Multiple guests have reported bed bugs at Universal Orlando Resort's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, raising concerns about the infamous pests in one of the theme park's popular hotels.
When it comes to travel nightmares, bed bugs rank near the top. These resilient insects can infest homes, hotels, and public spaces, hiding in mattresses, furniture, and wall cracks. Though they don’t spread disease, their bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and serious stress—especially if you unknowingly bring them home.
Bed Bugs in Theme Park Hotels
Even with the high standards of Disney and Universal, reports of bed bugs have surfaced over the years. In 2023, Disneyland Paris dealt with a widespread bed bug issue, as infestations in the French city reportedly surged by 65% that year.
Several guests reported bites during their stays at the resort's hotels, which include the Disneyland Hotel, Disney Hotel Santa Fe, and Disney Sequoia Lodge. One guest shared, “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.”
In response, Disneyland Paris began hiring specialized dog handlers to detect bed bugs, taking proactive measures to curb the problem.
Disneyland Resort in California has also faced bed bug accusations. In 2019, a family sued Disney after claiming their autistic son was traumatized by bed bug bites during a stay at the All-Star Movies Resort. In 2022, a guest at Disneyland Hotel was awarded $100,000 by Disney after experiencing a severe bed bug infestation in 2018.
Alleged Bed Bugs at Universal Orlando Resort
It appears Universal Orlando Resort has faced similar issues.
In October 2024, a guest at Cabana Bay Beach Resort shared their ordeal on Reddit, recounting how they found bed bugs in their room shortly after check-in.
After reporting the problem to management, the guest was moved to a new room and compensated with a $100 room credit, but their troubles didn’t stop there. The next morning, they discovered more bed bugs in the new room, saying, “I am terrified of bringing these home with me.”
This is far from the first bed bug report at Cabana Bay. Another guest posted about a similar experience, stating they were moved to another building due to bed bugs but encountered the same problem.
A third guest from earlier that year described finding bed bugs in both beds of their room, with Universal’s compensation being an Express Pass for four rides.
Other Bed Bug Issues
Universal is far from the only destination impacted by bed bug reports.
Guests have shared similar bed bug stories from the Disney Cruise Line, where one guest traveling aboard the Disney Magic claimed to find an insect in their child’s bed, prompting them to abandon one of two connected rooms.
Cruise ships present an even greater challenge than hotels, with many travelers noting that if bed bugs appear in one stateroom, they may already be present elsewhere on the ship. As one commenter bluntly put it, “if they’re in one room, they’re likely all over the ship.”
Have you ever encountered bed bugs at a theme park hotel?
