VOLCANO BAY.....INFO AND QUESTION THREAD........

[123SA]

Not sure when you are going, but for my dates they didn't switch EE, they took away the EE for the Studios (both parks had EE before).

I hadn't heard about the menus changes either. All these changes are so hard to keep up with!

We arrive August 19th. I think before the change it was both parks until Aug 19th, then USF starting Aug 20.

I was hoping to see a change in the closing time, but it is still 8:00pm for most of my trip. I was hoping to see the park at night, but I don't think I want to visit on a Saturday or Sunday.


I'm keeping an eye out for a trip report with the new early entry time.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi everyone I just got home . We had an amazing time I will put a trip review on the other thread later this week. I just wanted to do a quick VB update. We went back on 8-1 and had a cabana in the wave village. We were located on cabana row as it is dubbed. This is the line on the I-4 highway strip. We had a single and I have to say at first I was nervous about the location but honestly, after a bit you tune the cars out. Also, there is a ceiling fan and music so you can put it on and I didn't hear any noise. We were in cabana #22 and I have to say that it was the best one there. We were on a walking path along with 2 other cabanas. This was great because the other ones had sand up to their entrance and people would park the chairs in front of their cabana. The walkway deterred people from doing it to mine. The cabana was very nice and everything worked. We had a great hostess who came by all the time. We ordered one meal off the cabana menu because we had some quick service dining but was not able to use it with the plan. I am not sure if you can use the full service or not. The cabana menu had some of the items that were taking out of the restaurants. I would rent a cabana again but would hope the price would be a little cheaper.

We had EP and EE so it did make a difference in how much we did. However, we were walking through a plan if we didn't have EP and it would be doable. We are going back next year and I am sure they will not have EP. We did stay at CBBR and it was nice to go to VB from there.

The comments on the lazy and fearless river are true about the crowds and fighting for a tube. However, both days a guard came on duty and kept organization and it was so nice. The rides are great even if they are short. We had the photo pass and there were some selfie stations there. I would like to see more of those around the parks. Our tapu tapu came lose and would have fallen off but my husband tied it with shoe laces so we didn't lose it. I can't wait for the new ones to come. They will be more secure. We stayed at VB from open to close and had an awesome time.

We arrived both days at 7:15 and there was a line but it moved quickly. We found all the employees very helpful and enjoying their job.

We used the free-style machines and that came in very handy.

Any questions please ask

 

[123SA]

Were the lines minimal during the EE period?

And, I've read before about the shoelaces, but I have no idea what is being done with them to keep the bands on.

 

[bobbie68]

Were the lines minimal during the EE period?

And, I've read before about the shoelaces, but I have no idea what is being done with them to keep the bands on.

The lines were really good for till about 9:30 -10:00 then they got busy. I would say in the first two hours everything was under 45 minutes and of course it climbed from like starting at 10 minutes. I will say I noticed on our second visit the associates are getting really good at loading time. We go to many parks and I am seeing a good job. This is really helping to keep the wait time down.

My DH threaded the shoe laces through a few holes from each side like you would a sneaker then tied it on the top.

I understand the new bands should be coming any time and they will have a locking piece on the strap.

 

[123SA]

Thanks!

What slide was your favorite?

 

[bobbie68]

Thanks!

What slide was your favorite?

Hi for the tube slides Honu and Puihi. These are both the family raft rides. It was interesting though because the weight limits are different on each one. Depending what time of day we went on sometimes we were over by like 2 pounds and were separated. Honu has 700 combined weight and Puihi has 850 combined weight. I really enjoyed the slides here and it is beautiful as long as you pretend not to see I-4 when your waiting on the stairs for the slides.

 

[georgina]

Hi for the tube slides Honu and Puihi. These are both the family raft rides. It was interesting though because the weight limits are different on each one. Depending what time of day we went on sometimes we were over by like 2 pounds and were separated. Honu has 700 combined weight and Puihi has 850 combined weight. I really enjoyed the slides here and it is beautiful as long as you pretend not to see I-4 when your waiting on the stairs for the slides.

Can you tell me what the process for getting the EP on your Tapu was like? I have EP also next week. Did you have to go to the concierge place to get it? Any issues using it on the slides?

 

[bobbie68]

Hi we stayed at Cabana Bay and the night before VB I went and printed out my tickets for EP at the will call Kiosk there. This saved a step at the park. IF you are not staying on-site I would suggest doing it at VB outside the main entrance at their kiosk. If not you will have to go to guest services first get a ticket then go to the nearest concierge with the ticket. Once at the concierge they will put your EP on to your tapu tapu but have everyone there at the same time. I was lucky in that the associate knew what to do with them I have heard other people say they have run into confused associates with the EP. The associates at the entrances were consistent on our day with us. We did not need to get a reservation time just tap in and wait in the queue however long it was. There were some we waited about 20- 30 minutes. We did have a few times where the EP was showing invalid and the associates let the one go through cause the other three had it and it showed fine. The associates did say the tapu tapu was having some problems with EP linking. We did have to go to guest services once to get it restarted and linked.

 

[georgina]

Hi we stayed at Cabana Bay and the night before VB I went and printed out my tickets for EP at the will call Kiosk there. This saved a step at the park. IF you are not staying on-site I would suggest doing it at VB outside the main entrance at their kiosk. If not you will have to go to guest services first get a ticket then go to the nearest concierge with the ticket. Once at the concierge they will put your EP on to your tapu tapu but have everyone there at the same time. I was lucky in that the associate knew what to do with them I have heard other people say they have run into confused associates with the EP. The associates at the entrances were consistent on our day with us. We did not need to get a reservation time just tap in and wait in the queue however long it was. There were some we waited about 20- 30 minutes. We did have a few times where the EP was showing invalid and the associates let the one go through cause the other three had it and it showed fine. The associates did say the tapu tapu was having some problems with EP linking. We did have to go to guest services once to get it restarted and linked.

Thanks! I am staying at Cabana Bay so I will print my tickets out the night before then.

 

[yaya74]

We visited VB last Thursday from 6pm-830pm and yesterday Sunday 6p-8pm. On Thursday we went right after a thunderstorm so the park was quite empty. The longest wait on slide was 20 minutes or
Less. HOWEVER, when we went yesterday, which was Sunday and no rain for the whole day, VB was still busy at 6pm. A few slides were at capacity. The coaster ride was 120 minutes wait. Luckily Lazy river and wave pool were not very crowded.

 

[gunderda]

My friend and I are preplanning for next year.... what are all your opinions on going to a water park at the end of March? My friend is interesting in going to VB.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I think it will be a slower time of the year and lines will be less. I think if you are able to be swimming in cooler water then getting out in cooler temps it's a great idea. Personally I can't swim if the water and air are less than 80 degrees. March could range from 50's to 70's. That is a pretty big range.

 

[georgina]

Don't know if it has been mentioned earlier in this thread, but I just saw the latest TimTracker video and the weight limit for the Volcano trapdoor slides has been raised to 230 lbs. He also said the 2 curving ones were very intense. I haven't decided if I am brave enough for them.

 

[gunderda]

Hi I think it will be a slower time of the year and lines will be less. I think if you are able to be swimming in cooler water then getting out in cooler temps it's a great idea. Personally I can't swim if the water and air are less than 80 degrees. March could range from 50's to 70's. That is a pretty big range.

thanks!
I might tell my friend we should just play it by ear - and if weather seems like it's going to be nice we can buy tickets when we get there. We'll have a lot of pools at our resort so i don't really feel the need to go but I don't want to tell my friend absolutely no.

 

[HHMcG]

We will be in VB in two weeks. Thanks for all the great info. Right now I'm trying to figure out where we want to grab loungers and set up camp. Don't want to waste a lot of time searching for a good spot during EE.

I have two specific questions:
Are there loungers with a view of Runamukka Reef? (I don't expect us to sit much but DH and I may get a rest while our big kids take our little kid into the play area.)
Are all the loungers in SANDY beaches? (For some reason I hate sitting in sand by the pool. That is the reason why I did not enjoy RPR pool. Which is weird since will live at the beach in the summer.)


ETA:
How strictly do they enforce the 48" height max on Runamukka Reef? If my 54" DS is with his little brother will they let him go down the slide, too? Or no way?

E(again)TA: Anyone no if you can wear a life vest on Ohno and Ohyah? I have kids over 48" that aren't the strongest swimmers.

 

[T.A.D]

Hi, I have a few questions...

Are water shoes allowed on any of the slides?
What time do the buses start running for 7:30 early entry (staying at HRH)?

Thanks!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi, I have a few questions...

Are water shoes allowed on any of the slides?
What time do the buses start running for 7:30 early entry (staying at HRH)?

Thanks!

Hi when EE was at 8:00 am the buses started at 7:00. It is possible they start at 6:30, I am sure someone will be able to confirm that.

As far as water shoes I saw people wearing them on the tube slides but nothing is allowed on the body slides. You will have to hold them in your hands. This is pretty much at all water parks. I did see them on the Aqua Coaster.

 

[bellarinah]

We will be in VB in two weeks. Thanks for all the great info. Right now I'm trying to figure out where we want to grab loungers and set up camp. Don't want to waste a lot of time searching for a good spot during EE.

I have two specific questions:
Are there loungers with a view of Runamukka Reef? (I don't expect us to sit much but DH and I may get a rest while our big kids take our little kid into the play area.)
Are all the loungers in SANDY beaches? (For some reason I hate sitting in sand by the pool. That is the reason why I did not enjoy RPR pool. Which is weird since will live at the beach in the summer.)


ETA:
How strictly do they enforce the 48" height max on Runamukka Reef? If my 54" DS is with his little brother will they let him go down the slide, too? Or no way?

E(again)TA: Anyone no if you can wear a life vest on Ohno and Ohyah? I have kids over 48" that aren't the strongest swimmers.

They are VERY strict about kids having to be 48" and under to do the slides in the kids play area. I'm in the same situation as you. One of my two kids is 51" and she couldn't do any slide there. She could play with her younger sisters there but not the slides. They have a team member with a measuring stick at the top of each slide.

 

[dcessford]

Is the Universal website the only place to purchase VB single day tickets?

 

[bobbie68]

We will be in VB in two weeks. Thanks for all the great info. Right now I'm trying to figure out where we want to grab loungers and set up camp. Don't want to waste a lot of time searching for a good spot during EE.

I have two specific questions:
Are there loungers with a view of Runamukka Reef? (I don't expect us to sit much but DH and I may get a rest while our big kids take our little kid into the play area.)
Are all the loungers in SANDY beaches? (For some reason I hate sitting in sand by the pool. That is the reason why I did not enjoy RPR pool. Which is weird since will live at the beach in the summer.)


ETA:
How strictly do they enforce the 48" height max on Runamukka Reef? If my 54" DS is with his little brother will they let him go down the slide, too? Or no way?

E(again)TA: Anyone no if you can wear a life vest on Ohno and Ohyah? I have kids over 48" that aren't the strongest swimmers.

Hi I did see people wearing life vests on Ohno and Ohyay. However, I will say they seem to change policies quickly and that could change. Also depends on the guard at the top of the slide.

I was in all the areas but Runamukka Reef and there were lounge chairs in the sand everywhere. However, the kids area may have some that are not.