Universal Studios - stowing bags for some rides and FOTL pass

[Selket]

Should I ask about Universal here or on the Universal board as it relates to medical issues. Please move to the right board if needed!

We are going back to Orlando this summer and are looking at spending a day or two at Universal this time. One of our children will be 8 then and has type 1 diabetes and anaphylactic food allergies so we carry lots of supplies - meter, strips, epi-pens, glucagon, juice boxes, tabs, syringes, kitchen sink.....

For the rides where you must "stow your bag" - is that in a locker? Is there any sort of small bag that they will allow you to keep on your person (fanny pack, etc)? I'll admit I don't know what rides require stowing bags so perhaps he would be too young/afraid to ride them in any case. Can an adult go through the line with the bags and take the "chicken exit" and wait for us to get off?

Is there a "GAC" type card that will allow us to keep his supplies with us?

I am thinking of staying on-site to get the FOTL access because it will be around the 4th of July when we go - very hot and crowded I would guess. If I stay one night do I get one day or two days FOTL? It seems crazy expensive to buy the FOTL special tickets - even at Universal's $300+ a night hotel prices doing the hotel is about the same price! Am I missing something there? I don't know Universal at all so I really want the FOTL so we can just do it and get out of the heat and not worry about getting here or there.

 

[mikipe2]

You'd probably have better luck on the Universal board.

I haven't been to Universal yet, so I can't really answer any of your questions. Except that it has been stated very clearly on the Universal boards that if you stay one night on-site at Universal, you'll have the FOTL pass for two days, assuming you tell them you still need your room key for FOTL when you check out of your room.

Hope this helps.
Mike.

 

[CleoPahd]

I'm no expert but here is what I remember from our trip about a year and a half ago.....

When we went they were very strict about making people use the lockers. There was a staff person right at the start of the line to make sure everyone complied with the rules. They made some people get one just to store their hats and sunglasses on some of the rides. They aren't all big scary rides, I'm pretty sure the MIB ride also required lockers as well as the water rides. The lockers were right outside each ride that required them and were free for the first hour or hour and a half...sorry, I don't remember exactly, it has been a while. They were very convenient to use and easy to get at both before and after the ride.

Sorry, I can't be of any help with the rest of your questions.

 

[livndisney]

Should I ask about Universal here or on the Universal board as it relates to medical issues. Please move to the right board if needed!

We are going back to Orlando this summer and are looking at spending a day or two at Universal this time. One of our children will be 8 then and has type 1 diabetes and anaphylactic food allergies so we carry lots of supplies - meter, strips, epi-pens, glucagon, juice boxes, tabs, syringes, kitchen sink.....

For the rides where you must "stow your bag" - is that in a locker? Is there any sort of small bag that they will allow you to keep on your person (fanny pack, etc)? I'll admit I don't know what rides require stowing bags so perhaps he would be too young/afraid to ride them in any case. Can an adult go through the line with the bags and take the "chicken exit" and wait for us to get off?

Is there a "GAC" type card that will allow us to keep his supplies with us?

I am thinking of staying on-site to get the FOTL access because it will be around the 4th of July when we go - very hot and crowded I would guess. If I stay one night do I get one day or two days FOTL? It seems crazy expensive to buy the FOTL special tickets - even at Universal's $300+ a night hotel prices doing the hotel is about the same price! Am I missing something there? I don't know Universal at all so I really want the FOTL so we can just do it and get out of the heat and not worry about getting here or there.

There is no GAC to allow you to keep a bag with you. I have been allowed to keep a small fanny pack on. Basically we don't ride the rides that require you to stow your bag in a locker. Bags have to be left with a non rider or stowed in a locker. Either way it could be awhile before you get to your bag and get what you need.

Staying at a Universal hotel will get you two days worth of FOTL. Check in day and check out day.

 

[Selket]

I've been reading through the Universal boards but found only one reference to staying one night and getting two days FOTL - is why I asked.

Hmmm...the bag issue is a problem. We might be able to split enough of his stuff up into our pockets....I assume cargo shorts with stuffed pockets are allowed.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[evieg1983]

We were allow to carry a small fanny pack containing eppi pen, that was all we needed as a just in case.

 

[Schmeck]

Is there some reason you don't feel comfortable leaving most of the supplies in the locker, and checking his blood sugar before a ride/bringing the epipen in a pocket? You're not going to be able to check his blood sugar during the ride, are you? If you have a glucose tab in your pocket, the epipen too, and check his sugar level before you enter the queue, what more would you be doing on the attraction?

 

[Selket]

Is there some reason you don't feel comfortable leaving most of the supplies in the locker, and checking his blood sugar before a ride/bringing the epipen in a pocket? You're not going to be able to check his blood sugar during the ride, are you? If you have a glucose tab in your pocket, the epipen too, and check his sugar level before you enter the queue, what more would you be doing on the attraction?

Well I don't have a sense of where the lockers are in the queue area - at the beginning or just before you actually put yourself onto the ride. I know we've been on some rides that have gotten stuck (ones like Buzz Lightyear at WDW) and we sit there awhile. He is on a CGMS so having the test kit is less a necessity than the emergency glucose, epi-pen and glucagon. Those things I can get into pockets between the two of us but it would be easier to have it in a small fanny pack. He already wears two packs on his belt for his pump and cgms receiver but nothing else can fit there.

 

[livndisney]

Well I don't have a sense of where the lockers are in the queue area - at the beginning or just before you actually put yourself onto the ride. I know we've been on some rides that have gotten stuck (ones like Buzz Lightyear at WDW) and we sit there awhile. He is on a CGMS so having the test kit is less a necessity than the emergency glucose, epi-pen and glucagon. Those things I can get into pockets between the two of us but it would be easier to have it in a small fanny pack. He already wears two packs on his belt for his pump and cgms receiver but nothing else can fit there.

The lockers are outside the lines. You would have to put you items in a locker then enter the line, ride the ride, exit thru the gift shop and return to the locker area.