a couple newbie questions/1st trip in Nov

[Krisshay13]

1: Normally, I try to go with no bag or the smallest I can get by with. And I hate to carry a refillable cup around. Does Universal have the free cups of water like Disney does? (still trying to figure out if I want to purchase the refillable cup)

2: If I wear a crossbag, can I wear it on the rides? I'm trying to avoid needing to use the lockers, when possible.

3: I'm used to magic bands.......I'm reading that some wear a lanyard with ticket for easy access. What all will I need to have handy? I'm purchasing annual passes & we are staying at a premier hotel......so, will I have a hard ticket/card for entry & a hard card for Unlimited Express/hotel/early entry?

TIA!!

 

[macraven]

I use the tri fold UO lanyard
Carry my ap, hotel keys card, money and cc in it

I tuck the lanyard under my top so it is not in the way when on the rides

 

[Lynne G]

Yes, any quick service place that has a soda fountain, not only bottles, will give you free glasses of ice water, as many as you want.

Cross body may be okay on some rides, but the best is to use a fanny pack with three prongs, as they are generally okay all but the two coasters that allow no bags, phones wallets, etc. But don’t be afraid of the lockers. They are quick to use, and will easily fit a cross body if you decide to carry one. My smallish fanny pack carries my small wallet, my phone, my sunglasses when not wearing, purse size hand sanitizer, and my receipts and photo card. Sometimes my car keys too. I find it easy to wear and have no issue wearing on all the rides except those two coasters, as noted.

Yes, the easiest is to wear a lanyard. You face your scanning side out on one side for your pass, and place the room key facing out to scan so it shows on the opposite side. I keep my pass and room key (the express pass) in my lanyard all the time. Right now, it’s sitting in my suitcase, as when I arrive, I smile as I replace the room key from last time. I have a basic lanyard I bought at Universal, but you can buy them wherever you want.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[Krisshay13]

THANKS!!!
I found 2 cheap lanyards at 5 Below.........1 is Harry Potter so, my DGD will be thrilled!!

good to know about the free water. I may end up purchasing the refillables but, this will give me an option, now.

A for the lockers........are they at every ride? I've never gone to a park like that. BUT, honestly, I do sometimes worry about my stuff flying away. I did lose a brand new expensive Fan/Spray bottle on 7D Mine Ttrain once.

 

[Lynne G]

The lockers are not at every ride, but you will see the sign for lockers at the entrance or near the entrance, that usually has an arrow pointing to those lockers where you need to go before you ride if you need to stow your bag or bags.

And yeah, I used to buy lots of water bottles, but they were just something I had to carry. This year, I picked up a plastic bottle that rolls up. I may pop that in my bag and see if it works. I tend to ask for at least two water cups at a time, as I’m so thirsty, I drink all of them when I stop for a drink. May be known to use the ice leftover in the cups on face or neck too.

Score, that you found lanyards you like. You just put them inside your shirt on rides it may fly around. And I’m looking you, my adult DD that forgot to fully tuck her lanyard inside her shirt and it smacked me in the face on Mummy. So PSA, tuck those lanyards inside your shirt! Plus you need your ticket or pass to open the locker, so keep that lanyard on, just know when to stow it.

And be nice when you scan your AP or ticket in your lanyard, take your lanyard off before you get to the scanner. They can scan it right in the lanyard you show in your hands. Better then trying to lean over and huddle over the scanner, when it is around your neck. Another PSA.

 

[Krisshay13]

OMG, that would not be fun to get hit in face with someone's lanyard. That actually could really hurt if it hit right. and thanks for the advice of removing from around neck...I am one that likes to keep things moving & that makes sense.

hmmm....roll up bottle....now, I haven't thought about those. will looking into that.
And yes, I have been known to use the ice from the cups, to cool off!!! I went to Disney in June a few years ago & could have sat in a tub of ice if they had those out. that was miserable.

 

[Kit Jackson]

2: If I wear a crossbag, can I wear it on the rides? I'm trying to avoid needing to use the lockers, when possible.

3: I'm used to magic bands.......I'm reading that some wear a lanyard with ticket for easy access. What all will I need to have handy? I'm purchasing annual passes & we are staying at a premier hotel......so, will I have a hard ticket/card for entry & a hard card for Unlimited Express/hotel/early entry?

TIA!!

On some rides you can wear the crossbody bag, and on other rides you will need to store it, but it is not that big of a deal. The lockers are usually either right before you get in line, or at the end of the line, so you will not have to go out of your way or worry about your place in line.

If there are things you want to keep with you and have access to at a moment's notice, bring them with you. Don't let the fear of needing to use a locker deter you from wearing a small crossbody bag. During my Universal trip, I carried a small crossbody bag. Using the lockers was not a big deal and did not take a huge amount of time.

If you decide to get a lanyard, you will have two cards in your lanyard. You will want the barcode side facing out. On one side, you will have the annual pass for all of the discounts. On the other side, you will have your hotel key which also serves as your ExpressPass/Early Entry.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[laughinplace199]

I bought a small cross body bag that can convert to a fanny pack. I'm planning to use it when we are there in 2 weeks. Trying to avoid lockers. We were there in August 2019 and it was insanely crowded in the locker areas.

 

[Krisshay13]

On some rides you can wear the crossbody bag, and on other rides you will need to store it, but it is not that big of a deal. The lockers are usually either right before you get in line, or at the end of the line, so you will not have to go out of your way or worry about your place in line.

If there are things you want to keep with you and have access to at a moment's notice, bring them with you. Don't let the fear of needing to use a locker deter you from wearing a small crossbody bag. During my Universal trip, I carried a small crossbody bag. Using the lockers was not a big deal and did not take a huge amount of time.

If you decide to get a lanyard, you will have two cards in your lanyard. You will want the barcode side facing out. On one side, you will have the annual pass for all of the discounts. On the other side, you will have your hotel key which also serves as your ExpressPass/Early Entry.

Enjoy your trip!

good thought...I did get the plastic holder that is clear on both sides!!!
I do like not carrying too much in the parks but, won't worry about a crossbag.

 

[Krisshay13]

I bought a small cross body bag that can convert to a fanny pack. I'm planning to use it when we are there in 2 weeks. Trying to avoid lockers. We were there in August 2019 and it was insanely crowded in the locker areas.

I'll look into a crossbag/fanny pack.....just planning cause I have heard good & bad about lockers. I try to avoid bags for security search at Disney The lockers at rides is just different for me. And no cell phones on some, I've never experienced.....not that I record or anything...LOL