Volcano Bay and Regular Lines

[bobbie68]

Hello watching this thread and hopefully we will get a definitive answer. I was on another forum and someone said they went to make a reservation on the Jimmy Fallon ride and the virtual queue was filled for the day. The attendant told him there is no stand-by line and to come back at the end of the night. Then I read on here someone mentioned there were stand-by lines. It is very confusing what they are going to do. If there is no stand-by line I am considering the express pass for the day. I would hate to go there and not be able to get a time to ride. Of course I would also love to save the money if possible. Hoping for a good outcome. Thanks for starting the thread.

 

[Thom72]

I believe the Tapu Tapu will be a game changer. I bet disney will be soon trying to implement this technology with its 2 water parks. Make so much sense, reserve your space in line then chill in the lazy river until its your time. No standing in hot sun!!!! This is going to be a big hit

 

[DLgal]

I believe the Tapu Tapu will be a game changer. I bet disney will be soon trying to implement this technology with its 2 water parks. Make so much sense, reserve your space in line then chill in the lazy river until its your time. No standing in hot sun!!!! This is going to be a big hit

Except then the lazy river and wave pool will become overcrowded because BB and TL were not built to accommodate large numbers of people who aren't standing in lines. Volcano Bay has built NUMEROUS pools and other attractions (spray areas, interactive things, etc) to absorb all the people NOT waiting in lines.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

According to Universal's sales folks a couple of weeks ago ... no stand by lines, virtual lines using the Tapu Tapu band will give you a return time, you can choose to mill around in the general area or not, EP will work same is it does elsewhere. Separate entry point and walk thru line, biggest headliners excluded. The idea is to do the virtual line thing and free you up to wander rather than stand in roped in lines like cattle. Here's the thing though ... with no real soft opening time to test this stuff, I'll bet the first 30 days or so will feature all sorts of improvisation by the staff running the slides and rides. They are also making a big deal out of the tube dispensing systems for the tube rides that will mean you don't have to lug your own tube around the line up to the loading point. Frankly, that will be awesome if it works as advertised.

If it all works like they've discussed it, there are a LOT of things about this water theme park that will be game changers.

 

[FredFamm]

Still trying to figure out if an EP is needed or worth it. The cost for EP for just VB alone is $80 per person in the summer. Can someone also confirm, is this the entire list of attractions?

• Hona ika Moana
• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge
• Kopiko Wai Winding River
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Maku Puili Round Raft Rides
• Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Punga Racers
• Taniwha Tubes
• TeAwa The Fearless River
• Tot Tiki Reef & Runamukka Reef

Doesn't seem like alot of rides :/

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I was on the website and bought by EP passes and I doubled check. Everything but the Krakatau roller coaster is available to use. Yes the list looks a little smaller but some of those are multiple slides with in one category. Also, IOA only has 13 large type rides and 4 kiddie area rides for the EP. US has 12 rides for the EP . If you compare the VB to the other parks it really is not much less of rides to use it. It is quite a bit cheaper then the other EP passes.

I am not willing to take a chance on the tapu tapu system just yet. I am still trying to figure out how they are going to prevent ride times not getting booked up. Jimmy Fallon ride virtual queue time slots book up for the day. Jimmy Fallon went to stand-by line waits now but I think it has been made clear that VB will not have stand-by lines. It is possible this is a whole different system and they can by pass all time slots getting filled up.
It comes down to each person there is no right or wrong only which is best for you. I have said in another thread I am the one who buys trip insurance just cause I don't want the worry. I would rather not have to worry about what is going to happen on my yearly vacation.

We should start hearing when it opens peoples experience but it will be hard to get a good feel because I think there will be hiccups in it for awhile.

Good luck on your choice

 

[FredFamm]

Yes the list looks a little smaller but some of those are multiple slides with in one category. Also, IOA only has 13 large type rides and 4 kiddie area rides for the EP. US has 12 rides for the EP . If you compare the VB to the other parks it really is not much less of rides to use it.

True! I checked BB and TL after posting and realized it is comparable. I guess on paper is very different than when you get there lol. We booked a cabana and I know one perk is being able to adjust and book your virtual line positions, but I'm with you on the uncertainty of the TapuTapu. And calling Universal for confirmation right now is pointless, 4 calls in and each one with different info :/ Our trip is in July, so Im considering holding off on the EP's until opening day and seeing feedback, just worried the Ep's will sellout before then.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I just want to throw this out there. I heard on a podcast from the Orlando Informer some rumors that they were told. From what I understand the Orlando Informer is reputable. He was saying that the rumor he heard is that everybody will get Krakatau when they come in plus one other ride. After that you will make your selections at the ride. However, you can't make another reservation till after the current one is gone. He was also saying that there is a good chance slots will get filled by early day and if you come later there is a good chance you won't get much to do. Hence, the EP will bypass all that for the day. I think (and we won't know till it opens for sure) but there is a good chance EP is going to be a big seller. As the demand goes up the price will go up if you haven't bought it already. We will have all ideas and rumors put to rest in a couple of weeks.

I have bought the EP's for my first day at the end of July and will make a decision on my second day later that week once I hear feed back also.

 

[soniam]

Uggghhh! We are going to be there the 2nd and 4th days. I got premium seating for the lockbox, since it's just DS and I. I don't want to run a marathon between our loungers and the locker all day. Now I can't decide if I should get EP or not. It's good to know that only Krakatau is excluded. I feel I can't just add one of the days. I would need to do both and that's $240. I don't know if I can wait too long though to figure it out. I am also starting to worry that if not all of the rides are open, then it will make what's there even more crowded.

 

[macraven]

Don't think any of us know how it will be until peeps start going to Vbay

Pave the way for us and take notes
Share with us when you return

That shout out is for everyone to come back and share

We will get the sticky moving to help all once we know more

 

[RalphinSC]

Uggghhh! We are going to be there the 2nd and 4th days. I got premium seating for the lockbox, since it's just DS and I. I don't want to run a marathon between our loungers and the locker all day. Now I can't decide if I should get EP or not. It's good to know that only Krakatau is excluded. I feel I can't just add one of the days. I would need to do both and that's $240. I don't know if I can wait too long though to figure it out. I am also starting to worry that if not all of the rides are open, then it will make what's there even more crowded.

From what I've seen, it looks like all of the rides themselves are on pace to be open. The things that may not be finished in time are landscaping and certain smaller buildings. That is to be seen though. Never underestimate the speed at which things can be done in a crunch.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

Hi I just want to throw this out there. I heard on a podcast from the Orlando Informer some rumors that they were told. From what I understand the Orlando Informer is reputable. He was saying that the rumor he heard is that everybody will get Krakatau when they come in plus one other ride. After that you will make your selections at the ride. However, you can't make another reservation till after the current one is gone. He was also saying that there is a good chance slots will get filled by early day and if you come later there is a good chance you won't get much to do. Hence, the EP will bypass all that for the day. I think (and we won't know till it opens for sure) but there is a good chance EP is going to be a big seller. As the demand goes up the price will go up if you haven't bought it already. We will have all ideas and rumors put to rest in a couple of weeks.

I have bought the EP's for my first day at the end of July and will make a decision on my second day later that week once I hear feed back also.

While I agree that OI is generally reliable, I really don't think there's any possible way anybody can know any of this stuff yet. They're nowhere near up and running as of today.

Frankly, if it was my own family I'd hold off on Volcano Bay until they've had a good 30-45 days of full operations. That way you have some real handle on how things are working in real time ... as opposed to speculation like we're seeing now.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Jimmy Fallon has a virtual line holder. I don't think you can use EP on it at all, as typical with new rides. From what I learned yesterday at a Universal Agent Training the Tapu Tapu, it's going to change how people "wait". Imagine just picking the rides you want to go on and then going off to do what you want and then being alerted when to go to the ride. It is really a great idea, as well as that it interacts with the environment. I am not getting EP for our trip. It's not worth it because the rides we want to ride most are HP and you can't use it on them. I think the 1-hour headway will help us immensely though and we have 5 days there so that is def enoough time to get through the parks.

 

[Parker Clan]

Can't wait to hear all about it as we will be there mid August and are definitely doing Volcano Bay

 

[123SA]

Will Volcano Bay be one of the parks that will open early for resort guests?

 

[soniam]

Will Volcano Bay be one of the parks that will open early for resort guests?

Yes, it will have 1 hour early entry, so mostly starting at 9am.

 

[rastuso]

I think VB is going to be a real cluster when it opens. The thing about lines is they have a psychological impact. Some people will see four flights of stairs packed with people and say, nope, lets go to the lazy river. Others will gladly get in the line. If everyone waits in the line for free, the people that are power riders will get a LOT less than they expect.

VB has similar ride lists to the Disney parks, but they are pretty sparse too. At least Universal is putting in some state of the art rides, and the long coaster. And multiple slides per attraction.

Where I think VB will really miss is theming on the rides. It is looking more and more like besides the lazy river, which supposedly goes through some of the volcano, the water coaster MAY go through it, or it may just bo into a shaded area uinder the volcano.

And that's the biggest shocker to me. I can not believe the Volcano is really only a facade with a gaping open back, instead of an enclosed area where lots of slides could go through a few large themed rooms with projections and water sprays to look like lava. They REALLY missed that opportunity. Perhaps the budget was cut a lot

J