Newbie questions about lockers and lanyards

[MariaR3]

Going to Universal with my kids (6 & 8) and my DH in a month. We went to WDW a couple of years ago, but we've never been to Universal. I have a couple of questions that I have searched for the answers to, but haven't been able to find. I apologize if I missed them somewhere.

1) I would like to take a backpack. Kids aren't quite old enough for me to be bag-free. I know that I won't be able to take a backpack on most (all?) rides. I'm fine with paying for a locker, but I'm wondering if the all day lockers allow me to switch between locker locations within the parks or if the all day locker is one individual locker for the day that I would potentially have to traipse across the park to get back to. (I have been to water parks where you can pay for a locker one time and it allows you to use any locker within the entire water park all day. Wondering if Universal offers this same convenience.)

2) Do my kids need lanyards? We are staying at RPR so will be getting EP. I know that now we just have to show our room key, but will the kids have their own room keys that they will need to show? I was thinking just my DH and I will wear lanyards but, I want to be sure that will work for the kids.

I have gotten some great info off of these boards. Thank you!

 

[cschaaf]

1) I would like to take a backpack. Kids aren't quite old enough for me to be bag-free. I know that I won't be able to take a backpack on most (all?) rides. I'm fine with paying for a locker, but I'm wondering if the all day lockers allow me to switch between locker locations within the parks or if the all day locker is one individual locker for the day that I would potentially have to traipse across the park to get back to. (I have been to water parks where you can pay for a locker one time and it allows you to use any locker within the entire water park all day. Wondering if Universal offers this same convenience.)

I don't believe that's an option. However, all of the rides that require you to store your backpack have free lockers while you ride. The 'exception' is the water rides - since they allow you to take your stuff on the ride, the lockers in those areas are not free.

2) Do my kids need lanyards? We are staying at RPR so will be getting EP. I know that now we just have to show our room key, but will the kids have their own room keys that they will need to show? I was thinking just my DH and I will wear lanyards but, I want to be sure that will work for the kids.

IMO, it will be much easier if everyone has their own lanyards.

 

[macraven]

The all day rent lockers at the front of the park has a fee
This is the only place for large lockers and you can use them ( open and reopen) all day long

The hands free rides will hold your belongings
Large backpack won’t fit in most ride lockers

Use the child swap rooms for rides and have one adult wait there with the backpack

You could also bring a small bag and take the basics with you while in the park
Keep the large backpack in the large pay locker up front so you can get things out of it when needed

Some parents hang on to their kids room card and some buy lanyards for the kids to use for they hotel card

Do what works for you

 

[MariaR3]

Thank you for the help!

So will the kids get their own EP/room key card?

 

[sconnell]

Your kiddos will each have an EP/ Room Key and having them handy to jump on a ride is SO much easier. Even if you just hang their lanyard on your neck or an extra pouch on your own. If you do buy them a lanyard, there are some that are shorter than others, so be on the lookout for those.

My husband carries a regular size backpack (Snacks, refill cups, glasses cases, meds, ponchos, etc.) and it fits in all of the free lockers just fine. Like macraven said, other than water rides, lockers are provided if you're not allowed to take it on the ride. Hulk and Rip Ride Rock It are the only rides that you have to completely empty your pockets right now, so you can keep your phone on you for pics and games in lines.

Enjoy RPR! We love the nachos at the Pool Bar!

 

[MariaR3]

Your kiddos will each have an EP/ Room Key and having them handy to jump on a ride is SO much easier. Even if you just hang their lanyard on your neck or an extra pouch on your own. If you do buy them a lanyard, there are some that are shorter than others, so be on the lookout for those.

My husband carries a regular size backpack (Snacks, refill cups, glasses cases, meds, ponchos, etc.) and it fits in all of the free lockers just fine. Like macraven said, other than water rides, lockers are provided if you're not allowed to take it on the ride. Hulk and Rip Ride Rock It are the only rides that you have to completely empty your pockets right now, so you can keep your phone on you for pics and games in lines.

Enjoy RPR! We love the nachos at the Pool Bar!

This is very helpful! Thank you so much.

 

[Koz]

Has anyone used one of the ID card holders that secures over your shirt-sleeve/bicep area? Similar to what you might see a runner using but not as bulky. Seems to be a more appealing option that having a lanyard hanging around your neck on a hot day.

 

[sconnell]

Has anyone used one of the ID card holders that secures over your shirt-sleeve/bicep area? Similar to what you might see a runner using but not as bulky. Seems to be a more appealing option that having a lanyard hanging around your neck on a hot day.

I haven't seen that in the parks. Some of the guys at work use that kind and I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'm not used to the arm kind and think that would feel more hot to me and I couldn't hide it for pictures. As long as it has a clear enough cover so they have access to scan it. The advantage to the lanyard is that you can use both sides of the pouch if you have your AP or photopass.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know that I won't be able to take a backpack on most (all?) rides.

Not most or anywhere near all. Some.

And the rides that don’t allow backpacks have FREE lockers.

My son had always enjoyed wearing a lanyard from his first big Disneyland trip when he was 3. When he was younger he wore it like a bandolier.

So will the kids get their own EP/room key card?

Of course.

Has anyone used one of the ID card holders that secures over your shirt-sleeve/bicep area? Similar to what you might see a runner using but not as bulky. Seems to be a more appealing option that having a lanyard hanging around your neck on a hot day.

I can’t imagine that that would be comfortable or useful. Runners wear those to hold items they won’t be accessing all day. EPs will be accessed at every ride. Credit cards (or onsite room keycards if you have room charging set up) will be accessed often. Etc.

I love my soft Ravenclaw “school tie” themed lanyard. It’s never been unappealing. I have a hard plastic waterproof lanyard case (Witz brand) to use with it to keep all the cards and a bit of cash in.

 

[sconnell]

I think people who are used to wearing this kind might like it better and it could work.

 

[MariaR3]

Not most or anywhere near all. Some.

And the rides that don’t allow backpacks have FREE lockers.

My son had always enjoyed wearing a lanyard from his first big Disneyland trip when he was 3. When he was younger he wore it like a bandolier.



Of course.



I can’t imagine that that would be comfortable or useful. Runners wear those to hold items they won’t be accessing all day. EPs will be accessed at every ride. Credit cards (or onsite room keycards if you have room charging set up) will be accessed often. Etc.

I love my soft Ravenclaw “school tie” themed lanyard. It’s never been unappealing. I have a hard plastic waterproof lanyard case (Witz brand) to use with it to keep all the cards and a bit of cash in.

Thanks for the info. I got a Witz case for both my DH and myself. That's why I was thinking we could put the kids' passes in our cases because it seems like it could hold plenty of cards. I just wasn't sure about the logistics of needing to show passes, cards, etc. What will we need to have easy access to?

 

[sconnell]

Thanks for the info. I got a Witz case for both my DH and myself. That's why I was thinking we could put the kids' passes in our cases because it seems like it could hold plenty of cards. I just wasn't sure about the logistics of needing to show passes, cards, etc. What will we need to have easy access to?

Your park passes for entering into the park and to ride Hogwarts Express to the other park.
Your express pass/room key for so many rides! You’ll want to have them handy for entering lines quickly. Also, you’ll show it for early entry.
Photopass - do consider the Photopass, great ride photos. They’ll need to scan the barcode.

 

[bumbershoot]

Admission when entering parks. EP (which I think is the keycard now?) each time you enter a ride line. Keycards for getting into the hotel rooms and for early entrance.

My son always wanted to carry his OWN cards. He wouldn’t have been happy (and when we had DL APs which have a fee to replace I did just that) if I’d inaiated on carrying all of his stuff.

 

[MariaR3]

Thank you for the details!

 

[BubblyTrip]

I have my card on one side of my lanyard and DS on the other side. You need quick access too them all the time. What I’m doing is working great. I just flip it over to scan.

 

[Koz]

I didn't realize that you needed to have access to both. Thought that it would just be your ticket for express pass that you'd need to show once you got into the park, so that having it on the sleeve wouldn't be a biggie.
Lanyard it is, I suppose.