I've been hearing about Volcano Bay for almost half a year now and the amount of advertisments and stuff for it really got me excited. I was slated to go there in the middle of June and was lucky enough to experience all the awesome rides there... the eighteen attractions in total. The rides were perfect, the amenities perfect-er, and the overall vibe perfect-est.
Above:Volcano Bay's Volcano as you walk in
Volcano Bay is the Universal Studios counter attack to the theme park giant that is Walt Disney World. Because Disney manages to tie in so many people to it's parks and water resorts alone, Universal needed to step up, and they did, exceptionally well. They took the idea of the MagicBand and flipped it on its head, making it a core feature to Volcano Bay called TapuTapu. This blue wrist device has a NFC card built into it like Disney's MagicBand, but it's utility was flipped in favor of Universal's needs.
Above: TapuTapu info card
This device is used to sign into rides. That's not it, however. Once you find a ride totem and tap your TapuTapu to the insignia, it will update and show you a live timer for your position in the ride queue! No standing in lines, no waiting. You tap it, wait it, ride it! It's absolutely innovative and definitely will, in my opinion, catch some eyes from Disney, who's MagicBands still dominate theme park accessibility. The drawback is, however, you can only wait for one ride at a time, and there's no watch (it is a wearable, so there should be!) but Universal announced an update to the TapuTapu that will include a time function, which will make the TapuTapu better.
Now, this wearable doesn't just have a queue function. This device uses NFC to grant you the ability to pay with it! You can link it to the Universal app and add a credit card, allowing you to not have to carry a wallet with you when you grab a quick lunch! It's absolutely amazing and helps you a lot in the long run!
Above: The water slide end pool
Below: The Red Capsule
Ko'okiri, the jewel of Volcano Bay... actually the volcano of Volcano Bay. This massive water slide is a monster, and scared the living daylights out of me when I rode it. Standing at 125 feet tall, this water slide is a drop slide, meaning you get into a capsule and a trap door is opened, releasing you down the slides which literally forces you into free fall for eight second.
"This device uses NFC to grant you the ability to pay with it!"
It had to do with the fact that there was a foreboding drum beat inside the capsule or that freefall in a tube doesn't sound that appealing, but this drop slide was absolutely a blast. It goes by fast, and like everyone said in line, the hardest part is not the drop, but getting in the capsule.
Above: Krakatau Water Coaster
Krakatau was a lot tamer than Ko'okiri for the reason that it was a water slide COASTER! You heard me correctly! You'd get into a large canoe with your family and go up and through a track of waterslides. It's super fun and super tame, plus you get wet! I mean, that is a given with a water park!
Above: A child falling out of Ohno Ohyah
Ohno and Ohyah are two "plunge" slides. I put a quote around "plunge" because on the outside it looks like a regular pair of space slides, however, these slides drop you five or so feet over the water. I said over, meaning this slide will not slide right into the water, but over it' surface.
Personally, I didn't expect it, but when the lifeguard at the top asked if I was a good swimmer, I started to get suspicious. If I were you, I'd leave this slide dead or close to dead last because a large number of people that go on this don't realize it's a "plunge" slide and cannot swim. I had to wait an additional thirty minutes AFTER I was told by my TapuTapu to go to the ride because a large family in front of my sister and me lied about being able to swim and the lifeguard had to jump in and save each and every one. Oh, and the pool you drop into is incredibly deep, so there's that, too.
Above: The Serpentine Slides
Kala and Tai Nui are two smaller drop slides that are twist-y and turn-y. They are both called the, "Serpentine Slides" for a reason. There is a blue slide and a green slide. The blue slide is the best bet if you want to get used to the capsule before Ko'okiri as it does have a slight freefall. The green does not, however. The green is more intense. In my experience, you do not need to sign in with your TapuTapu because the ride almost never has a wait, although there is a short line close to the attraction.
Above: Waturi Beach
Waturi Beach is the main pool at Volcano Bay. It's a wave pool connected to a sandy beach. The interesting thing about it is that there is a large dial towards the back of the pool that rings and changes when the waves come on. The waves themselves are calm, and it allows you to just relax.
Above: Maku Puihi
Maku Puihi are two raft slides that take up an entire corner of the park. There isn't much to say about the raft ride... except that there is a fountain that spurts water in the middle of the slide! You won't expect it, and now you will be wetter.
Above: Honu Ika Moana
Honu Ika Moana are intense water raft slides that force you up, whip you around, and will thrill you! A turn will force you close to 70 degrees vertical, and will drop you! It's super fun and is necessary to try once!
Above: The Winding River
Kopiko Wai is the first of two lazy rivers. Before I describe it, it is a must that you try this one first. Now, this is your usual calm river that you go into your inner tube.
TeAwa, the Fearless River. This river is NOT a lazy river in the slightest. It's faster, stronger, and absolutely bonkers. If you go in it before your family, be ready to lose them. You'll be pulled away faster than you can blink!
