Just got back from a quick staycation to Orlando to try out VB. Longtime lurked who finally decided to join to bask in the HHN goodness (going w/ 5 "virgins" in late September and staying and Royal Pacific--3 of the "virgins" are screamers, so it should be entertaining no matter what happens)
Don't believe the hype! (The negative hype, that is.)
We planned our trip around three weeks ago and made reservations at Cabana Bay, bought tickets to VB, and Premium Seating for 8/11/17.
We were able to get a Volcano View room in the Beachside Tower and it was great!!! Three large windows overlooking VB with Honu close by. It was surreal seeing the TMs getting ready for their shifts with a "staff meeting" Friday morning as we got ready to head down. (Reminded me of my early morning shifts in the hotel biz).
We got down to the Cabana Bay entrance to VB around 7:10 a.m. and there was one couple in front of us. Within a few minutes there were around 20 of us. We all had to wait for the "Special Event" Family Foundation folks to be let in, but by 7:30 were going through security and heading to the turnstiles.
Our Premium Seating was in the Rainforest area, just where Ohyea and Ohno are. While the seating is great, they need to work on developing less fragile lockers. It took us three tries to get seating that had a workable locker. I think their system isn't ready to handle the abuse/sand/moisture. That was about the only hitch we encountered.
We didn't do all of the slides, but focused on doing Krakatau, Honu, Tai Nui, and a few others (Taniwha Tubes, Punga Racers, etc.). The two rivers were great, for relaxation and fun. Never saw a "line" to get into the rivers during the whole time we were there and/or walking about. As people entered the river, they got tubes from folks exiting...no fuss no muss.
The slides were all great in their own ways. I will admit that the Taniwha Tubes may chap your keister, so lift it up a bit...
The Tai Nui slide was by far the most intense for my husband and me-- by the end, water was in every orifice and we didn't know which end was up.
Were the wait times long mid way through the day? Yup.
Are they going to be long in any water park? Of course. Especially with a new park and intense rides.
I'd much rather have the option of spending time in the rivers, wave pool, or eating/drinking than standing in line for three hours watching the varicose veins of the person in front of me grow longer with each step . . . It's all perspective in my opinion.
We stayed for four hours then headed back up for a "cool down" in the AC, etc. Headed back around 3 for a few more hours of fun. We talked to Security then and found out that they'd yet to reach anywhere near Capacity for the day.
We did Islands/US yesterday (So long Dueling Dragons *sniff*). The park looked to be about just as busy as we came and went to the parks/hotel. They did have to clear everyone out of the water around 4 or so due to lightning/thunder. Same thing around 8 or so. By then, folks just headed out, I suspect. (Boy, I'm glad we went on Friday--the Florida Weather Gods smiled us for once)
With a little planning and a good attitude, all can go your way. We both had a great time--MUCH BETTER than we thought we'd have with the "dog pile on VB" that the internet has been over the last few months.
By the way-- the chicken sandwich and paprika fries we had were streaks ahead of other counter fare we've had in the parks at Universal or Disney. We're now pricing the monthly addition for adding our FL Preferred Annual Passes. W/ some prior planning w/ friends a Cabana Rental for the day wouldn't be too much.