Volcano Bay water park opens at Universal Orlando resort

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal's water park Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando is now open to the public.

For months drivers along Interstate 4 in Orlando have been seeing the 200-foot volcano rise above the highway. Parkgoers will get to finally see inside the towering structure Thursday.

Inside the man-made mountain is the theme park's star attraction, the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. The thrill ride features canoes traveling among the peaks and through the valleys surrounding the 200-foot Krakatau volcano.

The man-made volcano will also erupt into the sky, which is sure to cause some head turns on I-4.

When guests enter the Universal park they will receive a wristband-style wearable technology called TapuTapu. The band will allow guests “to virtually wait in line while they play in other areas of the park,” Universal said. The technology will alert them when it’s time to ride.

Guests can find “tap-to-play” experiences around Volcano Bay using TapuTapu. The technology can trigger special effects “like controlling streams of water spurting from whales in Tot Tiki Reef, shooting water cannons at guests snaking down Kopiko Wai Winding River and illuminating images in the volcano’s hidden caves,” according to Universal.