Word of Advice just back

[mullysisters]

I used the lockers in the castle to store my backpack for Harry Potter castle ride. My finger was scanned and I put my backpack in. When I finished the ride I went through the hundreds of riders to get my stuff. After waiting my turn my "fingerprint" access was rejected. I tried it three times then was asked to let some else try. I went to find a staff member and began what eventually became 30 minutes of trying to get help. The staff were surly and kept trying to leave to help others. Was I upset and anxious? Well, yes, it was quite crowded and pushy in the locker room.
Finally a staff member came to help me. He said "you have a picture of yourself in your backpack do you?" I said " no, why would I? I left my passport at Disney along with other important stuff"
Thus began my 30 minute wait for security to come and grill me about my backpack and its contents (nothing valuable). I almost left it there.
An hour after I arrived at the castle they finally gave me my gear.
NEXT TIME I will wear everything I need in a "waist safe", the thin kind that can go under your clothes. I don't know if this has ever happened to anyone else but I was embarrassed, tired and somewhat behind in my plans for the day.
I had another rejection at another locker later in the day but a staff member was able to sort it out right away .

 

[damo]

The forums here recommend a waist pack or cargo pants to help you avoid the lockers. Sorry to hear about how long it took to get help. We've had an issue (as have many others... the technology is far from perfect) but it was resolved quickly. They do have to grill you about the contents, though, because anyone could have seen you put the bag in and then claimed it was theirs. They were just protecting you.

You should always bring some photo ID with you of some sort. I don't like to carry my passport with me in the parks but I do have a driver's license with me.

Hope you had good weather. Nice to get away from our Ontario storms for a bit. This winter has been crazy in Ontario!!!

 

[PammyK]

II know it wasn't a great experience for you but thanks for sharing a valuable lesson.

It is always a good idea to carry some sort of official photo ID when not at home. Here in the USA, that will usually be our state issued driver's license or similar state issued ID for non-drivers.

This is valuable for so many reasons. Some examples:

• Credit card issues requiring the presentation of ID to verify that you are the cardholder
• At Universal, as a back up if your finger scan isn't working for park admission
• If you suffer an illness or injury that prevents you from communicating, having a photo ID on you gives those trying to assist you a starting point to contact your friends/family if they are not with you.

 

[snykymom]

Are you allowed to bring something like a small cross-body bag with you? Or a wristlet?

 

[RMulieri]

Are you allowed to bring something like a small cross-body bag with you? Or a wristlet?

No.The only thing they allow on Forbidden journey is small waist packs.No crossbody or wristlets allowed, they need to be locked up.There are a couple of other rides that also prohibit bags other than waitpacks, which is why ( fashion be damned) I use a waistpack or cargo shorts at Universal

 

[LaurenT]

Does anyone know a good brand for a small waist pack? I have a 28" waist and it seems the ones I'm looking at will fall off of me even at their tightest....

 

[Planogirl]

I think that the locker area at WWoHP is a mess. It's too crowded and I imagine that the TM's are driven pretty crazy by the milling around and locker problems.

I had a problem with one of the lockers at MIB once. Luckily a couple of park visitors helped me out. The thing refused to recognize me but they made some helpful suggestions on how to get it to cooperate and it finally did.

 

[Metro West]

It is always a good idea to carry some sort of official photo ID when not at home. Here in the USA, that will usually be our state issued driver's license or similar state issued ID for non-drivers.

This is valuable for so many reasons. Some examples:

• Credit card issues requiring the presentation of ID to verify that you are the cardholder
• At Universal, as a back up if your finger scan isn't working for park admission
• If you suffer an illness or injury that prevents you from communicating, having a photo ID on you gives those trying to assist you a starting point to contact your friends/family if they are not with you.

That's great advice...always have an ID on you. You never know what might happen.

I have problems with the gate scanners sometimes because my prints are light...I have the same problem with the scanners at work sometimes. You just deal with it and move on.

Cargo shorts or renting a family locker if you carry a backpack is the way to go.

 

[damo]

Does anyone know a good brand for a small waist pack? I have a 28" waist and it seems the ones I'm looking at will fall off of me even at their tightest....

I use the Kipling convertible. It has a strap that stores in the back when you just want to use it as a cross body.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

If you are trying to open your locker and it says "No Match Found", wipe off the scanner and your finger, go through the process again- but this time instead of typing in your locker number, press "Forgot Locker Number" on the screen. For some reason this can work better.

Also, make sure you get your belongings in as quickly as possible; if you hold the door open too long it will disable the locker. This means when you go to retrieve your belongings, it will say something like: "Your locker has been been disabled. Please see an attendant". You will have to find a locker attendant to enable it.

 

[bumbershoot]

II know it wasn't a great experience for you but thanks for sharing a valuable lesson.

It is always a good idea to carry some sort of official photo ID when not at home. Here in the USA, that will usually be our state issued driver's license or similar state issued ID for non-drivers.

This is valuable for so many reasons. Some examples:

• Credit card issues requiring the presentation of ID to verify that you are the cardholder
• At Universal, as a back up if your finger scan isn't working for park admission
• If you suffer an illness or injury that prevents you from communicating, having a photo ID on you gives those trying to assist you a starting point to contact your friends/family if they are not with you.

Absolutely.


OP if it happens in the future, look for an attendant earlier. We needed help at MIB once and found an attendant almost immediately. Lowered our stress because we fixed it faster.

We had IDs and express passes etc in our lanyards, and they wanted us to have an ID in the bag. Uhhhh, no. However, I had my camera in the bag in the locker, and I knew that we had taken a picture of DS that day. So I showed the TM that picture and all was well.

I am GLAD that they make you prove it!

 

[LaurenT]

I use the Kipling convertible. It has a strap that stores in the back when you just want to use it as a cross body.

Thanks, they look nice....
But there's a review on Amazon from someone with a 30" waist who says the bag is too loose on her even when tightened as far as it will go...
I wish they'd make these things in different sizes!

 

[damo]

Thanks, they look nice....
But there's a review on Amazon from someone with a 30" waist who says the bag is too loose on her even when tightened as far as it will go...
I wish they'd make these things in different sizes!

My waist is about 24 and there is still room for me to tighten it up. If you look here you can see how it is very adjustable. I like the bag to hang down on my hips a bit, and I have no issues with this bag at all.

If it is still too big, you could do a bit of alterations on it. There is room on both sides of the belt to cut the belt down and restitch it. Any alterations place would be able to do this, or if you can sew a straight seam, you can easily do it yourself. It is a very short and quick job.

I may have given you the wrong name. It is the Kipling Multiple Convertible that I like...not the Kipling Convertible.

 

[snoopboop]

I'd rather have the team members be overzealous in their quest to verify that you are the actual owner of the items... Otherwise, as a previous poster stated, ANYONE could watch you place your belongings in the locker, then go up to a TM and identify the OUTSIDE of the bag... and take all of your stuff home with them!!! While I understand that this was a frustrating experience, hopefully you understand WHY they need to be so thorough.

 

[schumigirl]

It is the Kipling Multiple Convertible that I like...not the Kipling Convertible.

I have the Kipling multiple and love it. It`s ideal for carrying everything I need for the park.

 

[Tinachichi]

We too have encountered the dreaded fingerprint problem at least once every trip. I make a copy of either my passport or drivers license and tuck it in whatever backpack, purse, whatever and that solves the problem without carrying the real deal.

 

[mullysisters]

Thanks to all for your support and suggestions. Yes they should be careful. My phone was in my pack and I told them I could ID all of my speed dials/photos of others but that wasn't enough?
Next time I'll know, it was rough at the moment but live and learn.
Photocopies of passport and DL is an excellent idea!

 

[heidijanesmith]

I use this bag:

It's pretty stylish for a fanny pack. Kept my items dry during/after all the water rides at US/IOA and WDW. Plenty of pockets outside for easy access, but small enough to be able to go with me on all the US/IOA rides.

The strap is very adjustable, for smaller and larger waist people. My DD uses is and she is a size 2, I use it and I am a size 14.

http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/...topnav_luggage_&parentPage=family&cid=1058263

 

[southie_chick]

Does anyone know a good brand for a small waist pack? I have a 28" waist and it seems the ones I'm looking at will fall off of me even at their tightest....

My waist is abouth the same size, & I've been using a Jansport waist pack for about 10 years - you can get them at The Sports Authority & REI.

 

[southie_chick]

Thanks to all for your support and suggestions. Yes they should be careful. My phone was in my pack and I told them I could ID all of my speed dials/photos of others but that wasn't enough?
Next time I'll know, it was rough at the moment but live and learn.
Photocopies of passport and DL is an excellent idea!

Too bad you just didn't give them the number to the cell phone & have them dial it - that might have help identify it.