Universal’s Volcano Bay has built its entire reputation on being more than a “normal” water park. It’s themed, immersive, and designed to feel like a tropical getaway right in the middle of Orlando. Guests don’t just show up to ride slides. They come for the atmosphere, the volcano centerpiece, and the lineup of attractions that make Volcano Bay feel like a full-day destination.
That’s why this latest refurbishment delay is starting to stand out.
One of Volcano Bay’s more well-known raft attractions, Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides, was originally expected to reopen on February 13, but that reopening never happened. Instead, the ride has remained closed, still sitting behind construction walls as refurbishment work continues. For guests who were hoping to ride it during a winter or early spring trip, the closure feels like it’s dragging on longer than planned.
And at Volcano Bay, extended closures tend to feel bigger than they would at other parks.
Unlike Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay doesn’t have an endless list of rides to rotate through. The park has a strong lineup, but each attraction plays a bigger role in shaping the day. When one major ride stays offline, it changes how guests move around the park, where crowds build up, and which attractions suddenly become more in-demand.
That’s especially true for raft rides, which are often some of the most appealing attractions for families. Not everyone wants a steep body slide or a high-speed drop, but a raft ride is the perfect middle-ground experience. It’s thrilling without being extreme, and it’s one of the few ride types that groups can enjoy together without anyone feeling like they’re being thrown into something too intense.
So when a ride like Maku Puihi stays closed, it’s not just a “small loss.” It removes one of the more accessible attractions from the lineup.
Originally slated to reopen February 13, Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides remains closed for refurbishment and behind construction walls. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/BVLc0QLEKJ
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) February 16, 2026
Another reason this delay is hitting harder is because of the time of year. Volcano Bay is not always as predictable as the main Universal theme parks, especially during the winter months. While Universal Orlando keeps its gates open year-round, water park operations can feel more seasonal depending on crowd levels, weather, and maintenance schedules.
That means guests who plan a February or March trip often feel like they’re already taking a bit of a gamble. They’re hoping the park will be open, the weather will cooperate, and everything they want to ride will be available.
When a ride misses its expected reopening date, it adds another layer of uncertainty.
It also doesn’t help that Volcano Bay is such a heavily themed park. Construction walls and blocked-off pathways don’t blend in the way they might in a traditional water park. They stick out. They disrupt the atmosphere. And for a park that’s supposed to feel like a peaceful island escape, even small visual changes can make the experience feel less polished.
In most cases, when a ride misses a reopening date, it’s because Universal found something unexpected during the refurbishment process. Water rides are complicated systems with mechanical parts, filtration systems, safety checks, and constant exposure to Florida heat and humidity. Even a minor repair can turn into a larger project if new issues are discovered once work begins.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it often means Universal is taking the time to get it done correctly rather than rushing the ride back into operation.
But from a guest perspective, it still creates frustration, especially for people who only visit once every few years.
Volcano Bay still offers plenty of attractions, and most guests can still have a strong day at the park without Maku Puihi. However, the longer the closure lasts, the more noticeable it becomes. It can affect crowd flow, push longer waits onto other rides, and leave repeat visitors feeling like they’re missing one of the park’s key experiences.
At the moment, there’s no clear new reopening date publicly being pushed, which means guests are left doing what theme park fans always do when there’s uncertainty: watching closely and waiting for updates.
Until the refurbishment is complete, visitors heading to Volcano Bay should be prepared for the possibility that Maku Puihi may still be unavailable. And if the closure continues to stretch, it will likely become one of the bigger operational talking points at Volcano Bay as spring crowds start arriving.
