Lots of angry people over the free lockers

[Molyneuxd]

I found very helpful for learning Universal's locker system. They also list which rides require them. Just click on the locker article. Its in a permanent column on the right of the page.

be careful saying that site on here I got a warning for such things several months ago. Buy yes its without a doubt the best resource for Universal info on the web.

 

[nighttowll]

be careful saying that site on here I got a warning for such things several months ago. Buy yes its without a doubt the best resource for Universal info on the web.

Oh is it banned or something? I didn't realize it was against the rules to tell someone where to look for their answer. I thought you just couldn't link to like paid advertising and stuff. People are always mentioning touring plans and other planning websites, so I didn't realize we shouldn't.

 

[tweak89]

Oh is it banned or something? I didn't realize it was against the rules to tell someone where to look for their answer. I thought you just couldn't link to like paid advertising and stuff. People are always mentioning touring plans and other planning websites, so I didn't realize we shouldn't.

I think it has to do with site sponsors, which I guess I can understand, but that site in particular is full of extremely useful information and it's a shame it can't be freely recommended.

Back to the topic at hand! Like one of the posters above, I don't tend to carry cash, this was especially a pain at Sea World (we had to find an ATM and them get one of the shops to break a $20!).

 

[Metro West]

Oh is it banned or something? I didn't realize it was against the rules to tell someone where to look for their answer. I thought you just couldn't link to like paid advertising and stuff. People are always mentioning touring plans and other planning websites, so I didn't realize we shouldn't.

Yes...that site is banned from the DIS and is not allowed to be discussed. Normally it will be a starred or filtered site if you tried to link to it but since you typed it, the filter won't catch it. Here's the blurb in the guidelines that covers banned sites:

FILTERED WORDS, NAMES and URLS
The DIS is a privately owned web site and we reserve the right to restrict any outside commercial ventures at our discretion. We will not discuss the reasons behind why specific websites are filtered and any discussion regarding the word filter may be deleted. If you have questions or comments about this or any other DISboards policy, you can address with the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com.

 

[nighttowll]

Yes...that site is banned from the DIS and is not allowed to be discussed. Normally it will be a starred or filtered site if you tried to link to it but since you typed it, the filter won't catch it. Here's the blurb in the guidelines that covers banned sites: FILTERED WORDS, NAMES and URLS The DIS is a privately owned web site and we reserve the right to restrict any outside commercial ventures at our discretion. We will not discuss the reasons behind why specific websites are filtered and any discussion regarding the word filter may be deleted. If you have questions or comments about this or any other DISboards policy, you can address with the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com.

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't realize. I won't mention it again. I knew they guidelines stated they could ban certain sites, but I was thinking more along the lines of stores, adds, or inappropriate sites, not vacation planning sites. But I guess that makes sense if they are competition.

Back to the lockers. Here's the list.

Free lockers:
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Revenge of the Mummy
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Dragon Challenge

Pay lockers:
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Jurassic Park River Adventure

You have to go to a kiosk first to unlock a locker. The same for when you want to return to retrieve your belongings.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Yes there are a handful of attractions that do not allow carry on bags.

IOA: Hulk, Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge

Studios: Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy and MIB

I don't think I forgot any.

Do all other rides allow backpacks of all sizes, assuming we don't care if it gets wet? Trying to decide what to bring, and the locker-required rides won't be an issue because we have to take turns staying with little DD so we can "parent swap" the bag too.

 

[mhake01]

From my past three days at the park, the free lockers are awesome. If by any chance you go over time just talk to the attendant and they will override it for you. On rides where it's optional I would recommend only bringing it on the barge ride and Jurassic park. Barge u can put it under the plastic and jp just ask to sit in the middle of the car. Other than that take advantage of the free lockers. Just takes 30 seconds and a fingerprint.

 

[mhake01]

Do all other rides allow backpacks of all sizes, assuming we don't care if it gets wet? Trying to decide what to bring, and the locker-required rides won't be an issue because we have to take turns staying with little DD so we can "parent swap" the bag too.

also many people bring backpacks and there is no problem with that. They fit well into a locker

 

[phamton]

To be fair the "free" lockers aren't really free. You've already paid for them in the price of your admission.

Not really. The lockers are owned and maintained by Smart Carte not by Universal Studios.

I think it's disingenuous to tell customers that the lockers are free for the length of the ride and then try charging them (in my case $3) because the wait time was off by a magnitude of 3.

Anytime that your ride time exceeds the locker rental, they will open it for you and not charge you for going over. The times you will be charged is when you leave your stuff in the locker and go ride another ride. This happens at Mummy a lot. The guest rides Mummy and leaves their stuff in the locker while they run over to ride Rockit.

 

[kittengal13]

Not really. The lockers are owned and maintained by Smart Carte not by Universal .

Yep, and Universal buy/hire these lockers from Smart Carte, so Universal have to make their money somehow, therefore it's included in ticket price

 

[damo]

Yep, and Universal buy/hire these lockers from Smart Carte, so Universal have to make their money somehow, therefore it's included in ticket price

Smart Carte is paying Universal to have the lockers in the parks, not the other way around. Smart Carte is the one making the money.

From their website: How We Work
Property owners are constantly looking for ways to maximize the experience of their visitors and customers - with the least amount of hassle.

A Smarte Carte concession offers a worry-free service through a no cost, revenue-generating solution that allows the client to focus on running their business.

Smarte Carte provides the equipment at no charge, conserving your capital dollars. We own and operate the equipment, provide repair and maintenance and perform cash management and periodic audits. Then, we pay you a commission on the revenues collected!

Our concession programs are targeted to transportation, retail and entertainment centers with high traffic levels.

In addition to the revenue-share concession, Smarte Carte offers equipment lease options on some products. However, Smarte Carte does not sell or franchise its products and services.

 

[kittengal13]

Smart Carte is paying Universal to have the lockers in the parks, not the other way around. Smart Carte is the one making the money. From their website: How We Work Property owners are constantly looking for ways to maximize the experience of their visitors and customers - with the least amount of hassle. A Smarte Carte concession offers a worry-free service through a no cost, revenue-generating solution that allows the client to focus on running their business. Smarte Carte provides the equipment at no charge, conserving your capital dollars. We own and operate the equipment, provide repair and maintenance and perform cash management and periodic audits. Then, we pay you a commission on the revenues collected! Our concession programs are targeted to transportation, retail and entertainment centers with high traffic levels. In addition to the revenue-share concession, Smarte Carte offers equipment lease options on some products. However, Smarte Carte does not sell or franchise its products and services.

Oh okay, I obviously misunderstood, sorry!

 

[Minniesgal]

Today was the first time I've encountered a problem with the lockers. The wait time for the ride was 20 minutes. In reality it took more like 45 minutes to get through the line, which meant everyone was being asked to pay for their locker. I felt bad for the over whelmed attendant. He was having to over ride people's lockers so they could get their stuff out without the charge. I also saw an irate guy trying to explain how the locker just wasn't big enough for his back pack. The lockers are very small. My son has a small backpack for his medical supplies and it only just fits in the lockers.

The biggest problem is if you are asked to pay unexpectedly your cards and cash are inside it is a bit difficult

 

[hawkeye680]

MIB had a problem and they evacuated the building. Our lockers had expired but the attendant just walked around letting everybody in. Pretty good crowd too. No big deal at all.