Volcano Bay: General Discussion

[Nick]

Could just be a really long, must needed refurb......if not, it's obviously a cost cutting measure. We'll know more of its true nature when the 2026-2027 winter schedule is announced next year.

The park will be almost a decade old with virtually no time for refurbs in the process. So refurbs are necessary. Expansion is necessary, although we'll see if that happens.

One thing this could be a move to though slightly is a bit of a labor move. With the parks being very thinly staffed currently, shuttering a park for 5 months allows them to shuffle over labor that is already employed by the company to fill existing holes without having to go through a large hiring process.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

One of the big cabana benefits (IMO) is getting your own Tapu Tapu screen. I wonder if they'll replace it with anything, or it'll just be a lost benefit?

Agreed. That's a big knock on renting a cabana now. Not having to trek across the park to tap in was a huge advantage. I still think it's a fantastic value, but I'll be interested what (if anything) Universal does for those renting cabanas

As someone from the midwest, is there really a need for Volcano Bay to be open from November - March? Isn't it way too cold, and they'd be better off refurbing the park annually?

 

[Steeb]

Two possible outcomes: Cost cutting like eliminating 3D glasses on Kong and DMMM......and more hopefully....Universal getting away from all Virtual lines, that are difficult for tourists to navigate, and just more favorable to locals that know all the ins and outs of Tapu and VQ park lines.

I'll be honest, as a tourist, I found Tapu Tapu an absolutely godsend on our vacation last year. I kinda wish they had it in all the parks. Seems like a win for Universal if I spend more time browsing the stores while I wait instead of standing in line. Very surprised to see it going away.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Regarding long seasonal closure, likely just for major refurb... but I do question why this was put off post-Epic Universe when they're trying to get people to spend more days at their resort?

On Tapu Tapu, I'm hoping we're seeing a major capacity addition in the next year or two... park does not have the capacity to alleviate congestion at the Aqua Coaster.

One thing this could be a move to though slightly is a bit of a labor move. With the parks being very thinly staffed currently, shuttering a park for 5 months allows them to shuffle over labor that is already employed by the company to fill existing holes without having to go through a large hiring process.

This was my biggest concern about Epic Universe for a few years now

 

[Brian G.]

Just wanted to point out that it’s a seasonal closure next year, not this year

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Now that it’s going to be a seasonal water park can we finally be done with this nonsense spin universal marketing did to make VB sound like a third park?

Who says it’s becoming seasonal now?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Just wanted to point out that it’s a seasonal closure next year, not this year

Did not see that, ty

 

[GAcoaster]

The park is in need of a full refurb— better to bite the bullet and get it done in the slow season. In the meantime they can utilize the TMs across the other three parks where they will be needed.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The park is in need of a full refurb— better to bite the bullet and get it done in the slow season. In the meantime they can utilize the TMs across the other three parks where they will be needed.

Volcano looking very faded, can't imagine how it'll look a year from now

 

[GAcoaster]

And they can finally replace the slides that had issues

 

[Tyc00n96]

The park is in need of a full refurb— better to bite the bullet and get it done in the slow season. In the meantime they can utilize the TMs across the other three parks where they will be needed.

yeah maybe its just as simple as the park needing the break to fix things and do general refurb. I hope that means they also take the time to expand. Not having crowds in the park can speed up the construction process.

 

[Mad Dog]

Long shot guess is that they'll be doing a much needed full refurb....plus an expansion and/or a replacement/retheming/complete redo of a couple of the problematic slides.....But with no Tapu Tapu, disappearing like some attraction 3D glasses, as an unwanted/unnecessary expense.....The fact its so far in the future, and so long, leads me to the expansion/slide redo plus refurb explanation.

 

[Brian G.]

The closure is maintenance related.

 

[Evan]

Might use that time to remove all the Tapu infrastructure.

 

[HandsomePete]

Seems like what you’d do if you’re going to sell Express passes.

 

[fryoj]

Agreed. That's a big knock on renting a cabana now. Not having to trek across the park to tap in was a huge advantage. I still think it's a fantastic value, but I'll be interested what (if anything) Universal does for those renting cabanas

As someone from the midwest, is there really a need for Volcano Bay to be open from November - March? Isn't it way too cold, and they'd be better off refurbing the park annually?

We went in December a couple years ago and it was 80 all week. Spent most of a day at VB.

 

[Rhian]

There's several slides that need fixing, including one in the volcano that isn't currently open, correct? If they're going to make any adjustments or changes to the profile of the slide, and with it being in such a prominent location, this kind of closure would allow for that to be done.

Also many of the awnings and building coverings are faded or bleached white from the sun that need replacing. The volcano itself could use a new coat of paint; the old waterfall effect from the top of the peak needs to come back too!

I'm going to take this as a positive sign VB is going to get some long delayed TLC. It'd be weird to close the park for that amount of time and not address many of those long-standing issues otherwise.

 

[JaySalahi]

I understand the concern, but as a So Cal-er its funny because our Waterparks are only open for weekends in May, then June- first half of August everyday + then weekends until mid/late Sept. Even tho its in the 90's until end of October every year lol

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Seems like what you’d do if you’re going to sell Express passes.

They already do?

 

[Clive]

They already do?

I don't think they offer Express for Volcano Bay, no? I know they planned to initially when the park opened, but then they realized all of the slide capacities were severely inflated...