Ready to head to Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay? Be sure to grab this Volcano Bay Tapu Tapu Guide for details on how to use, best tips & more. This post is sponsored by Universal Orlando. All best travel tips are my own.
Volcano Bay Tapu Tapu Guide | What You Need to Know & Tips
Tapu Tapu, anyone? Nope, I didn’t sneeze.
Tapu Tapu is the first ever technologically advanced wearable device at Universal Orlando’s newest water theme park, Volcano Bay. If you’re making plans to head to Universal Orlando for your next family vacation, you’re going to need to wear a Tapu Tapu. But this device is so much more than skipping lines.
If you’re as lost as I was when I got my first device, be sure to grab this Volcano Bay Tapu Tapu Guide – details and everything you need to know about wearing this device, along with best tips to use and even kinks that I hope Universal Orlando will work out.
What Is a Tapu Tapu?
Looks like a watch, but does so much more. Tapu Tapu is a cross between a virtual pet (remember those?) and a waterproof wearable device of other popular Orlando theme parks. This brightly colored wearable with visual screen offers Volcano Bay guests some great features during your visit. Here’s your full Volcano Bay Tapu Tapu Guide.
Step 1: Register for Your Universal Account
Not too surprising, you’re going to need a Universal account before you even get your hands on a Tapu Tapu. Register for your free Universal account HERE. When you get your Volcano Bay tickets, link the ticket number to your Universal account. Try to do this before you come to the park – it will save time!
Step 2: Get Your Tapu Tapu Device
Bring your tickets with you and get your Tapu Tapu device at the Volcano Bay entrance. Employees will verify your ticket number and issue your Tapu Tapu to wear for the day. You will have to return the device at the end of the day. Nope, you don’t get to keep this one. Multiple colors are supposed to be available – I only saw the turquoise blue color during our media visit. You can link your Tapu Tapu to your credit card for easy purchases throughout your day.
Step 3: Skip the Lines
This is the BEST feature of the Tapu Tapu. No more waiting in long ride lines. At the entrance of the rides, look for stations to tap your visual screen of your Tapu Tapu to the glowing Volcano square icon. Once tapped and the Volcano lights turn green, you have your place in line. GENIUS. No standing 5-stories high in a frozen state for over an hour waiting to ride.
Tapu Tapu notifies you when to come back with “Ride Now” appearing on your visual screen, giving you the freedom to explore the park and enjoy the most of your day at Volcano Bay. You will have to check often (there’s no sound option) and come back within a certain timeframe to ride. You will also need to tap your Tapu Tapu at the ride entrance to verify before jumping into the line.
Step 4: Take Exclusive Photo Ops
While skipping the line is definitely the BEST feature of Tapu Tapu, your wearable does so much more. Look for exclusive photo opportunities around the park like this one. Tap your Tapu Tapu to the Volcano icon to take and save photos to your Universal account. You can view, choose and purchase your photos under your Universal account later.
Step 5: Unlock Special Interactive Features
And for extra special perks, look for more Volcano icons around the water theme park. Activate spinning water windmills at the center of Puna Uli Lagoon. Look for interactive fountain stations on bridges above Kopiko Wai Winding River™. Play and explore more water features at Runamukka Reef™. These are just some of the interactive Tapu Tapu stations I found at Volcano Bay. I’m sure there’s more!
The Kinks
While I think the Tapu Tapu device is genius for holding your place in line, there are some technological features I wish Universal Orlando would add. So many more options can be done with that visual screen. Here’s my wish list:
- Sound – There’s no bells and whistles when it’s your turn to ride. You will have to keep checking the screen to see if it’s your turn to ride. Your place will only be held for a few minutes too, so you don’t want to miss your window.
- Touch Screen – I think this could easily be added. There were so many times when I would go to touch the screen just out of habit – and quickly realizing my frustration to not be able to change anything on that screen.
- Time – I felt like I was wearing a watch, but could never see the time. It would be great to be able to plan out with family/friends and coordinate rides, meeting times and even closing park hours if I could just have a clock on this device.
- Park Updates – It would be awesome to get updates on ride times/closures, weather alerts, even special food and beverage options for the day.
- 21+ – If you’re planning on purchasing alcohol, you’ll still need I.D. I hope that Universal Orlando will consider having your verified age programmed into your device so you don’t need to lug around I.D. around the park.
Tapu Tapu, be sure to remember this name! Universal Orlando now offers it’s first wearable device at Volcano Bay Water Theme Park. Hopefully this exclusive Volcano Bay Tapu Tapu Guide will help you and your family plan your next visit this new water theme park, now open at Universal Orlando. Be sure to follow Universal Orlando Resort via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for more exclusive events, tips and more!
Stay tuned for my exclusive guide to Volcano Bay and everything you need to know about this water theme park! Want a sneak peek? Check out my full Facebook Live Tour of Volcano Bay!
And climb on-board the rides of Volcano Bay with these exclusive Point of View Videos!
What do you think about the new Tapu Tapu wearable?
I was invited to attend an all-inclusive Volcano Bay media event. Though travel and accommodations were provided, all opinions are my own. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more Orlando theme park and travel updates!
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Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Tapu Tapu looks amazing! I won’t name names, but I DO remember having a certain watch-based pet that I fed and cared for religiously.
Catherine Sargent says
Tapu Tapu is a great idea. I love the idea of not having to wait in a long line. We have plans to go in a couple weeks.
Pam Wattenbarger says
This is really neat. Although a touch screen would be nice, I think the Tapu Tapu is still a great idea for making park visits easier.
Marcie W. says
I love the idea of not having to wait in long lines at the water park, especially with kids in tow. The Tapu Tapu sounds like a great device, but I would need some type of sound or light to let me know when our ride time had arrived.
Tommy says
It vibrates
Liz Mays says
I didn’t know they had this for Universal Orlando. I’ll definitely be using one on my next trip to the park. Skipping lines will be nice!
Justin says
This is only available at Volcano Bay, FYI, which just opened.
mitch says
This is great. I am saving this post for when we go back to Universal, you how to guide is perfect, and I think this is a great system because water park lines can be crazy!
Kristin says
This place looks so fun!! Your post had so much great information!
PSUAth says
Can you wait in more than one virtual line at once? It seemed that you could only get in one line. and if it was very long, your day was “wasted”. also, it says you won’t wait in line, but it seemed like you still had to wait in a line between the entrance and the slides. not sure how long you are in the “short que”
I don’t see your age/ID being tied to your tapu tapu because all you ned to do is take it off and give to the underage friend.
christie says
I didn’t see an option to wait in more than one line. There were approximate wait times though and staff to give you estimates as well – I think that would be a huge factor before choosing which ride to commit to. Being the first week, there’s still a lot of bugs they need to work out with the lines and Tapu Tapu
Theresa says
Tapu Tapu sounds like a must have! Skipping lines, exclusive photos, and special interactions make it worthwhile! Next time I am at Universal we are getting one!
Deborah D says
I wish that I lived close to Florida this would be so neat to try. Hopefully, other theme parks will have something like this.
dana vento says
One of the more interesting features of the system is the ability to send customized messages directly to a specific wristband, or park-wide messages to everyone.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I think the people that design things like the Tapu Tapu are just genius! It does so much to make your experience the best it can be.
Kita Bryant says
This is such a cool concept! Whoever thought of this had a great idea.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Universal Orlando looks like they are always stepping up their game.
I guess they have to keep up with WDW.
This theme park looks great, and I love your pictures.
Your guide is very helpful and makes me want to check this park out!
Michelle Waller says
Now this looks like an amazing place to visit. I love the thought of being able to skip lines.
Kristi says
What a fun idea. Makes me want to go there now. I think this will be our Christmas gift next year, surprise the kids.
Shannon Gurnee says
That’s interesting! I hadn’t heard of this before! I would love to check it out the next time I’m in Florida!
angela milnes says
Absolutely looks a great place to visit and I love all the information, I’d love to go there too
vickie couturier says
looks really amazing,,im not very tech savvy so I may have a problem
Tonia @TheChattyMomma says
I’m loving the Tapu Tapu wearable. The color is so pretty. I was able to sit in on a press visit with the designers of Volcano Bay and I can’t wait to visit. It’s exciting to see it’s now open.