Located right across the street from Busch Gardens® Tampa, Adventure Island® is 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun featuring the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. Within Tampa’s island paradise, adventure awaits with a variety of slides, corkscrews, waterfalls and more, including the park’s newest attraction, Solar Vortex. As North America’s first dual tailspin waterslide, Solar Vortex combines high-banking rotations and rapid descents, sending sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. For a more relaxing escape, guests can float through a winding lazy river, chase waves in the Endless Surf wave pool, and enjoy family splash areas or upgrade their day with a private cabana. 

“We are thrilled to offer a limited-capacity environment where Florida families can enjoy an outdoor, open air experience together, especially for the spring break season,” said Neal Thurman, President and General Manager for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island. “In addition to our waterpark reopening, our Food & Wine Festival underway across the street at Busch Gardens combined with world class coasters and fascinating animal habitats offer Florida families a spring break staycation with something exciting for everyone.”

Adventure Island Tickets

Adventure Island tickets start as low as $42.99, more than 30-percent savings with advanced online purchase. To splash again and again all season long*, guests can get the Adventure Island Fun Card for the price of a regular ticket, starting at $63.99! For a limited time, guests who purchase the Busch Gardens Fun Card for $113.99 will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card for FREE! For the price of a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card allows access to both parks throughout the year.

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About Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is a tropical paradise formed by myth and discovered by legend. It was discovered by the Waturi islanders with the help of a mystical fish who was destined to guide them to a new home. Before they came to Volcano Bay, the Waturi traversed the ocean in outrigger canoes in search of a new home. According to the legend, a mystical fish named Kunuku was destined to guide them.

Their voyages took them to the far corners of the South Pacific. And wherever they went, the Waturi embraced the customs, music and art of the many people they encountered. But alas, nowhere did they find Kunuku.

On and on they searched, until they came to the very edge of the world. And it was there that they found Kunuku playing in the waves. Within a day, Kunuku and the winds of fortune lead the travelers to the shores of Volcano Bay. The Waturi knew that, at long last, they had found home.

Volcano Bay could only be brought to life by Universal Creative – the same team responsible for bringing the ground-breaking experiences within Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure to life. The team traveled around the South Pacific to find inspiration that would redefine the water park experience and shape their vision for Volcano Bay. The water theme park is just another example of their commitment to spectacular storytelling and creating amazing, immersive guest experiences.

When it grand opens on May 25, Universal’s Volcano Bay will become Universal Orlando’s third amazing theme park and feature a variety of experiences ranging from daring to serene – including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below and more.

Volcano Bay Tickets

Volcano Bay’s new offerings provide a variety of choices that allow guests to shape their experience – from new 3-Park Annual Pass products to special Florida resident ticket options. Here’s a look at the new options now available to help guests plan the ultimate Universal Orlando Resort vacation.

Florida Resident 3-Park Multi-Day Tickets

(Starting at $199.99 per adult – Less than $67 per day)
The Florida Resident 3-Park Multi-Day Ticket entitles one guest admission to all three of Universal Orlando’s theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay.

•  Options available from 2 to 3 days in duration
• Valid up to 180 days after purchase

Universal Orlando Resort 3-Park Passes – Florida Residents

(Starting as low as $17.38 per month*)
Includes admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure AND Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, plus special benefits exclusive to Annual Passholders including discounts and perks, free admission to special events and more.

• Four different pass options are available
  *FlexPay option is available with low monthly payment rates after one initial down payment

Universal’s Volcano Bay 1-Day Admission Ticket

(Starting at $67 per adult)

• Allows guests one-day admission to Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Universal’s Volcano Bay Express Pass

(Starting at $19.99 per person)
·

• With Universal Express, guests can bypass the Virtual Line experience and enjoy Volcano Bay’s rides at their convenience.
• Universal Express Unlimited (unlimited Express ride access at participating rides within Universal’s Volcano Bay) is also available

Additional ways guests can enhance their visit to Volcano Bay, such as Cabana Rentals and Premium Seating Reservations, will go on-sale soon.

For information, offers and to purchase tickets for Universal’s Volcano Bay, Email Me or visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

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Volcano Bay will span 30 fully immersive acres and feature a variety of experiences that range from daring to serene. Dozens of unique attractions will offer something for everyone, including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below – and more. And the best part – guests won’t have to wait in long lines to enjoy any of it.

Universal Orlando Resort revealed first-ever details about the park’s state-of-the-art Krakatau Aqua Coaster that will take guests on an exciting voyage unlike any other, and the all-new TapuTapu wearable technology that will redefine the way guests experience water parks.

Krakatau Aqua Coaster

Volcano Bay’s State-of-the-Art Marquee Attraction
Krakatau Aqua Coaster will be the star experience at Universal’s Volcano Bay – combining innovative ride technology with water theme park thrills to take families on an unforgettable adventure through the park’s massive icon – the 200-foot Krakatau volcano.

Guests will board specially-designed canoes and propel downwards – and upwards – through the volcano’s interior peaks and valleys. They’ll twist, turn and plummet along dark passageways, be launched through sparkling waterfalls and so much more.

Universal is using some of the incredible technology that makes its theme park attractions so compelling to create a first-of-its-kind aqua coaster in Florida. The attraction will use linear induction motor technology, which launches the canoe uphill before it immediately sends riders into a downhill plunge. This technology – combined with the immersive theming Universal is known for – will make Krakatau Aqua Coaster a unique water theme park attraction that’s fun for the entire family.

TapuTapu Wearable Will Redefine the Queue Experience

Less Time Waiting in Lines, More Time Having Fun
Universal’s Volcano Bay will debut a new technology, the TapuTapu wearable, designed to make the guest experience throughout the entire park as hassle-free and fun-filled as possible. As part of their admission, guests will receive a TapuTapu wearable upon arrival to the park that allows them to do the following with a simple tap:

Virtual Lines

Guests will be able to virtually wait in line while they play in other areas of the park. The wearable will alert guests when it’s time for them to ride so they can head to the attraction.

Tap to play

Guests will discover various “tap-to-play” experiences throughout the park – all designed exclusively for Volcano Bay by Universal’s award-winning creative team. With just a tap of TapuTapu, guests can trigger special effects like controlling streams of water spurting from whales in Tot Tiki Reef, shooting water cannons at guests snaking down Kopiko Wai Winding River and illuminating images in the volcano’s hidden caves.

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When you enter the water park on your right is the Surf Shop where you can buy a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen or anything else you may have forgotten to pack for your day at the park. Just past the Surf Shop is the Beach-n-Brick Grill, the only eatery in the water park which boasts that, “no menu item is priced higher than $10 (not including tax)”. On your left are the bathroom/changing facilities and lockers. When we were there they were using a very inefficient system for the lockers, which I truly hope was just because it was a media event and for that day the lockers were free. Lockers are available in 3 sizes small ($5) large ($7) and family ($12).

DUPLO Splash Safari

Once you pass the buildings there is a small beach with cabanas and beach chairs to your right, daily cabana rental prices range from $79-$199 based on season and include a mini-fridge stocked with 10 bottles of water, upgraded lounge chairs and two souvenir towels. Next is the cutest part of the park, DUPLO Safari Splash. This little play area is created just for your toddlers and includes a slide and some interactive DUPLO animals with water spouts.

Build-a-Raft River

To your left is the entrance to the attraction I was most excited about checking out, Build-a-Raft River. Unfortunately, the image I had in my mind since I heard the announcement last October, was way cooler than what this ride actually was. This attraction is a short (1000 foot) lazy river ride in regular old inner tubes with LEGO building platforms attached to the tubes. (You don’t really build a raft as the name implies). We waited in the relatively short line about 15 minutes. As we approached the loading area I read a sign that said you had to sit in the tube with your bottom in the middle and your legs hanging over the side. I have a bad back and this is a very uncomfortable position for me. I understand the whole “you must stay in your tube” rule but this seemed a bit much to me, but I complied. The tube even has an arrow on it telling you which part of the circle was the front so I sat in the tube as instructed and the handles were jabbing into the back of my legs. I was not comfortable at all. As I approached the lifeguard who launched you from the entry into the river I said, “This isn’t comfortable with the handles jabbing my thighs.” and his answer was, “Well, you are a bit large.” I whipped my head around so I could read his name tag but he succeeded in shoving me down the river before I could read his name. I am not a petite woman, I am a size 20, but I was no where near the largest person on the river! As I floated down the river I watched people of all ages building with their LEGO bricks only to hear 3 different lifeguards yell at them because you aren’t allowed to build anything taller than your head-remember, you must be seated in the uncomfortable butt in the middle of the raft with your legs hanging over the side position so for most kids that means you can’t build anything taller than 2-3 blocks tall, what fun is that? Next came the dismount. I am dreading this because of the position I am sitting in and I was hoping Aaron would be there to help me. Unfortunately about 8 kids had cut in line between us in the entry area and he was so far behind me I had to get out of the tube on my own, before I floated past the only exit and had to make another lap. In the end I just leaned backwards and flipped the tube to get out and got hit in the head by the LEGO building platform on one of the sides of the tube. My only souvenir of the day is the lump on my head!

Splash Out

In between the DUPLO area and the river is a bridge that takes you to the other four attractions. The LEGO wave pool has gentle waves and is fun for the whole family. The two thrill rides Splash Out and Twin Towers had very long, slow moving lines and we opted not to try them. I saved the best for last and that is The Joker Soaker. This water playground is truly the most fun in the park. It is full of ladders, levers, pumps and slides and your kids will want to spend a lot of time exploring all that it has to offer.

Joker Soaker

LEGOLAND and its water park are geared for 2-10 year old kids but what they need to remember is that young children don’t explore their parks alone. Parents and grandparents come in all shapes and sizes and if you want us to spend our hard earned money in your parks, you need to fit us all. LEGOLAND water park is the smallest water park in the central Florida area and the most expensive. You cannot buy just a ticket to the water park. It is a $12 add on to the $75 LEGOLAND ticket. So, that makes your water park ticket $87 while the other central Florida water parks range from $40-$60 for a one day ticket. Will you do the theme park and water park in one day? You can, but remember, you’ll be schlepping your water park stuff through the theme park and vice versa. Lockers are only available at The Beginning in LEGOLAND and in the water park which is located at the back of the theme park so even if you choose to pay for a locker it isn’t very convenient.

LEGO Imagination Station

Should you add the LEGOLAND Water Park to your vacation plans this summer? That is a question only you can answer. IF your kids fit the demographic age and IF you have a rental car because the park is located about an hour from Orlando and Tampa and IF your kids are LEGO junkies then MAYBE it is worth the trip. If you really just want to see some awesome, huge LEGO creations and check out a great LEGO store, then I say, save your money and visit Downtown Disney. The LEGO sea serpent and other sculptures are amazing, the store is a lot of fun and admission is free!

Disclosure: We were invited to the media preview as guests of LEGOLAND all opinions are 100% my own.

Postscript, since I didn’t get the name of the “model citizen” who said I was a “bit large” I didn’t complain in park. I did reach out to them on Twitter and this is the response I received.  Really? What are your thoughts?

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Key areas of LEGOLAND Water Park attraction include:

• LEGO Wave Pool – Families can catch a gentle wave or simply cool off in this perfectly sized wave pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy
• Build-A-Raft River – Families can imagine, design and build a unique LEGO vessel and set afloat on a maiden voyage around the 1000-foot-long lazy river, set amongst playful LEGO Friends, flowering vegetation and palm trees
• Twin Chasers – Friends ride tubes 375 feet down an intertwining pair of enclosed water slides before plunging into a refreshing pool below
• Splash Out – The thrill seekers of the family can ascend to the tallest point of the water park attraction and choose from one of three unique slides, then speed down a 60-foot drop and “splash out” into the water below
•  Joker Soaker – A fun, interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides that offer something different for every member of the family. Guests can wade in the surrounding pool and be surprised with a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket
• DUPLO Splash Safari – Toddlers will rule at this water play area with shorter slides and interactive, larger-than-life DUPLO creatures

Admission to the water park attraction is included with an all-new LEGOLAND Premium Pass, which offers 12 months admission to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal access to the LEGOLAND Water Park for just $179 for adults and $149 for child/senior. Single-day LEGOLAND Florida guests may upgrade to a water park attraction ticket for an additional $12 per person (children under 3 are $3). The Premium Pass is now available for purchase at www.LEGOLAND.com or AAA Auto Group branches.

We have visited every water park in central Florida and we cannot wait to visit the LEGOLAND Water Park when it opens May 26, 2012.

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Best reason to come again and again this year? The valuable Adventure Island Weekday Pass allows you to play weekdays all season long at a valuable price. And extended hours return all summer long.

BEST OFFER:

The best value to visit all season long is the Adventure Island Weekday Pass. Play Weekdays All Season long. Enjoy unlimited weekday access to Adventure Island during the 2012 season with no blackout dates. Valid Mondays through Fridays, March 12 through Sept. 3, 2012 Purchase at AdventureIsland.com, 1-888-800-5447 or at Adventure Island or Busch Gardens front gates. The Adventure Island Weekday Pass is $49.99 for adults and $45.99 for children. For the best deal on a single-day ticket, buy online at AdventureIsland.com and save $5.

EXTENDED HOURS ALL SUMMER LONG

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 11 through Aug. 12, ALL SUMMER LONG — not just during Island Nights. That’s more time to enjoy the thrills, water attractions and family fun offered at Adventure Island.

And Island Nights returns as well, offering the perfect excuse to stay late this summer. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., June 14 to Aug. 11, it’s a vacation from the everyday with music, inspiring cuisine and family-friendly beach activities in addition to all the thrilling slides, tube rides and water-drenched fun of Adventure Island.

CABANAS: To make the most of your Adventure Island visit, rent a cabana for a shaded, exclusive spot for your family and friends to gather throughout the day. Each cabana includes four chaise lounges, a locker, a mini-fridge with assorted drinks and four souvenir towels. Daily rental prices range from $99.99 to $189.99, based on the time of year.

From the moment guests enter Adventure Island, they are immersed in a Key West-themed paradise. The 30-acre water park features thrilling slides and tube rides including Riptide, Wahoo Run, Key West Rapids, Runaway Rapids, Everglides, Calypso Coaster, Aruba Tuba, Caribbean Corkscrew, Water Moccasin and Gulf Scream. Guests can also kick back on the beach or in the 17,000-square-foot wave pool, play on professional sand volleyball courts, breeze through the tropical gift shop or let the current sweep them through a half-mile of lush landscapes and tropical waterfalls on the Rambling Bayou.

Visit AdventureIsland.com for daily operating hours. Single-day admission tickets for Adventure Island are $44.99 for adults and $40.99 for children. Children ages 2 and younger are free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. All prices are per person, plus tax. Park hours are subject to change. Visit www.adventureisland.com for more information.

We love visiting Adventure Island and hope to spend a few days there this summer. Have you visited Adventure Island? Leave me a comment and let me know about your visit!

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Guests can purchase annual passes that include the attraction online at www.LEGOLAND.com and at AAA Auto Club South locations. Premium Pass includes unlimited admission to both LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park, free parking and discounts within the park and is $179 for adults and $149 for children 3-12 and seniors 60 and older.

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We checked in for the event and were guided to the Banana Beach Cookout, where we would be having dinner. Banana Beach Cook-Out is an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant featuring traditional burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken and classic side items.

After eating we were greeted by Aquatica staff and informed about the new After-2 p.m. Pass. For slightly more than the cost of a single day’s admission, guests can enjoy Aquatica after 2 p.m. throughout the rest of 2010. With no blackout dates and unlimited admission to Aquatica after 2 p.m., Orlando’s coolest beach is a hit for all ages time after time. Whether it’s tiny tots splashing around in Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, teens sliding down Tamauta Racer or adults relaxing on the laid-back beaches, guests can enjoy Aquatica all year long. This is a great deal for Orlando area residents.

Loggerhead Lane

Then we were free to explore the park. Wanting to take things easy after eating we headed to Loggerhead Lane, the lazy river ride which takes you past some beautiful fish tanks. Loggerhead Lane was the shortest lazy river ride I’ve ever been on. It was also very crowded with lots of people and lots of empty tubes floating a long. Now we were ready to try something a little more adventurous so we headed to Roa’s Rapids. This adventure river zips guests through 1,500 feet of rapids, past geysers and through waterfalls at a speed three to four times faster than a typical waterpark river. Roa’s Rapids quickly became a family favorite, I can’t even tell you how many times we rode it. There are no tubes allowed on this quick moving river, though life jackets are available, you just pick your feet up and float along. I’ve never been on a ride like this and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Omaka Rocka-photo courtesy of Aquatica

Next we walked around the park to check out the slides…and burned the bottom of our feet on the HOT walkways. Aquatica does have the occasional spritz of water shooting out onto the walkways but there aren’t enough to keep from burning your feet. What Aquatica does have, that I haven’t seen at any other waterpark, are sneaker keepers at each ride. You know, like at a McDonald’s Play Place, we didn’t know this and our shoes were on the other side of the park when we realized this. Also, I probably wouldn’t have left my Crocs laying around with all the other shoes so here is a hint…when you visit Aquatica wear cheapo flip-flops to keep your feet from burning.

We looked at Omaka Rocka, Walhalla Wave & HooRoo Run but the lines were soooo long we chose not to ride. Instead we headed over to the 2 wave pools Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores. Wave pools are classic waterpark fun and you have to have some fun bobbing in the waves. Our next stop was Walkabout Waters, even though my boys are 15 and 17 they LOVED playing here. I think it has something to do the being able to dump water on stranger’s heads, hee hee.

Walkabout Waters-photo courtesy of Aquatica

Next Ron and Aaron rode Dolphin Plunge while Jordan to another few laps on Loggerhead Lane. Then we finished our day with a few more trips around Roa’s Rapids. We had a fun time at Aquatica, though the park closing time of 7pm seemed awfully early on a Florida summer day. We will be back, some day…when public school is in session and the lines aren’t so long.

If you are planning a trip to the Orlando Area, check out Aquatica, a single-day ticket  for ages 10 and up is $47.95 (plus tax).

Disclaimer: My family and I enjoyed 3 hours at the waterpark as guests of Aquatica. We received dinner and a few small gifts while attending the event. All opinions are 100% mine.

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A one-day ticket for Disney‘s water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, has increased by $5. The adult ticket has gone to $45 (up from $40) and the child ticket (ages 3-9) is now $39 (up from $34). This price increase brings it into line with that of Aquatica (SeaWorld Orlando‘s waterpark) and Wet n Wild, which are both $44.95 for adults and $38.95 for children.

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