One of the best things about Universal Orlando is that all of their locations are in close proximity to each other. The two theme parks, the shopping and dining district, on-property hotels, and the water park are all within the same area. Even so, it may be questioned how to get from one location to the other.
Some locations are VERY close to each other. If you’ve made it to CityWalk, you can visibly see the location of the two connecting theme parks – Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. However, the water park, Universal Volcano Bay, is not directly connected to CityWalk like the theme parks are.
So how do you get to Volcano Bay? That’s the exact question that I’m going to answer for you today! In this article, I’m going to go over how to get to Volcano Bay water park from a variety of different locations. Follow along to find out just how easy it is to get around the Universal Orlando Resort. By the time you're done reading, you’ll be ready for your fun-filled day at Volcano Bay. Let’s dive in!
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How to Get to Universal Volcano Bay
Your route to Volcano Bay will of course depend on where you’re starting off at. I will go over how to get to Volcano Bay Water Park from CityWalk, Universal Orlando Resort hotels, and hotels that are off property.
CityWalk to Volcano Bay
The parking garage that connects to CityWalk is the main Universal Orlando parking garage. This is where Guests park when they want to visit CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, or Universal Islands of Adventure. Subsequently, it is also where guests will park when visiting Volcano Bay.
A free shuttle takes guests directly from the Universal Orlando parking garage to the entrance of Volcano Bay. Therefore, if a guest is at CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, or Universal Islands of Adventure and they wish to visit Volcano Bay, all they need to do is head to the parking garage and get on the Volcano Bay shuttle.
Universal Orlando Hotels to Volcano Bay
Complimentary bus rides are provided to Volcano Bay from MOST Universal Orlando hotels. However, there are two exceptions – Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal’s Aventura Hotel. Luckily, Guests staying at these two hotels don't need to worry about how to get to Volcano Bay Water Park.
The reason that there is no bus transportation to Volcano Bay from Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Aventura Hotel is because it’s not necessary. Both of these Universal Orlando hotels are so close to Volcano Bay that they are within walking distance! There is a walking path from both of these hotels that connects directly to Volcano Bay. However, you MUST be a guest staying at one of these hotels in order to be granted access into Volcano Bay from these pathways. A room key will need to be presented to the Universal Orlando Team Members in order to prove the legitimacy of your stay.
Water Taxis to Volcano Bay
Guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, or Loews Sapphire Falls Resort do have one other option when they're deciding how to get to Volcano Bay Water Park – water taxis. Now, the water taxis do not go directly from these hotels to Volcano Bay, so this option is not more convenient than simply taking the free bus transportation.
However, if guests are interested in taking a nice, leisurely boat ride, they can do so and still get to Volcano Bay. The water taxis will transport guests from their hotel to CityWalk. From there, guests can board the complimentary Volcano Bay shuttle from the parking garage.
Again, this will not make the trip any easier or shorter, but if you’re in no hurry to get to Volcano Bay and would like to use the water taxi, the option is there.
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Off Property Hotels to Volcano Bay
If you are staying at an off property hotel and are wondering how to get to Volcano Bay Water Park, you will need to drive to the Universal Orlando parking garage that’s located at CityWalk. From here, guests of off property hotels will be able to take the free shuttle from the parking garage over to Volcano Bay. Upon entering the garage, guests should follow the signs that will direct them to the designated parking area for Volcano Bay guests. This area is located on the first level of the parking garage.
Please note that you will have to pay to park. The price of parking varies depending on what type of vehicle you’re driving as well as what level of parking you prefer.
Universal Orlando Parking Prices
- Prime Parking: $50-$60 (Pricing is seasonal and may vary day by day)
- Prime Upgrade: $18-$28 (Pricing is seasonal and may vary day by day)
- RV / Bus Parking: $42
- Regular Parking: $32
- Receive a complimentary upgrade to Prime Parking with Avis and Budget car rentals from the Orlando International Airport. (Voucher is required. Payment for regular parking is required.)
- Free Parking: On non-Halloween Horror Nights event nights, free self-parking is available after 6:00pm. (Additional restrictions may apply and are subject to change without warning.)
Driving to the Universal Orlando Parking Garage
The address for the Universal Orlando parking garage is 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819. Here are some simple driving instructions from popular Orlando areas.
When you're coming from:
The Orlando International Airport
- Take SR-528 West 11 miles to I-4 East
- Take I-4 East 2 miles to Exit 75A
- Follow the signs to the Universal Orlando parking garage
I-4 Eastbound (Disney / Lake Buena Vista / Kissimmee)
- Take I-4 East to Exit 75A
- Follow the signs to the Universal Orlando parking garage
I-4 Westbound (Downtown Orlando)
- Take I-4 West to Exit 74B
- Follow the signs to the Universal Orlando parking garage
Enjoy Your Day at Universal Volcano Bay
Now that you know how to get to Volcano Bay Water Park, let's take a look at what offerings are available so you can fully enjoy your day. The water park includes a variety of rides, attractions, dining locations, and merchandise shops. It also has additional conveniences such as their TapuTapu band!
TapuTapu Band
Unlike other water parks, Universal Volcano Bay makes sure that you can make the most of your day with their TapuTapu band. This multi-purpose band allows you to join virtual lines, open rental lockers, make cashless payments, and activate interactive surprises around the water park!
By joining virtual lines, you’ll have the freedom to explore and enjoy your water park day however you'd like, rather than spending a large portion of your day waiting in lines. All of the rides at Volcano Bay have virtual lines. With your TapuTapu band, they’re easy to join! Simply go to the attraction that you want to ride and tap in with your band. Then you can do whatever you’d like! Your TapuTapu band will countdown your return time and display the minutes for you on the screen. When it’s time for you to return to the attraction, your TapuTapu band will vibrate. You’ll then be able to enjoy your ride with little to no wait!
Rides and Attractions
Whether you want to relax and float or shoot down high-speed water slides, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Volcano Bay. There’s a total of nineteen rides and attractions at the water park. From beaches and splash pads to rivers and slides, Volcano Bay has it all. Let’s take a look!
Universal Volcano Bay Rides and Attractions
- Honu of the Honu ika Moana (Multi-person slide)
- Kopiko Wai Winding River (Lazy River)
- ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana (Multi-person slide)
- Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides (Intertwining tube slides)
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge (Body Slide)
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster (Multi-person canoe slide)
- Maku of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides (Multi-person raft ride)
- Ohno of Ohya & Ohno Drop Slides
- Ohya of Ohya & Ohno Drop Slides
- Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides (Multi-person raft ride)
- Puka Uli Lagoon (Leisure pool)
- Punga Racers (Body Slides)
- Raki of Taniwha Tubes (Tube slide)
- Runamukka Reef (Water play area)
- TeAwa The Fearless River (Whitewater ride)
- The Reef (Leisure pool)
- Tonga of Taniwha Tubes (Tube slide)
- Tot Tiki Reef (Splash pad & Water play area)
- Waturi Beach
Dining and Shopping
When you need a little break from having fun in the sun, you can head to one of the dining locations for a bite to eat or do some shopping at one of the shops!
Universal Volcano Bay Dining Locations
- Bambu – Chef-crafted Burgers, Fish and Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Tenders, and Fresh Salads
- Dancing Dragons Boat Bar – Tropical Cocktails and Frozen Drinks
- Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club – Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Quinoa Edamame Burg-ers, Coconut Crusted Fried Chicken, and more
- Kunuku Boat Bar – Frozen Drinks, Specialty Cocktails, Fountain Sodas, Draft Beers, and more
- The Feasting Frog – Poke Bowl, Taco Sampler, and more
- Volcano Bay Pavilion Kiosk – Rice Bowls, Sushi, Salads, and Bottled Beverages
- Whakawaiwai Eats – Island BBQ Chicken Pizza, Tropical Baby Greens Salad, Hawaiian Pizza, Specialty Foot-long Hot Dogs on Pretzel Buns, Jerk Shrimp Mac & Cheese, Fruit, and more
Universal Volcano Bay Shopping Locations
- Krakatoa Katy’s
- Waturi Marketplace
Plan Your Universal Vacation Today!
No matter which direction you’re coming from, there’s a fairly simple way to get to Universal Volcano Bay. After all, it’s hard to miss that giant volcano!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the shuttle to Volcano Bay?
The shuttle to Volcano Bay is on the first level of the Universal Orlando parking garage (also referred to as the CityWalk parking garage). Complimentary bus transportation is also available for Universal Orlando hotel guests. The bus will take them directly from their hotel to Volcano Bay. However, this excludes Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal's Aventura Hotel as they have walking paths to Volcano Bay.
How do I get to Volcano Bay from City Walk?
In order to get to Volcano Bay from CityWalk, you will need to head to the Universal Orlando parking garage. This is the parking garage that CityWalk connects to. From the garage, there is a free shuttle that takes guests to Volcano Bay. The shuttle is located on the first level of the parking garage.
Can you drive directly to Volcano Bay?
You cannot drive directly to Volcano Bay and successfully park. You will need to drive to the Universal Orlando parking garage (the garage that connects to CityWalk) and park there. From the garage, there is a free shuttle that transports guests to Volcano Bay.
Can you walk from Volcano Bay to Islands of Adventure?
No, you cannot walk from Volcano Bay to Islands of Adventure. In order to get to Islands of Adventure, you will need to take the complimentary shuttle from Volcano Bay to the Universal Orlando parking garage. From the garage, you will be able to walk through CityWalk to Universal Islands of Adventure.
Are there shuttles to Volcano Bay?
Yes, there are shuttles to Volcano Bay. Free shuttles to Volcano Bay are located on the first level of the Universal Orlando parking garage (the garage that connects to CityWalk). These shuttles will take you from the parking garage to the entrance of Volcano Bay. If you are a Universal Orlando hotel guest, free bus transportation is available that will take you directly from your hotel to Volcano Bay. This does, however, exclude Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal's Aventura Hotel since they have walking paths to Volcano Bay.
Do you need a separate ticket for Volcano Bay?
Yes, you need a separate ticket for Volcano Bay. Unless, of course, you have a 3-Parks – Multiple Parks Per Day ticket.
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