Hot Time at Universal’s Volcano Bay
I've flown over Denali in a tiny plane, zip-lined the Mexican jungle and white-water rafted the Colorado, but this was decidedly out of my comfort zone. Ko'okiri Body Plunge, an extreme water slide that screams through 200-foot Krakatau Volcano at a 70-degree angle then drops 125 feet into a splash pool -- after first climbing 13 stories to board a drop capsule with a trap door -- intimidated me.
But that’s the pleasure of Volcano Bay. The third park for Universal Creative’s brilliant minds, Volcano Bay offers that “breathtaking” slide for thrill seekers while others can choose from the four-passenger, half-pipe-style Honu ika Moana raft rides. Or they can flop into a tube and float not one but two winding rivers (one action-packed, one lazy). Or they can toddle over to Runamukka Reef. In fact, they can explore 30 experiences and 18 water attractions, and they can do it all without standing in line because there’s also new technology that conquers parkgoers most-hated theme-park aspect -- the queue.
The Legend and the Reality
Before designing Volcano Bay, the Universal Creative team went searching for inspiration. They found it in New Zealand and the Maori people. Then they created a little backstory about the mythical Waturi people and a mystical fish. Maori water dancers and fierce Haka war dancers were on hand for an authentic ceremony at the May opening, and, excuse the pun, they blew the legend out of the water.
Parkgoers won’t find the Maori there now, and they won’t care. At entry, they’ll strap on a TapuTapu -- a techno-bauble that fits the wrist and tracks everything from admission tickets to purchases to a virtual place in line for a ride.
Meanwhile, they can enjoy more than 60 South Pacific-inspired dishes at eateries such as Whakawaiwai Eats or The Feasting Frog; ride the multidirectional wave pool off Waturi Beach; relax in a private cabana and grab a park-exclusive POG (pineapple, orange and guava juice blend); or just go wandering among whimsical décor such as colossal tiki heads and bloated bullfrogs to search for possible Ride Now! signals on other rides.
TapuTapu also allows TapTu Play -- fun stuff such as firing water cannons at lazy-river riders and making Tot Tiki Reef whales spout water. Another nice touch -- no one ever has to tote a mat or tube; conveyor belts handle the job.
The rides are the raison d’etrefor Volcano Bay -- and they don’t disappoint. Everyone has a favorite: the Maku Puihi round rafts, crazy-fast Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, and the Taniwha Tubes. Or the park’s “marquee attraction,” the family-friendly Krakatau Aqua Coaster (which races down and up through the dark volcano), and the cheekily named Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides, which shove riders through and drop them off four feet and six feet, respectively, above final splashdown. It’s hard to nail down a number one.
Pruny Skin Wins
At some point, exhaustion is going to conquer the day, and visitors will have to find a place to lie down. There’s no better place than ’60s-themed Cabana Bay Beach Resort. For those who question the cost of staying on-property, consider this: Cabana Bay has two brand-new towers, and those towers include 20 spiffy, spacious two-bedroom family suites that sleep six. It’s a 100-foot walk to Volcano Bay, and you get early park admission to ride like crazy for an hour. And that massive, passive daytime volcano? It lights up with faux lava at night, and your guestroom has a full-on view.
However, opening in August is tech-heavy Aventura Hotel, the park’s sixth hotel and designed for those seeking a more affordable option. Plus, the on-property shuttle bus is handy to hop to any on-site hotel, and they all have early admission.
Around the Bend
It’s impossible (and foolish) to ignore the other parks -- so visitors should beat a path to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where the rides are just as thrilling only (mostly) drier. Roller coasters and 3-D and 4-D rides are the order of the day for most parkgoers, but children’s options are also plentiful.
Along with older crowd-pleasers such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, visitors shouldn’t miss the opened-in-2016 Skull Island: Reign of Kong and the completely rebuilt Incredible Hulk Coaster. Plus, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to be a huge draw.
The don’t-miss new ride is Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. While kids might be less than impressed with Memorabilia Hall and the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet and Hashtag the Panda impersonators, everyone will love the 3-D ride featuring the first flying platform and CGI-enhanced live-action footage shown in ultra-sharp 16K resolution (created by Industrial Light & Magic) -- it even takes riders to the moon lickety-split.
Arriving in 2018 is Fast & Furious–Supercharged, which will feature the same Virtual Line technology as Jimmy’s. And on the horizon? Nintendo-themed areas and new attractions based on recently acquired Dreamworks Animation characters.
When hunger strikes, adjacent Universal CityWalk offers myriad dining options, including the steampunk Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, where I’m proud to say I did face down a $12 signature milkshake. I’d recommend riding roller coasters first.
Planning Your Trip
For more information, visit universalorlando.com. For travel-planning assistance and to use your AAA member benefits, visit your local AAA Travel agent or AAA.com/travel.
