Volcano Bay hopes to take your Water Park experience to another level

When Volcano Bay opens at Universal Orlando in 2017, it hopes to take your water park experience to a new level of fun and eliminate the long lines too!

Universal Orlando has been testing a type of wristband access system that would remind many of the MagicBand at Walt Disney World.  It’s been tested at Wet n Wild on several occasions this summer.  A guest taps his band at a ride entrance and is provided with a return time for the ride, so you don’t have to stand in a long line.  You can relax at the wave pool, float in the lazy river or enjoy some tasty dining.  I’d guess that clocks will be fairly prominent at the new Volcano Bay park, so you won’t miss that return time.

Volcano Bay is taking a tip from Schlitterbahn Beach on South Padre Island, Texas and elimating the need to carry a tube around to the rides.  At Schlitterbahn Beach, one can just float right up to the rides, it’s uncertain if Volcano Bay will allow this or merely just use lifts to auto carry the floats like Teamboat Springs family raft ride does at Blizzard Beach.

They are also said to be spreading out the dining experiences throughout the park, so you don’t have to journey back to the front of the park to get a bite to eat.  I’d love to hope for food that extends beyond the typical burgers, pizza and chicken nuggets we see at every water park in the world.  It would be awesome to see pool side service like a resort offers as well!

Volcano Bay’s lush, tropical feel is inspired by the islands of the Pacific and the park will cover 28 acres and be located right next door to Universal’s Cabana Bay resort and across the street from the new Sapphire Falls resort.  Transportation will be provided from each Universal resort.

Volcano Bay will be made up of four distinctly themed areas with great Polynesian influences from Hawaii, Krakatau, New Zealand and more:

Image copyright Universal Orlando

Krakatau:
At the heart of the park, you’ll see the 200-foot-tall volcano called Krakatau. By day, you’ll see its majestic waterfalls. And by night, the volcano will illuminate with blazing lava.

• Three distinctive body slides are found at the rear of the volcano, and each starts off with surprise doors that drop out from beneath you:
  • Ko’okiri Body Plunge: A racing, 70-degree drop that will plummet 125-feet through the center of Krakatau. It will be the world’s first slide to travel through a pool filled with guests.
  • Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides: Two intertwining slides where you’ll fall freely along 124 twisting feet.
• Punga Racers: A high-speed race through four different enclosed slides featuring manta-shaped mats.
• Secret Attraction: I can’t talk about this one yet, but it’ll be like nothing else in the park.

Wave Village:
Located at the base of Krakatau, Wave Village is a perfect place to soak in the sun and relax on the sandy shores. It includes:

• Waturi Beach: A sparkling, multi-directional wave pool where you can swim, relax on the sand or indulge in private, one- or two-story cabanas.
• The Reef: An adjacent leisure pool with calmer waters and exciting views of riders speeding through the Ko’okiri Body Plunge.

Image copyright Universal Orlando

River Village:
River Village offers several family-friendly attractions and experiences and features:

• Kopiko Wai Winding River: A gentle, winding river that passes through the volcano’s hidden caves, featuring spontaneous water effects and a journey through the cave of starlight.
• Tot Tiki Reef: A whimsical toddler play area with spraying Maori fountains, slides and a kid-size volcano.
• Runamukka Reef: A three-story water playground inspired by the coral reef overflowing with twisting slides, sprinklers and more.
• Honu: An adventurous, multi-passenger raft ride that will soar across a dual wall.
• Ika Moana: A twisting, multi-passenger raft ride that will glide across bubbling geysers.

Image copyright Universal Orlando

Rainforest Village:
Rainforest Village features an incredible assortment of attractions for thrill-seekers, including:

• Maku: North America’s first “saucer ride”, sending multi-passenger rafts speeding around three saucer-shaped curves.
• Puihi: A breath-taking multi-passenger raft ride that will plunge you into darkness before bursting into a funnel and launching into a zero-gravity drop.
• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides: Two twisting, adrenaline-pumping slides that launch you four- or six-feet above the water at the end.
• TeAwa The Fearless River: An action-packed, racing torrent river where you’ll have to hang tight in your inner tube amidst roaring, whitewater rapids.
• Taniwha Tubes: Four unique Easter Island-inspired slides with rafts for single or double riders.
• Puka Uli Lagoon: A tranquil pool where you can swim and relax.

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