Rides and bags

[lake queen]

OK, I understand that you cannot take anything on FJ, Hulk, Spiderman ect.

But, I really don't want to wait in a long line for lockers.

So, Can you just leave your stuff on the ride platform and pick it up when you are done? That is what we do at all other theme parks. Is there a rule against it?

Just trying to figure out how to skip the lockers, but yet still have a bag!

 

[damo]

OK, I understand that you cannot take anything on FJ, Hulk, Spiderman ect.

But, I really don't want to wait in a long line for lockers.

So, Can you just leave your stuff on the ride platform and pick it up when you are done? That is what we do at all other theme parks. Is there a rule against it?

Just trying to figure out how to skip the lockers, but yet still have a bag!

The reason you can't leave your stuff on the ride platform is that you get off the ride in a different area than you get on in pretty much each case where lockers are required.

 

[lake queen]

Ok, now I get it! Thanks!

Any hints on how to get around the locker lines?

 

[Metro West]

Ok, now I get it! Thanks!

Any hints on how to get around the locker lines?

If you have to use a locker, there really isn't a way to cut down the locker lines. My advice would be to make due with a fanny pack or wear cargo shorts and not have a bag at all. I know some people like/need to take a lot of stuff with them to the parks but I would forgo the bag and make due w/o it.

 

[phamton]

My advice would be to either travel light and don't bring a backpack. If you must bring one, then just rent a locker at the front of the park when you first come in. You can use that locker all day.

 

[mareed]

If you have to use a locker, there really isn't a way to cut down the locker lines. My advice would be to make due with a fanny pack or wear cargo shorts and not have a bag at all. I know some people like/need to take a lot of stuff with them to the parks but I would forgo the bag and make due w/o it.

Are there really lines now for rides other than FJ? I've been 3 times in the last 3 years and didn't encounter problems with lines for the free lockers. We sometimes had to wait for someone to finish up from the kiosk we needed to retrieve our stuff, but that didn't take long at all.

I have to have a backpack to carry my camera, water and a few other things like chapstick, tylenol that I want with me almost all the time. Putting the bag with this stuff in a locker at the front of the park would do no good at all, because then it wouldn't be with me!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

There are only SIX rides with Required Lockers:
Hulk (roller coaster)
Dragon Challenge (roller coaster)
Forbidden Journey (wild dark ride)
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (roller coaster)
Revenge of the Mummy (roller coaster)
Men in Black (wild dark ride)

You can bring your stuff on everything else. There are OPTIONAL lockers at the water rides ($3/hr) and are useful for keeping your stuff dry. A ziploc bag for your valuables + a merchandise bag (you can get one at any gift shop) can do just as well and for a lot less cost.

 

[spbink]

I've been to Universal a bunch of times in the past couple of months, and while I brought a full purse at first, now I put just what I need into a clutch.

As mareed said, mostly using the lockers isn't usually very difficult - except for at Forbidden Journey, which can be a mess - and they are free. But I switched to carrying the smaller clutch because it just cut down on the time and hassle of going to the lockers (and maybe getting stuck behind people who don't understand them). It can cut five to fifteen minutes off the ride experience to skip the lockers, and they are only free for the amount of time to cover waiting in line and riding once, so if you want to turn around and ride again you have to go move your stuff.

 

[Metro West]

Are there really lines now for rides other than FJ? I've been 3 times in the last 3 years and didn't encounter problems with lines for the free lockers. We sometimes had to wait for someone to finish up from the kiosk we needed to retrieve our stuff, but that didn't take long at all.

I doubt it but during the summer you might have some delays especially with all the new people coming to the parks who don't know they have to use a lockers on some attractions.

 

[GingerJay]

If you are doing the rider switch because you have a child that's too small to ride, the waiting parent can "watch" the stuff while the other one rides- that can save you from having to use the lockers, too.

They are not required on every ride, though- just the really extreme ones; try to pack light if you can to avoid them altogether

 

[aubriee]

I have to have a backpack to carry my camera, water and a few other things like chapstick, tylenol that I want with me almost all the time. Putting the bag with this stuff in a locker at the front of the park would do no good at all, because then it wouldn't be with me!

Last May after finding out the hard way that even small flat crossbody purses (like the Vera Bradley mini hipster) were not even allowed on the rides. I came straight home, went online and ordered some thin cargo shorts. I'd never wear them anywhere else, but for Universal they are perfect. I put my digital camera in one pocket, cell phone in another, lip balm, a tiny screw top container for any meds (Motrin, Pepto pills, etc) and small suncreen in another. I also fold and put a quart zip lock in my pocket to hold the cell phone and camera on any water rides. My park ticket, CC, ID, and a little cash goes around my neck in a Vera Bradley ID holder and lanyard. Water you can get fro free from any CS restaurant (or else use a cabiner clip to clip your water to a belt loop).

I've been to Universal a bunch of times in the past couple of months, and while I brought a full purse at first, now I put just what I need into a clutch.

When I was there in Dec a CM told me to either put my lanyard/ID case in my pocket or down my blouse so it wouldn't fly up. The same CM told the lady behind me that her little wristlet had to either go in her pocket or in the lockers. She let me hold my sunglasses though.