Universal's Volcano Bay Will Discontinue Virtual Queue Beginning This October

We’ve got 2 MAJOR updates from Universal to share with you that could affect your upcoming trip!

©Universal

Universal has been a big topic of conversation lately, primarily surrounded by the chatter that Epic Universe’s previews have caused. But, if you’ve been planning your next Universal Orlando visit and hoping to visit every park Universal has to offer, there’s an upcoming change that might have you thinking twice before you commit to spending a day in particular park.

Universal has just unveiled several operational announcements that will affect their water park, Volcano Bay, soon.

©Universal Orlando (Volcano Bay)

Arguably, one of the biggest draws to visiting Universal’s Volcano Bay water park is the ability to scan in for virtual queues over its rides and slides. This is accomplished by using the park’s TapuTapu system, which is offered free with admission to the park.

©Universal

When you arrive, you’ll be assigned a band just as you’re scanning into the park for the day, which allows you to scan for a virtual wait time to ride an attraction around the park, and will notify you by screen when it’s your turn to get in line.

©Universal

This has been a popular system that visitors have raved about over the years, but it doesn’t just work for virtual queue lines for the rides. The TapuTapu band also allowed for other uses, too, like contactless payment and interactive experiences.

©Universal

Beginning October 1st, the TapuTapu wearable and virtual line will no longer be available for visitors. Although the virtual queue for the rides and attractions will no longer be available, Universal is quick to point out that this change allows visitors the ease of accessing lines for attraction queues at their leisure.

©Universal

While this change certainly can be a divisive one, depending on how much you may have been counting on this service provided in the park, it seems that time will tell what we can expect from the lines once the virtual queue system is no longer in place at Volcano Bay.

That’s not the only major update we have for you for this park, though. Additionally, Universal also confirmed Volcano Bay will begin a seasonal closure beginning on October 26th, 2026, with a current planned reopening on or before March 24th, 2027. During this closure, Universal plans to conduct annual maintenance on several attractions and areas of the park.

©Universal

While this closure is still a ways out, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important to know about in advance, while you’re in the beginning stages of planning what your next Universal vacation will look like. If Volcano Bay was on your list to visit during this closure, you may want to consider spending more time in Universal’s other three parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe, or planning a day to do some sightseeing around your hotel.

Stay tuned — we’ve got lots more Universal news, updates, and more coming at you soon!