May 2017, Universal Orlando Resort opened their Volcano Bay water park. Billed as the third theme park for the resort, Volcano Bay occupies 25 acres adjacent to Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach hotel. I visited in March 2018 along with 13 college students spending their spring break volunteering at Give Kids The World Village. This particular spring day was overcast, cool, and rainy when we arrived, but it didn’t damper our spirits since we planned to get wet anyhow. We stowed our valuables in lockers, and headed straight into the Waturi Beach wave pool. Aaaah… the water was warm, embracing and lifted our spirits.
Volcano Bay’s theme is a South Pacific volcanic island, home to the Polynesian Waturi people. Upon entering Volcano Bay your eyes are drawn to the Krakatau volcano. Surrounded by lush, tropical plants, Volcano Bay’s setting is stunning and immersive, and will grow even more beautiful with time as the landscaping and trees block out more and more of the highway.
The Krakatau Volcano is home to a number of attractions including the signature Krakatau Aqua Coaster as well as the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, and Punga Racer mat slides. Throughout Volcano Bay are slides and attractions for every age and adventure level – from mild water relaxation to high-speed thrill.
Younger visitors will enjoy the Runamukka and Tot Tiki Reef splashgrounds as well as the leisurely Kopiko Wai Winding River. Those looking for a thrill should try the drop slides or Krakatau Aqua Coaster – where linear induction belts whisk you uphill as quickly as you slide downhill. My favorite attraction for the day was TeAwa – The Fearless River, a not-so lazy river with fast current that whips you through whitewater rapids.
A signature innovation of Volcano Bay is the TapuTapu wristband. This waterproof wearable is handed to you upon entering the park, and is your key to open lockers, make purchases, interact with different water and light features, and reserve ride times. TapuTapu allows guests to virtually wait in line for rides while enjoying other areas of the park. Their wearable alerts you when it’s time for to ride. Due to the cool, rainy weather, our group didn’t need to use TapuTapu for ride reservations as there were absolutely no lines. Every slide and attraction was walk up and ride. However, I can see TapuTapu being very useful on those crowded summer days.
Food is a signature feature of any theme park, and Universal’s Volcano Bay is no exception. Yes, you will find American staples such as chicken fingers and burgers, but there are a number of dishes with a distinct Polynesian theme such as: Hawaiian ribs, coconut crusted fried chicken, a Szechuan-glazed pork belly burger, Jerk Mahi sandwich, and poke poke bowl made with poke tuna, to name a few. All and all there are four dining locations around Volcano Bay: Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club, Whakawaiwai Eats, Bambu and The Feasting Frog, along with two full-service bars to quench your thirst – Dancing Dragons Boat Bar and the Kunuku Boat Bar.
Looking for the ultimate in luxury relaxation at Volcano Bay? Consider renting a private cabana for the day. Each cabana includes padded lounge chairs, stocked refrigerator with bottled water, complimentary fruit and snacks, towel and locker service, plus your own private concierge to deliver food and drinks directly to you. A single cabana holds up to 6 people for $199.99/day, and a family suite holds up to 16 people for $599.99/day. A great deal is the covered premium seating for $29.99/day – that includes two padded lounge chairs with an adjustable shade canopy and built in locker. Considering locker rental alone costs $9-$15, the premium seating is worth the extra expense for a great seat, towels, and a place to store your phone, camera, and valuables.
My group of college students loved their time sliding and playing in the water at Volcano Bay, and so did I. Volcano Bay is a fantastic addition to the offerings at Universal Orlando Resort – especially those staying at one of the onsite Universal hotels. The additional recreational activities of Volcano Bay will certainly stretch the length of a Universal portion of your Orlando family vacation.