Vacation like it’s 1959: The new Cabana Bay Beach Resort recaptures the spirit of Wildwood, New Jersey
Kate - Updated: November 4, 2020
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Want to vacation like it’s 1959? Get ready to head to Florida and Universal Orlando next spring when Loew’s opens an all-new resort modeled after the famous 1950s and ’60s beach-side hotels and motels of Wildwood, New Jersey. Googies and color rule! We love it! Scheduled to open in early 2014, the Cabana Bay Beach Resortwill feature mid century modern design inside and out, along with two spectacular pools, a “Galaxy Bowl” 10-lane bowling alley, hula hoop contests, and much more. To top it off: It’s aimed at the “value” crowd, so room rates are not out-of-this-world.
Video with Russ Dagon, executive project director:
From the press release:
Inspired by iconic beach resorts of the 1950’s and 60’s…Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort…will evoke the iconic driving holidays so many Americans grew up enjoying with their families – spending time at unique lodgings just off the motorway, where families relaxed and played after a long day’s drive, as often portrayed in American movies.
For a limited time, the whole family can experience Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s new family suites with rates starting at $97 per night for a seven-night stay to $139 per night for a three-night stay. Offering up to 50 percent savings off regular prices, this introductory offer is available now for purchase for stays from March 31st to June 14th, 2014.
[The resort] will offer … 900 family suites… 430 s.f. each… capable of sleeping six, which include kitchen areas, and 900 standard guest rooms. It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014. Combining affordability with convenience, the hotel’s location is within walking distance of both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Plus, hotel guests enjoy Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens.
When complete, guests can enjoy a 10-lane “Galaxy Bowl” bowling alley, a Game-o-Rama game center, two massive pools with sand beaches, a lazy river, waterslide and more.
First to open, the North Courtyard and its 600 family suites will be inspired by the sweeping motor courts of the 1950s and 60s. Each of the 600, 430-square-foot suites will sleep up to six and include a fold-out foam bed, kitchenette, a sliding partition for privacy, two flat-screen TVs, and an extra-large bathroom with preparation spaces for three people at once. Cabanas will be available to guests for rent, and lounge chairs will ring the deck, backed by zones for sunning, game playing, picnicking and relaxing on the grass.
The South Courtyard (opening later in 2014) will feature a colorful, tropical resort design with serpentine, seven-story towers flowing like waves around a massive pool and lazy-river complex. In addition to 300 suites, the towers will feature 900 guest rooms that are each 300-square-feet and that sleep four and include two queen beds and mini-fridge.
On this site, we also saw that even poolside activities will be retro: Hula hoop contests, bingo, dive-in movies, ping pong, volleyball, pool tables. (Did you know: Pam is a hula hoop champion?)
Thanks to reader Doug for this tip. He spotted the story on the blog Yesterland. Hey, this may just be the ideal location for the first-ever Retro Renovation National Convention. What do you think?
I heard about this awhile ago and thought “hooray Retro!” It looks super..LOVE the colors!
I’d definitely stay there if I ever, ever get to Florida (never been). It kinda reminds me of the old Disneyland hotel…I miss the Disneyland of the past. 🙁
What’s a DIVE IN movie…underwater viewing?
Oooh, they could have the Peter Pan mermaids swimming in a glass tank like the famous bar from “Where the boys are” movie..can’t remember the name.
pam kuebersays
I think that a Dive-In movie is when you watch a movie while hanging in the pool. The screen is not in the pool, though… Hey, put me on a floatie and hand me a drink with a little umbrella in it — and I’m good to go!
Pencilssays
There’s a place about two hours from Orlando where they have live mermaid shows–it’s a lot more wholesome than it sounds!
Convention? I’m in! 🙂 I already had this place “pinned” on Pinterest. I wonder where that metal wall art came from? I want one (if it’s affordable).
Robin, NVsays
Squee!! Oh my goodness, if I’m ever able to drag Mr. Man to Orlando, this is totally where we’re staying. Those rooms are PERFECT!!
Pam – totally off topic but I’m having some work done on the front of my house and lo and behold we had a real surprise yesterday when the siding came off. My house was blue back in the day! As long as I’ve owned it, it’s been white. Check it out on my blog: http://www.atomictraveller.blogspot.com
Laurynsays
Sign me up … THERE’S A BOWLING ALLEY!! Never been a huge fan of that area for my ideal vacation but the DH and I keep threatening to do a vacation centered completely around bowling and this place just might be the ticket. (I don’t think the bowling alley in our small midwest town has been updated since the 1950s … and we LOVE it.)
Seriously, what a great idea. And great suggestions from Lynne and Roundhouse Sarah … hold an RR convention there!
TerriLynnsays
I am in LOVE! I just want to live there!
When we lived in WV we hit Wildwood for vacations a couple of times. I soooo loved that little town with all the retro hotel/motels.
This is awesome!! I will def stay here when I finally make my trip to Orlando!!
Janicesays
My husband and are both Harley riders and this past summer we traveled Route 66 on our bikes from Oklahoma to just short of California. We made it a point to only stay in motels that once were thriving businesses along the route. There are still some that are iconic like the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM and the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ. Most were just Mom and Pop owned motels that serviced all the cross country travelers before the interstate was built and bypassed all the towns. I took dozens of pictures of the very retro signs that most often came with neon. Sure makes the signs of today’s franchise hotels seem boring and uninteresting. This article made me think of all our nights spent in the retro motels and it’s great to see they’re bringing back color and interest in modern day lodging. Cool story and ubber cool hotel!
Chuttisays
Sounds like a fun trip. There are still SO mnay mom n pop motels in that part of the world. We stayed in a couple of cuties in Truth or Consequences NM this summer. Restored mmotor corts with ……hot springs. The jetsons room had thespring water go to the room tub, the other had a lovely bathouse. Higest rate we paid was less rhan $150, lowest was less than $80. Great spot.
cellen10says
For the first time ever, I actually want to steal hotel furniture. Just kidding. Maybe. Not really.
Mary Elizabethsays
You are just, as Jimmy Carter said, lusting after that furniture “in your heart.” That is sinful, but not as bad as pulling into the motel with a U-Haul, so the retro gods forgive you for imagining it.
cellen10says
A U-Haul …. that’s the ticket!
Anastasiasays
Who needs the theme parks! Can’t we just vacation THERE!
pam kuebersays
That’s what I thought. But I’d probably go to the park just for the heck of it!
tammyCA says
I heard about this awhile ago and thought “hooray Retro!” It looks super..LOVE the colors!
I’d definitely stay there if I ever, ever get to Florida (never been). It kinda reminds me of the old Disneyland hotel…I miss the Disneyland of the past. 🙁
What’s a DIVE IN movie…underwater viewing?
Oooh, they could have the Peter Pan mermaids swimming in a glass tank like the famous bar from “Where the boys are” movie..can’t remember the name.
pam kueber says
I think that a Dive-In movie is when you watch a movie while hanging in the pool. The screen is not in the pool, though… Hey, put me on a floatie and hand me a drink with a little umbrella in it — and I’m good to go!
Pencils says
There’s a place about two hours from Orlando where they have live mermaid shows–it’s a lot more wholesome than it sounds!
http://www.weekiwachee.com/
jeanne says
Convention? I’m in! 🙂 I already had this place “pinned” on Pinterest. I wonder where that metal wall art came from? I want one (if it’s affordable).
Robin, NV says
Squee!! Oh my goodness, if I’m ever able to drag Mr. Man to Orlando, this is totally where we’re staying. Those rooms are PERFECT!!
Pam – totally off topic but I’m having some work done on the front of my house and lo and behold we had a real surprise yesterday when the siding came off. My house was blue back in the day! As long as I’ve owned it, it’s been white. Check it out on my blog:
http://www.atomictraveller.blogspot.com
Lauryn says
Sign me up … THERE’S A BOWLING ALLEY!! Never been a huge fan of that area for my ideal vacation but the DH and I keep threatening to do a vacation centered completely around bowling and this place just might be the ticket. (I don’t think the bowling alley in our small midwest town has been updated since the 1950s … and we LOVE it.)
Seriously, what a great idea. And great suggestions from Lynne and Roundhouse Sarah … hold an RR convention there!
TerriLynn says
I am in LOVE! I just want to live there!
When we lived in WV we hit Wildwood for vacations a couple of times. I soooo loved that little town with all the retro hotel/motels.
JessicaLea says
This is awesome!! I will def stay here when I finally make my trip to Orlando!!
Janice says
My husband and are both Harley riders and this past summer we traveled Route 66 on our bikes from Oklahoma to just short of California. We made it a point to only stay in motels that once were thriving businesses along the route. There are still some that are iconic like the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM and the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ. Most were just Mom and Pop owned motels that serviced all the cross country travelers before the interstate was built and bypassed all the towns. I took dozens of pictures of the very retro signs that most often came with neon. Sure makes the signs of today’s franchise hotels seem boring and uninteresting. This article made me think of all our nights spent in the retro motels and it’s great to see they’re bringing back color and interest in modern day lodging. Cool story and ubber cool hotel!
Chutti says
Sounds like a fun trip. There are still SO mnay mom n pop motels in that part of the world. We stayed in a couple of cuties in Truth or Consequences NM this summer. Restored mmotor corts with ……hot springs. The jetsons room had thespring water go to the room tub, the other had a lovely bathouse. Higest rate we paid was less rhan $150, lowest was less than $80. Great spot.
cellen10 says
For the first time ever, I actually want to steal hotel furniture. Just kidding. Maybe. Not really.
Mary Elizabeth says
You are just, as Jimmy Carter said, lusting after that furniture “in your heart.” That is sinful, but not as bad as pulling into the motel with a U-Haul, so the retro gods forgive you for imagining it.
cellen10 says
A U-Haul …. that’s the ticket!
Anastasia says
Who needs the theme parks! Can’t we just vacation THERE!
pam kueber says
That’s what I thought. But I’d probably go to the park just for the heck of it!
Nancy B says
How fun!!