Volcano Bay Ditches TapuTapu & Refurbishment News
Volcano Bay is seeing some big changes this fall and into 2027, and we have all the details here.
Today Universal announced that the TapuTapu and Virtual Line systems used at Volcano Bay are being retired. Starting October 1, 2025 guests will no longer receive a complementary Tapu upon check in and guests will no longer be required to book a Virtual Line for the slides. The park opened to much fanfare about the TapuTapu but the little gadgets never really took off, with common complaints about long waits for slides when using Virtual Lines, Tapu falling off on rides like the action river, and technology issues.
Universal also announced a five month refurbishment of Volcano Bay spanning October 26, 2026 to March 24, 2027. During this time we expect the park to go through a major refurbishment of several aspects of the park, including several slides that need replacement or upgrades. Universal has remained mum about these changes, but we do not expect any new attractions to open with the park.
Stay tuned to TouringPlans for more information on Volcano Bay touring without TapuTapu later this year and more details on the parks’ refurbishment next year.
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How will this work for people with disabilities that can’t wait in lines?
They designed the entire park around the TapuTapu system, so it makes no sense to get rid of it. I don’t buy the excuse about long waits or devices falling off on rides. It feels more like they partnered with a tech company, realized it’s costing more than they expected, and now they’re cutting it to protect profits at the expense of the guest experience. Without virtual lines, the physical queues just aren’t long enough to handle the crowds. The whole reason we loved Volcano Bay was the convenience of tapping into a ride, then relaxing in the lazy river or grabbing a drink while we waited. Nobody wants to stand in the Florida heat on concrete stairs for a 10-second slide. If they remove TapuTapu, I won’t buy the 3-park pass anymore. I just won’t go. And how much money are they going to lose when people stop buying food and drinks because they’re stuck in line the entire time?