OUTDOORS

The Truth About Volcano Bay Parking: Is It Free or Not?

June 17, 2022

When Volcano Bay opens on May 25, it will be the newest theme park in Orlando and one of the most popular attractions in Florida. Volcano bay parking fees are not included in the regular admission price and vary depending on your desired parking option, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re paying for before you show up at the park. Here’s everything you need to know about parking at Volcano Bay if you’re planning on visiting soon!

Introduction

One of my co-workers recently visited Universal’s Volcano Bay for a day of water park fun and informed me that parking was free. I didn’t believe him and asked another colleague who assured me that parking was indeed complimentary at Universal Orlando’s newest park. He even gave me instructions on how to get in using preferred entrances as part of a theme park season passholder. In fact, he insisted it would be rude not to park there since we were visiting one of four parks at Universal Orlando Resort that day, including Harry Potter World, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. So is parking free at Volcano Bay or not? And what are those secret entrances he spoke about? Here’s everything you need to know about free parking at Universal Orlando Resort.

How Much Does Parking Cost at Volcano Bay?

There’s a lot of confusion over how much volcano bay parking costs. In fact, there’s no one answer. When we surveyed readers, we found out that some people said they paid $10 while others reported paying nothing to park. The truth is that it depends on what time you arrive and which lot you choose to use—that is if you can find a spot. Many of our readers had trouble finding free parking at Volcano Bay and ended up paying $10 for parking that wasn’t even close to their destination. Learn more about where (and when) to park here.

What Are My Options for Getting to the Park Without Owning a Car?

Those who are able to walk, bike, or ride public transportation have several options to get to Volcano Bay for free. However, if you drive your own car to Disney’s new water park, you will be charged $35 (not including tax) upon entry. With that said, it’s worth noting that there is an option for those who want to avoid paying for parking at all. During high-traffic times—like peak summer days and theme park holidays—visitors can enter a special code on their ticketing system and receive free parking in one of two lots located near Volcano Bay.

What about Bus Transportation?

Don’t want to pay for parking? Bus transportation is also available, and it’s free to ride. Note that buses operate in specific locations within Volcano Bay but are still a great option if you don’t want to park your car. On average, wait times are about 20 minutes—or more depending on how busy it is at any given time. To find out where bus stops are located, check out SeaWorld’s official website and look through their FAQ section. The website includes everything from bus schedules and pricing details to maps of bus routes; we suggest looking over these details as soon as possible in order to plan your day. When you know what you need ahead of time, you can head straight for what matters most—having fun!

How Much Will Tickets Cost for Volcano Bay?

Tickets for Universal’s water park range from $51 to $84 depending on your location and how you plan to experience it. Plus, there are add-ons that increase that price even more. For example, a room at one of Universal’s hotels will cost between $180 and $475 per night, depending on its location and amenities. If you want a refillable cup, that costs another $20, while a video download of your experience costs between $29 and $99 (depending on which ride you choose to take). In other words, just because Volcano Bay is free to enter doesn’t mean it won’t be costly. Budget accordingly if you plan to make a day of it at Universal Orlando Resort’s latest attraction.

Conclusion

The last thing anyone wants to think about when they’re ready to enjoy a day at a theme park is what their parking situation will be like. After all, you paid for your ticket and now you just want to have fun. However, most people don’t realize that there are ways to get free parking at water parks around Florida – including Universal Studios. Volcano Bay offers free parking with any paid admission! If you plan on visiting Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove in one trip, there is no better way to save money than getting free parking at every location. Additionally, if you book your vacation package through an approved Disney Vacation Planner, you can get free unlimited parking as well.