Bad Idea to Commit to Day at Volcano Bay in August?

[KendallR]

Our upcoming trip in August 2017 will be our first time visiting Disney/Universal in August. We want to go to Volcano Bay on 8/21, and purchase tickets and express pass, as we believe that the express pass will sell out fairly quickly. However, I am considering that with the unpredictable weather that it may be a bad idea to commit to visiting on this day, as there is a possibility that the forecast may say that it will rain all day. Does this happen frequently in August where it rains all day/where we would not enjoy visiting a water park? Please let me know your thoughts!

 

[atricks]

For what it's worth the last 3 years on August 21st it didn't rain at all at Universal. If it does it's typically a short 15-20 minute shower and gone. All day rains during the summer are not typical at all. (only exceptions are usually tropical storms/hurricanes, and they are very very rare and you have several days notice of those) The temperature tends to peak around 3/4pm that time of year.

The Short term summer rains (seabreeze bursts sometimes with lightning) are typically in the afternoon between 1-6pm and last between 5-20 minutes and move on (typically).

One schools start back up the crowds nosedive a the Orlando parks (last two weeks of August are typically slow) at least until Labor day weekend. The very last week of August is usually one of the slowest weeks of the year at ALL the Orlando parks, but the week you are going it starts to drop off.

It's actually a pretty good time to go (other than the heat) August 21-31 is probably the best time all summer for Volcano Bay crowd wise (it'll still be busy, just less busy than July/early August).

 

[damo]

I don't think it even matters if it rains. It will be HOT!!!

 

[pattyw]

Sometimes the afternoon rain results in lower crowds after it stops! The morning crew leaves!

 

[georgina]

I'm glad you posted this thread! I hadn't realized single day tickets and express passes were available yet. Wow, weekend days the express costs more than the ticket!

I have a seasonal AP good through Sept; the email I received said I can add on Volcano Bay in person by May 25, but I won't be there to do it before then.

 

[cdnusagurl]

Either way you'll be getting wet, so I don't see what the big deal is about the rain. We went to Jamaica and still sat around on the beach when it rained there. As long as you have a beach umbrella and/or locker to keep your electronic items dry, I don't see what the big deal is.

 

[bobbie68]

Hello! I had the same thought last week. We are going down the end of July/August. We will be going to VB for 2 days. I was on the fence about the EP for the same reasons. However, I decided on buying it now. I have been hearing that these EPs will sell out probably before the day. Since we are not sure how the new virtual queue will work and with possibly not having stand-by lines I don't want to chance not riding things. I know the virtual queue system with Jimmy Fallon runs out of time slots for the day. I am going to do the same thing with the parks and buy EPs. As it was pointed out to me it is an insurance policy. You may or may not use it but you have it. FYI I am the person who buys trip insurance.

Have a great time

 

[KendallR]

We are going to purchase the tickets and passes! thank you all for your insight!

 

[2forMe]

Doubtful that you would need express passes... I would wait until you arrive, closer to arrival to decide on the express passes.

 

[KendallR]

My father is coming on the trip and is typically very impatient, he would be very frustrated with the lapu lapu system of "come back x amount of hours later" so I am thinking it might be our best bet

 

[keishashadow]

I don't think it even matters if it rains. It will be HOT!!!

Rain often leads to thunder. Orlando is said to be lightening strike capital of the world.

Summer afternoon storms are a given, but helpful to clear out the crowds.

If any lightening activity is recorded up to 5 miles away, not only will pools & slides be closed but people will be vacated from the slide steps & area around the pool.

 

[damo]

Rain often leads to thunder. Orlando is said to be lightening strike capital of the world.

Summer afternoon storms are a given, but helpful to clear out the crowds.

If any lightening activity is recorded up to 5 miles away, not only will pools & slides be closed but people will be vacated from the slide steps & area around the pool.

Yes, lightning and water don't mix well. Rain and water are just fine. I wouldn't eliminate going to the water park on the chance of lightning.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Can you be a bit more flexible on the date? As for rain, it's Florida, it's typical for it to rain in the afternoon in the summer, though I did have a trip one year where it had not rained for almost 3 weeks! August is a slower time of travel, many schools are back in session. I don't think you will need express passes PLUS who's to say what rides EP will be good for at Volcano Bay.

 

[123SA]

My trip is at the same time. We arrive mid day 8/20. I have 5 day 3 park passes, UExp. I want to add the express pass for Volcano Bay but I figured I'd wait for it to open and see some reviews.

1. Do you think I can wait until late June to add it?
2. Do you think the day of the week I pick to visit matters? I could go on 8/21(Mon) 8/22(Tues) or 8/23(Wed)

 

[bobbie68]

Hello since VB is opening May 25th, I think we will have a better idea of how the Tapu Tapu system is working. It may take a few weeks to work the kinks out. I think you can wait till at least then. Just something to think about that the closer it gets to your date they can change the price of the EP passes. I was told by another poster that this has happens with US and IOA. I thought about the day of the week also when picking my days to go but the EP and the cabana rentals were more money during the week days. I am not sure why, I would have thought the weekend would be. My trip is the end of July so I was worried about waiting till it opened to find out how the system works. Hope this helps!