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Lets talk water parks and their future
- Thread starter roj2323
- Start date
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Can someone explain the queueless system to me?
I didn't realize the water will be cascading down the volcano until I watched the video. That's really cool.
We don't go to waterparks when at Disney...we have passes to a waterpark where we live, and there's just too much to do at the parks.
Universal with only 2 parks would be a reason to do a water park there though.
I didn't realize the water will be cascading down the volcano until I watched the video. That's really cool.
We don't go to waterparks when at Disney...we have passes to a waterpark where we live, and there's just too much to do at the parks.
Universal with only 2 parks would be a reason to do a water park there though.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Can't wait to ride the Ohyah and Ohno slides!At the heart of the island stands Krakatau, the mighty Fire and Water Volcano. Towering 200 feet above the tropical landscape, Krakatau streams waterfalls during the day and fiery lava effects at night. Inside the cavernous volcano the Waturi people dare you to brave a variety of heart-pounding water slides.
Krakatau Aqua Coaster
Honorary Waturi can experience the power of Krakatau on this amazing ride. Four-person canoes slide upward through the mists and into the dark twists and turns within the volcano before emerging with a plunge through a shimmering waterfall.
Ko’okiri Body Plunge
Join in the centuries-old tradition of honoring the volcano god, Vol, by braving the incredible Ko’okiri Body Plunge. Featuring a 70-degree fall through a drop door and 125 feet of screaming, white-knuckle fun, this dizzying descent ends with a watery tribute from Vol himself.
Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
Join Kala and Tai Nui where sea and sky meet and take a leap of faith from high atop the volcano. Twin trap doors simultaneously drop two guests down clear, intertwining tubes before sending them joyfully splashing into the turquoise waters below.
Punga Racers
A favorite among Waturi children of all ages, Punga Racers send single riders on their manta ray mats sliding down four lanes through underwater sea caves.
Wave Village
This peaceful escape overlooks the sparkling waters of Waturi Beach at the base of the volcano.
Waturi Beach
Locals know — the surf’s always up at Waturi Beach. Swim, splash and relax right along with them in the sparkling waters and warm waves of this sparkling lagoon at the foot of mighty Krakatau™.
River Village
The scenic River Village has fun for people of all ages, including the very youngest Waturi.
Honu ika Moana
Just like the ancient Waturi people who rode the ocean waves on friendly sea turtles and whales, guests can enjoy these two twisting, turning, multi-person slides. Honu sweeps up two massive walls, while ika Moana sprays water on riders from the center of the raft.
Tot Tiki Reef + Runamukka Reef
The little ones can frolic among the splashy slides and fountains of the Tot Tiki Reef toddler play area, while Runamukka Reef delights older children with its bubbling geysers, water guns, slides and dump cups.
Kopiko Wai Winding River
Take a slow ride on the Kopiko Wai Winding River. Sprays of water surprise along the way, and beneath the lava rocks, Stargazer’s Cavern reveals the magical night sky above.
Rainforest Village
Rainforest Village stretches along the shores of an action-packed river and features the perfect mix of relaxation and exhilaration.
Ohyah + Ohno Drop Slides
Test your mettle and get into the Waturi spirit. Ascend cliff side and plummet down the twisting waters of Ohyah before dropping out four feet above the pool below. To achieve even greater bragging rights, brave the rope bridge and plunge down Ohno, a serpentine adventure that ends six feet above the pool below. Be sure to yell your battle cry on the way down.
Maku Puihi Raft Rides
Ready for the high adventure of the Maku Puihi lava tubes? This six-person rafting adventure is a favorite of Waturi families, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Choose one of two paths or try them both—just be ready for a thrilling ride. Puihi careens through a dark, winding tunnel before the stomach-flipping thrill of zero gravity hang time. Maku slides you through a deep volcanic gorge before spinning wildly around bowl-like formations.
TeAwa The Fearless River
Up for an adventure? Take a thrilling whitewater ride along TeAwa The Fearless River. Race along a roaring, watery onslaught of churning rapids and choppy waves hanging tight to your inner tube.
Taniwha Tubes
There’s a place where the puka trees grow abnormally tall. Inspired by their twisting roots, the Waturi built four twisting water slides called the Taniwha Tubes. Riders can try all four twisting tracks, but beware — mischievous tiki statues spray jets of water when you least expect it.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I love drop slides! We just got 2 this year..kiddo wasn't tall enough until mid July, they were the first ones we ran to as soon as he got his 48" bracelet.lol
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
Shame they never brought this idea back from the Dead...More about it here..
http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2005/01/06/522.aspx
http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2005/01/06/522.aspx
I think one issue I have with Volcano Bay is it's just a theme--there doesn't appear to be a story there. Typhoon Lagoon isn't just a tropical beach--it's was that's been ravaged by storms. The signature landmark isn't just a geyser: it's one that's capped with Miss Tilly, resulting from the storms. Blizzard Beach isn't just a ski resort, it's one that's been repurposed into a water park after being built in Florida following a freak snowstorm.
Volcano Bay, on the other hand, seems to be just a volcano (again, a cool looking one). It just feels shallow to me in a way Disney's don't
Volcano Bay, on the other hand, seems to be just a volcano (again, a cool looking one). It just feels shallow to me in a way Disney's don't
andysol
Well-Known Member
Yes- but to have all of those in one location is impressive. You're essentially taking the best parts about other water parks and combining them into one.
The Volcano alone is more impressive than anything any water park in the world has. But in terms of "attractions", the multi-directional wave pool has never been done before, and torrent w/ lazy rivers are extremely sparse (I can only think of 2 in the world, actually). The make or break with this park will be the no waiting queues. On one hand, it sounds great- but on the other, will this make the lazy river and wave pool unbearably crowded as all those lines are now there?
Side note: Table service restaurant in a water park? Thats a first.
They said the band will vibrate and notify 15 mins before your time up on in Queue. Not sure how youre going to feel a vibration in a multi-direction wavepool- so we'll see.
As for concept art- please. Disney's concept art never comes to fruition- their concept art is fantastic and then the real world happens and its a mirage of what we actually see. Even their initial concept art gets dumbed down for the next batch of concept art- see Toy Story Land.
Universal, on the other hand, has had a tremendous track record these past several years of giving us concept art, and the realization is exactly what we saw in the concept art. Usually down to the landscaping.
It's night and day concept art of Uni vs Dis- one pans out- one doesn't. To be honest, that is more of how Disney goes about it's business in releasing concept art and ride announcements, then planning starts, then more concept art, then construction, then realization. Whereas Uni announces during construction most times, and then releases concept art which is what is realized- we're never really privy to the "pre-planning" concept art from Universal- which would likely look a lot like Disney's "announcement" concept art.
I'm betting 90% of general guests don't know or care about a story for a park. Don't get me wrong, I love the stories behind the Disney water parks, but people just don't care. Volcano Bay looks beautiful, who cares about a story.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I think the ruins at Atlantis are more impressive.
If I am going on a vacation where a water park is very important then I would choose Atlantis hands down. If I want a theme park vacation where we would spend a day at a water park...and had kids tall enough for all of it...then I would choose Universal.
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I would argue people pick up on the story and details therein regardless of whether they're aware of it or not. I mean, you don't need to be a genius to figure out Typhoon Lagoon's setting and story based on the ravaged buildings and Miss Tilly being perched on a mountaintop. The story is conveyed naturally through the environment and rides, which appears to be lacking in VB.
Regardless I really don't care what other people think--only what I think, and in that sense, I'm finding it lacking.
Donald Razorduck
Well-Known Member
The new Atlantis in the UAE is impressive looking and we'll Yas Water World is stunning with what they have and is to expand soon. Those are the two I most want to visit
21stamps
Well-Known Member
When's the last time you've been? It has grown soooo much the past several years. I've been to Atlantis close to 20 times..quite a few of them just weekend trips though.Are the ruins at Atlantis the slide that goes through the shark tank?
If so, I've done that and I don't see it as being anywhere close to as impressive as the volcano. If the ruins are something else, I'm just not aware, sorry.
Funny we both have different takes though
No way I'd go to Orlando just for water parks either. The theme parks are too good. Then again, the only reason I did Atlantis was a cruise day trip. I've never had the desire to go just for Atlantis.
I've stopped going because I hate what they have become. I understand why they needed to expand, but I think once they expanded the resort they should have severely limited the amount of day passes sold. I also understand the reason for the day pass, if someone is on a cruise and visits Aquaventure they may decided to do an Atlantis vacation in the future, but the entire place has become too congested now.
The slides and aquariums were an awesome part of Atlantis, but it wasn't the main draw to the resort. Now it is and the entire atmosphere has changed from something I loved to something that I barely recognize. I'm taking an extended break... My kid disagrees with me though.lol
That's a different subject, sorry. Just wanted to point out that for waterpark themes alone I'd give Atlantis the win.
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
I know this is going to come across as super-snarky, but it's easy to match your concept art when everything you build is screen-based.
My point isn't that Volcano Bay isn't going to be great- it probably is- just that it's too early to declare it a game changer. The teaser video doesn't, and can't give us a good idea of how pleasant and/or interesting the areas between the slides are going to be. Hopefully they'll be great, but just showing that they're buying all the really expensive stuff from the Proslide catalog is only going to be half the story. It's the detailing that separates Typhoon Lagoon from something like Splashin Safari. Heck, it's the detailing that separates Typhoon Lagoon from Blizzard Beach.
Is Universal the first park to use virtual queing for a waterpark? I could have sworn I read about someone else doing that. THAT is a great idea, btw. Virtual queing is even more useful in a water park than in a theme park simply because waiting in line for a slide is a hundred times worse than waiting in line for Dueling Dragons or whatever.
Finally, isn't there a good reason there aren't any table service restaurants at water parks? I'd be more interested in one of those swim-up bars.
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
I think a main reason in that is people generally don't spend all day in a water park like at a theme park, so there isn't a huge demand. Perhaps Volcano Bay will change that however.
andysol
Well-Known Member
Virtual Queuing is actually getting pretty popular among water parks. Id say at least a half a dozen have it already. They certainly aren't the first- in fact, they were testing it this whole summer at Wet N Wild in Orlando.
But when you combine all the elements they have put together, with their track record these past 7 years on hotels and attractions- I'd say it will be a game changer just with the information we have so far (they will still announce plenty more we don't even know about yet). Universal Creative have been the standard bearers for a while, and this seems to be their cherry on top of this run they've had (Fast and the Furious certainly won't be).
Regarding the table service- ya, it seems weird at first. But considering they hinted at a light show/performance during the months they stay open late in the Summer- that seems like a great way to view the show.
As for the concept art comment- yes, thats just snarky, and not a valid stance, as the majority of their concept art hasn't been anything involving screens. Kong, for example- was Queue, ride vehicle, and entrance related- all matched perfectly. Toothsome was essentially a picture if you put them side-by-side, Sapphire Falls, Hulk, etc.
Again, I think this is because Universal releases their concept art during construction, and Disney releases their concept art pre-construction- sometimes years before construction starts- so the details change during construction & planning.
Its been years- I think when that slide first opened. Maybe I should go again (or maybe not based on what you said)
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Bairstow
Well-Known Member
Maybe, but I'd kind of doubt it. Between the sun and the crowds and the wet shorts, I've never wanted to spend more than half a day at a water park, even when I've been having a good time. At a certain point you're just ready to come out of the pool.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I'd say we spend 3-8 hours at a waterpark. Depends on a few things- chair availability, if we've rented a cabana, crowd level, weather.
The 3 I quoted isn't a fair comparison bc that's just a trip morning or late afternoon visit. If we went to Volcano Bay I would guess we would stay @ 8 hours, if it was too crowded I'd cut it in half. Do they have any non water options? Such as sand volleyball?
flynnibus
Premium Member
I think we are kind of at the point Disney was prior to the NextGen project... Disney has a lead and is willing to just ride it out with minimal upkeep to keep the machine pumping.
The water parks are one of the few areas I felt Disney still had a sizable lead on its copy-cats that evolved through the 90s and early 00s.. but Disney has been stagnant since. I think some of the new innovations we see how are where you see other people peck and poke ahead of Disney in small pockets.. but Disney still has the larger total sum in a product like TL.
But that stagnantion is catching up to them. At least now we are seeing some recent changes to TL.. but as long as they stay packed.. I doubt we'll see wholesale updates.
Water Parks being largely physical activities... they don't need nearly as much change-over as say.. a consumption-only experience like a show. It's when the types of experience change significantly that space is created.
I wish Disney could replicate Stormalong Bay at scale... that place was a milestone.
flynnibus
Premium Member
I think we are kind of at the point Disney was prior to the NextGen project... Disney has a lead and is willing to just ride it out with minimal upkeep to keep the machine pumping.
The water parks are one of the few areas I felt Disney still had a sizable lead on its copy-cats that evolved through the 90s and early 00s.. but Disney has been stagnant since. I think some of the new innovations we see how are where you see other people peck and poke ahead of Disney in small pockets.. but Disney still has the larger total sum in a product like TL.
But that stagnantion is catching up to them. At least now we are seeing some recent changes to TL.. but as long as they stay packed.. I doubt we'll see wholesale updates.
Water Parks being largely physical activities... they don't need nearly as much change-over as say.. a consumption-only experience like a show. It's when the types of experience change significantly that space is created.
I wish Disney could replicate Stormalong Bay at scale... that place was a milestone.