By: Allison DePesa, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
My name is Allison and I’ve never been a water park person. There, I said it, and it feels good. This dates back to a rather unsavory experience I had as a child at a local amusement park. Actually, it was savory because I found a discarded chicken leg floating in the water at the bottom of a waterslide. Since then, I’ve steered clear.
Now as a travel agent it’s my job to tour and explore all the wonderful destinations I sell. One of my favorites to visit is Universal Orlando, for all the obvious reasons. In 2017, Universal opened Volcano Bay, a sparkling Polynesian-themed water park. I raised a hairy eyebrow but didn’t give it much thought. My clients, however, LOVED it. But see, I was not a water park person so…
Fast forward to a 2019 training trip where I got to tour said water park. I was skeptical going in. This wasn’t my thing but I was happy to visit to continue to be a destination expert for my clients! As our guide led us though the entrance, I took in my surroundings. Great job with the theming, Universal. I legitimately felt like I was on a tropical island and not in the middle of central Florida. We walked the paths, took in all the attractions (ok the slides seemed really fun and unique, and, there we so many!) and the sights (ok, that Volcano was cool, the food smelled amazing and everything was SO clean). Virtual lines? Whoa.
Then we got to the cabanas. Cabanas? So I could sit there and relax while my family ran amok? Have someone deliver frosty beverages and sushi right to me while I snoozed on a lounge chair? Hmm. This wasn’t the dingy water park of my childhood. This was heaven! I could hear the gears turning in my head as my mind started to change!
Fast forward one more time to 2021. I’ve converted! I can’t tell you how many times I have visited Volcano Bay since that fateful first encounter. The visits with my family have been our best vacation days. My son adores splashing in the waves at Waturi Beach and running around at Runnamuka Reef, while my husband is more of a dare devil. There is something for everyone. I’ve also had some pretty epic girls trips that included a stop at Volcano Bay. You can’t beat the Fearless River, dueling waterslides, the Krakatau Aqua Coaster and… a cabana.
My name is Allison and I AM a water park person. Thanks for doing it right, Universal Orlando!
Please reach out to Allison, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
