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

[georgina]

We will be coming down the week of Thanksgiving this year. We had a great time at VB a couple months ago, what is November like for a water park? Anyone been around that week? I know the theme parks will be packed. Think VB will be too?

May not be a direct comparison, hard to predict travel this year, but we were there the weekend after Thanksgiving 2018. It was sunny but cool, so we went for a few hours in the afternoon. I don't recall it being super busy, I was with a bunch of young adult family members and they had a good time. The temperature may affect crowd level.

They were running a ticket special while we were there; it may have been for AP holders (not positive), but I was able to buy them 2 days at VB for the price of one, so we went Friday and Sunday afternoons.

 

[Nickb23]

Do they ever close due to rain (not thunder and lightning)?

 

[DLgal]

Does anyone know if there is a planned seasonal closure of VB scheduled for this year/early next year?

 

[DLgal]

Do they ever close due to rain (not thunder and lightning)?

I would think not, unless it's the type of relentless rain and wind that accompanies a tropical system. I know they have closed for the day in those types of situations.

 

[Sehsun]

Do they ever close due to rain (not thunder and lightning)?

What @DLgal said. At most I have seen them close a couple hours early if the rain is continuous.

Does anyone know if there is a planned seasonal closure of VB scheduled for this year/early next year?

I have not heard anything about this yet. Last year was an exception.

 

[RushDawg]

A few downsides with the cabana though includes; we had early entry but by the time we were brought to our cabana the early entry time period was over halfway over so it cut down on the time we had before the park was open to other guests.

I have a cabana for October and am worried about just this, missing all the early entry time while getting set up. I guess we could ride first then sign into our cabana later. Is there a good place to dump our stuff while we did that. This is our first time at VB.

 

[mlayman7]

I have a cabana for October and am worried about just this, missing all the early entry time while getting set up. I guess we could ride first then sign into our cabana later. Is there a good place to dump our stuff while we did that. This is our first time at VB.

If we rent a cabana again we would go right in, place our stuff in some chairs right as you get to the wave pool (plenty of places to put your stuff for that first hour) which is right next to the cabana check in hut, then get on the busy rides for that first 60 minutes. As soon as the big rides no longer have the ride now option, we would check in to our cabana. We went the week of the 4th of July, which I imagine is one of the busiest weeks for VB and walking around noticed plenty of available seats spread throughout the park at all times during the day.

 

[cschaaf]

If we rent a cabana again we would go right in, place our stuff in some chairs right as you get to the wave pool (plenty of places to put your stuff for that first hour) which is right next to the cabana check in hut, then get on the busy rides for that first 60 minutes. As soon as the big rides no longer have the ride now option, we would check in to our cabana. We went the week of the 4th of July, which I imagine is one of the busiest weeks for VB and walking around noticed plenty of available seats spread throughout the park at all times during the day.

Sounds like a good plan. We did Premium Seating and there was only one person in front of us., so it didn't take long. Unfortunately, when we walked back to the Aqua Coaster, there was some maintenance going on and it wasn't open. We chose to wait it out figuring the wait would only get longer.

We were there on a sold out day in late July and when we walked around the park, we were looking for good places for the free seating - by 11 or so, there were no empty chairs in the large seating areas and anywhere in the front of the park. There were smaller, quieter corners of the park that had a few empty chairs.

 

[cschaaf]

Sounds like a good plan. We did Premium Seating and there was only one person in front of us., so it didn't take long. Unfortunately, when we walked back to the Aqua Coaster, there was some maintenance going on and it wasn't open. We chose to wait it out figuring the wait would only get longer.

We were there on a sold out day in late July and when we walked around the park, we were looking for good places for the free seating - by 11 or so, there were no empty chairs in the large seating areas and anywhere in the front of the park. There were smaller, quieter corners of the park that had a few empty chairs.

Sorry, wanted to amend this... not that there were no empty chairs, we couldn't find 2 open chairs next to each other. There were some solo open chairs here and there.

 

[WriterGina]

We are at VB today. Got the first bus from Royal Pacific at around 8:30 for early entry and were near the front of the tapstiles when they were opened right at 9. We were #3 at the concierge to get our cabana, checked in very quickly and escorted right back to our preferred one, #6. It’s perfect! Second level cabana with gorgeous views of the wave pool and volcano on one side and the kid zone on the other. We had plenty of time to ride Krakatau twice with no wait and then the Honu and Ika Moana slides as well. Wonderful day!!

 

[jbrinkm]

We were there yesterday and the park was glorious. One of the attendants said there were fewer than 1000 people in the park, which I guess is unusual... And it was overcast (but still warm!) so the lines & walkways weren't too bad. We sat in a shaded spot near the Dragons bar and I wasn't thrilled with it for my family. I would pick the back or the other side for teenagers who want closer access to thrill slides. Also, there were always tons of people waiting for the exit of the big drop floor tube slide, so we just were looking at people's backsides all day. AND, on that note, there were a bunch of bathing suits there that I would not consider "family friendly." I won't go into more specifics, other than I was surprised some of them were even allowed. I wasn't expecting that at all.

 

[soniam]

We were there yesterday and the park was glorious. One of the attendants said there were fewer than 1000 people in the park, which I guess is unusual... And it was overcast (but still warm!) so the lines & walkways weren't too bad. We sat in a shaded spot near the Dragons bar and I wasn't thrilled with it for my family. I would pick the back or the other side for teenagers who want closer access to thrill slides. Also, there were always tons of people waiting for the exit of the big drop floor tube slide, so we just were looking at people's backsides all day. AND, on that note, there were a bunch of bathing suits there that I would not consider "family friendly." I won't go into more specifics, other than I was surprised some of them were even allowed. I wasn't expecting that at all.

We saw a lot of those bikinis as well. I thought they were from Brazil due to the skimpy suits. However, they were drinking mate, which makes me think they were from Paraguay or Uruguay. I saw one that had gotten a bad burn. Ouch! That's a rough spot for a burn.

 

[musika]

I have officially read the whole (!!) thread and feel pretty confident my question hasn't been answered.

How's the park for younger kids? We currently have an almost 10 yo and a 6 yo, who are likely to be almost 11 and 7 by the time we're allowed in. The 6yo is currently 42in so probably won't be more than 48in at time of travel. I don't think any of us have a huge interest in the drop slides (aside from my kamikaze baby but he will be too short). DH is on the fluffy side and concerned about weight limits on slides.

Is it still worth going? What would be the most fun for us to do aside from the rivers and the coaster?

 

[03GirlsMom]

I have officially read the whole (!!) thread and feel pretty confident my question hasn't been answered.

How's the park for younger kids? We currently have an almost 10 yo and a 6 yo, who are likely to be almost 11 and 7 by the time we're allowed in. The 6yo is currently 42in so probably won't be more than 48in at time of travel. I don't think any of us have a huge interest in the drop slides (aside from my kamikaze baby but he will be too short). DH is on the fluffy side and concerned about weight limits on slides.

Is it still worth going? What would be the most fun for us to do aside from the rivers and the coaster?

My 3rd child was 6 (now 7) when we went this past spring and just barely measured 48" for that trip. She was hesitant on the water coaster but did ultimately end up loving it once we got her on. She did the family raft slides (those that seat multiple people) and spent the rest of her time in the lazy river and wave pools. If my youngest would have been there, I'm sure she would have loved joining him in the kiddie areas, too.

Volcano Bay has easily become one of my favorite water parks for the sole reason that there is SO much to do regardless of age or interest. My kids ages span from 11 down to 2 with varying tolerances for water slides and there is enough to keep each of them entertained for the entire day. This is typically rare for our family. I literally have to drag them out of the park at closing; we shut the place down during our last visit. I would definitely recommend giving it a try!

 

[gumbypee]

Hi guys

I am a universal two park AP holder. Going to volcano bay for very first time this coming Sunday or Monday. Leaning towards Monday. I have a few questions (I tried reading previous posts but 73 pages is a lot lol)

1) do most people rent a locker to put valuables-phones, wallet, keys in?

2) I have the app and already have a credit card linked-I think I need my ticket before I can link it to the tapu tapu, right?

3) is it a good idea to buy ticket in advance or at the gate is fine?

I thought I had more questions but this is all I can think of right now.

thank you!!!!!

 

[gumbypee]

Do i have to park at city walk garages and take a bus over? If so, how early do I need to be there to get to park opening at 10 am

oh and do I get free parking still or not since my annual pass is only two parks?

thabks

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Do i have to park at city walk garages and take a bus over? If so, how early do I need to be there to get to park opening at 10 am

oh and do I get free parking still or not since my annual pass is only two parks?

thabks

yes - park at City Walk. Yes free parking. They will direct you to the correct garage for VB.
9:00 - 9:20 depending on how crowded things are. You still have to take a short bus ride from the garage to the park.

If you have a CC linked to the app, it should be able to link to TapuTapu. You can link the ticket to the app first. you can buy at the gate or in advance, or at the gate, but it takes a little more time to wait in line at the gate.

you can get a locker if you want, or keep your stuff at your chairs. We don't get a locker ever. Others do.

 

[gumbypee]

yes - park at City Walk. Yes free parking. They will direct you to the correct garage for VB.
9:00 - 9:20 depending on how crowded things are. You still have to take a short bus ride from the garage to the park.

If you have a CC linked to the app, it should be able to link to TapuTapu. You can link the ticket to the app first. you can buy at the gate or in advance, or at the gate, but it takes a little more time to wait in line at the gate.

you can get a locker if you want, or keep your stuff at your chairs. We don't get a locker ever. Others do.

Thank you so much! You rock!!

 

[Princess Michele]

We are thinking of going to Volcano Bay for the first time on our trip next summer. I read through some of the previous posts and Universal's website but did not find much information on Waturi Beach. My DS who will be 15 loves the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon. He is not a big fan of most slides and prefers the lazy rivers and wave pools. How do the waves at Waturi Beach compare to Disney's wave pools? Thanks for any information.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

We are thinking of going to Volcano Bay for the first time on our trip next summer. I read through some of the previous posts and Universal's website but did not find much information on Waturi Beach. My DS who will be 15 loves the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon. He is not a big fan of most slides and prefers the lazy rivers and wave pools. How do the waves at Waturi Beach compare to Disney's wave pools? Thanks for any information.

waves are the bobbing wave type like Blizzard Beach - not the big surf wave like Typhoon. VB has both a regular lazy river and a "fast" river which you wear a life vest and cruise it (no tubes).