No More Fanny Packs on Coasters!

[MiaSRN62]

Ok, I understand what you're saying phantom......just wonder why these things don't seem to be a problem at any other amusement/theme park I've been to ? Maybe they just should have built in storage on the ride for your belongings like on most other attractions we've been on at other parks where there never seems to be a problem with things flying out. As for people taking forever to stow their things, this is what we found at the lockers. NUMEROUS incidents of people not understanding how to open and close their lockers. Saw many Uni staff having to hold up the lines to show them how. Just a pain imho. But I understand how others, such as yourself, might find this policy not so much of a hassle as we did.

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[spewey]

MiaSRN62 - are there really that many genuine thrill rides out there that have built in storage? I can't think of a single one, unless you count Spiderman at IOA. There certainly aren't any coasters. And as far as "carry-on" items go, most every park I've been to (about 50) will not allow anything beyond a secured bag - i.e. fanny pack or purse - onto their adult coasters. Some still allow cameras - why I don't know.

If parks such as US - or Disney or Six Flags or whoever - have or plan on changing their rules, you can sure bet it is in direct response to lawsuits arising from riders being injured by flying water bottles, cameras, and especially the dreaded cell phone. Can hardly blame them for that ...

 

[cjsgirl]

We just got home today from the weekend at Universal and IOA and we were allowed (both hubby and I) to wear our fanny packs on Mummy. However, after waiting in line 30 minutes at the Hulk we then had to go back down and find a locker for my hubby's "slightly" larger fanny pack. what a headache...it was fine w/the lockers once we got the hang of it....but a PITA initially. The lockers are easy to figure out, but I agree that many people were confused and crowding around the touchscreens when we went to retrieve our items.

 

[Metro West]

I can't see how coaster designers could design tracks for the biggest thrill and still worry about storage compartments as well.

I wear cargo shorts if I have my camera with me so I don't have to use the lockers. The lockers can be a pain but they're free..for a certain amount of time anyway.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I personally like the lockers (especially since they are free! at BG Williamsburg you have to pay every time you use a locker) so I don't have to worry about my stuff while I am riding. It may be a little inconvenient at times but atleast you know your stuff is safe.

We have been to many theme parks and none of them let you carry water bottles or loose items on their coasters.

 

[macraven]

last october i was not allowed to wear a fanny pack on the hulk, mummy, dr doom.

had to use the lockers on mummy and hulk . had to secure the pack in the holding area for doom.

its not a big deal.
go to the lockers which are free, place your items there.
end of discussion.


here i was under the impression all patrons had to use the lockers for some rides, didin't know some of you didin't.

maybe it was the employees on the shift that enforced the policy when i went.
i am flexible, if that is the policy, i'll abide by it. i am all for having fun and can live with the rules.

 

[MiaSRN62]

And as far as "carry-on" items go, most every park I've been to (about 50) will not allow anything beyond a secured bag - i.e. fanny pack or purse - onto their adult coasters. Some still allow cameras - why I don't know.

This is all I was referring to. They would not let me carry my "secured bag" on any of the coasters or MIB or Mummy ? We rode Mummy 3X and each time I was stopped and told I had to put my fanny pack (camera inside) in the lockers. A couple times the lines for the lockers were nuts. Saw many instances of people confused about how to use them and holding up the line for 5+ min. Maybe in offseason the lines would be better, but not during summer and busy seasons. I have been to the Universal parks several times over the years and never ever encountered this before, contrary to what some others are saying. My only point was, why didn't they plan for this and have built in storage on the rides ? It would have been so easy on Mummy and MIB. Dinosaur, Soarin' and other disney rides have this. All other theme parks I've been to have similar thrill rides and no lockers. The lockers are not the most convenient thing the park could have devised is all I'm saying.

Metro West says : I wear cargo shorts if I have my camera with me so I don't have to use the lockers.

Just a comment on this. My son always wears cargo pants and was not allowed to put his water bottle inside the secure pocket. He told me it was a pain to use the lockers and we never encountered this in any past trips to Uni/IOA (again, contrary to what some are saying). Seems there's so inconsistancy with staff at the parks from what I'm reading. I'm glad you didn't have to use the lockers Metro.

Macraven says : its not a big deal. go to the lockers which are free, place your items there.
end of discussion.

Well, wish I could just have ignored the long lines (at times), complaints, staff continually having to step in to assist, confusion and pushing and shoving. Then it wouldn't have been a big deal

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I've never understood what the big deal is about the lockers. You stand in line, you put your stuff in and you are on your way. You ride the ride not having to worry about losing anything, and when you get off, you get your stuff. I don't understand why it is such a hassle and inconvience for some people. I surely would not want to walk past Hulk knowing that people are carrying water bottles, cameras and bags which could likely become flying objects that could hit me or my children. The policy and lockers are there for our safety. We should be respectful of that.

 

[ktglads]

It really must be up to the operator as to what is allowed on the rides. I was in Universal in May and was never once told to put my pack in a locker. I was told by the attendant at the entrance of the Hulk that I had to put it on since I was carrying it over my shoulder, but I was planning on doing that anyways.

Doesn't MIB have hooks for purses and mesh bags for storage? Maybe I'm just imagining it, but I'm pretty sure those rides are equipped for small carry-on items

 

[momof3disneyholics]

This is all I was referring to. They would not let me carry my "secured bag" on any of the coasters or MIB or Mummy ? We rode Mummy 3X and each time I was stopped and told I had to put my fanny pack (camera inside) in the lockers.


QUOTE]
It took you three times to realize that you couldn't take your bag on after they told you the first time that you can't bring it on?? After the first time, you should have known to take it to the lockers. Ok, which is better, going all the way to the front of line, then having to walk all the way back to the lockers, or doing that in the first place?

 

[MiaSRN62]

It took you three times to realize that you couldn't take your bag on after they told you the first time that you can't bring it on?? After the first time, you should have known to take it to the lockers. Ok, which is better, going all the way to the front of line, then having to walk all the way back to the lockers, or doing that in the first place?

The sarcasm was unnecessary momof3.
I was simply stating my experiences. For your information, we did see some getting by during the day with bags while others did not, so I figured I'd give it a try. As I previously stated, inconsistancies. On the Mummy, the front of the line and the lockers are in VERY close proximity so it was no big deal. If you didn't experience the disgruntled comments, pushing/shoving in line, frustrated staff trying to help those that didn't quite "get" how the lockers worked, then please don't sit there and say to me (who experienced all of this over the course of 2 days), that's it's no "hassle" or "inconvenience". I witnessesd exactly the opposite. Just stating MY experiences and personal reservations about the lockers. You and others can feel free to disagree....that's cool with me. Just giving a counter opinion.

 

[MrsMud]

 

[macraven]

mrs mudd, i love your tags.........

 

[phamton]

Actually, MIB did have mesh storage bags and hooks for backpacks until one month ago. They took them out as guest were taking too long to store all their stuff and then taking too long to get their stuff out after exiting the ride. It was slowing up the flow of the rides. Not to mention, sometimes the stuff wasn't secured properly and were falling out.

As far as Mummy not allowing fannypacks in October. You are correct. They changed the rule a few months ago to allow small fannypacks but when you went in October, they hadn't changed the rule yet.

 

[MickeyMagic]

And does USO assume responsibility for the contents of my fannypack while in the locker?

 

[phamton]

And does USO assume responsibility for the contents of my fannypack while in the locker?

You have 5 choices:
1) Wear a small fanny pack that can be worn on the ride.
2) Do a "babyswap" with your bag--someone holds your bag so you can ride and then you hold it so they can ride.
3) Rent a locker when you enter the parks or use the free lockers provided at the rides.
4) Leave large items in your hotel or car and only carry a small wallet in your pocket. Don't bring valuables to the park.
5) Skip the rides that require that you store bags.

 

[capgirl]

Hi everyone - I just got back from a wonderful week at UO/IoA. I was not allowed to have my fanny pack on hulk, but could keep it on at Deuling Dragons....which ironically, it did come unbuckled on the ride Luckily though it was secured behind me and didn't become a projectile!!! I took it off for the next ride.

The lockers really were no big deal, esp. since it now does your thumbprint to unlock it, rather than having to remember your code. Now you just have to remember your locker number

I was allowed to keep it on on the mummy. My sons rode it over 100 times over the week. I guess it's the new favorite!!!

 

[Gillian]

I'm glad they don't let anyone take water bottles on these rides! A water bottle weighs a lot more than a camera and can cause a lot more damage if it goes flying. A small camera is likely to stay in your pocket. I'm not sure about a water bottle.

And if you think about it, how safe would a watter bottle worn around your neck/shoulders be on a roller coaster?

 

[keishashadow]

Despite the fact that I only use a fanny pack @ amusement parks, my DF is mortified that I would commit such a fashion faux pas (I know they they've hid several from me hoping I'd forego wearing them). Little do they know I've just ordered a whopper of one from eBags - HA!.

I transgress - in Feb the lockers weren't functioning properly, especially outside of The Mummy. I felt bad for the maintenance guys - the crowd was getting ugly, long waits for lockers & then many wouldn't open.

I do appreciate the idea of a ruling on what you can take on a ride (plenty of idiots out there) would hate to get hit with someone's junk. But, what about the people who have their cargo pants so stuffed they look like a sausage and can barely sit down in the ride? I've seen fanny packs, water bottles, large souveniers, etc.; mostly protruding from the tops of the pockets. Just as big of a safety/liability issue IMO.