Bello Bay Cruise Dials Down the Water as Fall Arrives at Universal Kids Resort
Universal Kids Resort is enjoying its first beautiful fall day. The sun is out, temperatures are in the 60s, and yesterday’s winds are gone.
Even better, guests can ride Minions’ Bello Bay Cruise without getting soaked. Yesterday, the ride’s many water effects were still running. Today, the bridge-mounted sprayers are off. That’s where most of the soaking happens, courtesy of guests who love spraying passing riders. The Minions statues are also taking a break from water duty.
I spoke with two people who rode this afternoon. Neither got wet. Your mileage may vary, but my unofficial two-person poll delivered encouraging results.
That’s good news for what many consider to be the park’s best ride. Bello Bay Cruise probably won’t run in the heart of winter, but keeping it open on cool fall and spring days, without the threat of getting too wet, would be welcome. Getting soaked is its main draw when it’s 105 degrees, but the ride is still fun without that.
I was surprised the Cruise’s water effects were running yesterday. I actually got misted by those sprayers while walking in Bikini Bottom. 50-mph winds will do that.
Most guests were bundled up against that wind. Those who arrived underdressed were buying Minions sweatshirts and discounted Halloween spirit jerseys in the UKR Store. I was told 30 people rode Bello Bay Cruise all morning. I never saw anyone using the splash pads.
Speaking of splash pads, Shrek’s Swamp Splash & Smash is closed for the second consecutive day, and it looks like it could stay that way for a while. Team Members told us ride operations isn’t happy with how the pad drains. It handles a massive amount of water thanks to the large bucket that dumps dozens of gallons every few minutes, so that tracks. Drain covers have been removed, and a metal barricade now blocks the entrance.
Bello Bay Club Splash Pad and Pineapple Paradise in Bikini Bottom were both running today. Several kids were using the latter. The sunshine made the temperature feel warmer than the thermometer suggested. I also saw several people using the full-body dryers. We suggest bringing towels and a change of clothes or bathing suits.
Then there’s Bobbing Barrels, the dual spinning ride in Bikini Bottom. Water sprayers are mounted inside the barrels and along the fence surrounding the ride. There’s no way to avoid getting pelted with water on this ride. I even have to make sure to not get close when I’m walking by.
From what I’ve learned, Bobbing Barrels doesn’t operate without its water features. I previously wrote that it would be fun even without the sprayers, but if that isn’t an option, I could see it closing for the season before Bello Bay Cruise.
We don’t know how long Universal Kids Resort will keep its water attractions open, but so far, the cooler weather hasn’t scared them off. If Bello Bay Cruise makes it into winter, I’ll take a GoPro down that river.
Want to learn more about Universal Kids Resort and its seven themed lands? We’ve got you covered. Visit our Universal Kids Resort hub for everything available at the new Frisco theme park.
