Ride Lockers

[tony67]

Just wanted to see what issues people have run into with the ride lockers at Universal.

Mostly has anyone had any theft issues?

I do like them better than the ones at Disney - the ones at Disney use a pin and that seems a bit more risky as it is easy enough to watch someone enter a pin.

The reason I ask...I'm not a fan of the lockers..but there are no other options if you want to ride - other than carry nothing.
I noticed after the first time I used it my stuff seemed to be moved. I had put my fitbit at the front and now it was in the back..seemed odd to me.

I then on several occasions after that watched the locker attendants open all the lockers so people could find their stuff and then briefly look at someones ID to confirm it.

I also saw them open specific lockers. In those cases they asked the person to describe the contents and did not check ID that I saw. So they can say black camera bag in lockers 1234 and that was about it, they got their stuff.

I'm guessing there have not been many issues...but it sure seems risky when I am putting 1500 in camera equipment in one of those lockers..and no doubt I saw people walking around with 4000 cameras who would need to do the same thing.

The other issue - every locker system works differently - so I can see why people have so many issues with them.
Some use a fingerprint, some use a ticket, some require you know the locker number some don't.
If you were drinking I could see this becoming an issue..I know I had one or two times where I had to try a few locker numbers to get the right one and I was not drinking for the most part (during the day anyway)

 

[Annchristine65]

My biggest peeve is why does the whole group/family have to go in the locker area. Why not designate one person to do it and everyone else wait outside the locker area. And they would probably be much easier to use without a crowd of people breathing down your neck.

 

[bumbershoot]

The other issue - every locker system works differently - so I can see why people have so many issues with them.
Some use a fingerprint, some use a ticket, some require you know the locker number some don't.

I haven't experienced them working in different ways. I've never had a ticket.

If you wear a lanyard (as I do), what if you had a pen in your bag and a small paper and for each locker you wrote your locker down on it? Pen goes in the bag, paper in your lanyard, move on.

The attendants absolutely make sure it's your locker. I had ID on me therefore no ID in my bag and I had to show the attendants pictures of my son on the camera before he would let me take the bag.

 

[tony67]

I haven't experienced them working in different ways. I've never had a ticket.

If you wear a lanyard (as I do), what if you had a pen in your bag and a small paper and for each locker you wrote your locker down on it? Pen goes in the bag, paper in your lanyard, move on.

The attendants absolutely make sure it's your locker. I had ID on me therefore no ID in my bag and I had to show the attendants pictures of my son on the camera before he would let me take the bag.

Thats good to know. - They did not seem to be that thorough - and it seemed to happen an awful lot when it was busy over the weekend - I only saw them ask one person for an ID - for the most part the seemed far too trusting - and they had no issue opening whole bays of lockers.
It did not make me feel comfortable with that process - Im sure Im over thinking it - it's possible if it is just a phone they don't ask for much info - if they see a good size bag they are more cautious.

As for the differences - some of them scan your ticket instead of using a fingerprint - that is what I meant by ticket - I think the Hulk does that.
Several use your fingerprint to lock it - and then some of them just use your fingerprint to open the locker - others require you to enter the locker number and then enter your fingerprint.

 

[Bluer101]

We don't use lockers but sometimes friends with us do. Like someone else mentioned it's just too crowded around them.

 

[gotomu212]

As far as having something moved in your locker it might have been from the force of other people slamming their locker. We put all our stuff in a pile and I specifically remembered putting my wallet right on top of a bag. Closed the locker, walked 2 ft and realized I still had my phone in my pocket, opened the locker and my wallet wasn't on the bag but at the very very back. While trying to figure out what had happened a kid slammed his locker next to me and everything in my locker kinda bounced.

 

[georgina]

Hulk was the only locker that I recall that required a ticket scan to rent a locker.

 

[tinydancer09]

Hulk just went through a major refurb and got new lockers. I was nervous at first looking at pictures... But man that was the most efficient locker trip I've ever taken. My sister and j use cross body bags and they both fit in the small lockers. If you have a cup empty it so you don't have to get a big locker.

They do have bigger ones in the back, but not as many. There's also no more slamming with them. Seems to be the most secure and efficient way. Hoping after time they redo all the lockers.


Now on to the other question...: I've used the lockers since 2005 and have never had a problem. The lockers are run by computers and computers go down and have problems. That mixed with adults who don't know what finger or locker they used or when finger just won't scan creates the opening locker thing.

Last trip after the mummy the whole section I was in had to be opened manually. The guy would ask "do you have ID in the locker?" If you said yes you have him the locker number, showed him ID, and went about your way. The guy after me Disney have ID. The guy had to describe at least two items in the locker before he was allowed to give locker number and the guy pop it open. When he popped it the attendant looked inside and sure enough the items were there.

I watched all this because my cup had sweat in the locker and gotten my sisters bag wet and she was flipping it while I watched all this. Lol. Sisters.

I've only had this problem one other time and they made me describe everything at the front of the locker (what color bag, etc) so he could check before he let me near it.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Universal doesn't play around with securing and retrieving your items.
An entire row of computers went down at IoA front lockers during the last hour before closing, and they played no games ripping those lockers off the bolts with crowbars (which took about an hour, because they're SECURE).

 

[tony67]

Thanks all - good info here - Im a bit less concerned - but Ill still limit what I bring to the park as much as possible - that is not a bad thing IMO.

Im sure that Universal does everything they can - especially since they are forcing everyone to use the lockers or have a non-rider - it's pretty key to their model that people trust the lockers.

 

[RedAngie]

My biggest peeve is why does the whole group/family have to go in the locker area. Why not designate one person to do it and everyone else wait outside the locker area. And they would probably be much easier to use without a crowd of people breathing down your neck.

Especially at the two Harry Potter rides. The locker areas there are really cramped. Not necessary for the whole group to gather around and watch Mom go thru the process.

Universal doesn't play around with securing and retrieving your items.
An entire row of computers went down at IoA front lockers during the last hour before closing, and they played no games ripping those lockers off the bolts with crowbars (which took about an hour, because they're SECURE).

There was a power outage at the Studios on Friday and we had to leave Men in Black just before boarding. Many people had items in lockers there, which couldn't be opened because of it. I don't know how long it took for those people to retrieve their belongings, or whether they resorted to crow-barring them open. We only had a Coke bottle in the locker, and gave up waiting after 15 minutes.