Welcome to a special edition of Dateline Universal Orlando. We were lucky enough to be invited to a preview of Volcano Bay, Universal’s brand new water theme park, yesterday. It grand opens to the public today, May 25th, and is a glimpse into the future of the resort, which now boasts three parks! We have about 140 photos to share with you, let’s dive in!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Every guest heading to the park from the main parking garage gets dropped off via shuttle. They then will walk through this themed tunnel (under traffic!) to the Volcano Bay entrance.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The escalator takes you right up the to entrance. There is also an accessible ramp.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Volcano Bay.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Little water features under each letter.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal’s PR team welcomed us to the event.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Thierry Coup (the Senior VP of Universal Creative) was there as well! He’s absolutely brilliant.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Creative welcomes us to their latest project.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Team Member outfits.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Additional ticket sales at the entrance for those who haven’t managed to get them before this point.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
If you are into Tiki things, this park is for you!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Height requirement sign outside the entrance.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These little guys are what turnstiles look like in 2017.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Upon entering, your ticket gets linked to one of these guys, called a TapuTapu. It is basically your way to do everything in the park, which we’ll get into in a little bit.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
This little box has a camera inside. All you have to do it hold your TapuTapu near the reader and it links to your ticket. You can then purchase the photo later on.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The approach to Krakatau, the large centerpiece volcano, is very similar to the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. You turn a corner and go up a slight incline, and there it is. The reveal is stunning.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
You can rent out cabanas for a more private experience.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Waturi Marketplace is the main gift location.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The views are nothing short of impressive.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Lots of life vests throughout the park.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Also, LOTS of beach chairs all over.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Like, a ton of beach chairs.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The waterfalls are quite beautiful.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
This is the exit point of the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, a 125 foot drop at a 70 degree angle.


, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Awesome signage.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Dancing Dragons is the bar closest to the wave pool.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
This is the first of several restaurants in the park, Kohola Reef.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
There are at least four different places to get lockers while inside Volcano Bay. If you link a credit card to your ticket, just use TapuTapu to purchase and open your locker!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
There are details everywhere in this park!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Notice the lift in the center. It carries tubes up the slides so you don’t have to!
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
There is a new berry flavored version of Dippin Dots here.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Tot Tiki Reef is the kids play area.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Very colorful.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Love these frog lights on the bridges!
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
One of TWO lazy rivers in the park.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Whakawaiwai Eats is the second restaurant we encountered.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Krakatau Aqua Coaster is the crown jewel of the park. It is a long ride that is intense, but a ton of fun. It’s also much longer than we expected it to be.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
TapuTapu touch points. If there is a wait, you hold your TapuTapu to it, and it tells you when to come back so you won’t need to wait forever in a long line!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
More tube slides.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Tikis greet you at the end of your journey.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The last drop of the Aqua Coaster. You do get some airtime here!
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Kunuku is the bar closest to the back of the park.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The backside of the volcano isn’t quite as pretty as the front. Let’s call this the functional side of the mountain.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These are the Punga Racers, the mat based slides.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The second of the two lazy rivers, this one is more intense! You can see the turbulence in the water.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
More family sized tube slides.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Bambu is where I had lunch. Had a burger that was better than most counter service offerings I’ve had at Universal, save for the two Potter restaurants.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These are the drop slides, named Ohyah and Ohno. They are called that since at the end, they drop anywhere from four to six feet into a 10 foot deep pool.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Awesome details of Krakatau.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Some of the merchandise available in the park.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Yeti style tumblers.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
You can slip your phone into one of these and not worry about taking a trip to the Genius Bar the next day!
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
TapuTapu touch point telling me there is a 20 minute wait for this slide. But, I don’t queue up for 20 minutes. I could go sit in a chair, or float in the lazy river!
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These tikis are triggered by TapuTapu at the totem in the center of the pool.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
One of the cabanas available to rent for the day.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The cabanas are basic, but private.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
On a busy day, these would be most welcome.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Cabana with a view! Sign me up.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Can’t get enough of these views. And look at the size of this pool.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Inside Waturi Marketplace. Did Joe Rohde consult on this project? It feels so Animal Kingdom meets Aulani.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
I believe every single ride entrance has six TapuTapu points, as well as racks for sandals and shirts.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The intense lazy river is named TeAwa – The Fearless River.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The exit to Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides. Once the vegetation grows in fully, many of these slides will practically disappear.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These are two slides located at the top of the volcano, next to the Ko’okiri Body Plunge. I rode both of them, and they are quite intense. You are in a glass tube, and then the floor drops out from underneath you and you FLY through the volcano until you splash down at ground level. Note – there are MANY stairs to get to the top, and it is not for the faint at heart.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Details inside the Dancing Dragons bar.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
This is what the TapuTapu touch points look like up close.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Details at the entrance to TeAwa.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
These adult beverages come in a souvenir glass.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Splashdown!

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
One of the smaller, and less expensive cabanas for rent. These aren’t exactly private, but will fit more budgets.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Cabanas right near Krakatau.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The Today show is in town, and they get their own cabana.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
The entrance of the lazy river into Stargazer’s Cavern, they were still working on this one.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
One of the family sized rafts ends its run.

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort

, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Big warnings for the Body Plunge.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
This pool is called The Reef, and is a place where you can get the best view of those brave enough to experience the Body Plunge.
, Volcano Bay – New Water Theme Park Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort
Time to head out!

Wow, that’s a lot to cover! And, because my camera is not waterproof, I wasn’t even able to take you on any of the slides or into the volcano itself. This photo report is really just a tease.

Universal’s Volcano Bay is being billed by Universal as their third “theme park.” But let’s be clear, it is still a water park at heart. But it definitely has a theme, and also a heart and soul, which is something many water parks lack. Between the addition of this new park and the three newest hotels (Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, and the under construction Aventura), Universal Orlando feels more like a resort than ever before. This park also adds crazy value to staying at Cabana Bay, as it is walking distance away. TapuTapu was VERY easy to use and seems like a solid way to tie things together, and is possibly a hint at what is to come for the entire Universal Orlando Resort.

So, what didn’t we like? Well, there are a few spots in the park where you can see an I-4 off-ramp and Turkey Lake Road, which kind of pulls you out of the theme. There are a lot of slides, which is a huge plus, but for those who aren’t into that sort of thing, you basically have a wave pool, two lazy rivers, and some wading areas. Also, some of the slides are weight restricted, and they had scales at the entrance to make sure people could ride. There also isn’t a lot of shade at the current moment, so it is going to be very, very warm inside the park come summer. The only places I found air conditioning were the restrooms and the gift shop at the front of the park.

A few tips for those of you who are suffering from tiki envy and ready to make a beeline to Volcano Bay. Set up a Universal account at home, through their app, BEFORE your trip to save you time! You can link your ticket to it, and also add a credit card if you want to use TapuTapu to pay for things. And that’s a great idea because then you won’t need to carry a wallet around with you all day or risk losing a credit card in the wave pool. Second, invest in some good flip-flops, as you’ll be doing a ton of walking, and there are places to leave them that are watched by Team Members at the entrance to every attraction. Third, if you aren’t staying at a Universal Orlando resort, get there early. You’ll have to park at the main parking garage, go through security, and then get on a shuttle to the park. From there, you’ll be almost into the park. So, the earlier you arrive, the better. Also, don’t miss the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, as it was the star of the show for me, and was probably the coolest water park attraction I’ve ever been on.

So, what do you all think? Will you attend Volcano Bay? How does this stack up to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as a third park for this resort? Let us know in the comments below.

Mahalo, a hui hou – Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.