Carrying a bag in the park?

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

My daughter and I leave tomorrow for her 10th birthday celebration at Universal. I ordered a waterproof lanyard for my phone and tickets, but I think I am really going to miss my cross body bag I normally take to Disney. Would someone be kind enough to tell me which rides I would not be able to wear a small cross body bag on? I didn't have to take it off for any ride at Disney that I can remember. TIA!!

 

[tinydancer09]

My daughter and I leave tomorrow for her 10th birthday celebration at Universal. I ordered a waterproof lanyard for my phone and tickets, but I think I am really going to miss my cross body bag I normally take to Disney. Would someone be kind enough to tell me which rides I would not be able to wear a small cross body bag on? I didn't have to take it off for any ride at Disney that I can remember. TIA!!

Locker rides but no metal detectors:
All carried things must be in lockers but don't have to empty pockets
MIB, gringotts, mummy
Forbidden journey

Metal detectors: everything (yes, even your cellphone) in locker except express passes if using them
Rip ride, dragon challenge, and soon to be hulk.

I don't mind having a bag at UO like a lot so... I think it's very nice that they provide free lockers for the rides you can't take them on. And yes, Disney is a very bad friendly park. Try to find a screen that's out of the direct path because those usually have a line. I always go to the back. Pick one finger to use for your ticket and locker rentals. Don't change your finger! Also remember the locker number... Some ask some don't.. Good luck!

 

[bchbetha]

Bags really aren't that annoying at Universal. You will save yourself time if you skip it (both at lockers and security) but not a huge deal. If you want your bag, go for it. Just be sure only 1 person in your group deals with the lockers as its crazy annoying when there are superfluous people hogging space in some of the locker areas (HP ones are the worst).

 

[king kamehameha]

Hello, now I have questions. Going to Universal for first time in July. I will be carrying a nice camera with me that has an over shoulder strap. Will I have to put that in a locker for rides? I'm familiar with Disney rides that have "netting" in your seat to stow items for ride but they stay with you.

 

[RMulieri]

Hello, now I have questions. Going to Universal for first time in July. I will be carrying a nice camera with me that has an over shoulder strap. Will I have to put that in a locker for rides? I'm familiar with Disney rides that have "netting" in your seat to stow items for ride but they stay with you.

On the rides that do not allow bags or that have metal detectors, YES you will have to stow it in a locker

 

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

Thank you all for your help! I'm still not sure which route I will go, but it sounds doable if I decide to bring my bag.

 

[macraven]

Netting bag was removed from MIB some years ago and lockers are required there also

During the spinning portion of the ride items have been thrown accidentally out onto the track
That makes the ride shut down
TM then walk all out in
the ride to outside the building
Then TMs have to do a walk thru to check the floors
Takes time for the process be done before they are allowed to restart the ride
I have been o. The ride before when this happens ugh.....
Problem was solved by installing lockers

 

[crjack]

We just returned and I ended up bringing a small messenger bag each day.....really wasn't a big deal at all. Bag check at the entrance to the parks was so quick and efficient. Couldn't believe the difference after being at Magic Kingdom - so much better at Universal!

I had to use a ride locker just a few times (MIB and Harry Potter ) but it only took a few moments. I agree 100% only have the person who has a bag go into the area. I didn't do any of the large coasters but for the rides that I did need it really wasn't a big deal and it never added anything significant to our wait times.

We had an issue with our park tix one day so I was glad I had my wallet, confirmation print out, etc. Waterproof lanyards were great for my kids but I needed to carry a little more.

 

[Disxuni]

Netting bag was removed from MIB some years ago and lockers are required there also

During the spinning portion of the ride items have been thrown accidentally out onto the track
That makes the ride shut down
TM then walk all out in
the ride to outside the building
Then TMs have to do a walk thru to check the floors
Takes time for the process be done before they are allowed to restart the ride
I have been o. The ride before when this happens ugh.....
Problem was solved by installing lockers

I've also noticed that since I recently got my pass that when I re-rode MIB that the spinning parts seemed almost delayed as well and not as intense, except for the very end of the ride. I do not know if it's intentional, or not, but it's something I noticed in the past few months since I got my pass for the first time in years.

 

[macraven]

i noticed the delay also
but felt the spinning at the end of the ride, right before you click on the red bonus button.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PPs - while lockers might sound like a hassle, they aren't. I carry a small cross body bag. When you get to a ride that requires locker usage, all you have to do is take three steps over to them before you get in the queue, follow the prompts to scan your finger print (used to re-open your locker), throw your stuff in, and then you're good to go. Same process when you come out. They are right near the ride so you don't have to go out of your way, and they're free. Maybe adds 5 minutes (or less) to the whole ride experience.

 

[CalKhat]

At 6 flags I've always used a small cross body and tucked it under my shirt to avoid the lockers or worse- the storage cubbies. Would that be a no-go at universal?

 

[macraven]

if the ride states hands free, and provides free lockers, you are stuck with using the locker for the bag.

i got caught doing that once, wearing a cross bag in the line.
sent to the lockers.....

 

[CalKhat]

if the ride states hands free, and provides free lockers, you are stuck with using the locker for the bag.

i got caught doing that once, wearing a cross bag in the line.
sent to the lockers.....

Ok, thanks for the warning. I'll toe the line.

 

[macraven]

hahahaha

i was a rule breaker but maybe you won't get caught if you try it.....

the coasters are the ones that they are strict with.

got nailed on the Mummy ride.
i had on that ride a mini umbrella.
when they saw it i was told to toss it.
i stuck it down my shorts instead to hide it and man that was uncomfortable for that ride....

 

[tinydancer09]

Ok, thanks for the warning. I'll toe the line.

If you must keep your phone with you on the rides that only require lockers and not metal detectors... Like gringotts- I like to take my phone so I can take selfies with the goblins... I stick it in the front of my waist before I get on the ride screen facing my belly. Provides the most secure area where it won't get crushed or bent. I do it horizontal so that it doesn't bend. If you're traveling with someone who has bigger pockets than womans jeans then you'll be fine. I just normally carry mine in my backpocket when I don't have a purse... and well I'd rather not have a shattered phone when I get off. Might seem strange, but it works for me! may not for other since we come in all different shapes. It's slightly uncomfortable when I first do it but never notice it during the ride

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Are the lockers large enough for a standard sized backpack? With 3 kids a small cross body isn't enough (although maybe this is the time we get them string backpacks and share pack mule duties).

 

[Disxuni]

Ok, thanks for the warning. I'll toe the line.

Yeah, my recommendation is not to try any funny stuff, especially on the rides where you have to put literally everything in a locker, including wallets, phones, anything in your pockets and on you besides lanyards. Just save the effort and time (that you might be spending going back if they catch you) and just put your bag away, no matter how small it might be.

That being said, I typically try to hit rides that require lockers towards the beginning of the day when things are still slow, that way I do not have to wrestle my way through people to get and find a locker, and not feel so claustrophobic. I say this, because while the wait time might not be that bad, going through the crowd to get to the lockers might be. I remember one time the wait time for Dragon Challenge was 10 minutes during mid-day, but there was a massive crowd surrounding the whole locker area trying to all get to the lockers.

So, yeah, now I just try to hit locker needed rides when it's early, or when they have insanely low wait times. Getting a locker isn't that big of a deal for me, but I do not like being surrounded by people. It makes me hot, feel like I can't breathe. So, that's why it's important to me personally to do it when it's less crowded.

 

[tinydancer09]

Are the lockers large enough for a standard sized backpack? With 3 kids a small cross body isn't enough (although maybe this is the time we get them string backpacks and share pack mule duties).

My backpack does. My sister and I take a back pack during the combo weather months. I've seen people with fully stuffed bags fit, but it's a tight fit when it's that full.

 

[macraven]

Think locker dimensions are listed on UO site