Lets talk water parks and their future

[Bairstow]

It's curious if the new park will have table service, and how it will work with wet guests...

 

[Quinnmac000]

The Universal theme parks have a habbit of closing at 6:00pm or 7:00pm (IMO to encourage guests to visit CityWalk). I'm not sure if Volcano Bay would be different.

The table service and the fact the press release specifically mentioned watch the volcano change with at night with a wonderous projection show pretty much means plans for it to stay late.

I think Uni new goal is days at the park, nights at resorts, citywalk, and water park.

"The concept for the Krakatua volcano is that it's a mythical volcano. In that it's a water volcano by day and it's a fire volcano by night. This backstory then allows us to completely change the experience and the environment whenever Volcano Bay is open in the evening. So there are hundreds of light fixtures that have been specifically designed to light the exterior of this volcano and create a light show. It is going to be awesome," Mason enthused.

"We've already mocked up & tested all of the lighting & water effects for the top of the volcano. A few months back, we flew over to France - which is where the company that built a lot of the Volcano Bay effects to our specs is located - and they did this presentation for us. So we're standing two, three hundred yards away from the mock-up of the top of Krakatau volcano and they then launched everything. And I have to tell you, it felt - to me, anyway -- like I was standing two hundred feet away from an erupting volcano. It was so beautiful and stunning," Dale continued.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The table service and the fact the press release specifically mentioned watch the volcano change with at night with a wonderous projection show pretty much means plans for it to stay late.

I think Uni new goal is days at the park, nights at resorts, citywalk, and water park.

I believe this is the company doing the volcano effects.
http://www.aquatic-show.com/en/Homepage-3.html

 

[mergatroid]

Well it certainly looks impressive on that video, really looking forward to trying it. Personally I don't see why some people see everything as a 'battle' between Universal and Disney, I imagine the companies do to a large extent but don't see why we as customers or fans do? Maybe I'm old school but to me I love both parks and want them both to be as good as they can. The Disney parks have always had a different feel to them than Universal's, Disney's more 'warm and fuzzy' whereas Uni's a bit more 'Adrenaline filled and hip'.

I don't see TL or BB as 'dated' myself, they're both aesthetically beautiful and relaxing and we happily spend a few days at each every year. Now I'm in my 40's I don't tend to bother with the slides as much as I did when I was younger. I still go on them but mainly first thing when the line is just 10 mins or so. The lazy rivers and the pools are where I enjoy the water the most and I also love reading in the shade on a lounger whilst the excitement goes on around me. Hopefully Volcano Bay will be as enjoyable for us in that way when we go and I'll certainly be trying the new slides even though Mrs Merg won't. However in my mind I imagine I'll still think of Disney's water parks as more relaxing whilst a trip to VB will probably be more exciting?

I'm not so sure having a sit down restaurant meal in a water park really appeals to me to be honest. I cannot imagine wanting one if I'm in my trunks and even if I'd changed in the park to my casual attire I'm not so sure it would 'feel' right having a meal there? Perhaps they're expecting Universal's hotel guest to pop over for an evening meal to enjoy the views whilst they eat rather than the day guests all changing to sit down for a slap up meal? Who knows and maybe when it's opened and we've tried it I'll have a different take on the dinning perspective depending of course on how high the prices are and how good the quality actually is.

To summarise it looks really good on that video and we're really looking forward to trying it out. I imagine it will be an exciting water park to visit which is great though I am certain we'll still visit the Disney water parks for nice relaxing days in beautiful surroundings too. It's great seeing Universal building such great attractions, it adds more to our holidays and we can love both parks in similar yet different ways.

 

[Jon81uk]

I'd love for the parks to be open later... but I think the hours have been steered directly by visiting patterns. Reality is most still do the 'get there early' and putter out by 2-3pm.

Not sure how much the ticket model helps drives that.. the 'if you don't get there early.. its crowded' thinking.. or the weather.

Also cheap multi day tickets and firework evening shows draw people into the theme parks in the evening. Even if the water park was open later I expect most people would rather do water park morning and then go watch fireworks in the evening.

 

[SorcererMC]

Really? They won't go all out on the furniture of course but I don't think it's going to be a metal bench. Outdoor furniture has come a long way (Restoration Hardware anyone?).

I'm a little surprised to see some of the comments here. A well-done water park with comfortable and interesting surroundings could easily turn into an all day park for my family. My kid doesn't like roller-coasters much but water rides are a different story; he would love this. A relaxing fun day where I don't do the grilling (I'm assuming the food will be consistent with the theme)? Count me in.

 

[SorcererMC]

I know the metal bench is just an absurd joke; I'm making an observation about the failure of imagination in this thread. People acting like this is going to be the World's Largest Baking Soda Volcano. It's not. More details on the story can be found on the UO site.

 

[21stamps]

Really? They won't go all out on the furniture of course but I don't think it's going to be a metal bench. Outdoor furniture has come a long way (Restoration Hardware anyone?).

I'm a little surprised to see some of the comments here. A well-done water park with comfortable and interesting surroundings could easily turn into an all day park for my family. My kid doesn't like roller-coasters much but water rides are a different story; he would love this. A relaxing fun day where I don't do the grilling (I'm assuming the food will be consistent with the theme)? Count me in.

RH is my Mecca.
If I could afford to have my entire house and deck furnished with their items I would!!! I can't, so I have to settle for the pieces I do have..

I can't see them going RH style..maybe in hotel pools but not an actual waterpark.. I agree they probably won't be metal benches though. Hopefully the entire place follows the theme of the volcano.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

RH is my Mecca.
If I could afford to have my entire house and deck furnished with their items I would!!! I can't, so I have to settle for the pieces I do have..

I can't see them going RH style..maybe in hotel pools but not an actual waterpark.. I agree they probably won't be metal benches though. Hopefully the entire place follows the theme of the volcano.

Volcano Bay is on a South Pacific Island. The theming will be complete.

 

[21stamps]

Volcano Bay is on a South Pacific Island.

Right. That's what I was saying, keep it with an island theme, not an RH home/Condo pool/Hotel pool look.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Just saw the update video and this park looks amazing so excited for it. I will say the theming looks comparable to or slightly better than both Disney water parks but the big difference is the technology which is what really sets this up to be the best water park of all time. Also good to hear Disney does have plans green lit for things beyond just this one raft ride. Hopefully if they get a hit to their water park attendance in 2017 they'll be even more motivated.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Brightly colored slides in an environment like this doesn't seem to fit for Volcano Bay. Universal has a tendency to do this where they get the theming about 80-90% correct. Thankfully Diagon Alley was seemingly exempt from this.

 

[mm121]

Well they have moved pretty quickly at Typhoon Lagoon with the new raft ride

but they closed the snorkel tank attraction, so its not a net gain of 1 attraction, its duplicating a small family tube ride with a larger family tube ride vs being something new and original

 

[mm121]

In Disney's mind they don't have any problems filling the water parks, so there really is no problem. They will and have thrown in token improvements, over the last couple of years to Typhoon, but their mindset is no longer to be the innovator like they were when they opened their parks. They're just fine being on the field.

For USO, its just one more reason for their guests to stay on property and maybe curtail trips to Disney.

I do agree that both parks, especially Typhoon lagoon are showing their age, but that can be mainly attributed to deferred maintenance. I would love to see Typhoon open at night (since it was designed for night operation)during the busy season and maybe add some better dining options, one step above quick service, think be our guest meets Ohana.

they rent it out for special events at night, so i doubt they'd ever make that a regular thing

not to mention the additional liability as its normally smaller crowds when its open for special events at night

 

[tl77]

With the soon to be completed Universal's Volcano Bay, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are starting to look pretty dated. What do you think Disney will do to update their parks in the coming years to compete with this new standard Universal is setting?

Here's a video on volcano Bay to give you an idea of what they're up to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?sns=fb&v=c3Ro3bYOraI

Personally I hope Disney leaves their water parks alone, it's nice having something to go see at WDW that hasn't been messed with

 

[roodlesnouter]

Brightly colored slides in an environment like this doesn't seem to fit for Volcano Bay. Universal has a tendency to do this where they get the theming about 80-90% correct. Thankfully Diagon Alley was seemingly exempt from this.

I'm pretty sure the slides are different colors to help guests easily differentiate which slide is which on the park maps.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I'm pretty sure the slides are different colors to help guests easily differentiate which slide is which on the park maps.

If that's the case, it's a horrible explanation.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Brightly colored slides in an environment like this doesn't seem to fit for Volcano Bay. Universal has a tendency to do this where they get the theming about 80-90% correct. Thankfully Diagon Alley was seemingly exempt from this.

The slide colors were carefully chosen, and each one the color it is for a reason. You will notice they don't look like this:

 

[andre85]

The slide colors were carefully chosen, and each one the color it is for a reason. You will notice they don't look like this:

Uhh, that's pretty much exactly what they look like, minus the alternating colors. It almost seems like Universal just plopped a volcano over an existing waterpark, with brightly colored slides and exposed support structures. They can be as careful as they want with the slide colors; that doesn't they look particularly great

 

[21stamps]

The slide colors were carefully chosen, and each one the color it is for a reason. You will notice they don't look like this:

What water park is that? The 6 slides in the background look really cool!