If you have ever been to Orlando, Florida then you already know that there are quite a few famous water parks that are enormously popular among tourists and locals alike. One of the most visited blocks of time during the year to visit Orlando, also happens to be the hottest. So, it’s no wonder that numerous water parks are part of all the major resorts including the Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World and Universal Orlando Resort. The great news is, because there are so many options, you always have the ability to choose what style, theme, water slide offerings and attractions you want to experience every time you get the urge to go, or when you are visiting the Orlando area. One of the newest, most exhilarating water parks to have an absolute blast at is, Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Them Park.
Volcano Bay Water Theme Park is operated by Universal Parks and Resorts and replaced the International Drive area staple water park Wet ‘n Wild that was the area icon for decades. While Wet ‘n Wild had so much nostalgia to it, the updating and expansion ideas that Universal had for a new direction in a water park, made Universal come to the decision to move in a new direction with a fresh new iconic water park and thus Volcano Bay was born.
The staple icon of Volcano Bay is themed around a 200 foot tall volcano-like structure named, Krakatau. The masterfully designed volcano structure has beautiful waterfalls by day and lava flow in the evening hours. Not only is the structure visually stunning, it also is the home to three drop capsule slides, and Ko’okiri Body Plunge, which is one of the tallest body slides in America ranging at 125 feet tall and also the first to travel through a pool full of guests. Krakatau also holds the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides which travel throughout the midst of the volcano structure winding around the Krakatau Aqua Coaster.
Some of the newer modern features of this park include the Tapu Tapu wristband that allows you to make your purchases, open your locker and even hold your place in line for the slides so you do not have to waste your time in the park during the day standing in line. The Tapu Tapu also allows you to link a credit card to the device to make food, drink and merchandise purchases a lot easier. You can also activate very unique interactive environmental features, set off water features and illuminate lights. Just like anything new, the wristbands have mixed reviews from guests, but seem to be the way of the future for many of the parks in the area. Overall, most guests seem to like to convenience and streamline modern aspects that the wristbands provide.
The theming of Volcano Bay is phenomenal and is divided into four themed areas that are inspired by Polynesian cultures and islands. The entire park is an attraction in itself, and honestly you could just sit in the sand on the man-made beach and just watch the waterfalls all day and be completely content, but for the thrill seekers, there are over 20 water slides and other attractions to have an action packed experience. Some of the highlights include:
Krakatau Aqua Coaster: An incredible water coaster that takes riders inside the heart of the Krakatau volcano, before plunging through a shimmering waterfall. This is one of the longest rides in the park and features some of the newest and best technology among water slides.
Ko’okiri Body Plunge: If you are a thrill seeker that enjoys pushing the limits, then this is the water slide for you. This near-vertical, 70-degree drop, speed slide with a trap-door start, passes through the Krakatau volcano, and drops its riders a staggering 125 feet. If that isn’t enough, the slide also passes through one of the pool attractions at the base of the volcano. The Ko’okiri Body Plunge, along with the Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, are among the tallest drop capsule & body slides in the world.
Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides: These high speed twisting body slides are exciting because they begin with a trap-door start. One ride and you will see why these are so popular at the water park.
Punga Racers: There’s something about racing slides that attract people. This four-lane racing slide using mats resembling manta rays and allows you to show those in your group who is the fastest and has the best technique for riding.
Wave Village: If you want a more relaxing area in the park, Wave Village is for you. It is primarily designed for sunbathing and relaxing and features one and two story cabanas that can be rented out for the day.
Waturi Beach: As you can probably imagine, Waturi Beach is the park’s main wave pool and is considered another “center hub” of the park. You can spend quite a bit of time here as the wave pool is so enticing and so much fun to be had by all.
The Reef: If you like the idea of a wave pool but would enjoy a calmer atmosphere with smaller waves then The Reef is going to be a perfect fit.
River Village: River Village was designed to be a focus for families and younger visitors.
Kopiko Wai Winding River: This amazing attraction is a lazy river that passes through Krakatau, with decorated caves and random special effects to enhance the experience. This is a guest favorite and you can have quite a bit of fun in this winding river all day long.
Tot Tiki Reef: This is a designated play area for toddlers.
Runamukka Reef: Standing at three stories tall, there is quite a bit going on with this water fortress that has its collection of its own small slides.
Honu: If you enjoy multi-passenger raft slides, check out this slide for sure. It features two massive walls that sweep its riders up the sides which definitely boosts the adrenaline.
Ika Moana: Ika Moana is the second multi-passenger raft slide that gives guests another option if they enjoy riding slides with others. This is one of the only waterparks that has multiple, multi-passenger slides.
Rainforest Village: This is the last area of the park and has a great selection of thrill slides including body slides, raft slides that can be ridden with multiple riders.
Puihi: If you like tunnels for your water slide experience, the Multi-passenger Puihi rafts drop you into multiple tunnels, then two funnels and a final drop. After this ride you will be coming back for more and more.
Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides: These are the type of body slides featuring tall drops that send you plunging 6 feet into the splash pools.
TeAwa The Fearless River: For a completely different waterpark experience, hop on the TeAwa River which is a raft ride that simulates white-water rafting. TeAwa is a guest favorite for sure.
Taniwha Tubes: The Taniwha Tubes are four raft slides that can be ridden solo or in pairs. Choosing each option gives the ride a completely different experience.
Puka Uli Lagoon: How would you like to just kick your feet up and relax? Well the Puka Uli Lagoon is a pool solely intended for relaxation.
Even though you are going to Volcano Bay to escape for the day or a couple days, you still want to be able to get the most out of your experience. When you arrive at the park for the day, take a look at the map, do a quick walk through and maybe lay down an outline so you are able to experience most of the things that you may want to. From the amazing slides, pools, and river areas, to the variety of amazing food options and souvenir shopping, with all of the options, you may get a little overwhelmed on what to do, where to go and what to eat.
Just take few minutes and plan a route for the rides, etc. that you want to experience, a couple food selections you’d like to try and a couple stores you may want to stop at on your way out. That way, not only do you get to check off all the rides, but when it’s time to eat or get some souvenirs, you are not searching for an hour on where you want to eat or what you want to buy, which in turn wastes your time you have for having fun in the park. Speaking of some amazing foods, the BBQ pulled pork; Hawaiian pizza and coconut curry chicken are just a few that stand out as guest favorites to try.
Some words of advice when visiting this water park or any similar park for that matter is to get there early. Water parks get crowded very early and sometimes can even reach capacity within the first hour of opening.
The last thing you want to happen is to plan to have a fun filled water day riding all your favorite slides only to get there and be greeted by a sign that states the park is at capacity and you will have to wait until guests leave before you can enter.
Many travelers are not early birds, and the thought of having to get up early, may not be enticing to many. However, the upside is that once you get there and find your spot, you can relax by the water if you desire and do as much or as little as you want in the day. There are plenty of relaxing pools and umbrella covered lounge areas at this water park and even lazy rivers that will have you drifting away in no time at all.
If you stay at any of Universals Resorts, sometimes you get extra perks’ of being able to get into the park a little earlier than just regular ticketed guests. A large percentage of guests heading to Volcano Bay are headed to the Universal Orlando Resort for quite a few days to experience all the parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. So staying at one of Universals’ Resorts is already part of the plan.
There are numerous hotel properties but Cabana Bay Beach Resort is at the base of the volcano and provides a unique experience.
There are even several rooms with spectacular volcano views. For an extra special touch when staying here, there’s a private entrance to Volcano Bay for Cabana Bay guests.
There are a variety of resort options to choose from including:
Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, Lowes Sapphire Resort, Lowes Royal Pacific Resort, Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal’s Aventura Hotel
If you choose a resort that is not in proximity to walking, then you are able to get a ride from one of the complimentary shuttles from your resort to the water park. This especially comes in handy after a long day in the sun. Being able to head back to your resort to relax for a little while before heading out for the evening, is enticing in itself for many guests to opt to stay at a resort for the evening, even if they are just visiting Volcano Bay for the day.
There are quite a bit of extras that come with the experience at Volcano Bay Waterpark. Cabana offerings include a single size which can accommodate up to 6 people or family size that can accommodate up to 16 people if you are traveling with a large group. Towel rentals are available if forget yours or simply do not want to carry your own to and from the park and even express passes that provide you the best opportunity to ride as many slides as possible throughout the day. Many of these selections come at an additional cost, but many guests find the added options a great benefit to take advantage of to add to their overall experience at the water park. The food options are quite impressive actually and most likely are going to surpass what you might expect to be offered at a water park.
As with most other adventures, theme parks or water parks, Universals Volcano Bay Water Them Park is no different. Your experience is primarily going to be what you make of it. Let yourself be immersed in everything offered and enjoy every aspect of it. There’s so much to explore and so many things to experience at this unique water park, it’s pretty hard to not have a wonderful time.
Universal has done an absolutely tremendous job with the theming of this beautiful water park. The atmosphere, the ride selection, the wave pools, abundant umbrella lounge areas, lazy rivers, speed slides, multi-passenger slides, lounge and beach areas, food selection, and shopping etc. is all spectacular. While the main icon Krakatau Volcano is absolutely stunning, that’s only the beginning. Make sure you explore every inch of this well planned water park to experience everything offered.
The only thing you need to do really, is plan on arriving and spending your day having an absolute blast. There is a reason why this new water park is so popular and most likely once you experience it yourself, you’ll want to frequent this park time and time again.