Are sweaters tied around your waist a problem on rides?

[100acreHiker]

We've never done Universal before, and have been spoiled by Disney's carry everything you have with you on rides policy. DH and I both purchased three-pronged waist packs to carry our stuff around Universal. I think I understand the bag policy. But one thing that I've been wondering is about sweaters. I tend to dress myself and my kids in layers-- the air conditioning is always freezing in the restaurants and I like a layer to wear at night. Since we won't have a backpack, I plan to tie it around my waist. Is this going to be a problem going on rides (we don't plan to do the extreme thrill rides)? I am hoping to avoid the whole locker thing... Thanks!

 

[Kivara]

I've never tried, as it's way too hot when we go to wear a sweater. If any worker/ride had an issue, I guess they would ask you to put it on. Even for the thrill rides, I was able to sit on my hat, and as you'd be sitting on the sweater, I can't see an issue...JMO though.

 

[schumigirl]

Tied round your waist should be fine......we saw people with hoody type jackets tied around waists......TM said as long they were sitting on them they're fine.

It's the ones that have them draped on shoulders that won't be able to ride like that.......they were being sent back at Duelling Dragons one day we were there.......

But if you're going only on milder rides it won't be an issue.

The lockers aren't that bad if you did need to use them.

 

[RAPstar]

Yes, because the 1990's was over 20 years ago

I kid I kid

 

[nkereina]

I agree that the lockers aren't that big of a deal. On some rides, you will need to use one even for your three prong waist pack. It adds maybe 5 minutes total at the start and end of the ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just bring the backpack. Getting a locker for the rides that require the locker takes a few minutes. It's not a big deal.

We've never done Universal before, and have been spoiled by Disney's carry everything you have with you on rides policy.

OK, now that I'm a bit more awake and am off my cell phone, let me answer more.


At Universal there are a handful of rides where you can't bring things on and those waistpacks you got will be the only thing you can bring (along with eyeglasses and a lanyard). And there are two or three rides where you can only bring on eyeglasses and a lanyard. Everything else is just like Disney.

The rides where the 3-pronged waistpack, or a lanyard, are ALL that are allowed, have free lockers.

Getting the lockers can be backed up, but that just means a little wait. If you can keep your wits about you and head threw the throngs to the back of the locker area, you'll likely find a shorter wait, because everyone just waits at the obvious front of the locker area. (I cannot speak to FJ with this as we've never used the lockers there...DH can't yet ride so he just holds onto our stuff for us) There are multiple banks of lockers and each bank has its own screen system. If you can, send ONE person to get the locker so you're not taking up extra space (like everyone else is doing). Same when it's time to retrieve the items.


And remember that it's not THAT many rides where the locker will be needed. I would, and have, NEVER change the way I'm comfortable touring just to save maybe 15 minutes total throughout the day (or even if it was half an hour) in order to not use a locker for those rides. We always have at least 2 bags with us. Gotta carry the sunscreen, water, perhaps some protein bars, etc.

Now, about the sweaters...although I freeze at Disney when indoors that hasn't happened at Universal for me. Well, if I'm going during a December or February and it's freezing outside then I'm *wearing* the overclothes. But unlike at WDW where I freeze indoors, or DLR where once the sun goes down I'm cold (even if it was 90 degrees during the day), that hasn't happened for me at Uni.

 

[bdiddy]

Is there a list somewhere of which rides require you to get a locker/not bring your bag on? Or do you guys know offhand?

 

[macraven]

MIB and major coasters have "no bag" policy

If there are more someone will add to this

 

[bdiddy]

Thank you! My husband suffers from vertigo so probably won't be going on most of the big coasters so I figure he can just manage our stuff if need be while I take the kids but I'm wondering for other rides that we'll all be going on. We just made a decision with vacation plans and this is our first time going to Universal so I'm excited to start researching and planning!

 

[damo]

Hulk, Dragon Challenge, Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rockit, Mummy, Gringotts, Men in Black.

 

[nkereina]

Hulk, Dragon Challenge, Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rockit, Mummy, Gringotts, Men in Black.

Just to add, of these listed, I believe it's Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and Rip Ride Rockit that allow nothing on your person either - no waist pack, no wallet, no phone in pocket, nothing. Only a lanyard is permitted to my knowledge.

 

[Kivara]

Some will also depend on the worker on the "smaller" of those (Mummy, MIB, Forbidden Journey.) I have had times where it wasn't an issue to wear my three-prong holster bag (hip bag), other times, they said to use a locker for my hip bag.

We also carry a backpack & use the lockers anyway, so it's not a big deal to me to have to throw in my hip bag as well...just something to keep in mind.

 

[schumigirl]

Just to add, of these listed, I believe it's Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and Rip Ride Rockit that allow nothing on your person either - no waist pack, no wallet, no phone in pocket, nothing. Only a lanyard is permitted to my knowledge.

Yep, all the other rides except those three, I have always kept my Kipling Multiple waist pack with me........never been asked to leave it in a locker on those other rides.

With those 3 rides, yes it's just a lanyard allowed.