Volcano Bay: General Discussion

[UNIrd]

I think it just depends on which slides have the lowest capacity/slowest throughput. I'm guessing it's the drop slides, Oh Yah/Oh No, and Honu?

 

[Andysol]

My plan is to drop stuff on a couple loungers under and umbrella on main beach in front of volcano. Then plan to head left, hit oh ya/oh no, go through the volcano and hit krakatau, then honu. I'll probably hit the serpentine drop slides right after that.
I think the key thing will be to ride everything you can- sans taniwha tubes- and then when you're able to tap, tap something with a decent wait (coaster, honu, drop slide), and then go enjoy taniwha tubes and/or the rivers. Once those start getting crowded, go eat before the rush hits.
Then head out once it gets unbearable and go ride Gringotts


I haven't been yet- but I've planned it out based on everything I've read.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

I'll be there in a week. Has anyone gotten it down to a science yet knowing which attractions are gonna be the hardest to get on? Obviously the aqua coaster is gonna be the most crowded but I haven't really investigated the other ones yet. I figure if it's opening at 7:30 for on site guests, that hour before it opens is my best chance to get on as much as possible.

Here's how I think I would order the busiest slides:
1) Body Plunge/Serpentine Slides
2) Honu
3) Krakatau Aqua Coaster

 

[Cheezbat]

Yeah, not adding this to my AP either anymore. Sticking with 2-park Premier until things calm down.

That's smart.

I added the waterpark to my pass months ago and I've only been admitted into the park once out of three visits. It was at capacity when I got there both other times...and I was there literally minutes after park opened to the public.
If you can't get there super early, it seems to be a waste for passholders.

 

[Jwhee]

My plan is to drop stuff on a couple loungers under and umbrella on main beach in front of volcano. Then plan to head left, hit oh ya/oh no, go through the volcano and hit krakatau, then honu. I'll probably hit the serpentine drop slides right after that.
I think the key thing will be to ride everything you can- sans taniwha tubes- and then when you're able to tap, tap something with a decent wait (coaster, honu, drop slide), and then go enjoy taniwha tubes and/or the rivers. Once those start getting crowded, go eat before the rush hits.
Then head out once it gets unbearable and go ride Gringotts


I haven't been yet- but I've planned it out based on everything I've read.

The best time to go is in the late afternoon and night time after the daily thunder storms. The place really clears out.

 

[Andysol]

That's smart.

I added the waterpark to my pass months ago and I've only been admitted into the park once out of three visits. It was at capacity when I got there both other times...and I was there literally minutes after park opened to the public.
If you can't get there super early, it seems to be a waste for passholders.

Don't forget- starting August 14, you get the same access as on-site hotel (1 hr EPA) for passholder appreciation through sept 30
That'll be the time to go.

 

[Alicia]

Aquatica is at capacity right now. So not just Volcano Bay this week. Last chance before school starts I guess.

 

[Skold]

My plan is to drop stuff on a couple loungers under and umbrella on main beach in front of volcano. Then plan to head left, hit oh ya/oh no, go through the volcano and hit krakatau, then honu. I'll probably hit the serpentine drop slides right after that.
I think the key thing will be to ride everything you can- sans taniwha tubes- and then when you're able to tap, tap something with a decent wait (coaster, honu, drop slide), and then go enjoy taniwha tubes and/or the rivers. Once those start getting crowded, go eat before the rush hits.
Then head out once it gets unbearable and go ride Gringotts


I haven't been yet- but I've planned it out based on everything I've read.

Looks like a good plan. One thing to consider: it may save you 5 or so minutes if you go straight to Krakatau from Ohno/Ohya, rather than going through the volcano. You'll have plenty of time once you enter "tap time" to see those features; just keep heading clockwise around the volcano to hit the coaster.

Edit: it just occurred to me that the Vol area was not open when we were there. If that section has a third entrance into the volcano from the backside, then my advice is outdated.

 

[WAJAS]

Aquatica is at capacity right now. So not just Volcano Bay this week. Last chance before school starts I guess.

Aquatica has been at capacity a lot this summer. I think the park should have been built with a higher capacity but that's another discussion.

 

[shiekra38]

Aquatica has been at capacity a lot this summer. I think the park should have been built with a higher capacity but that's another discussion.

Triggered, 1 Star

 

[Andysol]

Looks like a good plan. One thing to consider: it may save you 5 or so minutes if you go straight to Krakatau from Ohno/Ohya, rather than going through the volcano. You'll have plenty of time once you enter "tap time" to see those features; just keep heading clockwise around the volcano to hit the coaster.

Edit: it just occurred to me that the Vol area was not open when we were there. If that section has a third entrance into the volcano from the backside, then my advice is outdated.

Ya- I'd just use it as a shortcut and checkout the features while in queue later.

 

[GAcoaster]

That's what makes me think they aren't hitting projected attendance.

I'd say that's mostly because they are still doing overnight work to FINISH the park. They need as many hours as they can get to do work. Anytime you do overnight work int he parks you only have a couple of hours window and they still have projects to complete.

 

[jseal777]

Don't forget- starting August 14, you get the same access as on-site hotel (1 hr EPA) for passholder appreciation through sept 30
That'll be the time to go.

I am a pass holder but instead of adding VB to my pass Ive just bought regular tickets to VB to visit in September do I still get early entry?

 

[Ashhanbre]

I think nights work for special events but not as a daily scheduled regimen.

I wildly disagree. No disrespect intended. I think if they were open later hours there would be less talk of overcrowding issues.

 

[Mad Dog]

I wildly disagree. No disrespect intended. I think if they were open later hours there would be less talk of overcrowding issues.

But the park is basically clearing out at 5 or 6 regardless......and Disney, too has basically eliminated night hours from their two water parks, except for special events, after having tried the night time hours on and off over the years.

 

[Skold]

Ya- I'd just use it as a shortcut and checkout the features while in queue later.

Right. i'm just saying that it will not be a shortcut unless a third entry/exit was introduced on the backside. Just trying to help!

 

[Frank Drackman]

I was surprised they went the 'three' park route for AP's...just because I am an AP and I stay on site when I visit, I would love this place to be my 4 - 10 'park time' space. I just think w/ locals (and thier options for water parks in ORL)....they could live w/ an after 4 if the park stayed open late enough...and it would still allow for the '8 to 4' crowd....just all in the way you split up the 'when'. Pretty sure I have said something to that effect before the park opened....but I just armchair...

 

[ChristopherSE]

But the park is basically clearing out at 5 or 6 regardless......and Disney, too has basically eliminated night hours from their two water parks, except for special events, after having tried the night time hours on and off over the years.

Exactly. In hindsight, I think combatting this was one of their biggest objections with the (forgive me for resurrecting this) "water theme park" title. It's clear from the early promotional videos that this was being billed as a third gate. I think they knew that water parks only keep guests until dinner time, so they tried their darnedest to convince their guests that no no no you can keep doing water park stuff all night! But guests will do what they've always done and leave at dinner time. So, I do think Uni really tried to differentiate themselves from the water park pack, but VB isn't different enough to effect guest mentality.

Which is why I'm still surprised they didn't have any sit-down restaurants. Heck, have guests make dinner reservations, then they'll have to stay until sunset

 

[Disneyhead]

I think they should have stayed open until 10 and sold "after 5pm" tix.

And I was under the impression there was going to be...umm....more to the whole "volcano eruption" show thing.

 

[UNIrd]

And I was under the impression there was going to be...umm....more to the whole "volcano eruption" show thing.

We were all under the impression there was going to be a lot of things.