Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay

Florida is a hot place to be, especially compared to Canada! For me, I love to play out in the sun, but sometimes you can’t participate in ANY activities because it is simply way too hot! It gets repetitive hanging out by the pool all day, everyday. The solution……. a trip to VOLCANO BAY! What is Volcano Bay you ask? Well, it’s Universal’s FIRST water park! As the name implies, the park is a ‘volcano’ themed attraction and is the perfect place for anyone 48” or taller!

Waterslides

Volcano Bay Is home to over 20 water slides, and my family and I were able to get on all of them! Each of their water slides gets its own unique name that symbolizes the parks ‘tiki’ theme. Directly in the middle of the park is a 200 ft tall volcano named Krakatau. Inside Krakatau there are three Trap door slides, Tai Nui and Kala, which are twin slides and then Ko’okiri. Ko’okiri is the largest drop slide in the water park and in all of America! It drops you down an astonishing 125 ft into a large pool! I couldn’t get enough of  this slide, but due to it’s popularity (and long lines), I only got on twice. Absolutely my favourite in the park! A close second was the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. This is a raft slide where you and four other passengers are launched onto a roller coaster style slide with large drops, ramps, twists and turns! Rounding up my favourites are the Ohyah and Ohno – twin ‘drop’ slides. They are called ‘drop’ slides because at the bottom you are dropped 6 ft into a deep pool! Other water slides include:

• Puih
• Ika Moana
• Punga Racers
• Honu
• Runamukka Reef
• Kopiko Wai Winding River

Tapu Tapu

At Volcano Bay you are given a bracelet called a Tapu Tapu. This is an interactive wristband that will save you SOMEWHAT from waiting in those LONG lineups.

Amazingly, there are no lines longer than about 15 minutes and it’s all thanks to the Tapu Tapu! For example, say you want to ride the Punga Racers, all you need to do is walk up to the ride scanner, tap your band, and you are given a time to return! Feel free to enjoy the next little while doing whatever you want, and your Tapu Tapu will remind you when it’s time to return to the ride! In addition to holding a place in line, the band allows you to tap into the fun hidden surprises all around the island! You can explore secret water sprayers, lights, colours and so much more!

Cabana

Maybe waterslides aren’t really your thing and you’re only at Volcano Bay because your

children teamed up and begged to go. If this sounds like you, then Volcano Bay made a specific section for with your name on it! At the back of the water park, near the Ohyah and Ohno there are many private cabanas for you to rent. While your kids are out sliding, you can be nestled into a cozy cabana filled with cushions and pillows and you may even have a specialty virgin cocktail in you hand. Doesn’t that sound relaxing? Throughout the day, you will have cold drinks and snacks stashed away in your cabana mini fridge to energize for the next thrill.

Volcano Bay was a blast and I will be the begging child I mentioned above on our next Florida trip. Vacations are for making memories, and memories will be a plenty after a day at this water park!