Going bagless for Universal?

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Hulk too if you are going after it reopens. The rest should be fine with what you said unless something has changed since December.

Not sure when Hulk is reopening but we are leaving in 8 days. Thanks!

 

[MilitaryMouse]

I always bring a bag too. Using the lockers is super easy 99% of the time - only takes a minute or two. The only time we've experienced a crowded locker rental area was one Saturday afternoon in mid-December for Dragon Challenge, but even then, there were lockers available - just had to squeeze through some people to get there

 

[kohlby]

Pre-kids, we went bagless. We also didn't travel with a cell phone, poncho, camera, snacks, etc. We had our first no-stroller trip recently and used one small bag for the five of us. Having a bag wasn't hard at all. Using the lockers was not a big deal.

 

[thegajone]

I always bring a bag too. Using the lockers is super easy 99% of the time - only takes a minute or two. The only time we've experienced a crowded locker rental area was one Saturday afternoon in mid-December for Dragon Challenge, but even then, there were lockers available - just had to squeeze through some people to get there

Dragon Challenge was the one experience where the locker area was a little tough to navigate during my last visit as well, though it seemed odd given the ~5 minute wait. I'd hate to need a locker when that ride has a long line.

 

[schumigirl]

If it goes upside down, nothing allowed at all. Pockets empty, metal detectors in the line. You'll get sent back to the lockers if you have anything. It's not worth it. I was surprised by how many people got sent back to the lockers.

Just wanted to clarify to others......Rip Ride Rockit doesn't go upside down at all. But it does have the restrictions in place.

You go up and over but never actually go upside down. Just in case anyone read and thought it did

 

[okeydokey]

If there are two rides you cannot bring anything on at all, even in pockets, what do you do with your express pass?

 

[schumigirl]

If there are two rides you cannot bring anything on at all, even in pockets, what do you do with your express pass?

There are 3 rides actually, Hulk is the same but closed right now.

You can wear lanyards with your EP........just tuck it into your top.

 

[Kivara]

Like schumi said, you are allowed lanyards (tucked under the shirt after scanned) and I was allowed my ball cap (forgot to take it off at the lockers) they said to sit on it (they also recommend taking off flip flops and sitting on them)

 

[bchbetha]

Just wanted to clarify to others......Rip Ride Rockit doesn't go upside down at all. But it does have the restrictions in place.

You go up and over but never actually go upside down. Just in case anyone read and thought it did

How funny- I'd have sworn we went upside down. . Super fun, in any case.

 

[saskdw]

Can't say going bagless would be worth while as you would still need to use the lockers for your phone and other loose stuff.

I leave my phone in the room too. AP, Express Pass, and room key in a lanyard. Some paper cash in a zipped up pocket. Being from Canada we have to shut off our data at the border to avoid big charges so we generally don't use our phones much on vacation. And as stated in my earlier post staying onsite we're never more than 5-10 mins from our room anyway.

At WDW I just put on my Magic Band and everything else goes in the room safe. This is what I love about vacationing at these places.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I would like to, but we carry enough that it just isn't practical. At a minimum, we have cell phones, cellphone chargers, medical supplies, sunglasses, sunscreen (or sunscreen wipes), and a magic wand.

 

[Kivara]

How funny- I'd have sworn we went upside down. . Super fun, in any case.

It definitely looks like it at first glance....that big loop, towards the top as you are going uphill, the track turns. You ride right-side up across the top of the "loop" and then twist again about a quarter of the way back down. So, no, you are not upside down...through it does look like it would cause some centrifugal force, causing items to fly out and away from you.

 

[Disxuni]

The metal detectors are a more recent addition. I do not know how more recent, since it's been awhile since I've been to the parks before I recently got an annual pass and had been going. Before it was merely a warning, but now they strictly enforce you using lockers if the ride goes upside down. Good thing pcstang for pointing out the Hulk, for I forgot that it would be the same for the Hulk, since the new track I'm sure will go upside down like the previous did. I didn't think of the Hulk since right now it's currently being refurbished.

I bought a small fanny pack (with a 3 prong clasp) in which to keep my sunglasses, cell phone, and money. I should be okay to wear that on all rides except RRR and Dragon Challenge, right? Trying to avoid locker rental when possible!

To be safe, I would recommend before going onto any ride (that has a sign about "storing loose articles" or bags, because not all rides have these restrictions) to ask the person outside the ride if your fanny pack is required (import to use the word required, not recommended) to be put into a locker, or to just save the trouble all together and automatically put the fanny pack into a locker the minute you see one of those signs. Also, have your fanny pack out and proud that way (in case you do not see a sign) an employee might see your bag and say something about it before you go any further. I recommend all this, because that way you do not go through the whole line, or half way through for an employee to go "You need to put that in a locker before going onto the ride" and having to walk all the way back to the lockers. As that happened to me before.

I say all this, because I would imagine fanny packs could potentially get in the way of lap bars and other means of safety that is provided on rides. That and the fact that when I looked up the question myself I got mixed messages of people saying they were good on some rides, but on others they are a definitely a no-no. It depends on the ride, depends on if employees notice, and sometimes depends on the employee working whether they let it slide, or strictly enforce it.

Conclusion, you're going to be using a locker whether it's once, twice, or several times whether you have a bag, or your pcokets. Recommendation is just to accept it, go onto the rides which you know you'll more than likely have to use them, and go there early to beat the locker crowd. As someone else said, at least if it's in a fanny pack (or bag) all you have to do is throw it into the locker, just grab it in one swipe once you open it again, and know you'll have everything. And at least it's free during your ride.

EDIT: I've also read somewhere that some people (especially on the Harry Potter rides) use Child Swap as a "Bag / Articles Swap" where people stay behind and hold things for other members of their group, or family while the other people ride and then take their place, as Ollivander wands, for example, do not quite fit into the lockers at Forbidden Journey from what I've heard.

 

[bchbetha]

Wands fit in all of the lockers.

 

[Hunterr]

Yeah, a lot of the attractions make you throw your stuff in a locker.

I should point out though, it's a very painless/quick process. Just go to the screen and use your thumb to get a locker. Even if the locker area for a certain attraction is full of people, they are in and out quickly.

 

[saskdw]

The lockers at Forbidden Journey are not quick and painless. The instructions are not clear for first time users either.

 

[snoopboop]

The lockers at Forbidden Journey are not quick and painless. The instructions are not clear for first time users either.

I guess this just really depends on the individual. I've always found the lockers to be quick and painless at every attraction that has them. The one thing that does get frustrating is when you are waiting to open your locker back up and you happen to get stuck behind a few people waiting at the kiosk for your locker bank.

I agree with other posters who suggest sending ONE person from your group into the locker bay, instead of having EVERYONE go in there. That helps keep the chaos to a minimum.

 

[SA mom]

We used the lockers most of the time, but there were a few times at Gringotts and Dragon Challenge when there were no available lockers. Then when someone would finally come out to open their locker, it took about 3 minutes for the system to reset so you could use the locker you knew to be empty.

 

[hamilkm]

This has all been very helpful! I apparently need to find lanyards for us before our Memorial Day trip. We will also have to carry one bag in because my cousin is a type 1 diabetic, so we will have to have testing supplies and insulin with us. I'm thinking me and my 15 year old cousin could probably go bagless though and just throw our stuff in her bag for the couple of rides with metal detectors.

 

[Hunterr]

The lockers at Forbidden Journey are not quick and painless. The instructions are not clear for first time users either.

I beg to differ.
Using it the first time requires reading the instructions on screen, yes. Repeat visits to lockers should be second nature by then.

Well, for me anyway.