Universal Orlando admits there were ‘electrical issues’ at its Volcano Bay water theme park after workers are hospitalized and customers complain of being ‘electrically shocked’
- Universal Studios’ Orlando, Florida resort’s Volcano Bay water theme park closed early on Sunday after customers and workers complained of electric shocks
- Four theme park workers were hospitalized
- Theme park officials cited ‘technical issues’ as the reason for the park closing
- Park officials released a statement Wednesday night admitting there were ‘electrical issues’
- Universal said the Volcano Bay park was re-opened Thursday morning after electrical contractors investigated and repairs were made
Universal Orlando officials conceded on Wednesday that electrical problems were to blame for the electric shock complaints they received from customers and employees working at the Florida resort’s Volcano Bay theme park on Sunday.
Administrators shut down the park four days ago after several people reported feeling like they were being electrocuted while walking or riding rides in the park.
‘I felt prickles, tingles in my legs,’ said Lee. ‘Then all of a sudden, I felt buzzing in my ear and my head, and then I immediately knew it was electricity,’ Volcano Bay customer Wendy Lee told Click Orlando on Wednesday, three days after being assessed by the park’s paramedics after she said she was electrocuted while wading in the water.
‘I’m just thankful. It could have been worse,’ Lee continued. ‘I mean, obviously nobody was killed or electrocuted per say, but you don’t know that when it’s happening.’
Four workers, including some of the park’s lifeguards, were hospitalized Sunday at their own request, according to Universal’s media relations team, which said all the employees were ‘quickly released and are fine.’
The company reopened Volcano Bay Thursday morning after having Orlando union electrical contractors investigate the cause of the shocks, which Universal initially described as ‘technical issues.’
‘It took us some time to understand exactly where these shocks were occurring,’ the company said in a statement tweeted out Wednesday night. ‘We now know the problem is specifically electrical.’
Since Sunday, Universal said it has tested and re-tested its electrical system throughout Volcano Bay.
‘We have made repairs and modifications to our electrical system. We believe this has resolved the issue,’ the company stated. ‘Some attractions within Volcano Bay remain closed while we continue testing – just to make sure everything is ok. We’ll open them as soon as we can.’