Menu

Terrified Guests Claim Bed Bug Infestation at Universal Orlando Hotel

Guest in Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort looking at Volcano Bay
Credit: Universal

Multiple guests have recently reported bed bugs at Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, sparking concerns about pest infestations at the popular hotel.

Bed bugs in hotels have become a growing concern for travelers and the hospitality industry alike. These tiny pests can easily hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, or personal items, quickly spreading from one guest room to another. Infestations not only disrupt the guest experience but can also severely damage a hotel’s reputation–and yet even the cleanest hotels can fall foul sometimes.

Disneyland Paris Hotel

Credit: Disney

Bed Bugs in Theme Park Hotels

Even though Disney and Universal pride themselves on maintaining high standards, bed bug issues are not unheard of at their resorts. Disneyland Paris faced its own bed bug crisis last year following a 65% increase in infestations in the city.

Visitors to the resort’s hotels, including Disney Newport Bay Club, Disney Hotel Santa Fe, and Disney Sequoia Lodge, reported bed bug bites. One guest said, “Just got back a day ago, and yes, we got bit by bedbugs. The hotel gave us a different room but said it was very common.”

To combat the issue, Disneyland Paris began seeking “Bedbug Detector Dog Masters” to enhance their pest control efforts by hiring handlers with dogs trained to sniff out bed bugs.

A lively street scene features a charming building labeled "City Hall," adorned with colorful red, white, and blue bunting reminiscent of the decor at Disneyland Paris. Visitors, including families with strollers, stroll along the pathway under a partly cloudy sky, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Credit: Disney

Across the Atlantic, Disneyland Resort in California hasn’t escaped bed bug issues either. In 2022, a guest was awarded $100,000 after an infestation at Disneyland Hotel in 2018. A family also filed (and won) a lawsuit claiming their son was traumatized by bed bug bites while staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort in 2018. Yet another guest claimed to have found bed bugs at Art of Animation in 2023.

Bed Bugs at Universal Orlando Resort

Now, attention has turned to Universal Orlando Resort. A recent guest at Cabana Bay Beach Resort shared their experience on Reddit after finding bed bugs in their room. After reporting the problem to management, they were moved to a different room and given a $100 credit, but the issues continued when they found more bed bugs the next morning. “I am terrified of bringing these home with me,” they wrote.

Colorful exterior of Cabana Bay Beach Resort hotel at Universal Orlando Resort

Credit: Universal

Other guests have also shared similar complaints about bed bugs at Cabana Bay in recent weeks. One guest said they were moved to another building after encountering the pests, only to experience the same problem in their new room. A month earlier, yet another visitor reported bed bugs in both beds in their room, commenting that Universal’s only compensation was an express pass for four rides.

Universal’s Expansion and Concerns

With Universal Orlando Resort preparing to open its third theme park, Epic Universe, in 2025, it’s more important than ever for the resort to address any pest issues. Along with new lands like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the third Wizarding World of Harry Potter, three new hotels are planned to open, including Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

Concept art for Epic Universe

Credit: Universal

Hopefully, Universal will resolve these bed bug problems before they expand their offerings and welcome even more guests.

Have you ever experienced bed bugs during a stay at a theme park hotel?

About Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.