Lockers

[shendley]

Just got back yesterday from a combination Disney/Universal trip. We stayed 3 nights at the Portofino and loved it and had two full days and one evening at the parks. We really enjoyed ourselves, but there were two gripes we had so I thought I'd open a thread on each since they're quite different gripes. And, please, don't get me wrong here: I don't want to be negative about our trip as a whole. We really had a blast. But every good trip has its sore spots. So . . .

Did anyone else find the lockers a complete pain? It took us a couple of times to catch on to the fact that you need to lay your finger lightly on the thing that reads your fingerprint. The first time I kept pressing very hardly with no success getting them open at all. But we did learn. Except there were many other families and individuals just like us who needed a bit of a learning curve with them that made the line for getting the locker and then getting stuff out of the locker actually longer than the express line for the ride itself (a few times this was significantly longer). I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think Universal did themselves any favors with these lockers. If they'd just stayed with something simpler - like the lock and take the key with you on a flexy thingy around your wrist - things would move much smoother.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

I know what you mean, we were just there 3 weeks ago, stayed on site
and sometimes the wait for the lockers were longer than any ride lines we
waited in. I am just thankful they are free!

 

[Hedy]

I found them a pain as well. I wish they were card swipe, or key or something.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I never have locker problems.

 

[Metro West]

I never use the lockers. For me...it's easier to wear cargo shorts and carry stuff in the pockets.

 

[taylor1293]

I completely agree! They need a new locker system. It's a total pain. After numerous tries, we finally got it to work using DH's big thumb and totally blocking out the sunlight

 

[macraven]

i'm hoping and praying i get a locker that has a problem.....
really.


i read one of the trip reports where the lockers jammed and since it took a long time to get opened, the family that wrote the trippie and the others that could not get into their lockers were given coupons for free drinks and snacks.

then that entire group were offered free express passes for the entire day.
the person that wrote the trippie told the manager they were staying on site and had the fotl.
in their case, they got a free dinner of their choice at city walk for the inconvenience


i would love to know which lockers have the most trouble.
i want the free dinner at emerils............

 

[shendley]

There probably are some jammed lockers from time to time - so keep your fingers crossed! But the main problem with lines at the lockers is simply the system, in particular, that darned fingerprint which can be really fickle about taking correctly. We saw people trying over and over again for several minutes (even more than five, perhaps) before giving up since you can't ride the ride without stowing your stuff. Once you get a feel for just how much pressure to put on the thing with your finger, it works okay, but it can take a while to get a feel for it.

On a related note: I can't figure out why some of the rides even have lockers. You should be able to safely put your bag on the floor of the ride next to your feet (or looped around your leg, as I like to do) on rides like The Mummy or MIB.

i'm hoping and praying i get a locker that has a problem.....
really.


i read one of the trip reports where the lockers jammed and since it took a long time to get opened, the family that wrote the trippie and the others that could not get into their lockers were given coupons for free drinks and snacks.

then that entire group were offered free express passes for the entire day.
the person that wrote the trippie told the manager they were staying on site and had the fotl.
in their case, they got a free dinner of their choice at city walk for the inconvenience


i would love to know which lockers have the most trouble.
i want the free dinner at emerils............

 

[the Dark Marauder]

There probably are some jammed lockers from time to time - so keep your fingers crossed! But the main problem with lines at the lockers is simply the system, in particular, that darned fingerprint which can be really fickle about taking correctly. We saw people trying over and over again for several minutes (even more than five, perhaps) before giving up since you can't ride the ride without stowing your stuff. Once you get a feel for just how much pressure to put on the thing with your finger, it works okay, but it can take a while to get a feel for it.

On a related note: I can't figure out why some of the rides even have lockers. You should be able to safely put your bag on the floor of the ride next to your feet (or looped around your leg, as I like to do) on rides like The Mummy or MIB.

Safety & Capacity. That's why. When MIB had hooks and mesh netting to put loose stuff in, they always had a LONG line. Since they switched to No Bags, they've been able to CRANK the amount of riders, which keeps the line moving. It also ensures that people's stuff doesn't go flying into the ride track, where it's irrecoverable until Park Close.

ROTM doesn't allow bags for the same reason--stuff would go flying out, possibly get smashed, and/or would be irrecoverable until park close.

A small inconvenience at the start is worth more than a huge inconvenience for the whole day.

 

[MetFanInPeoria]

Yes, I always have trouble with those fingerprint-scanning lockers. The one worker told me that I have a tough fingerprint to read - should I turn to a life of crime?

Anyway, I finally learned that my left index finger is my best bet, so I use it each time and hope/pray that it works.

One way around the locker issue is to go to the theme parks with as few items as possible, i.e. such that you do not need to use the lockers. I did this for one morning while my wife rested in the hotel.

 

[MamaKate]

I never have locker problems.

I've never had any problems with the finger scan, nor my children. Except that one I forgot the locker number & had to get the team member to come save me from my forgetfulness .

 

[disneypartyof4]

If you wear a fanny pack do you still need a locker?

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

If you wear a fanny pack do you still need a locker?

You should be ok with a small fanny pack
I would just turn it sidewise so the lap bar can still come down on you

You are not allowed on certain rides with backpacks, baggalini's, etc...