About Universal - maybe you all know

[buffettgirl]

I know that universal (and I think 6 Flags) require that people check their bags at each ride and are not allowed to carry things on.

I have two questions that maybe you'll all be able to help me with (for a tip sheet I'm making for a support group at our hospital)

*Is that bag check at the start of the line or is it near the loading area?
*What happens if you NEED to have your bag with you due to medical reasons? Is there some allowance? Who do you talk to?

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I was just a Universal - did not go ON many rides, but went thru the lines to see the features in the queue.
The ones I saw had lockers at the beginning. They may also have had some at the end, but don't know. I noticed they stopped people and told them to use the lockers. I mentioned I was not riding and they were OK with me taking my stuff.

Their information signs were worded 'no loose items' so my thought is that you might be able to carry on a fanny pack ( provided you can still fasten the restraint). I also saw people putting cameras and small items into zippered pockets on shorts or jackets before they got to boarding.

 

[buffettgirl]

I was just a Universal - did not go ON many rides, but went thru the lines to see the features in the queue.
The ones I saw had lockers at the beginning. They may also have had some at the end, but don't know. I noticed they stopped people and told them to use the lockers. I mentioned I was not riding and they were OK with me taking my stuff.

Their information signs were worded 'no loose items' so my thought is that you might be able to carry on a fanny pack ( provided you can still fasten the restraint). I also saw people putting cameras and small items into zippered pockets on shorts or jackets before they got to boarding.

Thanks Sue. It's enough that I can at least say to the parents that this is what you might encounter at Universal.

 

[Mary976]

We live near a Six Flags and had a similar experience to what Sue posted.

I don't ride coasters but when DD was younger I would wait in line with her and then once she got on the ride I would exit and meet her at the end. The ride attendants would let me in line with a bag once I said I wasn't riding.

Of course that doesn't really help if everyone in the party wants to ride...but it could be an option for some families.

Also, DD has a bag attached to her wheelchair and we've never had to put that in a locker (she transfers from the chair to the ride). I think the main point is that you can't have anything on the ride that is not attached to you AND the ride attendants don't want to be watching everyone's stuff. So like Sue said, zippered pockets could be good too.

Mary

 

[Schmeck]

At the Forbidden Journey ride, you have lockers near the boarding area. Everyone needs to put their stuff in lockers, as the ride is very, very rough and you get tossed and turned around a lot. Anything that could come loose would become a hazard to the people riding with you and behind you.

If you need to have access to things during a ride, you most likely would not be riding Forbidden Journey or the Dueling Dragons coaster - you would not be able to open a bag or pocket during those rides. I believe someone was injured by an object coming out of a pocket on dueling dragons?

So, basically, any ride that you have to check your bags would be a ride too violent to allow access to items during the ride. It would not be safe for those around you.

 

[SueM in MN]

At the Forbidden Journey ride, you have lockers near the boarding area. Everyone needs to put their stuff in lockers, as the ride is very, very rough and you get tossed and turned around a lot. Anything that could come loose would become a hazard to the people riding with you and behind you.

If you need to have access to things during a ride, you most likely would not be riding Forbidden Journey or the Dueling Dragons coaster - you would not be able to open a bag or pocket during those rides. I believe someone was injured by an object coming out of a pocket on dueling dragons?

So, basically, any ride that you have to check your bags would be a ride too violent to allow access to items during the ride. It would not be safe for those around you.

I think she is meaning access in the line, not during the ride.
The signs and maps were quite clear abut no loose items during the ride.

 

[Selket]

We were at Universal/IOA 2 summers ago - right when the Harry Potter land opened (ugh!).

I stuffed my pockets with what I could carry of his diabetes stuff. He has a cgms (continuous glucose monitor) so I think I had a roll of tabs and my phone. I may have put an epi-pen in there (just cause I'd hate to be in the cue without it). There were several of us riding so I think we each had some of his stuff in our pocket so as to not be overwhelming - so that way we had the test kit also. DH doesn't ride so when he went through the que with us he was able to bring the bag and then take the "last chance" exit.

I always like to have some stuff with me in case the ride gets paused for a long time. Obviously it would be useless to try to test a BG or give tabs in the middle of a ride lasting minutes. Sometimes people report they're able to get on with a fanny pack. Also my son who has type 1 has a double spi-belt and has an extra pack on that (so 3 places to store items - his pump, cgms and inhaler and some tabs). No problems allowing him to keep that belt on - FYI.

 

[buffettgirl]

Thanks everyone ! Support group was a success and I was able to share tons of tips for Disney and then the added amusement park tips.

And yes, I was meaning in lines, how can you keep your items, but also wanting to know that people are able to carry items on a ride in case of a ride stoppage. Happens.

 

[Schmeck]

Thanks everyone ! Support group was a success and I was able to share tons of tips for Disney and then the added amusement park tips.

And yes, I was meaning in lines, how can you keep your items, but also wanting to know that people are able to carry items on a ride in case of a ride stoppage. Happens.

On the rougher rides, it would be good to have pockets that zipped/buttoned. Fanny packs are not always allowed - we had to wait until a woman removed hers on Forbidden Journey.

 

[Selket]

I have wondered if a neck wallet (sometimes sold as a security pouch for a passport, money, etc.) would work. It might add too much bulk to the front of you though.

Forbidden Journey is very tough on the pocket items - my older son lost his cell phone in there - but got it back eventually. Pockets that can be sealed (cargo shorts with the pockets on the legs) are probably your best bet. Just wear a belt so they stay up with all that stuff in them - ha ha!

 

[Schmeck]

You'd have to tuck that neck wallet inside your shirt on Forbidden Journey or any of the loop coasters - or you'd end up losing the wallet off your neck, or getting whacked in the face by it...

 

[EMTyarn]

As a former team member, I can tell you that all rides that require lockers will have them BEFORE the ride queue. If you have medical equipment, wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or service animals, all will go through the line with you, until the loading area where they will be placed in a certain area.

The one thing that UO does right - Service animals not only go all the way to the loading platform, but have crates waiting there while their people ride.

Be warned - Wizarding World is ALWAYS busy. In peak seasons, there is a 20-30 minutes wait to get into the STORES. The author made all the final choices, and wanted it just like Europe, where the shops are small and "cozy." So now the shops are small...