Photo Update: Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Garden Bridge Construction

Last month, I brought you pre-construction photos of the pedestrian path that guests of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort will use to walk from Universal Orlando‘s newest hotel to CityWalk and the theme parks. Since then, I’ve received exciting new details on designs for the Cabana Bay Beach Resort Garden Walk, which will eventually supercede the existing sidewalks in the area.

The walking path on the north (westbound) side of Hollywood Way will have to serve temporarily for guests unwilling to take the provided shuttles buses during the hotel’s initial opening phase. The walk, which I documented in a video, is entirely navigable at this time with the exception of a crosswalk and traffic signal at the final intersection, which could be easily added before Cabana Bay’s first guests arrive at the end of March.

 

There are additional survey markers in this area since my last visit, but no other signs of major construction.

 

 

It’s a much different story on the south (eastbound) side of the street, were major work is already well under way on the permanent Cabana Bay Beach Resort Garden Bridge and path. This was the more ambitious of the two concepts for an elevated pedestrian connector, and appears to be the one they are currently building.

 

 

According to blueprints provided to me by an anonymous source, the Garden Bridge seen in this rendering will cross over Adventure Way, taking guests from near the entrance to Cabana Bay to a new garden path that will eventually connect with the exisiting Royal Pacific Resort walking path.

 

 

Universal will need to provide a way for guests walking along Hollywood Way to safely traverse the driveway of the Pacifica Ballroom, and the canal bridge near the Royal Pacific will be rebuilt to accomodate pedestrians near the point where the two paths merge.

 

 

Finally, a few new final tidbits of Cabana Bay information:

• Parking will be only $10 per car per night, but there is no valet available.
• Check-in time is 4:00 p.m.; check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
• The fitness center will be themed to 20th-century fitness icon Jack LaLanne, including memorabilia and vintage workout shows on the televisions.