Volcano Bay Nights is back at Universal Orlando Resort for summer 2026, running on select nights from Sunday, May 3 through Friday, August 21. The after-hours event returns to Universal Volcano Bay with shorter wait times, a live DJ beach party, DreamWorks character meet and greets, and complimentary food. Here is everything confirmed by Universal Orlando.
Volcano Bay Nights 2026 Dates
The event runs from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the following dates. Ticket holders can enter the park as early as 4:00 PM at no additional cost.
- May: 3, 10, 17, 22, 31
- June: 5, 12, 18, 25
- July: 10, 17
- August: 7, 14, 21
Volcano Bay Nights Tickets and Pricing
Tickets are $99 plus tax per person. Standard self-parking is included in the event ticket price. Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders receive a 10% discount with a valid pass and photo ID. Tickets are available now at UniversalOrlando.com.
Private cabanas are available for $199.99 plus tax, reserved in-park at the concierge huts on the day of the event. Cabanas are first-come, first-served.
What’s Included at Volcano Bay Nights
The event is limited capacity, which means shorter wait times across all attractions. Confirmed inclusions:
- Lower wait times at Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, and TeAwa the Fearless River
- Beach Bash at Waturi Beach with a live DJ
- Meet and greets with DreamWorks characters from Shrek and Madagascar
- Complimentary Blue Raspberry Churro Bites and Garlic Parmesan-Flavored Popcorn
- Complimentary Volcano Bay Freestyle Souvenir Cup with 100+ Coca-Cola beverage options and free refills
- Access to specialty food and beverages at select park locations
Is Volcano Bay Nights Worth It?
At $99 per person, Volcano Bay Nights costs roughly the same as a standard daytime Volcano Bay ticket on a moderate-demand date. The value depends entirely on how you plan to use it. If you’re visiting Volcano Bay during the day anyway and want to extend your time under the cooler evening temperatures, buying a Nights ticket in addition isn’t practical. But if you’re specifically choosing Volcano Bay Nights as your primary visit, arriving at 4:00 PM and staying through 11:00 PM, the limited capacity and shorter lines on headline attractions make a meaningful difference.
Krakatau Aqua Coaster, the park’s signature ride, regularly runs 45 to 90-minute waits during peak daytime hours. The event’s limited capacity meaningfully reduces that. Ko’okiri Body Plunge, the park’s free-fall slide, is similarly popular.
The complimentary souvenir cup with unlimited refills is a genuine perk. Standard Coca-Cola Freestyle cups run $20 at Volcano Bay during normal hours.
Volcano Bay Nights Tips
- Arrive at 4:00 PM to get ahead of the crowd. Lines for popular slides often build quickly once the event officially opens at 7:00 PM.
- Weekday dates (Thursday, June 18 and 25) will be less crowded than Friday and Sunday dates.
- The event runs rain or shine with no refunds. Check the forecast before your visit.
- Cabanas sell out fast. Head straight to the concierge huts when the park opens if you want one.
- Annual Passholders: bring your pass and a valid photo ID to claim the 10% discount at the ticket window.
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Source: Universal Orlando Resort Official Press Release
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