USA. FLORIDA. ORLANDO. AUGUST, 2017: New aquapark Volcano Bay Universal.

Ultimate Guide to Volcano Bay: Map, Tickets, Rides, Cabanas, and Universal Orlando Tips

נכתב על ידי: Marc Friedman
עודכן 7 ביולי 2025

Volcano Bay Overview

No visit to Florida would be complete without allotting plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors, and there’s no better way to do that than at Universal Volcano Bay. Sunshine, water, and theme park rides are perfectly combined here with endless fun for every age group including toddlers, teens, and of course the adults who bring them here.

Krakatau is a 200-foot volcano that is the centerpiece of the park. Four themed areas based on Polynesian islands are located around the towering structure that features daytime waterfalls and lava flows at night. In total, Universal Volcano Bay is a 27-acre water park that opened in 2017 to much fanfare. With an official slogan of “Water is life. Life is joy,” Volcano Bay delivers incredible memories that mesh perfectly with the full Universal Studios Orlando Resort experience.

Finding Your Way Around Volcano Bay

Possibly the biggest challenge of your entire Orlando vacation will be navigating around town, beginning with finding your hotel and determining how to get to the various parks, restaurants, shopping venues, and so on that you want to explore.

Volcano Bay has a multitude of activities and locales that you will want to check out, so having a sense of the park’s layout before visiting is highly recommended. Click here to view a detailed map of Volcano Bay.

If you are planning to visit other Universal Orlando parks including Islands of Adventure, City Walk, or want to have a look at the entire resort complex including the 11 hotels on property, you can find links to each park here.

ORLANDO, FL, USA - AUGUST 3, 2017: Aerial drone shot of Volcano Bay Orlando FL, USA

מחבר: Felix Mizioznikov
ORLANDO, FL, USA - AUGUST 3, 2017: Aerial drone shot of Volcano Bay Orlando FL, USA

Download the Official Universal Orlando App to Your Phone

You can make a family visit to Universal Epic Universe and the other Universal Orlando theme parks far less stressful by downloading the official app to your phone before heading for the park. The app is available for both Android devices and Apple iOS and is called Universal Orlando Resort App when you search on Google Play or your Apple iPhone.

Features include park maps, which we definitely recommend instead of carrying a paper map during your visit. Detailed maps of each themed area make it easy to navigate these large parks. You will also gain access to virtual lines, show times, up-to-the-minute wait times, mobile restaurant ordering, and many more useful features. Learn more about what the app has to offer on the Universal Orlando website.

Krakatau Volcano

What are the 4 Themed Areas at Volcano Bay? Signature attractions at Krakatau Volcano include:

  • Krakatau Aqua Coaster, a water-based roller coaster where riders travel inside the volcano, ending the ride with a plunge through a colorful waterfall.
  • Ko’okiri Body Plunge, where a trapdoor opens sending brave enthusiasts on a 70-degree drop through the volcano and a pool on their way to the ride’s very wet conclusion.
  • Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides feature another trapdoor beginning with twists and turns at high speeds that will take your breath away.
  • Punga Racers may remind you of slides from your local state fair, but the four lanes here are for body sliding without mats.
Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. People enjoying Ohno of Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 3

מחבר: VIAVAL TOURS
Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. People enjoying Ohno of Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 3

River Village

is geared toward families with youngsters and is the perfect place for safe fun in the sun. Bring plenty of sunscreen, hats, and sunscreen!

  • Kopiko Wai Winding River is a relaxing lazy river ride that passes through Krakatau Volcano. The kids will enjoy the caves and special effects throughout.
  • Ika Moana is a fun multi-rider raft slide that is exciting but not scary. Great family fun.
  • Honu is another multi-passenger water ride with slides.
  • Tot Tiki Reef is a wonderfully designed play area for toddlers.
  • Runnamukka Reef’s small slides within a water fortress is three-stories tall and packed with activities.

Wave Village

is the place to go to relax and enjoy some down time while at Volcano Bay. Sunbathe, swim at a variety of pools, or plan a gathering in a rental cabana.

  • The largest pool at Wave Village is located at Waturi Beach. Teens and younger adults love the wave pool features here.
  • For a pool without the waves, The Reef is the place to go.
  • If your goal is more relaxation than swimming, head for Puka Uli Lagoon.
  • For swimming and plunges into the splash pools from high above, Wave Village offers the Ohyah (oh yeah!) and Ohno (oh no!) Drop Slides.

Cabana Rental at Wave Village

  • Renting a single-level or top-level cabana at Volcano Bay is an extremely trendy way to spend the day at Volcano Bay, but it can be quite pricey. Prices start at $160 for a single-level cabana but spike quickly up to $200-550 for top-level locations with a view. If you are visiting with a group, up to 16 people can occupy a family suite with prices ranging from $800-1,000. Rates vary by day of week, time of year (peak, shoulder, off-peak), and the location and type of cabana desired.
  • Cabana rentals come with many fabulous benefits. Upon arrival at the waterpark, you will be met by a concierge who will personally escort you and your party to your “personal home” for the day. Your cabana includes towel service throughout the day, comfortable padded lounge chairs, a fruit and snack basket, small fridge stocked with bottled water, and the ongoing services of the concierge.

What else can this concierge do for you? Let’s start with instructions on how to operate the Guest Experience Transformation (GET) tablet in your cabana. From this device you can book and adjust your spot in Virtual Lines around the park without having to go anywhere. Just log on and quite simply, make or modify your preferred times. Not too shabby, eh?

Last but certainly not least, your cabana concierge will deliver food to your cabana that you have ordered via the GET tablet from any of the restaurants at Volcano Bay. Now that’s what I call service!

If renting a cabana isn’t of interest or beyond your budget, there is also the option to reserve Premium Seating at Wave Village, where you will have comfortable, shaded lounger seats that are yours for the day. Premium Seating also comes with concierge services including food delivery from Volcano Bay restaurants.

Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. Moai stone statue and Krakatau volcano at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 1

מחבר: VIAVAL TOURS
Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. Moai stone statue and Krakatau volcano at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 1

Rainforest Village

For thrilling rides down speedy slides and a guaranteed soaking, head over to Rainforest Village for the most exciting experiences at Volcano Bay.

  • An amazing ride, Puihi is known for large multi-passenger rafts that pass through various tunnels, followed by two funnels and a final drop that will have you screaming and laughing at the same time.
  • TeAwa the Fearless River is the Universal Volcano Bay equivalent of white-water rafting.
  • Maku is the first multi-passenger raft slide in North America featuring multiple high-banked saucer-like experiences. If you are into thrills and chills, this ride is for you.
  • Ride alone or with a companion through the Taniwha Tubes.

Many rides at Volcano Bay have a minimum height requirement for riders, and some have an added requirement for a companion rider. This stipulation is for riders who are tall enough to experience the ride but not tall enough to ride alone.

Just in case you’re wondering, Universal Volcano Bay is open year-round, only closing during inclement weather and other specific dates announced in advance for scheduled maintenance. However, a major renovation is planned and Universal has provided visitors to Orlando with plenty of advance notice. Volcano Bay will be closed beginning October 26, 2026 (yes, 2026) for five months for necessary upkeep.

Virtual Lines and the Tapu Tapu Wearable

Currently, every ride at Volcano Bay features a Virtual Line so that you and your family can spend less time waiting and more time having fun. Swim, shop, eat, chill, or just float around until your time to ride is drawing near.

Effective October 1, 2025, all Virtual Lines, and the Tapu Tapu wearable device that is provided upon entering the park will be phased out, with standard queues replacing them at each attraction.

For the time being guests can “check-in” at an attraction with their Tapu Tapu and head off for other places they want to explore. When it’s your turn to ride, the wearable will vibrate, indicating that it’s nearly your turn and you should return to the attraction as soon as possible.

Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. People enjoying TeAwa The Fearless River at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 2

מחבר: VIAVAL TOURS
Orlando, Florida. March 10, 2020. People enjoying TeAwa The Fearless River at Volcano Bay in Universal Studios area 2

Volcano Bay Water Park Tickets

Individual tickets are best purchased in advance either on the Universal Volcano Bay website or by using the Universal Orlando app which you can download to your smartphone.

Adults tickets (10+) start at $80 per person, with a $5 discount offered for ages 3 to 9. Kids under the age of three are admitted for free. Be aware that Volcano Bay Water Park pricing is not set in stone, so admission may be more costly at peak times during spring break and holiday weekends in particular.

Also worth considering are multi-day passes which can save you money. These passes allow for admission to multiple Universal parks so that you aren’t required to buy the more expensive one-day tickets to each park.

Universal Volcano Bay Express Passes

There are two options available for Express Passes at Universal Volcano Bay.

  • The basic Express Pass allows the holder to skip the Virtual Lines at select participating rides and attractions. This benefit is allowed once per ride, so if you happen to want to do a favorite ride again, you will need to wait in line like other guests.
  • The Express PLUS Pass also allows the holder to skip the Virtual Lines at all participating rides and attractions. Again, this pass may be used once per ride. As with the basic Express Pass described above, the key word here is “participating”. Most, but not all rides and attractions participate in offering the opportunity to skips Virtual Lines.

Prices for the two Express Passes vary by day, beginning at $19.99 per person for the basic pass and $49.99 for the PLUS pass. There are no child discounts offered for these passes. Keep in mind that these Express Passes are in addition to theme park admission.

Parking at Universal Volcano Bay and Other Options

For guests not staying at one of the 11 hotels on-site at Universal and planning to bring their personal car to the park, Universal Volcano Bay has its own parking lot with standard daily pricing at $32 (ouch!), or self-parking from $50-60 for premium locations and the most popular dates. Consider finding a hotel that offers shuttle services to the park, or if you’re one of the lucky ones, have a friend or relative drop you off and pick you up. You also won’t pay parking fees if you come via Uber, Lyft, or another shared ride service. You will, however, have to pay for the ride to get here and back to your hotel. The convenience of not having to drive to and from Universal or deal with the parking lot is considered well worth it by many visitors.

USA. FLORIDA. ORLANDO. JANUARY 2020: Aquapark Volcano Bay by Universal.

מחבר: Mia2you
USA. FLORIDA. ORLANDO. JANUARY 2020: Aquapark Volcano Bay by Universal.

Volcano Bay Photos

If you have an Instagram account, you will find some incredible photos on the @universalsvolcanobay site. Photos of the water park from its opening in 2017 to today can give you a good feel for what you can experience during your visit.

Planning Your Visit to Orlando and Universal Volcano Bay

Vacation planning is a major undertaking no matter what the destination, but a trip to Orlando can cause major stress with all of the flight, rental car, hotel, and theme park options to explore.

With almost 500 hotels and 130,000 rooms in the Orlando area, how do you decide where the stay? Our suggestion is a simple one. Log onto the Travelated website, one of the most comprehensive and easy to navigate travel sites you will find for Orlando hotels, both at Universal Studios Florida and nearby.

Here are some of our most popular hotels at or close to Volcano Bay:

Whether you are seeking basic accommodations in a central location, or something more upscale with a host of amenities, you will find it here. It won’t take long to discover that the big name websites don’t necessarily have the lowest prices. Orlando and Universal Volcano Bay are looking forward to making your next vacation the absolute best!

מאמר מאת:

Marc Friedman

Travel Expert