Universal's Volcano Bay — Attraction in Orlando

I had a delightful first-time experience at Volcano Bay until I visited the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar. Unfortunately, my experience was not unique, as others have faced similar issues, and I urge both fellow guests and management to take notice and address this ongoing problem involving the same two bartenders. When I attempted to order a drink, there were 7 to 4 people ahead of me in line. None of them were asked for identification, so I assumed it would not be an issue for me. However, it became a significant problem when I tried to place my order, as the bartender requested my ID. I explained that I needed to retrieve it and pointed out that others were not being carded. The bartender then made a comment, saying, "Well, everyone here is an adult." I responded that I was indeed an adult. After hearing that remark, I chose to walk away, feeling quite offended. I took my concerns to my locker and then to customer service, where I reported the incident. I was in tears due to embarrassment and frustration. I shared the situation with my fiancé, who then went to address the matter himself. Upon his arrival, he noticed that they did not ask him for ID at all, and he overheard them discussing me, with a female bartender saying, "Well, I guess she’s not coming back," and a male bartender adding, "I guess she wasn’t over 21." My fiancé ordered the same drink I had requested. The female bartender and her male counterpart stopped their conversation and appeared stunned when my fiancé commented that my girlfriend and she is over 21. My fiancé encouraged me to return for an apology and to prove my age. However, when we approached the bar again, the situation worsened. Not only did we face further embarrassment while waiting in line, but the female bartender continued to talk about us and the incident to other customers. Upon noticing us in line, she abruptly stopped speaking and informed her male colleague that we were approaching, prompting him to leave immediately after her comment. This left me feeling even more humiliated, as I was subjected to age discrimination and further distress while they shared our situation with others in the vicinity. After the male bartender walked away, we returned to customer service, where the representative assured us that the matter would be escalated today. I am concerned that I am the third individual to report on Google Reviews regarding this matter, yet no action has been taken. It is insufficient to merely have a conversation with them, as they continue their behavior. The male bartender is white, wearing a straw hat and sunglasses, with a beard. The female bartender is also white, with her hair styled in a ponytail and standing above five feet tall. Universal has two individuals who engage in bullying, discriminate based on age, and embarrass and humiliate others without any regard for their feelings. As a human being, it is disheartening to witness two people wielding the power to act as they please in an environment where I do not wish to remain. I am uncertain about returning, given that I am the third person to have a similar experience. This was my first visit, and it may very well be my last due to the lack of action taken...

WARNING! DO NOT BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE! If I could give zero stars I would. All water activities in the water park were shut down due to weather and the weather was expected all day and into the next. Although the water park was closed, there was zero communication that it was at parking and we paid $32 per car to park. No communication with the parking attendant either apparently. During this time it was sunny and we had no idea the park was closed. No sign at entrance, no loud speaker on the train, nobody standing at the entrance; not even a sign. My adult daughter called me because they allowed them to enter the park even though Volcano Bay knew everything was shut down already and the forecast was for all day due to a slow moving pop up storm. We had a total of 9 in our party to celebrate my grandson's 3 year old birthday. Even when the rain started and became extremely heavy while we were waiting in the first services line, they were still selling tickets at the ticket counter. After waiting in line for an hour, we were told they would give us return tickets. It was our last day visiting. There was no way I could take another vacation any time soon. In total we paid $800+ and for nothing. 7 of us never even entered the park and the two that did were left to figure out on their own that all water slides, pools etc were closed. Once they figured out out after 15-20 minutes, they called us immediately and met us at guest services. No refund because we had two that entered the park 15 minutes earlier not aware that everything was closed. I understand weather events and closures. What I did not expect was the shadiness of the entire situation. 'Nic' is apparently the highest manager on the property (so she said) and if she's an example of who's running the park, all of this makes sense. Very shady! This was our first time visiting because we typically go to Dissney. Lessoned learned. We did not accept the return tickets because we couldn't return. We will NEVER return to Volcano Bay nor Universal if this is their shady policy and how their staff treats their guests. What was unbelievable is that they were still selling tickets while everything was closed! Greedy! For those that are considering Volcano Bay, check out Disc@very C@ve instead. They are all inclusive and staff is incredible. Pools with an artificial reef in their pools for snorkeling and swimming. Your kid can just walk up and get food or a drink anytime, beer and wine included for adults and it was just $50 more per ticket. It's worth it because you will spend way more than that anyway inside any of these parks for two drinks only. If you must visit Volcano Bay, I caution against buying tickets in advance because if something happens, like weather, you will not get a refund to do anything else while on vacation. I would buy tickets at the counter and specifically ask before entering if the park rides are closed. They will not tell you or put a sign at the entrance to let you know. You will be on your own. Just wanted to share our experience so that others don't fall...

Seriously underrated water park. I've long awaited to visit this park, because of its unique look and rides. Despite the many critiques of people saying "park is too crowded"; "3h wait on Krakatau", "bad service", "if lucky you get to ride 4 slides on a day" or"tapu tapu is complicated", I still thought I'd give Volcano bay a chance. I arrived at 10:30 on the universal parking lot and took the bus to the park. On arrival you go through a security check before you go up to the entrance. The ticket was 85$ including tax. Then you got your tapu tapu (to check in virtual line for a slide) and enter the park. First I noticed its still pretty quiet, all the rides were "ride now" (which means, almost no wait). To all my surprise almost all slides, except the purple drop slide, stayed stayed "ride now". Even on Krakatau you never had to wait in virtual line. So I actually never had to use the virtual line feature. The parks staff and attendants were all very nice and friendly.

To the slides: Yea the names are hard to remember but before you enter a line of a slide an attendant explains you which way and name is to which slide. The Krakatau aqua coaster is honestly one hell lot of fun. Its also unusually long, with many drops. Unique slide! The group raft rides are also pretty fun, especially the blue one with the large drift-quarterpipe like elements and the green/yellow one with the funnel halfpipes. The mat racers were almost abandoned but very fun to ride. Now the trap door slides, since I've never before been on one it took me some courage to ride them. The blue and green one are pretty similar: an adrenaline inducing drop then some very fast curves. The third trap door slide had no curves and the drop was pretty long and intense. On the way up I crossed many people with scared faces who changed their mind about riding them and went down the stairs. The other slides are pretty standard of what most waterparks had too. The wild river is also worth checking out, it has some wave machines in it and you get a nice look under the volcano. When not sliding there is time to admire the awesome theming and scenery of the park. From the wave pool you have cool scenic view of the volcano and waterfall.

Only cons: You gotta pay extra for the lockers, and they are NOT CHEAP. Since you don't take everything with you in the water or slides you need a locker, so there is no way avoiding to pay. The entrance price is as well pretty high. Also the park has no own parking lot or drop off, so you have to park or get dropped off at Universal's and take a bus to the park.

Otherwise I can only recommend to visit this park. I was there on a tuesday, early october. Maybe I caught a good day, regarding the many critiques or its just not as bad as many people say.

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