Experience the thrills of Universal’s Volcano Bay

Universal's Volcano Bay opened recently and has been impressing guests due to its combination of first-class attractions, incredible attention to detail and theming and overall fun atmosphere. This new tropical getaway is changing what it means to be a water park, and here are just some of the ways how.

TapuTapu Wearable at Universal’s Volcano Bay

TapuTapu Wearable
This waterproof wristband with a little screen is one of the most revolutionary aspects of Universal's new water park. Not only can you use it to reserve your place in line, but it can be linked to a credit card for easy wallet-free purchases. It can also be linked to your locker rental for you and your family to access all day without carrying a key. Universal can even alert guests of approaching inclement weather or other important park-wide announcements using the technology. The coolest use of TapuTapu, though, has got to be the interactive touch points. Kids and adults alike have dozens of opportunities to interact with things throughout the park. Tap to activate squirting water cannons and tiki statues that spray water from their ears and mouths. There's hidden light displays in the caves beneath the massive volcano to be revealed and so much more. Tap your wristband to the Volcano Bay logo wherever you see it to trigger something amazing!

Relax and unwind at Universal’s Volcano Bay

Leisure and Relaxation
Volcano Bay is a park built with relaxation in mind. From the tropical atmosphere and beautiful sandy beaches to the relaxing music and delicious fruity drinks, this is your island oasis getaway. Each area of the park is gorgeously decorated. Everywhere you look there are unique animal statues and humorous tikis, all with their own distinct personality. There are well over a hundred tiki statues at Volcano Bay, and finding them all is a fun task in itself. Instead of standing in lines all day you can relax in the winding river or chill out in the wave pool until it's your time to ride. And the best part of all is you never have to carry your raft up the stairs! Every slide is equipped with a conveyor belt so you don’t have to strain your arms. 

Enjoy delicious food at Universal’s Volcano Bay

Best Food at a Water Park
The food at Volcano Bay is not your typical theme park fare. Universal has really upped the ante on this one. Instead of just the usual hot dogs and hamburgers, you'll find many delicious dishes with an island flair. It's not everyday you see something like the Poke Poke Bowl of ahi tuna in soy honey vinaigrette or handcrafted sushi in a water park. If you are craving a burger there's interesting variations like the Belly Burger featuring Szechuan-glazed pork belly with fresh cucumber basil slaw on top. Plus, you can't go wrong with the satisfying pizzas shaped like surfboards. For dessert you'll find a decadent Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake. And you must try the Waturi Fusion ice cream. This one-of-a-kind soft serve treat is made up of four different flavors, creating a distinct rainbow design. It may be the best ice cream you will ever have, and it can only be found at Volcano Bay. 

Face your fears on the tallest slides at Universal’s Volcano Bay

Tallest Slides in North America
The selection of attractions at Volcano Bay includes some of the most innovative and fun water rides in Orlando. A few of them are ones for the record books. Ko’okiri Body Plunge is North America's tallest body slide and the world's tallest drop capsule slide. This attraction at the top of the volcano puts riders in a clear chamber standing over a trap door. Once the door swings open, you plummet 125 feet down a 70-degree drop. The clear tube for the slide is also a first of its kind, because it passes through a pool of guests who get to watch the brave riders slide by. Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides have earned the title of second tallest drop slides in North America! They share the same platform as Ko’okiri in the volcano and are also trap-door slides, but feature several twists and turns as you slide down the 124-feet journey. That's why they're called "serpentine" slides! 

Krakatau Aqua Coaster at Universal’s Volcano Bay

First Water Coaster in Orlando
Another aspect of Volcano Bay that sets it apart is the super fun Krakatau Aqua Coaster. This is a water slide unlike any other in Orlando featuring four-person canoes that weave in and out of the park's centerpiece volcano. Unlike regular water slides that are always moving downward, this water coaster goes back up a few times as well. This makes the ride last longer and creates unique sensations you can't get on a normal water slide. The attraction uses something called linear induction motors to propel canoes up the lift hills quickly. That's the same technology many roller coasters use for their launches, including Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida. This spotlight attraction should be your first priority when you arrive at the park.

Orlando, FL – 6/20/17

By: Alicia Stella
All Photos Courtesy of Universal Orlando