Anyone been to Volcano Bay?

averysmom

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Especially when it's busy/ high on the crowd meter. Thinking of spending a day there in July, and worried about them closing for capacity essentially right at opening. I've read a few reviews that says ppl were getting there at 7 for a 10 o'clock opening! Sounds drastic!

Any other thoughts would be great!
 
We were at Universal over Easter weekend, and went to Volcano Bay on Good Friday. We were late getting moving, so didn't make it to our hotel shuttle bus stop (Royal Pacific) until just after 9am, which was the start time for early entry. Got in to VB about 9:15 or so? Had time to rent a locker and ride a half a dozen slides (all the ones we were interested in) and then hung out in the wave pool a bit until the lazy and fearless rivers opened at 10am, the official opening time.

At 10am the masses swarmed in. Every lounge chair was gone in minutes, and lines formed at all the rides. Things were still doable at that point, though. Got really crowded by about 11am, which is when we left (hadn't planned a full day there) and I heard afterwards it closed to capacity around noon or 1pm.

You'll be fine if you have early entry and actually get there on time (unlike us). Stake out your chair(s) then, and rent towels if you want them (the kiosk we went to was out of clean ones by 11 when we went to get them). Head to the rides at the back first for the shortest lines, and take a look at the park map online before you go, since their signage is a bit confusing. If you're going for a full day during prime time, think about a cabana rental to make life easier.

It's a great water park, way better than TL or BB at WDW. It was our favourite park at Universal.
 
We went in October; its a beautiful park. Fun theming, super colorful, very lush. We rented a cabana.

I can't comment on the high crowd days (we went on a Monday, and while it was definitely busy, the park was not at capacity) but I can provide you with some visuals:


22687790_10156206078841416_8582228038104794720_n.jpg


22730470_10156206078901416_2867068179571260476_n.jpg


22549612_10156206079381416_7754595947775543741_n.jpg


22687828_10156206079486416_5634879909097778321_n.jpg


22552483_10156206079551416_6345914777562873669_n.jpg


22528318_10156206079666416_4557279471404653502_n.jpg


22549882_10156206079721416_7338835741770371641_n.jpg


22528470_10156206079801416_1368994914264538711_n.jpg


22519637_10156206079911416_8939882550021796441_n.jpg


22528502_10156206079986416_5375604565234824890_n.jpg


22549497_10156206080046416_957685327210098037_n.jpg


22688508_10156206080106416_245043044643402614_n.jpg


22549871_10156206080146416_1412514423337286758_n.jpg


22528246_10156206080176416_5839689523564344692_n.jpg
 


How would you compare it to Aquatica?

Aquatica is still our favourite of the 2 water parks. While VB was gorgeous and we had a great day, we find Aquatica to be more relaxing, just as fun, much less busy, and WAY more affordable (cabanas, food, etc). And while VB has a "fearless river", TeAwa, we didn't think it lived up to the awesomeness of Roa's Rapids.

We were also not fans of VB's Tapu Tapu virtual queuing. They could not provide DH with a band to fit his wrist, so he ended up carrying it in his swimsuit pocket all day and worrying that he'd lose the darn thing.
 
Aquatica is still our favourite of the 2 water parks. While VB was gorgeous and we had a great day, we find Aquatica to be more relaxing, just as fun, much less busy, and WAY more affordable (cabanas, food, etc). And while VB has a "fearless river", TeAwa, we didn't think it lived up to the awesomeness of Roa's Rapids.

We were also not fans of VB's Tapu Tapu virtual queuing. They could not provide DH with a band to fit his wrist, so he ended up carrying it in his swimsuit pocket all day and worrying that he'd lose the darn thing.

Thanks for this! I couldn't believe how cheap Aquatica was on the website, including Cabanas, etc. And I would think that some of the crowd for there has diverted to VB, at least for a little while.

When we went to Sea World, we signed up for the shuttle at Cabana Bay (pick up at City Walk). Is there something similar for Aquatica?
 


Aquatica is still our favourite of the 2 water parks. While VB was gorgeous and we had a great day, we find Aquatica to be more relaxing, just as fun, much less busy, and WAY more affordable (cabanas, food, etc). And while VB has a "fearless river", TeAwa, we didn't think it lived up to the awesomeness of Roa's Rapids.

We were also not fans of VB's Tapu Tapu virtual queuing. They could not provide DH with a band to fit his wrist, so he ended up carrying it in his swimsuit pocket all day and worrying that he'd lose the darn thing.
Is that a little fridge in the cabana? Is there anything in it? Are there any extras with the cabana? I'm just trying to figure out if its worth $200 to us. Thanks for your pictures.
 
We went during the second week of March. It was quite busy when we went on the bus from the parking. But they did a very good job of getting everyone into the buses with minimal waiting. This was around 10am. We don't arrive early for any parks.

The Tapu Tapu band worked well for us with no issues. However, we didn't link our payment to it.

We were able to ride all the rides and was able to ride the Aqua Coaster 4 times until it became too busy....twice when we arrived and just walked on, then we use the band the other two times...it's definitely a fave for our family. It was quite cold, even in the water, so we didn't stay for the whole day.

We were planning to get the Cabanas, but it was a cooler day that we like for a water park so we just stayed for a few hours until we rode the rides we wanted and then left. It was an easy day, although I will admit that I did not like the Fearless River...I think they are correct in cautioning families with smaller children. With that said, my family enjoyed it and after a little time, I left and went back to the Winding River....
 
Is that a little fridge in the cabana? Is there anything in it? Are there any extras with the cabana? I'm just trying to figure out if its worth $200 to us. Thanks for your pictures.

Not sure if you are asking about the VB cabana, or the Aquatica cabana......so I'll cover both.

There is a fridge in both the VB cabana and the Aquatica cabana, and both are stocked with bottled water. At VB, you also get a fruit/snack tray delivered to you once you're settled in:

22549673_10156206103146416_7776776389709306471_n.jpg


No food is included with an Aquatica cabana.

Both VB and AQ provide rental towels with your cabana reservation, and both have a large locker right inside the cabana. Both parks have their cabanas staffed by an attendant, and both allow for you to order food and/or drinks to be delivered to you there.

Here is a list of the VB offerings as of Oct. 2017:

22687829_10156206103686416_7081923451270265088_n.jpg


And here is a VB Tiki Punch....it was an expensive little bugger, but tasted good:

22528164_10156206103316416_5649326544324957537_n.jpg


At Volcano Bay, you can also queue for the rides on a dedicated screen right inside your cabana (so no running to tap your Tapu Tapu at the actual ride). You can also use the tablet to order food, view the park map, etc.:

22549581_10156206103206416_7607305020414755509_n.jpg
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top