Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
Mention Orlando, Florida to Filipinos and what usually comes into their mind? Disney World, that’s what. It is an entertainment resort complex located about 32 kilometers southwest of Orlando. Developed by Hollywood film producer Walt Disney, it opened to the public in 1955.
Disney World has been featured in the movies and so when Filipinos come to Orlando, they usually visit the place.
“You have never been to Orlando if you have not visited Disney World,” my sister, Marilou T. Eplite, told me a week after I arrived at her place in Deltona. It takes about one-hour to travel to Orlando by car.
If Disney World is so popular, then there’s nothing for me to write about, I told her. But then, there’s more to Orlando than just Disney World. I found this out a few weeks later when we went to the city a couple of times for sightseeing and buying some pasalubong.
On the second time, as we went home, I noticed a “volcano” amid the city, spewing some smoke. “What is that?” I inquired. “That is Universal’s Volcano Bay,” my brother-in-law, David, replied. “We will be going to that place, Manoy, one of these days,” my sister added.
When we arrived at my sister’s home, I immediately did some research. Actually, it is a park and themed around a 200-foot-tall artificial volcano named “Krakatau,” it’s main representative as it is displayed on the logo.
Volcano Bay, which encompasses 11 hectares, was opened to the public on May 25, 2017. Its slogan is “Water is life. Life is joy.” The park is open all year round; during the winter season, the water is heated.
Its attractions are located in four themed areas, each inspired by various Polynesian islands and cultures. Krakatau is the centerpiece of the park. “The volcano houses three drop capsule slides, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, the tallest body slide in America ranging at 125 feet tall, and also the first to travel through a pool full of guests,” the website stated. “Krakatau also holds the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides which travel throughout the midst of the volcano winding around the Krakatau Aqua Coaster.”
Now, I was looking forward to that day when we would visit the place. It did. When I saw my sister’s best friend, Adriana Castro, I was so excited. She was asked by my sister to drive us all the way to Orlando since Marilou is afraid of driving on the interstate roads (having figured in two car accidents before).
When we arrived, we immediately looked for a parking area. Since it was still early (the park opens at 10 in the morning), we found a good parking spot. Then, we proceeded to the bus that would bring us to the Volcano Bay.
The trip took us about five minutes. We got down and immediately paid the entrance fee. After doing so, we joined the queue at the entrance to get our TapuTapu, a wearable wristband.
The guy told us TapuTapu can be used to hold your place in line instead of standing in long queues for attractions. In addition, it comes with other features including TapTuPay, which links a credit card through the Universal Orlando app to the wearable, thus allowing you to pay throughout the park for merchandise, food, and drinks. The wristbands can also be used to interact with environmental features, set off water springs, or illuminate lights.
Inside the bay, we were mesmerized by the artificial volcano before us. It was indeed huge. My sister and Adriana went to the restroom area where they changed their clothes. Coming out, they were already donning their sexy swimming attires.
From there, we looked for three beach benches where we left our things. Before us was the Waturi Beach, a wave pool at the base of Krakatau volcano. I told my sister they could ahead since I won’t be swimming yet since I will be taking photos.
I trailed behind them. There were so many things to do but they opted to start swimming at the Kopiko Wai Winding River, where you drift along the river through a tropical landscape.
From there, they proceeded to the Honi Ika Moana and took the Ika Moana, where you go experience a twisting, turning raft ride. But before you could do that, you must climb several steps following a stairway. The two didn’t go for the Honu as the raft sends you up to two massive walls while going down.
“It was fun, Manoy,” my sister told me. We walked some more and we came to Krakatau Aqua Coaster, where riders go inside the heart of the volcano, before plunging through a shimmering waterfall.
Without reading the brochure given to us at the entrance, my sister inquired: “Is it scary?” “Not so,” the watcher replied. And so, the two joined the queue while I was on my way to other areas to take photos.
A few more minutes, I went back to the place where I had left the two ladies. When they saw me, my sister blurted: “It was scary. We had two sudden drop offs (as she pointed to the top of the volcano).”
Indeed. The Ko’okiri Body Plunge is the scariest slide at Volcano Bay. I was told it is the tallest body slide in all of the Volcano Bay and drops guests for 125 feet at a 70-degree angle. The ride is high speed and ends in a massive splash at the base of Krakatua. Now, figure that out!
From there, we went to the Rainforest Village, the final section of the park that contains a large number of thrill slides, including Maku (a multi-passenger raft slide, described as the first of its kind in North America with three high-banked “saucer” elements), Puihi (another multi-passenger rafts that drop into multiple tunnels, then two funnels and a final drop), Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides (body slides with tall drops into the splash pools), Taniwha Tubes (four raft slides ridden solo or in pairs), and Puka Uli Lagoon (a pool intended for relaxation).
It was in this place that I tried the TeAwa The Fearless River; it is actually a raft ride simulating white-water rafting.
After all the thrills and fun, it was time to go. But at 3 pm, it was still too early to go home. And so, we decided to go to the Universal City Walk, which was built over the former Universal Studios Parking lot and entrance in 1999.
The place is a haven for dining. One of the most-often visited places is the Hard Rock Café (where I had my souvenir photo taken). Then there’s the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, inspired by the 1994 award-winning film, Forrest Gump. More: Bob Marley, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Vivo Italian Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill and Brew, Starbucks, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.
But what really attracted me to the place was Universal’s famous logo – the globe. I asked my sister to take a photo with the well-known Hollywood symbol.
Just a few walks away is the entrance of the Universal Studios Florida. Inside, you get to “ride the movies”; it features numerous attractions and live shows. Its slogan is: “Vacation like you mean it.”
We didn’t have enough time if we went inside and so I contented myself to have my picture taken at the entrance of the sixth most attended theme park in the United States – and the ninth most attended theme park worldwide.
From there, we continued our tour at the City Walk. Before we knew it, the sun was setting. “It’s time to go home,” my sister said. Tired from walking, I agreed. “Yes, we need to…” – ###
