The Top 5 Best Attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay

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Summer is almost here, and what better way to relax in the Florida sun than a day at Universal’s state-of-the-art water theme park, Volcano Bay? The park is home to a plethora of attractions (19 to be exact), lush greenery, a calm island vibe, and, of course, a towering 200-foot-tall volcano.

For those who have yet to visit Volcano Bay, it can be hard to choose which of the many slides and other attractions are better than others. We aim to solve that. Today, we will be ranking our top five attractions at this fantastic park.

5) TeAwa The Fearless River

Kicking off our list is a water park river like no other—TeAwa The Fearless River. While most water parks feature a lazy river (Volcano Bay included), this park has a bit of a twist on that. Guests walk up to one of two entrances to the river and gear up in life jackets. Once they step foot into the water, the strong current whisks them away. TeAwa not only has fast-moving water but also several wave machines to add to the chaos. The river winds underneath several slides and into the center of the Krakatau volcano itself. The second half of the course is where the fun really kicks in as a giant wave comes crashing from the base of the volcano, sending guests flying through the water. This attraction is easily the most fun thing to do that isn’t a slide, and it is a must-do for all members of the family.

4) Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

Next on our list are two of the more intense slides at the park. Located at the top deck of the volcano, Kala & Tai Nui are dueling body slides with one signature feature: trap doors. Once guests scale the seemingly forever stairs, they find themselves staring at two chambers facing one another. Once you step inside the slide, the cylinder-shaped clear door closes on you. The heart-pounding moment really ramps up as, without warning, the floor comes out from underneath and you cascade down a twisting slide at high speeds. Both end at a separate pool at the foot of the volcano. It is always a bit of a rush to see who wins the race to the bottom. For those looking for a bit of adrenaline, these are the slides for you.

3) Honu

Coming in at number three is the slide most often shown in marketing materials and advertisements for the park—Honu of the Honu ika Moana attraction. Honu ika Moana are two separate family raft slides located to the right of the Krakatau volcano. Both offer a completely different experience, and by far the more exciting of the two is Honu. Once guests reach the top platform, they board circular rafts and begin their journey. The slide starts off with a bang, dropping down a steep decline and high up into the air on the wall of a giant halfpipe. Once you catch some airtime, the slide drops again, flies up into a second halfpipe wall, and into a cascade of water. The slide gently makes its way down into the final pool afterward. This slide reaches number three because it offers more of a thrill factor with the added bonus of riding with family and friends.

2) Ko’okiri Body Plunge

Number two is by far the most exhilarating slide in the whole park—Ko’okiri Body Plunge. It is located at the top of Krakatau, and it is one of the tallest water slides on Earth, reaching a height of 125 feet. Ko’okiri, like its counterparts Kala & Tai Nui, is a trap door slide. It has one slight difference, however. This slide has no turns or twists. Rather, it has a 70-degree drop straight to the bottom. Once the chamber door closes, all you can see is a stunning view of the entire resort. Without warning, the trap door opens and you go careening down at high speeds, reaching the bottom in mere seconds. While heart-pounding and slightly intimidating, Ko’okiri is one of the best attractions in the park. The slide is, without a doubt, one of the most daunting tasks to complete in the park, but it is considered a rite of passage of sorts among guests. When thinking about chickening out on this slide, ask yourself, don’t you want to conquer Krakatau?

1) Krakatau Aqua Coaster

As we are sure some of you have guessed by now, the number one attraction at Volcano Bay is undoubtedly Krakatau Aqua Coaster. Located at the center of the park, guests scale up into an elevated platform and board long canoe-shaped rafts. Right off the bat, the slide goes down a drop and sends guests uphill at speeds higher than the drop itself. Yes, you read that correctly, this slide is faster uphill than downhill. This is achieved by magnetic plates installed into the slide’s track. The result is a forceful launch up inclines at rapid paces. This slide gets its coaster title from the numerous amount of airtime hills found throughout the layout.

It really does feel as if you are riding a fast roller coaster. The other bonus of this attraction is its length. Krakatau Aqua Coaster seemingly continues forever, going down drop after drop and climbing hills over and over again. The ride culminates in one last spill, where, like any coaster, your picture is taken before you return to the ride station and disembark. The thrill of a roller coaster mixed with an experience that is fun for the entire family is what makes this our number one pick. This is the single most popular and fun attraction in all of Volcano Bay, so be sure to head to it as soon as you arrive.

Volcano Bay is a stunning park filled with attractions and slides best for the bravest among us or for the entire family to enjoy. It is very easy to spend your entire day here on vacation, so it is best to plan your day accordingly.

In the Volcano Bay mood? Best of Orlando has you covered on amazing deals for the perfect Universal Orlando getaway this summer. Plus, for a limited time, you can purchase 2 days and get 3 days free. Your ticket will grant you access to the excitement Universal Orlando has in store through December 2019. Start planning your next vacation soon to catch the waves at Volcano Bay and the rest of the amazing attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. As always, stay tuned to attractioninsight.com for the latest in Universal news and updates.

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