Minimalist park touring - suggestions if we don't want to carry a bag?

[tony67]

I"m not seeing the YMMV part? They are verifying that you know what's in the locker.

What do you think the locker attendants are, but security for the lockers?

Personally I think it should require an ID 100% of the time, not just random and they should record it.
They should have a process and stick to it...if it is inconvenient to the person who forgot their locker number than so be it...dont forget your locker number.

In some cases the locker attendants are just kids with little training and little experience..I've observed more than a few that did not want to be there.
At least a security person may have some training and some experience and might be able to read people or see something is amiss..but again no guarantee

I use the lockers, but I still see holes in the system.
There are a handful of stories out there of things being stolen.
I think in most cases it is user error - door not properly shut for example - but not all.

 

[Mooghan]

My friend and I got a running buddy https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Running-Buddy-Pouch-Water-resistant/dp/B00PUO6BY0 for our Universal trip and it worked out perfectly. They're big enough to fit our phones and a small wallet, and they're water resistant, which works out great for the water rides! It's basically a fanny pack without the strap and uses magnets to stay on your hips.

As for the water bottles, I can't really help you out much. We would just stop at the water fountains often and hydrate that way. I don't recall seeing water bottle cubbies for any of the rides. I think you either have to hold the water or store it in the lockers if the ride requires it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Personally I think it should require an ID 100% of the time, not just random and they should record it.

But ID is useless unless you have ID in your bag. That's what I was saying in my post about the locker not opening. I had my ID *on me*, NOT in my bag. If it had been in my bag, then it would have been a positive identification because how I would I get *my* ID into a bag in a locked locker? (I'm not Criss Angel, after all!) But it was *on me*. So it did absolutely no good. I had to describe what was in the locker; what was in the bag in the locker. THAT is what identified me as being the owner of the items in the locker.

 

[tony67]

But ID is useless unless you have ID in your bag. That's what I was saying in my post about the locker not opening. I had my ID *on me*, NOT in my bag. If it had been in my bag, then it would have been a positive identification because how I would I get *my* ID into a bag in a locked locker? (I'm not Criss Angel, after all!) But it was *on me*. So it did absolutely no good. I had to describe what was in the locker; what was in the bag in the locker. THAT is what identified me as being the owner of the items in the locker.

Yes - but they can verify and record your id. Yes ID can be faked, but it is another layer of protection. Knowing what is in the bag when it's a high end digital camera is not such a big deal since I could have followed you around all day having spotted the EOS1D label on the camera strap and knowing its worth at least 5K + the lens.
Stuff has been stolen from lockers as far as I can tell...and from what I recall Universal (or whatever entity the owns the lockers) is not responsible for lost or stolen items...there is a reason that they state that.
As I said if you are comfortable with it then fine..but they are not perfect.
I am not 100% comfortable with it, but I still use it because there is little other option.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes - but they can verify and record your id.

So it has nothing to do with verifying that something is mine, and everything to do with creating a database in case someone is a criminal? 100% NOT in favor of that.

But I'm not bringing that stuff to a themepark.

ETA...again, camera, they wanted to see pictures in the card that showed it was ours. Not just "there's a pic of the Simpsons ride building", but "here is a picture of my family member". I had that. If I hadn't probably would have gone further. The attendants I've see seen are serious and are paying attention.

 

[tony67]

So it has nothing to do with verifying that something is mine, and everything to do with creating a database in case someone is a criminal? 100% NOT in favor of that.

But I'm not bringing that stuff to a themepark.

ETA...again, camera, they wanted to see pictures in the card that showed it was ours. Not just "there's a pic of the Simpsons ride building, but here is a picture of my family member. I had that. If I hadn't probably would have gone further. The attendants I've see seen are serious and are paying attention.

Not all the attendants I have seen are all that observant...specifically at MIB don't seem to want to be there at all
I've seen them open the lockers numerous times..several times a day when I was there..and it sometimes seems a bit lax..Im sure they get tired of it
I've never seen them ask to see a picture on a camera....seems like that should be the standard procedure or ask them to unlock the phone if they dont have an Id in the locker...but again they are not doing that I have observed.

 

[ruthies12]

My friend and I got a running buddy https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Running-Buddy-Pouch-Water-resistant/dp/B00PUO6BY0 for our Universal trip and it worked out perfectly. They're big enough to fit our phones and a small wallet, and they're water resistant, which works out great for the water rides! It's basically a fanny pack without the strap and uses magnets to stay on your hips.

As for the water bottles, I can't really help you out much. We would just stop at the water fountains often and hydrate that way. I don't recall seeing water bottle cubbies for any of the rides. I think you either have to hold the water or store it in the lockers if the ride requires it.

I've been looking at these to use instead of my running belt cause these look more comfortable, but I'm concerned about the fact that the top of the pouch doesn't zip shut, it looks like it is just a small piece of Velcro. Do you have any problems with your phone falling out?

 

[SouthernSoprano]

I've been looking at these to use instead of my running belt cause these look more comfortable, but I'm concerned about the fact that the top of the pouch doesn't zip shut, it looks like it is just a small piece of Velcro. Do you have any problems with your phone falling out?

I love my running buddy. I've primarily used it around home, but have never had any trouble with my phone falling out, etc. And I do quite a bit of running. We're going to US/IOA in three weeks and I'm anxious to try it out there. Will make for a lot easier day with less to carry and worry about.

 

[Beer Me]

I found it easier to have a small lightweight bag than to carry everything in pockets. For rides requiring empty pockets my family threw phones, glasses, etc into the one bag which went into the locker. It takes less than a minute to lock up and retrieve your stuff once you get the hang of it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not all the attendants I have seen are all that observant...specifically at MIB don't seem to want to be there at all
I've seen them open the lockers numerous times..several times a day when I was there..and it sometimes seems a bit lax..Im sure they get tired of it
I've never seen them ask to see a picture on a camera....seems like that should be the standard procedure or ask them to unlock the phone if they dont have an Id in the locker...but again they are not doing that I have observed.

Weird! That's exactly where we were that DS couldn't get it opened again and we showed the picture, and where I had a good conversation last time we were there with a locker attendant.

But I have no idea how casual it would have looked to someone observing. The camera thing was pretty quick. We talked on the way back from where I got the TM, so by the time we got to the locker I knew what was wanted and they know that I had stuff in my lanyard and an ID wouldn't make sense. I'd already described what was in the locker. So the TM opened it, talked about the camera, and I went straight to the camera and showed him. It could easily have looked like I was just showing him a photo, when I was proving it was MY camera.

We all have different experiences. My direct experiences have made me very comfortable with the whole situation.

 

[Mooghan]

I've been looking at these to use instead of my running belt cause these look more comfortable, but I'm concerned about the fact that the top of the pouch doesn't zip shut, it looks like it is just a small piece of Velcro. Do you have any problems with your phone falling out?

Nope! No problem at all with it opening. The Velcro is fairly strong and I never had it open up on me. I had a wallet and a phone with a thick case, so there wasn't much room for anything else and it always stayed closed. It just felt weird for the first 5 or so minutes while you're wearing it, then you get use to it.