With South Pacific drum beats, grass skirts and dancing, authentic tribal performers ushered in the grand opening Thursday of Universal Orlando's newest park, Volcano Bay.

“They really are authentic, just like the park," Universal Creative Vice President Dale Mason said. "The performers have also been pulled from all over Polynesia.”

The "water theme park," as Universal bills it, started filling up early on Day 1, with long lines to get in.

Courtney Sisk of Chicago, said she feared she'd be turned away.

“I was worried about capacity, because online, it said they were probably going to sell out.”

But warnings about filling to capacity didn't deter everyone.

“We knew it was probably going to be crowded the first day, but we knew we wanted to come anyway,” Atlanta's Jan Vaughan said.

The park's centerpiece: the tallest, fastest trap door body-slide in the world, the 70-degree plunge from the top of the Krakatau volcano.

“That first drop... Seriously unbelievable,” said Morgan Batog, of Buffalo, N.Y.

Volcano Bay spans 25 acres and has 18 attractions. In addition to the thrill rides, rental cabanas take up considerable space, as well as 80,000 pounds of white sand beneath your toes.

If you’re planning to come to chill and relax at Volcano Bay, here's some updated information about the hours. The park is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, but longer for Memorial Day weekend: Saturday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Park officials ask visitors to check Universal's social media channels to make sure the park hasn't filled up.

As for the admission cost, Volcano Bay is $67 for adults, about 2/3 the cost of a one-park ticket to Universal’s two other parks, which are $110 each.


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