Volcano Bay has been the talk all-year around from the date it broke construction ground, towards the big task of creating the giant Krakatau volcano, and what design and themed aspects and challenges of what this water theme park was going tackle upon. This will be Universal Orlando Resort’s first water theme park and yesterday we were given some more insight and a sneak preview of what is to come when the park opens up on Thursday, May 25th, 2017.
Even though this post is a day later but, it is still relevant in which CNN was given full access to tour and preview Volcano Bay in Orlando, Florida with some exclusive photos of it too. First off to begin in which that Universal Creative has designed a brand new and fully immersive environment with original story telling about the Waturi Islander people to introduce and welcome guests towards Volcano Bay. If you want to read the full backstory about the Waturi people which can be read upon here.
Hundreds of Tiki faces are hidden amongst the rocks and volcano. Lush landscapes made up of thousands of palm trees and flowers surround you at every turn. The colorful carvings and artwork of the Waturi are present everywhere, taking you through their journey of discovering Volcano Bay.
Tiki heads that are scattered through out Volcano Bay about the representation of the Waturi native people that welcome guests towards their island. Source: (©Universal Orlando)
Krakatau volcano is the center focal point of the park that is stands their and reaching the skies for a height of 200-ft tall. This will also give the relaxing view once your by the wavepool or relaxing on the beach. Vice President and Exectuive Art Director, Dale Manson explained more about the volcano:
“The park is designed to go into the evening and that waterfall will do a show changing from waterfall to firefall to lava flow every night,” says Dale Mason, vice president and executive art director of Universal Creative, the team at Universal Orlando in charge of creating all the attractions. “Actually, the show may happen multiple times a night.”
Relaxing view of the Krakatau Volcano at Volcano Bay at the Universal Orlando Resort. Source: (©Universal Orlando)
Now your probably here in wanting to know about the exciting new attractions that Universal Creative has come up right? Well here’s more about it from that article. The backside of the volcano is their most daring attraction called the “Ko’okri Body Plunge” that guests will dare to drop a 70-degree fall through a drop door and are sent plummeting of 125 feet through the middle of the Krakatau volcano.
Universal said this will be the first water slide to travel through a pool of filled with guests and nearby will be more slides called “Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides”, and which guests intertwined freely along 124 feet of twists and turns. The “Punga Racer” is another attraction where guests race along manta ray themed shaped mats.
Maku and Puihi waterslides at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Source: (©Universal Orlando)
For a fast and thrilling paced attraction is the Krakatau Aqua Coaster that uses magnetic propulsion to move guests upward then downward because of the linear motor technology for the aqua coaster. Vice President Dale Mason explains more about the use of the aqua coaster:
“There are 4-passenger rafts in line that are pulled along by magnets,” explains Mason.
“There is a big steel plate in the bottom of the raft and we cycle magnets through the ride. Unlike all the other slides, which are gravity fed where you have to start at the top and make your way down, this allows you to be pulled up hills and down and around corners. It means you don’t have to climb a ride tower to get to it. It’s very fast and exhilarating.”
For something easy and fun for guests if your not a fan of thrill water slides is the “Kopiko Wai Winding River” which is a, saucer ride with action of fun filled with rapids. Volcano Bay will have a total of 18 different unique attractions scattered through out the whole water theme park.
The Tapu Tapu wristbands in which was already covered in a story that you can read more about it here and what unique benefits about it and the virtual queuing system . In which this means instead of waiting in long lines and get a return time and is somewhat similar towards a Fastpass at Disney but, the wristbands will notify you when your waiting time is up.
The Tapu Tapu wristbands that guest will utilize as part of Universal’s virtual queuing system. Source: (©Universal Orlando)
Not only that and the park isn’t open towards the public yet and Universal already has plans to expand a 5-acre expansion that already in the works. “We have a pretty darn good idea of what we’ll do,” says Mason. “It could happen quicker than we think: it could start in three weeks.”
This year’s Memorial Day weekend is going to be crammed packed of new experiences, attractions, and moments, when Volcano Bay opens up next week Thursday and Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens up next weekend on Saturday at the Walt Disney World Resort. Results shall be interesting and fascinating of who will have the bigger impact or guest attendance for these two exciting additions for both companies.
Refreshing cocktails that guests can enjoy and relax for Volcano Bay or by their private cabana to rent out. Source: (©Universal Orlando)
Single-park daily admission to Volcano Bay is $67 for adults, $62 for children. Free shuttles are provided from the parking garage. For more information, go to www.universalorlando.com/volcanobay.
Be sure to tune in next weekend for more about the grand opening of Volcano Bay and for everything Universal Parks & Resorts and all other themed entertainment news, keep checking back here at SkywalkingAdventure.com
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