Is Universal's Volcano Bay World Class? With Water Park Expert Cade Vereen • FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT

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The guys slap on some sunscreen and hit the wave pool with a regional waterpark manager (Cade Vereen), to discuss Universal's Volcano Bay.
CREATED & HOSTED BY
Ryan Bergara & Byron Marin
EDITOR
Shannon Fan
PRODUCER
Matt Real
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Steven Lim
Ryan Bergara
Shane Madej
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FYA Logo by Arthur Kierce (@theonekierce)

[@marlenivarela6930]

Okay but the transition from Ryan saying “I’m hoping you’re not a serial killer” to the freeze frame smiling picture had me dying 😭

[@JessieGlover-d3t]

I’d like to see a video in which the guest picks an attraction they despise, and it’s them trashing it while you defend it.

[@marybethholm1995]

I know they said they wanted to stay positive, buttttt they already did The Simpsons Ride. So it's free game I suppose. I'm 110% here for that content tho

[@bigstinkie2000]

They kinda did this with fast and furious w/ Poseidon entertainment that was a fun episode

[@fantasticfaart]

That would make a great ep

[@rofaca]

Cade is a great guest! I hope he comes back!

[@naderzein2435]

Calling it right now, eventually this podcast will get big enough to have actual Imagineers on to talk about attractions 👊👊👊👏👏👏

[@tvguts]

YAY IT'S THE PARK I WORK AT!!! I'm glad Byron brought up the "Wet n' Wild" fun fact! That's Maku Puihi, and it's actually Maori! Most of the rides in the park use words from the Maori language-- for example I think Ko'okiri (the body plunge slide) means "to rush forward or to attack" which seems appropriate. They also borrow the greeting "Kia Ora" for use around the park. Also glad Cade mentioned the sand. It does indeed make its way everywhere, including my shoes and then subsequently into my apartment lol

[@laurabowles]

Bring Cade back to discuss the Disney water parks!

[@ellieplanit]

Loved seeing an industry expert on this pod! It’s fun to see the variety of guests

[@ianbourgault7462]

I've found my people! I thought I was alone being this nutty about theme parks! Really appreciate the podcast and your enthusiasm. Being isolated from theme parks up here in Canada, my visits are limited and I get to live my joy through your passionate content. YOU are world class. :)

[@jaykay1899]

You definitely aren’t alone. There’s a whole community!

[@alanaahewitt]

Fellow Canadian theme park nerd here!! :)

[@kaytea0963]

Are there no theme parks in Canada? One of my best memories as a kid was a school trip to Quebec where we went to a really cool place with inflatable sleds and huge hills of snow. You'd clip your sled to a pulley and jump on so it would carry you back up the hill. Absolutely genius. The Bon homme mascot scared me tho

[@ianbourgault7462]

@@kaytea0963 There are, in larger city centers like Montreal or Toronto. But I'm on the east coast of Canada. The closest is montreal, which is a 16-hour drive away. And it's a Six Flags. :P

[@ianbourgault7462]

@@kaytea0963 Winter and cold sucks though. :P

[@JirmmyJumbaTheJellyMan]

Dude, I have been in the new Wild River's wave pool, I thought I was going to die LMAO I thought this wasn't going to be anything intense, and I wore my glasses- biggest mistake of my life. I had to hold my glasses in my hand and hold them up in the air so that they didn't get lost in the tides. A few minutes afterward I felt like I had stared Poseidon himself in the face, and that was the best experience ever.

[@t.z2359]

The Tapu Tapu, sounds interesting to me. Let's bring up the mouse, and magic bands. Unlike Disney, or most theme parks, the Tapu fills a need that is worth the lack of emerson and learning curve. Your not gonna want to carry you phone and wallet around a water park, so having a wrist band is actually useful.

[@sdc5914]

A literal Waterpark Professional. WOW!

[@Delundon]

I will be waiting until the end of time for Tower of Terror, won't I?

[@josephsilva345]

I’m on 20 days of asking for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Clearly I have priority

[@Delundon]

​@@josephsilva345Everyone knows that's already world class, hence no episode. ToT on the other hand, who knows? I'll be on the edge of my seat the entire episode when/if it ever premieres.

[@upsidedownlex]

Same boat, but Spaceship Earth. ToT is a great request since they already rethemed California’s. Hopefully they forever leave Orlando as is.

[@ViperXYZ98]

@@josephsilva345 I just got off the phone with the Chief, he says Joseph has priority

[@jackieosam4976]

@@josephsilva345is in the virtual queue 😂

[@voidsix138]

Favorite time of the week is here

[@pomeloiki]

It's very interesting to hear an expert from that field, gives another perspective. So cool that you found someone!!!

[@Nojintt]

Quick note that they no longer have a matt racer ride, they've changed it to body slides. It's assumed/ rumored they changed it because people may have been injured getting dropped into the shallow water face first at the end. Instead its feet first/standard body slide, with a much smoother finish. (IMO they're not nearly as fun anymore.) In fact, shortly after one alleged injury, they kept the ride going with the matts, but had a weight limit of around 150 or 160 lbs for a few months. This meant most people didn't get to ride it (aside from children and smaller people), until they shut it down for a significant refurbishment to make it into the standard body slides they are today.

[@Elda_Reid]

Did you know krakatau is actually the name of a real volcano in Indonesia. It is active up to this day and even caused a deadly tsunami in 2018. The biggest eruption was back in 1883 that caused a 37m tsunami, among the greatest tsunami waves seen in recent historic time.

[@kaytea0963]

I've never been interested in the water parks when looking at going to universal or Disney, but you really sold me with this test. (And like Ryan I love a lazy river)

[@momo_pie]

Perfect timing ! I’m planing my Orlando trip for next year and was thinking about making a stop at Volcano Bay, this settles it 😂👍

[@pen_pine9174]

Ryan POG is amazing and you could prob find it in your local market, it’s Hawaiian !!

[@ROSWELLHUB]

Literally going there next week with the premium seating. I used to goto universal for the rides. Now my old self goes to volcano bay for the relaxation

[@lancewood9817]

Such a great episode, about such a great water park.

[@teetpiry97]

“Love a wet inspection.” Hahahaha the subtle crude jokes Ryan just inserts 😂😂😂 Also, this episode was so educational! Keep it up guys! 👍🏻

[@midgelywid]

Love all the insight into operator work and assessments from your guest!

[@HavocRedProductions]

Living in Orlando and working at Universal during the construction and opening on Volcano Bay, a lot of the IT department had such a big headache with TapuTapu but they worked tirelessly to get that to work and it still had issues (but eventually it worked 90% of the time) Been to Volcano a few times and a large group would always split the cabana, its very much worth it, breakfast, lockers, and towels are included, you get a waiter all day long, and can tap into rides right at the cabanas. I might be bias since I usually reach out to friends for park passes so spending a little bit on the cabana is well worth it for me.

[@imaginationstationyt6948]

In my heart, I have been to Volcano Bay a few times. This park is the best World Class Water Park I've been to. I'd be surprised if it doesn't pass but I'll listen regardless if it does somehow fail. Thanks again for the Podcast. Love it!

[@imaginationstationyt6948]

Fun story about Tapu Tapu I remembered during Ryan's Bads section. This was during our first visit and we were having a blast. We reserved the Water Coaster and it was a good 30 or so minute wait. We walked around the park and found a ride that was labelled 'Ride Now' which means no wait! Being my first time I thought I had to scan to reserve the waitless ride. But despite my family's horror. It did nothing to the Water Coaster reservation. It just instructed me to go to the entry point of the ride. Honestly looking back that is just a good software type feature. Not getting rid of a reservation due to a guest's ignorance of trying to get a reservation for a ride that didn't have a wait. Hopefully that makes sense. Typing that out. Lol

[@madisonwalters6955]

I love that the Waterparks band lore made it onto this podcast

[@jennygriesdorn1929]

My dad did construction for Volcano Bay! He said it was a brutal project lol especially with all of the intricacies with the pump setup. So cool!

[@cquahi3928]

Would love to see "magic journeys" guest on your podcast. They're My favorite.

[@emmaroberts1051]

As someone who lives in Indiana, and grew up going to Holiday World every year, I am soooo excited to hear what you guys think about it after you go!! :)

[@KDoc-io5fo]

Ryan's hamstrings go hard this video!

[@BatNeko]

my childhood water park had like three of those freefall slides, but this was the 90's.

[@Kayla92407]

As an action park survivor they absolutely have those body slides that drop you. Dude I fell like ten feet into the coldest water known to man. There might be pics of the slide online, it was absurd.

[@15Sonoma]

one of the cool things about the wave pool at volcano bay is that it has multiple different types of waves it can output, i think the type of wave changes everytime it starts, that's why there is that loud noise and the big statue thing on the left of the pool that moves to show the types of waves. Also, punga racers was converted to not be a mat slide anymore unfortunately

[@StevieMcKenna10]

I went on both of the slides, first time being on an actual waterslide and was genuinely scared, loved the lazy river though. Wish I could have stayed in the wave pool longer but it was really cold that day, also Water Parks (the band) are really good! Been a long time fan :)

[@amylewis6931]

I like calling the rapids style river at Volcano Bay the Crazy River!

[@StaceyChouMusic]

Ryan, if you like POG juice, you can get a Dole Whip Float with POG juice at Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's, I think it's like an off-menu item that you can request and they'll make it for you

[@therealventures]

The taputapu is way better than Lightning Lane.

[@EchosOfTravel]

My pale ass gets fried at every waterpark we try to do… even with reapplying sunblock 🥺 it really kills the mood to go. We did 1 day at volcano bay and I loved the not so lazy River BUT with having kids with me that I kept getting separated from I just couldn’t enjoy it. We just got back from Niagara Falls Great Wolf lodge and their wave pool didn’t have any announcement that the waves were starting. I did notice a small red light towards the end of our week that seemed to line up with the start of the waves. Definitely missed the kids getting excited for those waves 😂. We did Disney’s River Country when I was a kid. I remember swinging from a rope and dropping into the water. My dad ended up with an allergic reaction from the sun that trip (pink dots all over his exposed skin). I can’t handle the intense rides, I’m not a thrill seeker at all. Just give me a nice lazy River 😂. I keep randomly checking in on the poor lady who is suing Disney over her horrific water slide accident 😬 now I really don’t like them even more.

[@susanthrush9714]

Lmao are you two just getting high af before each recording 😂😂😂😭 I thought Byron’s eyes were a bit too glossy in some eps

[@drawsomethewizard3006]

George Millay also had the original idea to do a Hard Rock Park a few years before Jon Binkowski would pick up that idea that would become that park that was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Looking back, I wonder how much world-class potential the park would have if it was still open today, and also if it had never lost its hard rock license.

[@alexfischer8471]

Don't even have to watch the episode: YES. Volcano Bay is the best.

[@SlamminAmon]

Great video, guys. Really cool to hear about someone with professional insight. Amateur expertise is always good, but professional expertise definitely offers something totally different. Awesome guest.

[@susanthrush9714]

Imma try to find Cade next time I’m at cowabunga 😂😂

[@kendrapain6500]

Happy Tuesday!!!

[@therealventures]

The answer is yes. It's the best water park in Orlando 😊

[@TheErinSpace]

Omg I love love love Volcano Bay!!!!!!! Cooool episode 💯💯💯👏👏👏

[@Rin-bot]

I think all the wdw park weenies actually are functional! Epcot ball is spaceship earth, tree of life is tough to be a bug, tower of terror is a ride itself, and Cinderella castle has the royal table restaurant!

[@josephsilva345]

Day 20 of asking for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

[@sdc5914]

"Day 6472. Starting to wonder if Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is even real!"

[@plum.preserves]

i just watched cars 2 and i support you now more than ever GIVE HIM THE JAMBOREE!! 👏

[@bambikiller338]

Yes yes 👍🏼

[@jeskuo]

At this point, I feel like @josephsilva345 should be the guest to discuss this ride

[@jaykay1899]

It’s clearly not a world class attraction so what would even be the point? 😂 sorry to rain on your parade

[@blmn564]

My brother wemt to Universal Orlando a few years ago, but didn't do Volcano Bay because he's not into water parks 😮‍💨

[@letsgofrightseeing]

Where’s that person who keeps requesting Junkyard Jamboree? 😂 I always make sure to like that comment and I don’t see it today!!

[@nyves104]

you didn't look long enough! they're currently on day 20 and they did comment yesterday! (also as of writing this, has 42 likes)

[@DestinyStellaNox]

River Country was a fun park, I have photos and an old park map still to this day.

[@TerraVods]

I worked at Volcano Bay. The conveyor belt has a major flaw. If it fails to dump the raft off the end, the bit that pushes it up can get caught on the raft. Both that pushy bit and the raft will get destroyed if this happens. I've personally witnessed it happen. At least they thought ahead on keeping the walkways cool.

[@RoyChamorro666]

Ryan is def talking about Raging Waters here in socal

[@smpractice2955]

Great guest

[@blmn564]

Yooo I haven't been to the new Wild Rivers either let's goooo

[@msevelynleyva]

Please have Molly from Mammoth Club on the For Your Amusement podcast!

[@KalEL224]

They do have premium seating which is muuuuch cheaper (20 bucks) its 2 seats to an umbrella/tent and its right in front of the volcano and has a lock box, and an attendant that’ll get you food.

[@paristheripper]

Take a shot every time Ryan says “ blast”

[@hypotheticalforest]

From now on, “The website formerly known as Twitter” is the only way I will ever refer to X.

[@eduardobono]

Would love for yall to cover Gringots! It’s my favorite ride and would love to know what yall think

[@christophercasanova8179]

The best hands down wave pool is the one in typhoon lagoon! They legit surf these waves lol

[@Chaislyn]

I have never been this early in my life omg

[@ye6344]

Ayyyyy Kona hits

[@withthetide]

Hey guys! Is FYA on the Watcher app? I don’t see it

[@cadigarcie]

Have either of you been to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels Tx?

[@jacquelinemoeller7146]

I just looked up a video of the wave pool… no. Y’all need to check out Typhoon Lagoon! Wave pool is my favorite. Same with my kids.

[@karebear3152]

wienies with attractions in them. Hogwarts Castle, Tree of Life (It's Tough to Be A Bug, soon to be Zootopia Better Zoogether), Spaceship Earth, The Chinese Theater (Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway) and Tower of Terror. Hollywood Studios can't really decide which is their "Park Icon"/"Wienie" at this point lol. Quite a few between Disney's parks, and Universal is starting to catch up finally.

[@jacquelynchin5513]

One day they’re gonna get an imagineer fs

[@There_Will_Be_Goals]

Are you not doing Hagrids or Cosmic Rewind because it’ll obviously pass the test? Only reason i can think of for why they haven’t been covered yet!

[@bret_with1t]

50:08 You can also get Pog at Disney's Polynesian resort!

[@jasmine-rose18]

Pleaseeee invite Pugh two 😭🙏🏼

[@TV_Crafts]

RIP to Wet n Wild. Gone but not forgotten ✊

[@sdc5914]

@@TV_Crafts My Childhood!

[@tuckergilbert7515]

Day 4 (I think) of asking for The Barnstormer

[@gr33ngirlsea]

I miss the Winnie the Pooh episode!

[@Cymorill8]

Why was it taken down/made private?

[@barbarab4009]

so this park is themed like joe versus the volcano?

[@remyd8767]

If volcano Bay isn't, then what is?

[@dozer11]

I was gonna give crap to Ryan at first for not knowing how to pronounce the Polynesian names, but then he brought up a great point that it’s a made up thing at this park. Plus it’s his family that is from Hawaii, and Ryan isn’t kama’aina/ local boy.

[@andrewbishop09]

patiently waiting for the galactic starcruiser episode

[@josephferrara6309]

missed the opportunity to dress for the water park.

[@Slimkati3]

Oh haaaaayyyyyy

[@FrozeMoments]

Why do wave pool lifeguards shake their heads “yes” constantly ? Serious question. My wife and I went to Soaky Mountain and noticed .

[@JonHamley]

If you want to get inside and learn in the parks, join the TEA or Themed Entertainment Association. They're a fantastic organisation that put on events at parks

[@noblenansa]

as someone who isn't a strong swimmer, this sounds like the theme park I'd want to avoid

[@iwantmytvnow]

Oh my God. A sponsor😢

[@pallavidas9099]

First yayyyy 🎉🎉😶

[@SlamminAmon]

Day 20 of asking you to NOT do Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

[@jaykay1899]

Lol exactly

[@MkR2398]

Great vid, but when are we gonna see The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man get that 10/10 grade???

[@SarasAbstractExpressions]

Pumps push, they dont suck

[@upsidedownlex]

HTRAE PIHSECAPS ffs.