Wind Waves & Wands Blog
Universals Volcano Bay - A day of fun for the whole family!
With 15 rides, two lazy (well not so lazy) rivers and countless places to eat and drink, Volcano Bay is one of our favourite Orlando water parks.
The attraction at the center of the park is the 200-foot Krakatau volcano. The spirit of the volcano, aptly named Voli is an interactive feature who will tell you the history of Volcano Bay as well as sharing jokes and mischieviously spraying water at you (and unsuspecting passers-by). Not just the park's icon, Krakatau is also home to multiple capsule plunge slides, the most intense of which is Ko', Okiri Body Plunge, the tallest waterslide in America - a 125 foot slide starting with a 70 degree fall through a 'trap door'. The volcano is also home to the unique and thrilling Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which is great fun for all the family. My personal favourite ride here is Honu of the Honu ika Moana. It is so much fun and not nearly as extreme as the body slides.
One of the most distinctive features of Volcano Bay is the Tapu Tapu, a wristband which enables you to reserve your place in a virtual line for the rides as well as making cashless purchases throughout the park. If a ride is 'ride now' then you can go ahead and enter the line but, if not, you scan your Tapu Tapu and you will receive a return time, at which you simply come back to the ride and join the line, allowing you to ride with little to no wait.
The park's Wave Village is the best place to relax. There is an abundance of seating available, with plenty of shade. For those who want to push the boat out, the park also offers premium seating and private cabanas, which can be reserved in advanve for an additional cost. On the day we visited we indulged in a private cabana for our extended family. It was on the pricey side, but there are lots of perks, including a safe for your belongings, your own personal Tapu Tapu station, avoiding the need to walk to each ride to reserve your virtual line place, towels for each member of your party and a personal fridge with water. You also get a personal attendant who can bring food and drinks for you (charged to your Tapu Tapu) and a welcome basket, with fruit and cookies.
A day at Volcano Bay is most definitely a day of fun for the whole family. Whether its thrills or chills that you want, you're sure to get them here.