The first time I visited Universal Volcano Bay water park with two teenagers, I had so many questions earlier than we went. Could we get a locker, how exhausting was it to get chairs, how does the wristband work, do we want towels, how can we get to Volcano Bay, may we take an Uber?? You get the concept. I took cautious notes in order that I may share our greatest Universal Volcano Bay suggestions with you!
Before I get into the information, I’ve to say that Volcano Bay is a category other than each different waterpark I’ve visited. It just isn’t usually that I can sit in a waterpark, take heed to light island music, watch the palm fronds sway above, and take heed to the splash of a waterfall and really loosen up. I’m normally freaked out about germs, strains, security, and the final chaos.
Yet in some way, Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay has created an island oasis subsequent to a freeway and nestled up towards a mega-resort resort and theme park. There had been even moments once I imagined myself within the islands and never smack-dab in the midst of Orlando.
Don’t get me mistaken, you received’t really feel that relaxed all through the entire park — with its crowded walkways, strains that aren’t purported to be strains, and energetic free-for-all in relation to snagging a tube on the lazy rivers. That half — not so enjoyable. But in case you stick with Waturi Beach in entrance of the huge wave pool and namesake Krakatau Volcano, you then’re good.
In truth, of all of the waterparks I’ve been to, each indoor waterparks and different Orlando waterparks, I believe Volcano Bay is the very best waterpark.
About Universal Volcano Bay
Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay opened in late May 2017 to a lot acclaim and excessive expectations. They turned the water park world on its head with the brand new Tapu Tapu wristband expertise and in depth theming.
The thought behind Volcano Bay is the story of the Waturi individuals — a fictional Polynesian-type tradition that “Water is Life and Life is Joy.” Universal Orlando Volcano Bay strives exhausting to increase this theming from the design, meals, experiences, and even music.
With 17 sights, Volcano Bay now provides essentially the most rides of any Orlando water park. There are six multi-passenger rides, 5 single-rider riders, and 6 household sights. We didn’t hit all of those earlier than the skies opened up and rained out our day (nope, there aren’t any refunds if it rains), however we did discover a couple of favorites.
Pro tip: If it does rain, it pays to search out shelter and wait it out. If you permit the park, you may come again later however provided that there’s sufficient capability.
Not being a trip individual, I cherished the Kopiko Wai Winding River that takes you into the volcano and the darkish Stargazer’s Cavern. The TeAwa The Fearless River was additionally enjoyable, however I used to be anticipating a bit extra when it got here to the rapids — actually it was only a wave or barely stronger jets.
Hannah and her pal Ruby cherished the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which is a four-person canoe that slides up and down and thru the twists and turns within the volcano earlier than going by a waterfall. It was for much longer than they anticipated and the drops weren’t as massive as they feared. The Honu aka Moana raft rides had been additionally a favourite, with the excessive partitions to trip up and down.
Getting to Volcano Bay
If you might be staying on-site at one of many Universal Orlando motels, you have to to take a shuttle bus on to Volcano Bay. However, in case you are staying at Cabana Bay, Aventura, or Sapphire Falls, you may stroll alongside the trail and thru the car parking zone to a particular entrance supplied just for Cabana Bay company.
If you aren’t staying on-site don’t be tough and assume you may stroll from Cabana Bay in case you aren’t staying there! I attempted this and had our Uber drop us off at Cabana Bay however I quickly realized I’d must take a shuttle from City Walk once we had been turned away once we couldn’t present our resort room key. Don’t make that mistake!
If you might be staying off-site however driving, observe the indicators to Volcano Bay, however be ready that you’ll want to then take a shuttle bus from the car parking zone to Volcano Bay.
If you might be staying off property and taking a taxi or Uber, there’s NOT a visitor drop off/choose up space at Volcano Bay. You have to get dropped off at City Walk, after which take a shuttle bus to Volcano Bay. It is a ache so construct within the additional transit time in case you are attempting to get there for park opening.
Getting the Hang of the Virtual Queue and TapuTapu Wristbands
What is de facto revolutionary at Volcano Bay is the TapuTapu expertise. Each visitor is given a wristband that serves as a digital line. I really like how waterparks (like Margaritaville’s H20) incorporate expertise to enhance the visitor expertise.
You faucet the wristband on the icon on the waterslide you need to trip and it assigns you a time to return on your trip. The clock on the wristband counts down and buzzes when it’s time to return to your choice.
The plus aspect is that you just don’t want to attend in line the entire time, the draw back is that there may nonetheless be an hour or extra wait between rides and you may solely faucet one after the other, so you’ll want to be sensible about how you utilize it.
After all, would you somewhat wait an hour for the Krakatau Aqua Coaster or do three water slides with 15-minute waits for every? Also, if you return to your slide at your designated time, don’t anticipate to stroll proper on. There may nonetheless be a brief wait.
TapuTapu additionally opens lockers and might be linked to a bank card for cashless funds in case you are staying in a Universal Orlando resort. Plus, it unlocks some enjoyable easter eggs (see extra under.)
Universal Orlando Volcano Bay Tips
All of those options have made Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay extraordinarily well-liked! Here are some Volcano Bay suggestions it’s best to have in mind to squeeze essentially the most enjoyment out of your keep.
1. Get there early!!
This will not be earth-shattering however it’s crucial tip to recollect. In excessive season, the park might attain full capability by late morning. That implies that even in case you’ve purchased a ticket upfront, in case you aren’t on the park by the point they attain capability, you aren’t getting in. Tickets can be found on the gate, in the event that they haven’t bought out for the day. Reservations aren’t required at the moment so ensure to get there early.
Just take into account that the hours (and opening days) change relying on the season so at all times test the web site for present hours and social media accounts for any capability alerts.
2. Stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Aventura Hotel
Note: This put up might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
These “prime value” resorts now have an enormous benefit over the opposite properties and that’s easy accessibility to Volcano Bay, positioned simply behind the resort. These are the ONLY resorts the place you will get to Volcano Bay with out getting on a bus (see extra under.) You may stroll from the Sapphire Falls resort, however it’s a longer stroll. Check charges and opinions.
3. Book your cabana or premium seating upfront
If you need to be assured a major seat with an umbrella, two chairs, and chair service; you may pay an upcharge to order them. But don’t be like me and wait till 10 days earlier than your journey to name, solely to search out them bought out.
And undoubtedly don’t anticipate to have the ability to do it onsite. You might want to name to make the reservation (simply test the “add-ons” choices.) Just take into account that these upgrades are dear!
There are a couple of completely different choices for leases together with:
- Single cabanas that maintain as much as 6 individuals (higher degree or decrease degree cabanas)
- Family suite cabanas that maintain as much as 16 individuals
- Premium seating chairs with cushions and a protected
4. Bring your personal towels
Towels can be found for lease however Volcano Bay isn’t like a resort pool that gives towels to make use of free of charge. An straightforward approach to save is just by bringing your personal. We attempt to journey with thinner seashore towels that don’t take up a variety of house in our baggage and might at all times get left behind if they’re soaking moist.
Or, we purchase low-cost towels at a memento store once we arrive. Another possibility is to order some from Amazon to be shipped to your resort however test first together with your resort to see in the event that they cost for package deal deliveries.
5. Can you convey meals into Volcano Bay? Seems like.
I additionally noticed a lot of individuals with their very own meals and drinks. No one was carrying coolers in however safety appeared to let by luggage with meals and snacks. So so long as you don’t overdo it, or attempt to sneak in alcohol, you ought to be okay.
If anybody in your occasion has meals allergy symptoms, you may also let the safety guard know that you’re bringing in meals for them as a result of they’ve allergy symptoms. Universal Orlando is nice about that.
6. First cease: safe your chairs
When you first arrive, the very first thing you need to do is locate some open chairs. The prime spot can be Waturi Beach on the large wave pool that fronts the volcano.
However, in case you don’t see one thing there, don’t panic. There are literally loads of chairs round in numerous areas. One of the opposite good choices can be again by the doorway to the TeAwa Fearless River (the marginally much less lazy river.) There is a mixture of adjustable lounge chairs and smaller upright, low seashore chairs.
I do know if you stroll in it may be tempting to gawk on the Volcano and stroll round to scope out the rides however belief me, you need to safe handy, prime seating on your group as quickly as potential. There will likely be loads of time to hit the rides after.
7. Second cease: get your Volcano Bay lockers
There are locker buildings/bogs scattered all through the park so it shouldn’t be exhausting to search out some close to your chairs. But they’ll promote out quick, particularly the massive ones. There are small, medium, and enormous.
Once rented, you may go out and in of them all through the day. It is less complicated to make use of a bank card than money, simply faucet your TapuTapu, insert your bank card, and the locker pops up. Go again later and faucet your wristband and your locker will pop open (so so long as you bear in mind your locker station, you don’t even actually need to recollect your quantity.)
8. Turn your TapuTapu into Seamless Payment
What is even simpler than paying by bank card on the lockers and eating institutions is to show your TapuTapu right into a seamless cost possibility. To do that, obtain the Universal Orlando App and arrange your bank card cost technique. Connect the TapuTapu to make use of at lockers, reward outlets, and meals institutions all through the day.
9. Consider Buying an Express Pass
One approach to skip the strains at Universal Parks is with an Express Pass. There are two methods to safe an Express Pass. You can both keep at one of many Premium Universal Orlando Resorts that embrace Express Passes for Guests (presently Loews Portofino, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific) or, you should buy an Express Pass as an ADD ON to your theme park ticket.
At Universal Orlando Volcano Bay, Express Passes are barely completely different than on the different two parks. You can both buy a 1-Park Universal Orlando Express Pass, which solely will get you Express Pass entry to Select rides and might solely be used as soon as per sights, or, you should buy a 1-Day Express Pass PLUS, which lets you skip the digital line in any respect sights, however nonetheless solely use it as soon as we attraction.
Pricing varies as a result of it’s based mostly on demand, so you will see that larger pricing on days when the park expects excessive demand. Just take into account that the Express Pass means that you can skip the VIRTUAL line. This doesn’t imply that if you get to the trip you may stroll previous all of the individuals ready. It simply implies that you don’t have to scan your TapuTapu and wait to be assigned a time to trip that trip. You can be part of any line you need (based mostly in your go degree), however nonetheless want to attend your flip.
Guests who buy Express Passes for Volcano Bay will obtain a wristband separate from their TapuTapu.
10. Third cease: Pick a trip
This is the place it actually helps to perform a little research forward of time and determine what you need to trip essentially the most. Just bear in mind, the “big” rides just like the Krakatau Aqua Coaster would be the hottest so attempt to get these in earlier than the foremost crowds arrive.
What you have to to do is locate the trip (strive studying the trip descriptions and a map upfront to be ready.) Outside of the doorway will likely be a TapuTapu kiosk. Simply faucet your wristband and you may be assigned a time to return to the trip.
Don’t fear about maintaining a tally of a clock. The wristband counts down for you and can buzz when it’s time to trip.
11. Don’t anticipate “no lines”
They promote TapuTapu as a approach to eliminate strains. It undoubtedly helps, however don’t assume you will stroll proper onto the rides.
For many rides, as soon as it’s your “turn” within the digital queue, you’ll nonetheless have a little bit of a line if you arrive on the trip earlier than you may take your flip. Also, don’t be shocked to have “virtual” wait instances of 60-120 minutes for the most well-liked slides.
In between, you’ll need to cool off within the wave pool, Winding river, or Fearless River (the lazy river that has some waves and a stronger present.)
12. Not each trip has a wait
If the very first thing you faucet has an extended wait time, don’t quit but. Take a stroll by the park. There could also be some rides that don’t have a line so they’re “No wait” and you may board instantly whilst you wait on your different trip.
As the park will get extra crowded, that received’t be potential so that you’ll want to relax out in one of many rivers, the wave pool, or loosen up on the seashore for some time.
13. Eat early
Volcano Bay has performed a terrific job with its menu choices and the eating places get packed at lunchtime. If you get there a little bit earlier than 12, you received’t want to attend. Chances are the solar, water, and train are going to make you hungry anyway and you may be able to eat earlier than midday.
You may additionally discover some good choices at among the shacks across the park. For instance, the Feasting Frog provides nice Chicken Mole Tacos and Poke Poke bowls.
If you might be on the lookout for cocktails, head to the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar.
14. Buy a refillable cup
Just like within the different Universal parks, you should buy a refillable, insulated cup (they’re cheaper in case you purchase multiple) and refill it all through the day.
It is a little bit tougher to search out the Coca-Cola “Freestyle” stations in Volcano Bay (actually simply within the eating places), however you may convey them to different huts they usually can refill them from the fountain.
We introduced our personal water bottles to refill at water fountains however the water will get scorching so quick within the warmth. So we purchased one refillable cup to get entry to ice and took turns refilling it with no matter we needed (and simply grabbed a few common straws so we may share.)
Just be aware which you can solely refill once in a while so sharing received’t work in case you are all tremendous thirsty and have to refill too ceaselessly. You may get common water and ice from these machines in addition to sodas, iced teas, and lemonades.
15. Wear your flip flops
Volcano Bay does job of cooling the sidewalk with water mist, however you’ll nonetheless be scurrying throughout some scorching pavement. But you don’t have to do it in naked ft. There are racks in entrance of every trip the place you may retailer your footwear and coverup in a little bit rope hammock shelf till you might be performed.
I’d additionally advocate bringing a sunhat (listed here are my suggestions for the greatest packable sunhats for girls), as a result of that Florida solar might be robust!
16. Look for easter eggs
TapuTapu doesn’t simply open lockers and safe trip instances, it additionally unlocks some enjoyable easter eggs across the park. Look for the TapuTapu icons, give it a faucet and see what occurs.
Hint: down by the seashore, faucet the massive clam shell to see what occurs.
17. Purchase a multi-day go
Volcano Bay tickets for in the future are cheaper than the opposite parks. However, in case you are additionally visiting Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (and also you undoubtedly ought to, particularly in case you are a Harry Potter fan,) it is smart to get a multi-day go.
If you get a four-day, three-park go, it’s virtually like getting the fourth day free. Totally value it in case you are spending not less than three days in Universal. Otherwise, it’s extra economical to get a one-day go to Volcano Bay and a one-day park-to-park ticket for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
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Note: We paid full value for our tickets, identical to everybody else. All opinions are my very own.