Visiting Volcano Bay with Your Family
Allison Flynn
12.8.20
Water bugs in your family will be elated to include Universal’s Volcano Bay as part of your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation.
Opened in 2017, Volcano Bay isn’t just a water park – it’s a water theme park! The entire park is designed to feel like you’re in the South Seas, and is centered by the volcano, Krakatau.
Krakatau houses the park’s water coaster, which is just one of several attractions guests can enjoy. There’s also several water slides, a wave pool, lagoon, a white-water river, and more. You’ll want to be sure to check the height restrictions for attractions to know if it is something your entire family can enjoy or inappropriate for younger children.
During our recent visit, my youngest son was too small to enjoy most of the bigger attractions. But, he was the perfect size to enjoy Tot Tiki Reef! This area was designed with the youngest visitors in mind, with appropriate-sized water slides, fountains, and areas to splash around. It is adjacent to another kid-friendly area for a little bigger kids, Runamukka Reef. It also includes splash areas and water slides, as well as water blasters and dumping buckets.
For the entire family, there are many interactive areas that will work with your TapuTapu. TapuTapu is a bracelet that allows you to scan into a virtual line for water slides and also have fun around the park. Each experience is different: One tiki might spray water, while another causes windmills of water to spin around and around.
Waturi Beach, which is the park’s main wave pool, was open early during Early Park Admission. I highly recommend is during this time because as the day progresses, it becomes very crowded. When you visit during Early Park Admission, you pretty much have it to yourselves as other guests rush to scan in for the slides.
Kopiko Wai Winding River was another favorite for my boys, with its random special effects and decorated caves. I do not recommend TeAwa The Fearless River if your children (or you) are not strong swimmers. It is a very swiftly moving river, and life vests are required. Even still, I did not enjoy it and was concerned my youngest son would slip out of his vest!
When it’s time for a break, there are plenty of chairs available along beach area. This is another perk of using Early Park Admission – you can snag a great spot! If you want to up your water park game, you can also rent a cabana. These come with towel service, lounge chairs, complimentary fruit and snack basket, a small refrigerator with bottles of water, and concierge service (so no waiting in lines for lunch). For a nice experience, there are also premium seating spots for rent that are more traditional beach clamshells with a lockbox for valuables.
There are several locker stations around the park, with lockers in small, medium, and large. There are changing areas as well, and even if you’re planning to go directly back to your resort at the end of your day, I’d take a change of clothes.Water bugs in your family will be elated to include Universal’s Volcano Bay as part of your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation.
Is your family one who loves to cool off at a water park on vacation? I’d love to help you plan a Universal Orlando Resort visit that includes Volcano Bay! You can reach me via email or by phone at 828.289.7658. For more travel-related tips and information, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.