks and embracing the unknown. Be brave, be bold, and don't be afraid to take chances. Seek out experiences that make you feel alive and take full advantage of the freedom that life provides. Live Salty and Free and make the most of every moment! Sarah and her family love cruising, lounging at all-inclusive resorts and traveling all over the world as a family! Sheabsolutely loves to keep up to date on all things travel related! You can keep up with the latest travel news by visiting her on facebook! Aside from traveling, Sarah’s biggest passion is sewing! She is the administrative assistant at her favorite sewing company and loves sewing matching clothing for her family to wear during their travels!

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