With just a little over a month until the grand opening on May 25th, were in the final stretch of construction for Universal’s Volcano Bay. Since our last visit a tremendous amount of trees and foliage has been brought in. Decor and little touches are starting to show up everywhere you look. And entire areas are starting to come together now, like the kids area, Runamukka Reef, and the park entrance area as well.
When guests arrive for their visit to Volcano Bay, they will park at the main parking garage and will then be shuttled to the park on a new tram road. Once dropped off they will pass under a road, through a pedestrian tunnel, and emerge on the other side in an ancient jungle. With such dense foliage and ancient ruins, it will still take a few more minutes of walking before they’re standing in front of the immense and impressive volcano. Check out the video, as well as extensive photo update below, and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
Photo Update
Tram access road that will take double buses full of passengers to and from parking garage and the park
Bus drop-off/pick-up station being constructed
Across the street you emerge after crossing under in the pedestrian tunnel
Where you emerge from tunnel
Theming as you walk away from tunnel is incredible
“Volcano Bay” etched in stone
The walkway slowly rises up as you continue
After the ramp you continue on a winding path
Path will be surrounded by dense foliage
The entrance plaza
The Volcano Bay sign is complete, with colorful backings behind each letter
Closer view of letters
This hut is looking very complete
Love the designs on the walls
This metal hut is very new, may only be a roof, perhaps for ticketing or self-serve kiosks
A look at the main entrance roof
Love the fabric awning design
A look at the entrance from above with (what’s left of) Wet ‘n Wild in the background
A quick look at some of Wet ‘n Wild being dismantled across the highway
Let’s take a look at the volcano from the side (facing Turkey Lake Road)
The stairs up the volcano are starting to look guest-ready
Slide passing out of and then back into volcano
These stairs below are not quite guest-ready yet
Water Coaster load platform seen in foreground, Punga Racers in background
Piece of water coaster track
Happy “Vol” statue
One more full look from this angle
Now moving on to the front of the volcano (facing Cabana Bay)
Tippy top of volcano
More happy faces
Drop slide chamber at the top of the volcano
Down near the base of the volcano rockwork is still being done
Water coaster passing through
Lighting rigs pointed at volcano for nighttime lighting
Wave pool is filled (although water is not yet treated so looking murky)
They have been testing wave pool waves
More faces at the base of the volcano
Walkway into base of volcano
Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides seen from afar
Insignia seen on sign in front of Ohyah and Ohno Slides
Cabanas springing up everywhere
Kids area, Runamukka Reef, taking shape
Angler fish and octopus taking shape in kids area
Some dining areas located at the edge of the park, up against Cabana Bay
Dining areas under construction here
I noticed if you zoom in you can see the sign for “Dancing Dragons Boat Bar”
Now we’re looking at the backside of the volcano
A better look at those stairs as well as Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
Body slides are still covered, and good thing as they’re caked in work dust
Punga Racers hiding behind trees
Punga Racers hiding behind the water coaster load area
Taniwha Tubes slides, up against Turkey Lake Road
Taniwha Tubes closer view
Maku Puihi Raft Rides in the very back of the park
Honu ika Moana slides, near Cabana Bay on the Turkey Lake side
View from the other side of Honu, with its two massive walls
Wall number one on Honu
Wall number two on Honu
I like the metal design they’ve put on the back of this, really only visible from the street and not in the park
We’ll end today’s massive update with a look at some of the colorful buildings near the park entrance
How these buildings look butted up against Cabana Bay’s pool area and lazy river
I leave you with this incredible view from Cabana Bay
See all Volcano Bay updates, including original concept art, building plans, and news updates here. See the full list of attractions here. Stay tuned to the feed for breaking theme park news and more Volcano Bay updates!
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Alicia Stella has been covering new attractions since 2015, with her work cited by The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, and more. She specializes in reporting on new attraction development, and always looks forward to upcoming changes to the Orlando theme parks. She is also co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando.
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