Volcano Bay's Last Day Is October 25, and It Is Set to Reopen On or Before April 1, 2027, About a Week Later Than First Planned

If you booked a late-March 2027 Orlando trip counting on a day at Volcano Bay, check your dates. Universal's water park is expected back "on or before April 1, 2027," about a week later than the March 24, 2027 reopening it originally listed.

The start of the closure has not moved. Volcano Bay closes for scheduled maintenance beginning October 26, 2026, which makes Sunday, October 25 the last day to visit this year.

Krakatau and Volcano Bay. Photo: Universal Orlando Resort

What changed, and when

Universal's website was already listing this closure by April 2025. At the time, Attractions Magazine quoted the site as saying Volcano Bay "will be closed beginning Oct. 26, 2026, reopening on or before March 24, 2027."

The later date is not brand new. By July 4, Inside the Magic was quoting an update on Universal's website giving Volcano Bay "an updated planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027." The April 1 date drew fresh attention this fall: Inside the Magic reported on September 28 that Universal had pushed the original March 24 date "back by about a week," and WESH reported on October 5 that "Universal Orlando has announced" the closure, and that "The park is expected to reopen on or before April 1, 2027."

We could not find a Universal press release about the change, and none of the coverage gives a reason for the extra week. The "on or before" wording means April 1 is the latest target, not a fixed opening day.

Our own August 1 closures roundup listed Volcano Bay as "not due back until spring 2027." We did not report the specific April 1 date at the time. April 1 is still spring, but it means the closure can run through the whole last week of March.

What it means for your trip

• Through October 25: Volcano Bay is open. WESH reports hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11. Volcano Bay's posted park hours, as we checked them on October 6, show 5 p.m. closings on every other day through October 25, including the final weekend.
• From October 26: closed for maintenance until it reopens, which Universal currently says will be on or before April 1, 2027.
• March 24 to 31, 2027: under the original schedule the park was due back by March 24. Now these dates may fall inside the closure, so don't count on them unless Universal announces an earlier reopening.
• By April 1, 2027: the current reopening target.

As with any date this far out, it can still change, so check Universal's site before you lock in a water park day for early spring.

Tubing at Volcano Bay, which closes for maintenance on October 26. Photo: Universal Orlando Resort

Get your Krakatau fix in now

With the closure starting in under three weeks, the days between now and October 25 are the last chance this year for the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, the drop-floor Ko'okiri Body Plunge and the rest of the park.

A rider waits for the floor to drop in one of Volcano Bay's launch capsules. Photo: Universal Orlando Resort

Will you squeeze in a Volcano Bay day before October 25, or wait for spring?

Sources

• WESH 2, Volcano Bay to close for extended refurbishment, Universal Orlando says (October 5, 2026)
• Inside the Magic, Universal Changes Months-Long Orlando Park Shutdown, New Date Confirmed (October 5, 2026)
• Inside the Magic, Universal to Close 4th Orlando Theme Park in 28 Days (September 28, 2026)
• Inside the Magic, Universal Orlando Delays Entire Theme Park Opening Date for 2027 (July 4, 2026)
• Attractions Magazine, Volcano Bay 2026-2027 closure and TapuTapu (April 29, 2025)
• Mickey Visit, Universal Orlando closure update (October 5, 2026)

Image credits: Universal Orlando Resort (all three Volcano Bay photos).