Volcano Bay vs Aquatica

[zanakikazz]

I haven’t been on here in a long time, so sorry if I’m posting in the wrong location. Our trip is still a few years out but we are early planners (that’s part of the fun!!) We’ll have an 8, 6, and two 4 year olds. We have done blizzard beach with the older two last time and they loved it and we thought they offered a great amount of slides for their ages (then 4 and 2), so if it’s not shut down for refurb we’ll be returning there (if it is, then we’ll do typhoon for a change.) However we want to do a second water park day - Volcano Bay or Aquatica? Are VBs kinks all worked out now? We’ll be going in late January to early February, so I believe if I’m correct crowds wont be too much of an issue. Obviously I know weather is hit or miss. Just hoping for at least a couple days for water in mid 70s at least. Which of the two do you think is geared more towards my kids’ ages? My oldest isn’t scared of rides so I don’t think he’ll have any issue with the bigger slides. Which park is overall better? We’ve never done any research really on either so we’re completely in the dark.

TIA

 

[CAPSLOCK]

They're both really good water parks. Crowds won't be an issue at water parks that time of year. I'd take a gander at the slides and areas at both and pick the one that appeals more. Alternatively, if already doing Universal, adding VB might be cheaper... if already doing SW, adding Aquatica would be.

 

[zanakikazz]

They're both really good water parks. Crowds won't be an issue at water parks that time of year. I'd take a gander at the slides and areas at both and pick the one that appeals more. Alternatively, if already doing Universal, adding VB might be cheaper... if already doing SW, adding Aquatica would be.

Yeah, we won’t be doing universal and islands this time but will be doing SeaWorld. I have watched videos on both and both seem to have nice kid areas. I like the looks of volcano bay better I guess the fact that they have a lot of bad reviews is scaring me a little. However, the latest reviews especially from this past month have been overall great!

 

[mjhtvchick]

I haven’t been on here in a long time, so sorry if I’m posting in the wrong location. Our trip is still a few years out but we are early planners (that’s part of the fun!!) We’ll have an 8, 6, and two 4 year olds. We have done blizzard beach with the older two last time and they loved it and we thought they offered a great amount of slides for their ages (then 4 and 2), so if it’s not shut down for refurb we’ll be returning there (if it is, then we’ll do typhoon for a change.) However we want to do a second water park day - Volcano Bay or Aquatica? Are VBs kinks all worked out now? We’ll be going in late January to early February, so I believe if I’m correct crowds wont be too much of an issue. Obviously I know weather is hit or miss. Just hoping for at least a couple days for water in mid 70s at least. Which of the two do you think is geared more towards my kids’ ages? My oldest isn’t scared of rides so I don’t think he’ll have any issue with the bigger slides. Which park is overall better? We’ve never done any research really on either so we’re completely in the dark.

TIA

For background, I have been to Aquatica several times but Volcano Bay only once. Also, while my husband and daughter like waterslides, I am not a fan.

Having said that, I am torn on this subject:
- I have always loved Aquatica - Roa's Rapids (a fast vs. lazy river) is my all-time favorite thing to do at a water park. Volcano Bay also has a fast river, but I didn't enjoy it as much.
- On the flip side, I thought Volcano Bay's wave pool was a lot better!
- The ambiance is about the same at both parks.
- The food is definitely better at Volcano Bay.

Specifically looking at the kids play areas, I would give the edge to Aquatica - Walkabout Waters is a HUGE splash area for the whole family with buckets, slides, sprayers, etc. There is also a smaller play area for littler ones.

 

[chicagoshannon]

That's a hard one. We LOVE Aquatica but tried Volcano Bay for the first time earlier this week.

Wave Pool: Aquatica has big, crashing waves and Volcano bay has gentle smallish waves

Kiddie Area: Aquatica big kid area (walkabout waters) is a bit larger than Volcano Bay but Volcano Bay has a few slides and it easier to keep track of your kids. Aquatica little kid area has a few tube slides and a nice pool area with water squirters. We did not visit the small kid area at Volcano.

Lazy River: Aquatica's goes through an area where you can see fish but is really, really slow. Volcano Bay is a standard circle but seemed a bit fast for a lazy river (we had been to Blizzard Beach earlier in the day and Volcano Bay was much faster )

Fast River: Aquatica's is really long and has a few different entrances, don't need to wear a life jacket. We LOVE this river. Volcano Bay is awesome also and has some special effects like tidal waves and bubbles. Must wear a life jacket. Shorter than Aquatica's.

Slides: Volcano Bay seems to have a lot more slides than Aquatica. Although, Aquatica has animals too look at in the park which is always a plus.

Volcano Bay has a lot of interactive elements around the park which is fun for kids. Since you'll already have Sea World tickets I'd try out Aquatica on this trip as long as Walkabout Waters (the big kid area) isn't closed for maintenance. We went one February and it was closed.

 

[zanakikazz]

That's a hard one. We LOVE Aquatica but tried Volcano Bay for the first time earlier this week.

Wave Pool: Aquatica has big, crashing waves and Volcano bay has gentle smallish waves

Kiddie Area: Aquatica big kid area (walkabout waters) is a bit larger than Volcano Bay but Volcano Bay has a few slides and it easier to keep track of your kids. Aquatica little kid area has a few tube slides and a nice pool area with water squirters. We did not visit the small kid area at Volcano.

Lazy River: Aquatica's goes through an area where you can see fish but is really, really slow. Volcano Bay is a standard circle but seemed a bit fast for a lazy river (we had been to Blizzard Beach earlier in the day and Volcano Bay was much faster )

Fast River: Aquatica's is really long and has a few different entrances, don't need to wear a life jacket. We LOVE this river. Volcano Bay is awesome also and has some special effects like tidal waves and bubbles. Must wear a life jacket. Shorter than Aquatica's.

Slides: Volcano Bay seems to have a lot more slides than Aquatica. Although, Aquatica has animals too look at in the park which is always a plus.

Volcano Bay has a lot of interactive elements around the park which is fun for kids. Since you'll already have Sea World tickets I'd try out Aquatica on this trip as long as Walkabout Waters (the big kid area) isn't closed for maintenance. We went one February and it was closed.

I wouldn't be so torn on which one to go to if we got to go to Florida more often. We only get their every 5 years unfortunately ): I think I'll check out if Aquatica's Walkabout Waters is closed like you suggested and just keep an open mind for now. That could be my deciding factor made for me. Thanks for your input!!

 

[zanakikazz]

For background, I have been to Aquatica several times but Volcano Bay only once. Also, while my husband and daughter like waterslides, I am not a fan.

Having said that, I am torn on this subject:
- I have always loved Aquatica - Roa's Rapids (a fast vs. lazy river) is my all-time favorite thing to do at a water park. Volcano Bay also has a fast river, but I didn't enjoy it as much.
- On the flip side, I thought Volcano Bay's wave pool was a lot better!
- The ambiance is about the same at both parks.
- The food is definitely better at Volcano Bay.

Specifically looking at the kids play areas, I would give the edge to Aquatica - Walkabout Waters is a HUGE splash area for the whole family with buckets, slides, sprayers, etc. There is also a smaller play area for littler ones.

Thanks for the input! I'm loving hearing peoples opinions who have done both!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Aquatica - Roa's Rapids (a fast vs. lazy river) is my all-time favorite thing to do at a water park. Volcano Bay also has a fast river, but I didn't enjoy it as much.

Same here. VB fast river is good, with wave action, but Aquatica's is just better.

If your kids are hard core daredevils, the 3 volcano slides at VB are more intense than Aquatica slides. Aquatica's commersons dolphins were great to watch.

 

[marymouse]

It is a hard decision as we love both as well. That said my daughter and I spent at least 2-3 hours in Walkabout Waters playing and she was 10 at least. It was just fun. I did like Aquatica's rapid river better but I think the slides are better at VB.