Volcano Bay: General Discussion

[P@n!K_Sw1tC#]

I have been to all of Central Florida's water parks with the exception of River Country and Watermania. You're welcome to disagree with me, but please don't call my posts in this thread "digs", because I provide a lot of thought and insight into my opinions, even when I feel my opinions aren't welcomed here. I'm glad you're impressed with Volcano Bay, but in my opinion, I'd rank it slightly above Aquatica in terms of quality... which to me isn't worthy of the self-anointed title Universal gave it.

 

[Porkchop]

Summit = most terrifying !!!!! Well then prepare yourself for one hell of a ride. It is very fun but in a different way, where Summit you can see everything top to bottom and the anticipation builds from the visual effect and knowing what your up against.
Ko Okiri is different because it more of a mental overload.. You KNOW your way the hell up there just from the 20 thousand flights of stairs you climb, then you can see out the opening IT'S HIGH and you KNOW you will be closed up in that water filled tube but once you step into than coffin drop box your imagination will run away with you and all kinds of thoughts will come crashing in on you.... !!!!!! It is a Blast I loved it
come back and tell us all what you thought of it

*bites nails nervously*


Man I am so excited for this, I will absolutely report back!!! Cannot wait 88 days!

 

[sonoma15]

^And I'm not exactly sure that you're understanding the post. You're trying to defend Volcano Bay as if it's in some sort of art competition against the Disney parks. I'm telling you that there are details at the Disney parks that are missing from Volcano Bay that would be an absolute requirement for being called a water theme park.

All of your examples are from the front of the park looking south - which I think has the consensus of EVERYBODY on this forum (even the so-called "negative posters") as being nothing short of spectacular. But you conveniently leave out the entire back half of the park, where 75% of the attractions are, to as you say, cherry pick your argument.

I'm not even arguing with you, in fact, I don't think any of my posts were really directed at you. My point since May 24th remains the same. Volcano Bay is inconsistent both in story continuity and thematic presentation and quality. It's not a foliage issue, it's a big picture issue.

Looks pretty good from the back to me.

 

[Andysol]

I have been to all of Central Florida's water parks with the exception of River Country and Watermania. You're welcome to disagree with me, but please don't call my posts in this thread "digs", because I provide a lot of thought and insight into my opinions, even when I feel my opinions aren't welcomed here. I'm glad you're impressed with Volcano Bay, but in my opinion, I'd rank it slightly above Aquatica in terms of quality... which to me isn't worthy of the self-anointed title Universal gave it.

So you went to VB- never said you were going- never commented or reviewed your thoughts- but now when questioned about it, you say you went. And you've been vocal about every single update so far- but conveniently left out any personal experience or opinion on the park? Okey doke.

 

[JPRA513]

Looks pretty good from the back to me.

From that angle...

 

[P@n!K_Sw1tC#]

So you went to VB- never said you were going- never commented or reviewed your thoughts- but now when questioned about it, you say you went. And you've been vocal about every single update so far- but conveniently left out any personal experience or opinion on the park? Okey doke.

When half of this community has issues with my negative posts, what makes you think it's worth my time to write out a trip report full of the same opinions I've been expressing for months? Are you looking personal validation? Not interested my man.

 

[sparky]

When half of this community has issues with my negative posts, what makes you think it's worth my time to write out a trip report full of the same opinions I've been expressing for months? Are you looking personal validation? Not interested my man.

dang,
OK. I just want the park to be open at night when I make it back to Florida. I am the Mom in a family of gingers who hate waterparks because of the constant need to apply sunscreen, and wear spf clothing. The idea of going to a waterpark and not having to worry about burning is so appealing. I am the lone non ginger in my little family, and I love waterparks with a good lazy river, wave pools.

 

[rhino4evr]

I wonder if building codes and other county/state regulations is what caused all the pools depth markers to look like a YMCA lap pool. It's certainly a possibility that both BB and TL may have had less strict coding rules when they were built.

 

[P@n!K_Sw1tC#]

dang,
OK. I just want the park to be open at night when I make it back to Florida. I am the Mom in a family of gingers who hate waterparks because of the constant need to apply sunscreen, and wear spf clothing. The idea of going to a waterpark and not having to worry about burning is so appealing. I am the lone non ginger in my little family, and I love waterparks with a good lazy river, wave pools.

Although I'm not a ginger, I do look like I belong somewhere high up in the Swiss Alps (pale) and totally understand what you mean. Being able to swim at night is such a treat when you sunburn easily.

 

[mcusi]

Not a fan of this Volcano Bay vs. Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach war. It makes for fun banter, but honestly, the comparison is unfair. TL and BB were built forever ago. In my opinion, Volcano Bay should be above and beyond those two since it's newer. Just my two cents.

 

[Trumen882]

Not a fan of this Volcano Bay vs. Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach war. It makes for fun banter, but honestly, the comparison is unfair. TL and BB were built forever ago. In my opinion, Volcano Bay should be above and beyond those two since it's newer. Just my two cents.

I agree with this post. Volcano bay should be way above and beyond both those parks. Also I think we can all agree that both of disneys parks might not have the thematic heights of volcano bay but are consistently themed with no areas with modern equipment or exposed supports without some backstory. Crush and gusher has a backstory with appropriate slide decorations to explain its industrial theming.

 

[Brian G.]

It would seem from watching Tim's videos - that while the TL and BB slides are integrated into the mountain, they aren't as fun. I haven't been to Disney's water parks in about 8 years - but I remember most of them to be tame save for Summit Plummet. So if the trade off is better slides over slide/theme integration, I'll be taking the better slides.

At the same time, they could have done a better job with some of the slide areas, especially with the mat slides.

 

[Teebin]

So, Vol is a video screen I guess? I would have preferred a static large(st) Easter Island head that talked to people with fog, fountains and lightning and perhaps a bit of projection mapping punctuating moments. I would have preferred a more Oz (1939) type character.

Is there any member here that thinks what they created is just fine or wonderful???

 

[Brian G.]

So, Vol is a video screen I guess? I would have preferred a static large(st) Easter Island head that talked to people with fog, fountains and lightning and perhaps a bit of projection mapping punctuating moments. I would have preferred a more Oz (1939) type character.

Is there any member here that thinks what they created is just fine or wonderful???

In regards to Vol - from what I've seen - I expected more. I'll be going tonight to see how it is in person though.

 

[Scott W.]

It would seem from watching Tim's videos - that while the TL and BB slides are integrated into the mountain, they aren't as fun. I haven't been to Disney's water parks in about 8 years - but I remember most of them to be tame save for Summit Plummet. So if the trade off is better slides over slide/theme integration, I'll be taking the better slides.

At the same time, they could have done a better job with some of the slide areas, especially with the mat slides.

I was just about to post the exact same thing. I don't think that VB will ever be as well polished as TL or BB, Disney are the masters at it, case closed.

However, to get something close to what Disney have done but have more interesting, fun and extreme rides makes this a huge success for me, personally.

Maybe Universal are taking this as a huge learning platform. It's their first step into this area that they have had very little experience in outside of managing WnW and their resort hotels.

Disney started with River Country and make huge leaps and bounds after that so if Universal decide to build another water park at their new land then I think that should be up for crisitism even more.

 

[Cheezbat]

Not a fan of this Volcano Bay vs. Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach war. It makes for fun banter, but honestly, the comparison is unfair. TL and BB were built forever ago. In my opinion, Volcano Bay should be above and beyond those two since it's newer. Just my two cents.

Why should it be above and beyond? Typhoon Lagoon has had 28 years, and Blizzard Beach has had 22 years to build up their parks...to add to the atmosphere, theming and rides. Yet what has been added? At Bizzard: nothing. At Typhoon: a watercoaster tower 12 years ago and a family raft ride this year...and BOTH have exposed towers, supports, and stuff. Yes Volcano Bay is brand new and should have the newest stuff, but the older parks SHOULD have had continued investment, newer high tech rides, and more to do.

For those complaining about Volcano stopping the excuisite theming past the front of the actual volcano, please take a second look at Typhoon...the mountain structure IS the end of the park. Take a second look at Blizzard...part of Downhill Double Dipper is just an exposed tower, and the Runoff Rapids slides in the back are purely standard slides with next to no theming.
I added a thumbnail of the Runoff slides from the first years of Blizzards operation...similar to Volcano Bay today. You can't tell me that's elaborate theming.

 

[sonoma15]

Why should it be above and beyond? Typhoon Lagoon has had 28 years, and Blizzard Beach has had 22 years to build up their parks...to add to the atmosphere, theming and rides. Yet what has been added? At Bizzard: nothing. At Typhoon: a watercoaster tower 12 years ago and a family raft ride this year...and BOTH have exposed towers, supports, and stuff. Yes Volcano Bay is brand new and should have the newest stuff, but the older parks SHOULD have had continued investment, newer high tech rides, and more to do.

For those complaining about Volcano stopping the excuisite theming past the front of the actual volcano, please take a second look at Typhoon...the mountain structure IS the end of the park. Take a second look at Blizzard...part of Downhill Double Dipper is just an exposed tower, and the Runoff Rapids slides in the back are purely standard slides with next to no theming.
I added a thumbnail of the Runoff slides from the first years of Blizzards operation...similar to Volcano Bay today. You can't tell me that's elaborate theming.

Also atleast the slides at volcano bay actually work

 

[Scott W.]

Why should it be above and beyond? Typhoon Lagoon has had 28 years, and Blizzard Beach has had 22 years to build up their parks...to add to the atmosphere, theming and rides. Yet what has been added? At Bizzard: nothing. At Typhoon: a watercoaster tower 12 years ago and a family raft ride this year...and BOTH have exposed towers, supports, and stuff. Yes Volcano Bay is brand new and should have the newest stuff, but the older parks SHOULD have had continued investment, newer high tech rides, and more to do.

For those complaining about Volcano stopping the excuisite theming past the front of the actual volcano, please take a second look at Typhoon...the mountain structure IS the end of the park. Take a second look at Blizzard...part of Downhill Double Dipper is just an exposed tower, and the Runoff Rapids slides in the back are purely standard slides with next to no theming.
I added a thumbnail of the Runoff slides from the first years of Blizzards operation...similar to Volcano Bay today. You can't tell me that's elaborate theming.

Just to play Devils advocate slightly with the photo, I'm sure part of the reason is that the trees were still growing. I'm sure Aquatica had the same issues when it opened and I think VB does as well. Give VB a few years for the trees to really branch out (No pun intended) and I think it's going to look completely different.

 

[Brian G.]

Just to play Devils advocate slightly with the photo, I'm sure part of the reason is that the trees were still growing. I'm sure Aquatica had the same issues when it opened and I think VB does as well. Give VB a few years for the trees to really branch out (No pun intended) and I think it's going to look completely different.

I think that's what he was trying to say - gotta give it time for it to look lush and tropical.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think that's what he was trying to say - gotta give it time for it to look lush and tropical.

I strongly agree. Patience, in all new Theme Parkdom things, goes a long way. :thumbsup: