Universal Orlando + Clearwater Beach

If you are looking for a family vacation that gives you both high-energy fun plus time to truly unwind, our Spring Break 2026 trip to Universal Orlando and Clearwater Beach delivered exactly that. We spent several days immersed in the excitement of the parks, then headed west for a few slower days on the beach. It ended up being one of those trips that gave us big memories, a few surprises, and plenty of helpful takeaways for families considering a similar vacation.

Where We Stayed in Orlando. Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort

For our Universal stay, we booked Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and for our family of four, it was a great fit.

One of the biggest wins for us was the room layout. With two adults and two growing kids, finding three separate sleeping spaces is almost always a challenge. Our room had two queen beds and a sleeper sofa, which gave everyone enough space to settle in comfortably. The room itself felt spacious, and the retro décor was bright, fun, and full of personality.

Cabana Bay also had plenty to do right on the property. We loved bowling at Galaxy Bowl, and dinner was a fun, easy option after a long day. One helpful note: reservations matter. Same-day openings seemed to disappear quickly, so be sure to secure your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

Transportation to the parks was another major plus. Getting to CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios was simple, and the separate bus for Epic Universe made transportation easy. In our experience, it never took more than about 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

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What stood out most, though, was the service. The staff at Cabana Bay went out of their way to make the stay feel special.

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