IOA Bags - Need to bring in to store insulin and sugar. How to get permission?

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I carry a small back pack to carry my insulin and food to treat a low blood sugar. Last time at IOA, right after HP opened, I was with friends, and wanted to ride the HP ride. I was turned away because I wouldn't lock up my back pack. The line was about 2 hours long, and my insulin, blood sugar meter and food to treat a low were in there. Do they make any accomodations for situations such as this? We are returning in 2 weeks for a day at IOA and want to ride the ride this time.

 

[damo]

My suggestion is to ride the single rider's line which is usually only about a 5 minute wait. Other than that, can your absolute necessities fit in a fanny pack?

I don't think you will be physically able to ride with a backpack as you are crammed into a small space with over the shoulder restraints like an inverted coaster. Perhaps you can use the child swap with part of your party waiting in the child swap area with your insulin supplies.

 

[NeurosurgeryNP]

There is only two of us going. I emailed CS and will wait to see what they say. If it becomes an issue, we won't go to IOA/US, we will do a Disney park for the day where it becomes an non-issue (we have one day free - going to Orlando area for family dfuntion).

 

[damo]

Were you intending on trying to hold the backpack? I don't think that would be physically possible. Your feet are hanging so there is no place to rest a backpack on the floor.

 

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Were you intending on trying to hold the backpack? I don't think that would be physically possible. Your feet are hanging so there is no place to rest a backpack on the floor.

No. I was hoping that like one of the theme parks near me, that I could wait in line with it, leave it on the platform/designated area for the ride and colelct afterwards. I do this for the roller coaster rides at Six Flags when I go.

 

[damo]

No. I was hoping that like one of the theme parks near me, that I could wait in line with it, leave it on the platform/designated area for the ride and colelct afterwards. I do this for the roller coaster rides at Six Flags when I go.

I doubt very much that they will let you do that. Since you get off and on the ride on the same side, people would be tripping over your stuff. There really isn't any place to put your stuff other than in the child swap and I"m not sure they would allow you to leave an unattended bag in there.

Most rides where you can leave your things on the platform have you cross the platform and leave your stuff on the opposite side where you exit. Since the enchanted benches approach with the seats all facing you and you don't cross anything, I'm not sure how it would work. The platform is also moving.

I still think the single rider line would work the best, as you won't be standing in line for long.

Here is a youtube of the loading area so you can see why it will be difficult to just leave your bag. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1j7ZusjdHI

And here is unloading http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1cIwYDzuI0&playnext=1&list=PLA9EB0BF1EF5E9930
It is before the loading area.

 

[tinydancer09]

I doubt very much that they will let you do that. Since you get off and on the ride on the same side, people would be tripping over your stuff. There really isn't any place to put your stuff other than in the child swap and I"m not sure they would allow you to leave an unattended bag in there.

Most rides where you can leave your things on the platform have you cross the platform and leave your stuff on the opposite side where you exit. Since the enchanted benches approach with the seats all facing you and you don't cross anything, I'm not sure how it would work. The platform is also moving.

I still think the single rider line would work the best, as you won't be standing in line for long.

Here is a youtube of the loading area so you can see why it will be difficult to just leave your bag. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1j7ZusjdHI

And here is unloading http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1cIwYDzuI0&playnext=1&list=PLA9EB0BF1EF5E9930
It is before the loading area.

They will allow a small fanny pack if you and pack your candy bars or whatever snacks you used to check your blood sugar. I also have to suggest planning around the crowds. Arriving at rope drop will allow you to wait in a line no more than 40 minutes (usually). In some cases it can be as small as 10mins. I would also try wearing cargo pants in which you could stick your snack in if needed.

If you can pack your necessities in a pocket or fanny pack (like your meter) people will move out of your way gladly so that you can get back to the lockers to get your insulin or snacks. Also, like Damo said you can use single ride lines which tend to be very small.

Rides at Universal are not made like the rides at Disney... because they are Universal NOT Disney. They have these rules in place for reasons of safety.

 

[phamton]

You could do the baby swap with your bag. One person will go to baby swap while you ride and hold your bag. Then they can go on immediately after you get off. The only other suggestion is if someone is using a wheelchair in your party. You can leave the bag on the wheelchair while your ride.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

You could do the baby swap with your bag. One person will go to baby swap while you ride and hold your bag. Then they can go on immediately after you get off. The only other suggestion is if someone is using a wheelchair in your party. You can leave the bag on the wheelchair while your ride.

This. These are your only options.

 

[Schmeck]

The bag lockup area is near the end of the queue, isn't it? You can go through the queue with your bag, then put it in a locker, get back into the queue, and get on the ride in a few minutes. At least, that's what we did last August.

 

[damo]

The bag lockup area is near the end of the queue, isn't it? You can go through the queue with your bag, then put it in a locker, get back into the queue, and get on the ride in a few minutes. At least, that's what we did last August.

No, bag lock up is before the queue. There are no queues where the lockers are at the end.

 

[2tink4u]

Arrive first thing in the morning when the line is only 15minutes and lock up your stuff. You won't need anything special and you will be done in 20 minutes.

 

[damo]

OP, just do the castle tour with your friend so you get to see everything and then take the single rider line. That way you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Ohiodislover]

OP, just do the castle tour with your friend so you get to see everything and then take the single rider line. That way you get the best of both worlds.

 

[brenda1966]

Fanny pack it! We need to have DD's inhaler with us at all times, so I wear the fanny pack.

 

[bumbershoot]

What about cargo shorts and put the items in the big pockets?

 

[kwdw]

I agree with the cargo shorts for the waiting in line part. You should be able to put a meter and an emergency sugar booster in zippered/buttoned pockets. Probably can't include the insulin - but is it likely your blood sugar would go so high during the length of the wait (after the locker) that you couldn't just fix that after the ride?

 

[Fantasmic23]

I carry a small back pack to carry my insulin and food to treat a low blood sugar. Last time at IOA, right after HP opened, I was with friends, and wanted to ride the HP ride. I was turned away because I wouldn't lock up my back pack. The line was about 2 hours long, and my insulin, blood sugar meter and food to treat a low were in there. Do they make any accomodations for situations such as this? We are returning in 2 weeks for a day at IOA and want to ride the ride this time.

My 9 year old son is a type 1 diabetic and this was something that I worried about when we were there 2 weeks ago (Especially while waiting on that long line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey). I bought my husband a few pairs of Cargo shorts specifically for this reason!

Do you have a smaller, travel-size blood sugar meter? I brought my son's smaller meter along and my husband held that in his Cargo shorts along with a small, 15 oz. juice box. My son was wearing Cargo shorts also and he had a small Ziploc bag (snack size) with cookies. My son is on an insulin pump, so we didn't have to worry about taking the insulin with us (on the ride).

Tips: Check your blood sugar when you first get on the line and again mid-way through the line. There is a water fountain (at the mid-way point) in case your blood sugar is running high (or you are just thirsty!). Also, before you enter the "green house area" there is a snack stand selling water, juice (I think) and soda.

A fanny pack would be a great idea for your meter, insulin and food! I bought one specifically for the trip but my husband (and son) both offered to use their Cargo shorts. The ride is only about 4 minutes long, so you can always treat a low or high blood sugar after you exit.

Good luck! Have a wonderful time and be sure to tell us how you made out!