Universal Orlando Resort’s new theme park, Volcano Bay, is the ultimate water theme park! I had the opportunity to visit as part of Universal Orlando’s Blog Squad, and there are so many things about the park that truly blew me away. I’ve got the full scoop here including tips for planning your visit, what to pack, and how to make the most of your stay.
Volcano Bay – Here’s The Scoop!
As a longtime Orlando resident, Volcano Bay has become one of my favorite ways to spend a sunny day, and I’ve visited more times than I can count since it opened. It still impresses me every single time. From the moment you walk through the gates and hear “Kia’Ora,” the word for “welcome” in the native tongue of the fictional “Waturi islanders” who call Volcano Bay home, you feel transported to a lush tropical Pacific island far removed from the everyday. The thoughtful details, the immersive theming, the resort-like atmosphere… this is not your typical water park, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Read This: 7 Time-Saving Reasons To Stay On Site At Universal Orlando
Planning Your Visit
1 – Skip The Rope: Arrive Early Or Buy Express Pass
With the TapuTapu virtual queue system retired as of October 2025, Volcano Bay now operates like a traditional theme park. It’s first come, first served on every ride. That makes arrival time and strategy more important than ever.
Arrive at opening: Universal hotel guests get Early Park Admission one hour before the general public, which is now one of the most valuable perks at Volcano Bay since there’s no virtual line to hold your place anymore. Use that first hour to tackle the most popular rides like Krakatau Aqua Coaster and Ko’okiri Body Plunge before the crowds build.
Consider Express Pass: On peak summer days, wait times for the most popular slides can reach 45–60 minutes. Volcano Bay has its own Express Pass product (separate from the theme park passes) that gives you priority access on participating slides. Worth it on busy days, especially in July and August.
Start at the back of the park: This tip from our previous visits still stands strong. Most guests naturally drift counterclockwise from the entrance, so heading clockwise and starting at the back of the park puts you ahead of the crowd on the bigger rides.
2 – Arriving At The Park
I recommend arriving early to secure a prime spot at Waturi Beach facing the volcano (or even better, reserve a cabana! More on that below). If you’re a Florida resident or staying off site, parking is easy to find as it’s available at the same garage that you’d use for Universal Orlando’s other parks. Volcano Bay has a special section on the first floor of the garage with shuttles that will take you to the front gate.
3 – What To Pack (And What To Leave At Home)
Bring the kind of daypack you’d take to the beach with essentials like sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. A hand fan is always nice too. Beach towels are a matter of preference. If you’re flying in to visit Orlando, they’re a bit bulky to pack. Buy don’t worry about bringing towels as Volcano Bay has them available to rent if you need one. For locals or visitors staying on-site, bringing your own towel will save you a few bucks.
Read This: Ultimate Packing Guide And Tips
4 – Where To Stash Your Stuff (And Yes, There Are Showers)
Showers and changing rooms: Yes, Volcano Bay has showers! There are locker rooms with showers available if you need to rinse off or change before heading out. This is especially handy if you’re planning to head to one of the other Universal parks or a restaurant after your visit.
Lockers: Available to rent throughout the park with credit card.
Cabanas: Cabanas are still one of the best upgrades you can make at Volcano Bay. But pricing has increased since our original visit. One-story cabanas, which hold up to 6 people, now start at $199.99 per day. Two-story family cabanas for up to 15 people start at $599.99. Each cabana includes cushy lounge chairs, a small refrigerator stocked with treats, towels, and concierge service so you can have food and drinks delivered directly to you. Reserve in advance by calling 877-489-8068. Cabanas cannot be booked online and sell out fast on peak days.
Premium seating: If a full cabana is outside your budget, premium seating near the wave pool and lazy rivers is a great middle ground. Padded lounge chairs with adjustable umbrella shade, and you can still book ride reservations from your seat. Pricing ranges from $29.99 to $139.99+ depending on season and availability. Reserve by calling 877-489-8068.
5 – Know Before You Go: What’s Changed At Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay has gone through some significant changes since it opened in 2017, so if you’ve visited before or read older guides, here’s what’s new:
TapuTapu is gone: The signature wearable wristband and virtual queue system were retired on October 1, 2025. You’ll no longer receive a TapuTapu on arrival, and there’s no virtual line — just traditional standby queues at each ride entrance.
Seasonal operations: Volcano Bay now operates on a seasonal schedule and is not open every day of the year. Always check the Universal Orlando app or website for confirmed operating dates before your visit.
Major refurbishment coming: Volcano Bay will be closed for a significant refurbishment from October 26, 2026 through March 24, 2027. If you’re planning a fall or winter visit, plan accordingly.
Water shoes tip: You can’t wear water shoes on the rides, but there are shoe cubbies (small nets or hammocks) at each ride entrance where you can leave flip flops or sandals while you ride. Walk the park in flip flops and leave them at the entrance to each ride.
6 – Are There Showers At Volcano Bay?
Yes! Volcano Bay has shower facilities and changing rooms available for guests. They’re located in the locker room areas throughout the park and are a great option if you want to rinse off the chlorine before heading to dinner or another park. Towels are available to rent if you don’t bring your own … handy if you’re flying in and don’t want to pack beach towels.
7 – In Case Of Rain
Florida’s known for having regular afternoon storms, especially in the summer, but thankfully they don’t last too long. A rain shower is a great time to grab a bite to eat, sip a tasty beverage, or do some shopping. After the storm passes, take advantage of being first in line at the rides! But if you want a little extra tip, pack some dry clothes to stash in your locker to change into, and then walk over to Cabana Bay for some indoor fun at Galaxy Bowl.
What To Ride
The water rides at Volcano Bay range from relaxed and chill, to heart-pumping. (This is created by the family of theme parks that brings us Halloween Horror Nights, after all). The Ko’Kiri Body Plunge from the top of the volcano is personally not my cuppa tea, but it is perfect for you adventurous types. There’s a few rides like no other I’ve seen, like the Krakatau Aqua Coaster which is so unique and fun I giggled the whole time. One nice thing to note … NO MORE CARRYING RAFTS UP STAIRS! YAY! Universal Studios designed the rides at Volcano Bay with a nifty little raft escalator so you don’t have to carry them anymore. Take a peak at the rides on Volcano Bay’s Map to help plan your day!
Bonus Tip: Since everyone seems to start at the front of the park and work their way around counterclockwise (I think grocery stores have trained us to do this), I recommend starting at the back of the park, then work your way around clockwise to get ahead of the crowds.
What To Eat
Volcano Bay has a lot of fun island-themed foods and some comforting favorites too. Don’t be discouraged if the lines look long at lunchtime as I found the queues move fast and directing guests to seating in tropical dining alcoves is pretty well organized. Here’s a list of our favorite eats at Volcano Bay:
- Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and Plantains at Kohola Reef Restaurant
- Carne Asada and Chicken Mole Tacos at The Feasting Frog
- Poke Bowl and Plantain Chips at The Feasting Frog
- Volcano Bay’s Signature Berry Breeze Dippin Dots (a blend of berry and lime)
- Rainbow Waturi Fusion Ice Cream at Waturi Marketplace (It’s a blend of Banana, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Strawberry!)
Where To Stay
Staying on-site at one of Universal Orlando Resort’s hotels will ease you into a great vacation vibe and definitely save you time by getting you to the park first thing in the morning. The resorts closest to Volcano bay are Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay. Also good to note, some of Cabana Bay’s new tower suites offer rooms with a view of Krakatau Volcano! It looks really majestic all lit up at night. Just ask about it when you book!
Looking for more tips to research your trip to Universal Orlando? Check out what my friend Angie has to say about her tips for visiting Universal Orlando.
Disclosure: Our trip to Universal Orlando Resort was sponsored as a part of our participation with the Universal Blog Squad. However, all thoughts, opinions, and photos are entirely our own!
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very informative and helpful. can you wear water shoes on the rides?
No, but there are shoe cubbies (kind of like nets or hammocks) at the ride entrances where you can leave your shoes if you don’t want to walk around barefoot. I did this with my flip flops when going on the rides.
That looks like such a fun destination.
Sees like fun. I’ve also switched to a healthier lifestyle and training with SportMe and travelling a lot. Finding new running routes where I travel is fascinating.