Small bags, refillable mug, rides and locker question

[soccerchick]

Thanks to everyone who contributes to these boards. We will be visiting US/IoA, et al this summer and I really appreciate the info shared here.

After reading, I see people reference the fact that Universal is stricter about what you can/cannot take on rides compared to Disney. I plan to use a small crossbody purse (Vera Bradley mini hipster - it will hold id, cc, sunglasses and phone, small sunscreen). I use this on roller coasters all the time elsewhere since it is small and soft and it usually fits right in my lap with the long strap and doesn't go anywhere. Will this be a problem at Universal?

Also, after looking at the dining sticky, I'm sure DH will want to get the refillable drink. Can we take this, empty of course, on most rides? Are there areas where people can place "Stuff" for roller coasters or will this need to go in a locker?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

After reading, I see people reference the fact that Universal is stricter about what you can/cannot take on rides compared to Disney. I plan to use a small crossbody purse (Vera Bradley mini hipster - it will hold id, cc, sunglasses and phone, small sunscreen). I use this on roller coasters all the time elsewhere since it is small and soft and it usually fits right in my lap with the long strap and doesn't go anywhere. Will this be a problem at Universal?

Also, after looking at the dining sticky, I'm sure DH will want to get the refillable drink. Can we take this, empty of course, on most rides? Are there areas where people can place "Stuff" for roller coasters or will this need to go in a locker?

Thanks!

You won't be able to ride with an over the shoulder strap but if you can remove the strap and just the waist bag, you should be OK.

Most rides yes...not all. There are several rides that do not allow carry on bags so you would need to put anything loose in a locker prior to getting in line for the ride. You cannot place anything at the loading platform because most of the restricted rides do not unload in the same location. Lockers or leaving the items with a non-rider would be your only options.

 

[aubriee]

You won't be able to ride with an over the shoulder strap but if you can remove the strap and just the waist bag, you should be OK.

Most rides yes...not all. There are several rides that do not allow carry on bags so you would need to put anything loose in a locker prior to getting in line for the ride. You cannot place anything at the loading platform because most of the restricted rides do not unload in the same location. Lockers or leaving the items with a non-rider would be your only options.

The strap on the Vera Bradley mini hipster can not be removed. Twice I've had to put my mini hipster in a locker at Universal, even though I use them at any other amusement park with no problem and never have to take them off. The first time I ever went over to Universal they made me put it in the lockers at FJ, Men in Black, and Mummy (did not ride Hulk or RRR). The second time was during the winter and I had it on under my coat and honestly just forgot I had it on. The CM at FJ saw a little bit of the bottom edge hanging out from under my jacket, asked to see it, and told me that anything other than a fanny pack with three prongs holding it, had to go into the lockers. That small, flat VB crossbody mini hipster was zipped closed and then had a velcro flap over the zipper part and was flat against my body, being held in place by a crossbody strap and also by a zipped up coat. No way was it possibly going anywhere, but they saw less than an inch of the bottom edge hanging out below my coat and made me put it in a locker.

 

[soccerchick]

The strap on the Vera Bradley mini hipster can not be removed. Twice I've had to put my mini hipster in a locker at Universal, even though I use them at any other amusement park with no problem and never have to take them off. The first time I ever went over to Universal they made me put it in the lockers at FJ, Men in Black, and Mummy (did not ride Hulk or RRR). The second time was during the winter and I had it on under my coat and honestly just forgot I had it on. The CM at FJ saw a little bit of the bottom edge hanging out from under my jacket, asked to see it, and told me that anything other than a fanny pack with three prongs holding it, had to go into the lockers. That small, flat VB crossbody mini hipster was zipped closed and then had a velcro flap over the zipper part and was flat against my body, being held in place by a crossbody strap and also by a zipped up coat. No way was it possibly going anywhere, but they saw less than an inch of the bottom edge hanging out below my coat and made me put it in a locker.

Well, that stinks. That bag is the best for amusement parks.

I guess they don't allow wristlets either?

 

[Metro West]

The strap on the Vera Bradley mini hipster can not be removed.

Thanks for the clarification. I wear cargo shorts so I don't need to worry about lockers.

Well, that stinks. That bag is the best for amusement parks.

I guess they don't allow wristlets either?

Probably not...anything that looks like it could fly off during the ride is a no-no. I know it's problematic but it's for everyone's safety. I certainly wouldn't want to get hit in the face by someone's bag because it wasn't stowed in a locker...you know.

 

[soccerchick]

Thanks for the clarification. I wear cargo shorts so I don't need to worry about lockers.

Probably not...anything that looks like it could fly off during the ride is a no-no. I know it's problematic but it's for everyone's safety. I certainly wouldn't want to get hit in the face by someone's bag because it wasn't stowed in a locker...you know.

There's absolutely no way this bag can fly off if across the body. It's why I use this one. Guess DH will be carrying all the crap in his cargo shorts

 

[Brit_Jude]

Well, that stinks. That bag is the best for amusement parks.

I guess they don't allow wristlets either?

I'm sure the bag rule is in place for very real reasons. People have been injured by flying objects or objects get into the workings of the rides. You also have the irrate customer who wants their lost items retrieved right there and then. Plus a whole industry in storing and managing the lost items.

If they let one type of bag on the ride then it is a slippery slope in letting more bags in, as people will argue that their bag is not that different. This then leads to it being at the discression of the TM and it becomes hard to manage.

I like that the same rule applies to everyone and for all types of bags, no exception. Using the lockers is really not that much of a problem and it doesn't take that much time. For our party by the time the others have fininshed looking around the gift shop I have my bag etc. out of the locker and we are ready to go.

 

[Metro West]

There's absolutely no way this bag can fly off if across the body. It's why I use this one.

I don't make the rules...just telling you the way it is.

 

[soccerchick]

I don't make the rules...just telling you the way it is.

I understand that and I'm not trying to argue with you. Sorry if it came across that way. I am also allowed to express my feelings that I can't use the perfect amusement park bag that has been on every ride at WDW, BG, and Kings Dominion and is far safer than some dude with coins or sunglasses in his pockets raining down on me on some rides.

But that's why I am here reading and asking - so I know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

For the six rides you will be required to put your stuff in lockers (Hulk, Dragons, Journey, Rockit, Mummy, MIB), worry not as they are free and secure! Just go to one of the computer stations, preferably towards the back area as those are less crowded, and follow the on screen instructions. When it asks for your finger scan, press your finger GENTLY on the scanner. Then put your stuff in the locker the computer assigns you, press the lock button (small green button) and you're good to go! The entire locker process shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

 

[AJA]

Don't worry about the lockers. They are very, very easy to use. After you're use to them you find it's so much easier to ride without worrying about holding on to anything.

Some rides you'll be fine on, the CM's usually let you know asap to use the lockers if needed.

 

[AJ1983]

Just wondering is there a time limit on the lockers? I seem to vaguely remember my last time in Universal, seemed like we had to put away our stuff in a locker 3 or 4 times, and we always had to ensure we had some money with us in case we didn't make it back on time...after a certain amount of time, you would have to pay to open the locker. Was this actually the way it worked/works or did I dream that? haha

 

[aubriee]

Well, that stinks. That bag is the best for amusement parks.

I guess they don't allow wristlets either?

As a matter of fact, if your wristlet will fit all the way into a pocket with none of it showing, they do allow them. The same day they got me for my mini hipster being under my coat, they got the lady in front of me for a wristlet. She had stuck it in her pocket, but the top of it was sticking out. The CM told her that if she could get it all the way into her pocket where none of it showed, she could keep it, but otherwise it had to go in a locker.

I understand that and I'm not trying to argue with you. Sorry if it came across that way. I am also allowed to express my feelings that I can't use the perfect amusement park bag that has been on every ride at WDW, BG, and Kings Dominion and is far safer than some dude with coins or sunglasses in his pockets raining down on me on some rides.

What's funny is that I have ridden FJ many, many times and have never had a problem just carrying my sunglasses on. Every single time I've just held them in my hand and no one has ever said a word. I've seen lots of other people just holding theirs too. They allow you to hold your sunglasses, but do not allow a small cross body bag. I know that's the rules and we have to just abide by them, but it always seems odd to me. For Universal I bought several pairs of cargo shorts with zippered pockets, just so I don't have to deal with lockers. I use my mini hipsters at any other amusement park, but wear cargo shorts to Universal. I carry a small pocket camera in one pocket, cell phone in another (with a quart zip lock bag to hold the camera and cell phone for water rides), and then in another pocket have a Vera Bradley zip ID to hold my ID, CC, park ticket, and a little cash.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Just wondering is there a time limit on the lockers? I seem to vaguely remember my last time in Universal, seemed like we had to put away our stuff in a locker 3 or 4 times, and we always had to ensure we had some money with us in case we didn't make it back on time...after a certain amount of time, you would have to pay to open the locker. Was this actually the way it worked/works or did I dream that? haha

For the Required lockers, lockers are free while you ride, and that is adjusted for the wait time. If you go over the time, you may have to pay to get your stuff out of the lockers. If the free time is 90 mins and you leave your stuff in for four hours, yes you will have to pay.

There are also the optional lockers at the water rides. Those are $4 for 90 min. If you go over the 90 min time, you will have to pay the next tier fee (usually $2 or $3)

For Universal I bought several pairs of cargo shorts with zippered pockets, just so I don't have to deal with lockers. I use my mini hipsters at any other amusement park, but wear cargo shorts to Universal. I carry a small pocket camera in one pocket, cell phone in another (with a quart zip lock bag to hold the camera and cell phone for water rides), and then in another pocket have a Vera Bradley zip ID to hold my ID, CC, park ticket, and a little cash.

This is the best thing to do. No worries about the bag check line when coming through security, no worries about the lockers either.