Why Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park is Worth a Look (and a Splash)

Universal Studios Orlando has a bit of everything for everyone. From immersive settings to gourmet dining to thrilling rides, it’s easy to stay busy and entertained. But one especially fun thing to do at Universal Orlando is take a splash into Volcano Bay, Universal’s water park.

With a vibrant tropical theme and many fun attractions to explore, Volcano Bay is the perfect place for a swim at Universal Studios Orlando.

A Mighty Volcano

As you might have guessed, Volcano Bay’s centerpiece is a volcano – and a big one, at that! Standing at 200 feet tall in the center of the park, volcanic Krakatau looks like a real-life island volcano. It really evokes the water park’s Polynesian island theme, as Krakatau features many waterfalls rushing down its sides. The mountain even lights up with fake lava at night, making guests feel like it’s a dormant volcano set to erupt one day.

Not only is Krakatau the central icon for Volcano Bay, it also hosts multiple attractions. The four-laned Punga Racers slide, for instance, has guests ride on manta ray mats into a small pool below. Then there are the awesome Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides. Towering at 125 feet, they are some of the world’s tallest drop capsule slides. Two at a time, guests fall simultaneously through two trap doors for an exhilarating plummet down the slide to the water below, such that Universal calls Kala and Tai Nui “where sea and sky meet.”

But by far the most amazing rides are those that actually go into the volcano. Like Kala and Tai Nui, the 125-foot Ko’okiri Body Plunge is one of the tallest drop capsule slides in the world. After you enter a colorful capsule, you’ll drop through a trap door into the volcano itself, reaching an angle of 70 degrees during the fall. In addition, Ko’okiri’s enclosed tube takes riders straight through an active swimming pool without stopping. It was the first park in the world to use this awesome trick.

The other big ride running through Krakatau is also cool, and something to share with the whole family: a four-person canoe ride that even goes uphill. Krakatau Aqua Coaster uses special linear induction motors to propel the canoe upwards, before you go racing down through sharp turns and through a waterfall. It’s no surprise that many fans consider this to be one of Volcano Bay’s signature rides. With all these rides around the volcano alone, you can see that Volcano Bay has much to offer water park enthusiasts of all sorts.

Wave Village

Even at the base of Krakatau, there is plenty more to do in the Wave Village pool area, with multiple themed pools to enjoy. Wave Village’s main attraction is Waturi Beach, an expansive wave pool hooking up with some of the volcano’s waterfalls. The waves go in multiple directions, making the experience even more fun. And for those who prefer to just hang out on the beach, rather than take a dip, don’t worry. Not only can you find ample seating along the shoreline, you can even pay extra for either 1 or 2-story private cabanas or premium seating in padded, canopied loungers, complete with a food and drink attendant on hand.

The Reef is another fun pool at the base of Krakatau to explore. Situated next to the secluded Waterfall Cove area by the waterfalls, the Reef is actually the pool you zip through inside a tube during the Ko’okiri Body Plunge ride. So as you swim around the calm leisure pool, you can watch others pass by during the terrifying plunge. For little kids, the Puka Uli Lagoon, with its playful tiki decorations, might be more appealing. The mischievous tiki features sometimes shoot out water, and you can also play with bongo drums.

River Village

The second “village” area for Volcano Bay, River Village, primarily focuses on easy and fun rides for kids of all ages. For instance, you can take it easy on the slow-going Kopiko Wai Winding River, which runs right through the volcano along the way. More adventurous riders can instead surf on the five-person rafts of Honu ika Moana. Honu [Turtle] sends you zipping through a flume before skirting past two large, turtle-decorated walls. In contrast, ika Moana takes the raft on a twisting ride around and over bubbling geysers, much like a whale about to spout off.

River Village also has a couple of fun play areas for children: Tot Tiki Reef and Runamukka Reef. The latter, Runamukka Reef, is particularly impressive. It’s a three-story fortress with all sorts of walkways to explore, mini geysers on the floor, colorful fish water guns, and even a few water slides of its own. Tot Tiki Reef is also fun, with tikis and whales shooting out water at kids as they splash about; it even has its own mini volcano.

Rainforest Village

Volcano Bay’s final “village” area is the Rainforest Village, which has a jungle theme and a general focus on thrill rides. Two such exciting rides are the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides. The two multi-passenger raft rides were the first in North America to use saucer-shaped curves during the wild adventure down the lava tube paths – three saucer banks, in fact. Each ride has its own exhilarating surprises – geyser blasts into a flume on Maku, and a massive funnel on Puihi – making for wonderful experiences for thrill seekers.

Rainforest Village has some other great water rides, too. If you want to feel like you’re experiencing white water rapids, hop on board TeAwa, The Fearless River. The river has multiple embarking and disembarking points for you to choose from. You can choose from four different tube slides at the Easter Island-themed Taniwha Tubes. And the aptly named Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides, right next to Puka Uli Lagoon, are sure to produces cheers and screams from riders.

Tasty Dining

Wherever you explore at Volcano Bay, you’ll find plenty of tropical menu options to eat and drink. For instance, Kohola Reef Restaurant offers Mango Barbeque Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Quinoa Edamame Burgers, while the Feasting Frog serves island snacks like Plantain Chips and Guacamole. Adults can also sip on unique alcoholic cocktails such as Vol’s Fire Punch at the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar. Plus, many of these restaurants have interesting aesthetics, such as being shaped like a canoe or a frog.

Immersive Theming

In addition to all the neat attractions and more, Volcano Bay stands out through its vivid setting, which brings to life a Polynesian island and its rich tropical culture. While some rides such as the Ohyah and Ohno Falls are pretty obvious gags, the various names for pools, slides, and other attractions tie back to Pacific island traditions and folklore.

For instance, Kunuku Boat Bar is named after the mythical fish that guided the Waturi people to Volcano Bay. The plummet down Ko’okiri Body Plunge is said to be a traditional rite to honor Vol, the god of volcanoes. And Punga Racers honors the Waturi hero Punga, born from Tangaroa and Mahuika – ocean and fire deities in real-world Māori lore. Together, the various names and the stories attributed to them create a complex mythology for the Waturi people said to call the bay home.

TapuTapu Technology

To help you avoid long waits standing around for the water rides, Universal has implemented a special system using the TapuTapu bracelets given to guests upon entering Volcano Bay. When you want to go on a certain ride, you just tap your bracelet against a special totem machine to register into the wait list. When it is your scheduled time to ride, you’ll receive notification on your bracelet. That way, you can have fun doing other things in the meantime.

Not only does TapuTapu help with reserving rides, it can be a credit card, too. You can link your TapuTapu up to a credit card you have, letting you pay for things at Volcano Bay simply by tapping your TapuTapu. By utilizing your Tapu Tapu at various places across Volcano Bay, you can unlock extra features, like firing water guns or displaying hidden images.

Plus, photo spots at the park will automatically take snapshots when your TapuTapu activates them. These special photos are available for purchase at the park, so be sure to get them while you’re there. Later, you can link your pictures to your My Universal Photo account via TapuTapu.

Since the TapuTapu bracelet is necessary for all rides, you should keep close track of your wristband at all times. To switch to a new line, just tap on the new ride stand. If one of the registration machines says, “Ride Now”, you can go on immediately without having to wait at all. And don’t forget, you’ll need to return the bracelet at the end of your stay at Volcano Bay.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

If you plan to make a multi-day stay out of your time at Volcano Bay and other Universal Orlando attractions, why not check into Cabana Bay Beach Resort? Volcano Bay’s main entrance is right next to the resort. Plus, hotel guests get to enter the water park an hour earlier than normal. Just remember to bring your room key card with you to get access to the water park.

In addition, Cabana Bay itself is pretty cool. Styled after mid-20^th-century beach resorts, the hotel is fun and affordable. Heck, you can have a splash at the resort, which features its own winding river and two pools. Additional amenities like a bowling alley further add to the resort’s appeal, making it a fine complement to your Volcano Bay adventure.

Whether you enjoy riding calmly on gentle waves, challenging yourself with thrilling drops, relaxing on the beach, dining on tropical cuisine, or just having fun in general, you’ll find it all at Volcano Bay. So the next time you’re going to Universal Studios Orlando, be sure to bring your swimsuit and head on over to Volcano Bay, where adventure awaits.

What water park attractions are your favorites? Please let us know how you like to make a splash at water parks with a comment below.

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