The primary time I visited Common Volcano Bay water park with two teenagers, I had so many questions earlier than we went. Might we get a locker, how onerous was it to get chairs, how does the wristband work, do we want towels, how can we get to Volcano Bay, may we take an Uber?? You get the thought. I took cautious notes in order that I may share our greatest Common Volcano Bay ideas with you!
Earlier than I get into the information, I’ve to say that Volcano Bay is a category aside from each different waterpark I’ve visited. It’s not typically that I can sit in a waterpark, hearken to mild island music, watch the palm fronds sway above, and hearken to the splash of a waterfall and truly calm down. I’m normally freaked out about germs, strains, security, and the overall chaos.
But by some means, Common Orlando’s Volcano Bay has created an island oasis subsequent to a freeway and nestled up towards a mega-resort lodge and theme park. There have been even moments after I imagined myself within the islands and never smack-dab in the course of Orlando.
Don’t get me mistaken, you gained’t really feel that relaxed all through the entire park — with its crowded walkways, strains that aren’t imagined to be strains, and energetic free-for-all in terms of snagging a tube on the lazy rivers. That half — not so stress-free. However if you happen to keep on with Waturi Seaside in entrance of the large wave pool and namesake Krakatau Volcano, then you definately’re good.
In truth, of all of the waterparks I’ve been to, each indoor waterparks and different Orlando waterparks, I feel Volcano Bay is the perfect waterpark.
About Common Volcano Bay
Common Orlando’s Volcano Bay opened in late Might 2017 to a lot acclaim and excessive expectations. They turned the water park world on its head with the brand new Tapu Tapu wristband know-how and in depth theming.
The thought behind Volcano Bay is the story of the Waturi individuals — a fictional Polynesian-type tradition that “Water is Life and Life is Pleasure.” Common Orlando Volcano Bay strives onerous to increase this theming from the design, meals, experiences, and even music.
With 17 points of interest, Volcano Bay now affords probably the most rides of any Orlando water park. There are six multi-passenger rides, 5 single-rider riders, and 6 household points of interest. We didn’t hit all of those earlier than the skies opened up and rained out our day (nope, there are not any refunds if it rains), however we did discover just a few favorites.
Professional tip: If it does rain, it pays to search out shelter and wait it out. Should you depart the park, you may come again later however provided that there may be sufficient capability.
Not being a trip individual, I beloved the Kopiko Wai Winding River that takes you into the volcano and the darkish Stargazer’s Cavern. The TeAwa The Fearless River was additionally enjoyable, however I used to be anticipating a bit extra when it got here to the rapids — actually it was only a wave or barely stronger jets.
Hannah and her good friend Ruby beloved the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which is a four-person canoe that slides up and down and thru the twists and turns within the volcano earlier than going by a waterfall. It was for much longer than they anticipated and the drops weren’t as large as they feared. The Honu aka Moana raft rides have been additionally a favourite, with the excessive partitions to trip up and down.
Attending to Volcano Bay
If you’re staying on-site at one of many Common Orlando inns, you will have to take a shuttle bus on to Volcano Bay. Nonetheless, in case you are staying at Cabana Bay, Aventura, or Sapphire Falls, you may stroll alongside the trail and thru the parking zone to a particular entrance supplied just for Cabana Bay friends.
Should you aren’t staying on-site don’t be tough and assume you may stroll from Cabana Bay if you happen to aren’t staying there! I attempted this and had our Uber drop us off at Cabana Bay however I quickly discovered I’d need to take a shuttle from Metropolis Stroll once we have been turned away once we couldn’t present our lodge room key. Don’t make that mistake!
If you’re staying off-site however driving, comply with the indicators to Volcano Bay, however be ready that you have to then take a shuttle bus from the parking zone to Volcano Bay.
If you’re staying off property and taking a taxi or Uber, there may be NOT a visitor drop off/decide up space at Volcano Bay. That you must get dropped off at Metropolis Stroll, after which take a shuttle bus to Volcano Bay. It’s a ache so construct within the additional transit time in case you are making an attempt to get there for park opening.
Getting the Hold of the Digital Queue and TapuTapu Wristbands
What is actually revolutionary at Volcano Bay is the TapuTapu know-how. Every visitor is given a wristband that serves as a digital line. I like how waterparks (like Margaritaville’s H20) incorporate know-how to enhance the visitor expertise.
You faucet the wristband on the icon on the waterslide you need to trip and it assigns you a time to return on your trip. The clock on the wristband counts down and buzzes when it’s time to return to your choice.
The plus aspect is that you simply don’t want to attend in line the entire time, the draw back is that there may nonetheless be an hour or extra wait between rides and you’ll solely faucet separately, so you have to be good about how you utilize it.
In spite of everything, would you reasonably wait an hour for the Krakatau Aqua Coaster or do three water slides with 15-minute waits for every? Additionally, whenever you return to your slide at your designated time, don’t count on to stroll proper on. There may nonetheless be a brief wait.
TapuTapu additionally opens lockers and might be linked to a bank card for cashless funds in case you are staying in a Common Orlando resort. Plus, it unlocks some enjoyable easter eggs (see extra under.)
Common Orlando Volcano Bay Suggestions
All of those options have made Common Orlando’s Volcano Bay extraordinarily common! Listed below are some Volcano Bay ideas you need to consider to squeeze probably the most enjoyment out of your keep.
1. Get there early!!
This might not be earth-shattering however it’s a very powerful tip to recollect. In excessive season, the park might attain full capability by late morning. That implies that even if you happen to’ve purchased a ticket prematurely, if you happen to aren’t on the park by the point they attain capability, you aren’t getting in. Tickets can be found on the gate, in the event that they haven’t bought out for the day. Reservations aren’t required presently so make sure that to get there early.
Simply take into account that the hours (and opening days) change relying on the season so at all times test the web site for present hours and social media accounts for any capability alerts.
2. Keep at Cabana Bay Seaside Resort or Aventura Lodge
Observe: This publish might include affiliate hyperlinks. Should you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
These “prime worth” resorts now have an enormous benefit over the opposite properties and that’s quick access to Volcano Bay, positioned simply behind the resort. These are the ONLY resorts the place you may get to Volcano Bay with out getting on a bus (see extra under.) It’s also possible to stroll from the Sapphire Falls resort, however it’s a longer stroll. Test charges and opinions.
3. E book your cabana or premium seating prematurely
If you wish to be assured a primary seat with an umbrella, two chairs, and chair service; you may pay an upcharge to order them. However don’t be like me and wait till 10 days earlier than your journey to name, solely to search out them bought out.
And undoubtedly don’t count on to have the ability to do it onsite. You’ll need to name to make the reservation (simply test the “add-ons” choices.) Simply take into account that these upgrades are expensive!
There are just a few totally different choices for leases together with:
- Single cabanas that maintain as much as 6 individuals (higher stage or decrease stage cabanas)
- Household suite cabanas that maintain as much as 16 individuals
- Premium seating chairs with cushions and a protected
4. Deliver your individual towels
Towels can be found for lease however Volcano Bay isn’t like a lodge pool that provides towels to make use of without spending a dime. A simple method to save is just by bringing your individual. We attempt to journey with thinner seaside towels that don’t take up loads of area in our baggage and might at all times get left behind if they’re soaking moist.
Or, we purchase low-cost towels at a memento store once we arrive. Another choice is to order some from Amazon to be shipped to your lodge however test first together with your lodge to see in the event that they cost for package deal deliveries.
5. Are you able to carry meals into Volcano Bay? Looks like.
I additionally noticed numerous individuals with their very own meals and drinks. Nobody was carrying coolers in however safety appeared to let by baggage with meals and snacks. So so long as you don’t overdo it, or attempt to sneak in alcohol, you ought to be okay.
If anybody in your celebration has meals allergy symptoms, you can even let the safety guard know that you’re bringing in meals for them as a result of they’ve allergy symptoms. Common Orlando is nice about that.
6. First cease: safe your chairs
If you first arrive, the very first thing you need to do is locate some open chairs. The prime spot can be Waturi Seaside on the enormous wave pool that fronts the volcano.
Nonetheless, if you happen to don’t see one thing there, don’t panic. There are literally loads of chairs round in numerous areas. One of many different good choices can be again by the doorway to the TeAwa Fearless River (the marginally much less lazy river.) There’s a mixture of adjustable lounge chairs and smaller upright, low seaside chairs.
I do know whenever you stroll in it may be tempting to gawk on the Volcano and stroll round to scope out the rides however belief me, you need to safe handy, prime seating on your group as quickly as potential. There might be loads of time to hit the rides after.
7. Second cease: get your Volcano Bay lockers
There are locker buildings/bogs scattered all through the park so it shouldn’t be onerous to search out some close to your chairs. However they are going to promote out quick, particularly the massive ones. There are small, medium, and enormous.
As soon as rented, you may go out and in of them all through the day. It’s simpler to make use of a bank card than money, simply faucet your TapuTapu, insert your bank card, and the locker pops up. Return later and faucet your wristband and your locker will pop open (so so long as you keep in mind your locker station, you don’t even really want to recollect your quantity.)
8. Flip your TapuTapu into Seamless Cost
What’s even simpler than paying by bank card on the lockers and eating institutions is to show your TapuTapu right into a seamless fee choice. To do that, obtain the Common Orlando App and arrange your bank card fee technique. Join the TapuTapu to make use of at lockers, present outlets, and meals institutions all through the day.
9. Think about Shopping for an Specific Move
One method to skip the strains at Common Parks is with an Specific Move. There are two methods to safe an Specific Move. You may both keep at one of many Premium Common Orlando Resorts that embrace Specific Passes for Friends (presently Loews Portofino, Exhausting Rock Lodge, and Loews Royal Pacific) or, you should purchase an Specific Move as an ADD ON to your theme park ticket.
At Common Orlando Volcano Bay, Specific Passes are barely totally different than on the different two parks. You may both buy a 1-Park Common Orlando Specific Move, which solely will get you Specific Move entry to Choose rides and might solely be used as soon as per points of interest, or, you should purchase a 1-Day Specific Move PLUS, which lets you skip the digital line in any respect points of interest, however nonetheless solely use it as soon as we attraction.
Pricing varies as a result of it’s primarily based on demand, so you will see increased pricing on days when the park expects excessive demand. Simply take into account that the Specific Move permits you to skip the VIRTUAL line. This doesn’t imply that whenever you get to the trip you may stroll previous all of the individuals ready. It simply implies that you don’t have to scan your TapuTapu and wait to be assigned a time to trip that trip. You may be a part of any line you need (primarily based in your move stage), however nonetheless want to attend your flip.
Friends who buy Specific Passes for Volcano Bay will obtain a wristband separate from their TapuTapu.
10. Third cease: Decide a trip
That is the place it actually helps to perform a little research forward of time and work out what you need to trip probably the most. Simply keep in mind, the “large” rides just like the Krakatau Aqua Coaster would be the hottest so attempt to get these in earlier than the foremost crowds arrive.
What you will have to do is locate the trip (attempt studying the trip descriptions and taking a look at a map prematurely to be ready.) Outdoors of the doorway might be a TapuTapu kiosk. Merely faucet your wristband and you can be assigned a time to return to the trip.
Don’t fear about keeping track of a clock. The wristband counts down for you and can buzz when it’s time to trip.
11. Don’t count on “no strains”
They promote TapuTapu as a method to eliminate strains. It undoubtedly helps, however don’t assume you’ll stroll proper onto the rides.
For a lot of rides, as soon as it’s your “flip” within the digital queue, you’ll nonetheless have a little bit of a line whenever you arrive on the trip earlier than you may take your flip. Additionally, don’t be stunned to have “digital” wait occasions of 60-120 minutes for the preferred slides.
In between, you’ll need to cool off within the wave pool, Winding river, or Fearless River (the lazy river that has some waves and a stronger present.)
12. Not each trip has a wait
If the very first thing you faucet has a protracted wait time, don’t hand over but. Take a stroll by the park. There could also be some rides that don’t have a line so they’re “No wait” and you’ll board instantly when you wait on your different trip.
Because the park will get extra crowded, that gained’t be potential so that you’ll want to sit back out in one of many rivers, the wave pool, or calm down on the seaside for some time.
13. Eat early
Volcano Bay has executed a terrific job with its menu choices and the eating places get packed at lunchtime. Should you get there just a little earlier than 12, you gained’t want to attend. Likelihood is the solar, water, and train are going to make you hungry anyway and you can be able to eat earlier than midday.
You may additionally discover some good choices at a number of the shacks across the park. For instance, the Feasting Frog affords nice Rooster Mole Tacos and Poke Poke bowls.
If you’re on the lookout for cocktails, head to the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar.
14. Purchase a refillable cup
Identical to within the different Common parks, you should buy a refillable, insulated cup (they’re cheaper if you happen to purchase multiple) and refill it all through the day.
It’s a little more durable to search out the Coca-Cola “Freestyle” stations in Volcano Bay (actually simply within the eating places), however you may carry them to different huts they usually can refill them from the fountain.
We introduced our personal water bottles to refill at water fountains however the water will get sizzling so quick within the warmth. So we purchased one refillable cup to get entry to ice and took turns refilling it with no matter we wished (and simply grabbed a few common straws so we may share.)
Simply notice which you could solely refill once in a while so sharing gained’t work in case you are all tremendous thirsty and have to refill too incessantly. It’s also possible to get common water and ice from these machines in addition to sodas, iced teas, and lemonades.
15. Put on your flip flops
Volcano Bay does an excellent job of cooling the sidewalk with water mist, however you’ll nonetheless be scurrying throughout some sizzling pavement. However you don’t have to do it in naked ft. There are racks in entrance of every trip the place you may retailer your sneakers and coverup in just a little rope hammock shelf till you’re executed.
I’d additionally suggest bringing a sunhat (listed here are my suggestions for the finest packable sunhats for girls), as a result of that Florida solar might be sturdy!
16. Search for easter eggs
TapuTapu doesn’t simply open lockers and safe trip occasions, it additionally unlocks some enjoyable easter eggs across the park. Search for the TapuTapu icons, give it a faucet and see what occurs.
Trace: down by the seaside, faucet the massive clam shell to see what occurs.
17. Buy a multi-day move
Volcano Bay tickets for sooner or later are cheaper than the opposite parks. Nonetheless, in case you are additionally visiting Common Studios and Islands of Journey (and also you undoubtedly ought to, particularly in case you are a Harry Potter fan,) it is smart to get a multi-day move.
Should you get a four-day, three-park move, it’s virtually like getting the fourth day free. Completely price it in case you are spending at the very least three days in Common. In any other case, it’s extra economical to get a one-day move to Volcano Bay and a one-day park-to-park ticket for Common Studios and Islands of Journey.
You will get discounted tickets to Disney and Common Orlando by my companion Getaway As we speak!
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Observe: We paid full value for our tickets, similar to everybody else. All opinions are my very own.
