Whatever you do, don't carry a bag to Universal Studios!

[Kivara]

Thanks Molly...if I could've liked your post 5 more times I would have

 

[jsmla]

I was at US/IOA last week and wore a small (money, ticket, credit card, ID, phone and a power pack/cord barely fit) Dakine fanny pack with a three prong closure on everything but Rip Ride Rockit and Dragon Challenge. Hulk was closed. No one ever said a thing or even gave it a second glance.

Maybe it just wasn't all that busy but I found the locker process simple and quick.

 

[macraven]

3 prong clasped bags are acceptable on rides except for the certain coasters are

 

[Yumi696]

I'm a chronic overpacker and I can't imagine not taking at least a small purse to a theme park... I have my must haves (camera, phone, portable charger, tissues, hand sanitizer, wallet, glasses...)

Ahhh how am I gonna deal with this???

 

[macraven]

use the lockers and you can still have your purse/belongings with you.

some rides it is not an issue to have a bag/purse with you on it.

 

[snoopboop]

I'm a chronic overpacker and I can't imagine not taking at least a small purse to a theme park... I have my must haves (camera, phone, portable charger, tissues, hand sanitizer, wallet, glasses...)

Ahhh how am I gonna deal with this???

I always carry a drawstring backpack in the parks. I carry all of the items you mentioned and more. It really is not a huge deal to use the lockers. Seriously.

 

[zbsigpi]

We bring a Camelback with us every time we go (holds everything needed including our cocktail, LOL) and we do not find it a hassle to use the lockers, but to each their own.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm a chronic overpacker and I can't imagine not taking at least a small purse to a theme park... I have my must haves (camera, phone, portable charger, tissues, hand sanitizer, wallet, glasses...)

Ahhh how am I gonna deal with this???

Take the bag on the majority of rides.

On the relatively few rides that require a locker, use them.

Have a lanyard to put your ticket, and express pass if that's relevant.

Follow the tips for using the lockers.

Have fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

The original post is from 2007. Things have changed. Signage had changed (remember that the OP somehow didn't know about locker use as she went to the line). Etc.

We shouldn't even be using this thread because the post is so old.

Listen to what people THIS year, who have used lockers many times, are saying. Don't take advice from 2007.

 

[Yumi696]

Thanks everyone!

Is there a definitive list of rides we can't bring stuff on? Escape From Gringotts and Rip Ride Rockit are the only ones I can think of on the USF side.

 

[macraven]

The original post is from 2007. Things have changed. Signage had changed (remember that the OP somehow didn't know about locker use as she went to the line). Etc.

We shouldn't even be using this thread because the post is so old.

Listen to what people THIS year, who have used lockers many times, are saying. Don't take advice from 2007.

Only the first two pages are from that date Molly
2007 when the lockers were new to many

Half of the stuff from page 3 to now is all current

It's still a good read and after reading thru it all, still a valid thread to help others

When I edit threads, I try to keep them intact so all can be helped by them

 

[Kivara]

Is there a definitive list of rides we can't bring stuff on? Escape From Gringotts and Rip Ride Rockit are the only ones I can think of on the USF side.

I'll try to do this off the top of my head

IoA:
Nothing but a lanyard and glasses:
Hulk
Dragon Challange

Lockers for bag rides (do not have to empty pockets):
Forbidden Journey
Spider-Man? (we do child swap, so I can't remember)

There are lockers near the water rides, but these are optional, so they are pay lockers.

US:
Nothing but lanyards and glasses:
RRR (Rip Ride Rocket)

Lockers for bags:
Gringotts
MIB
Mummy

 

[snoopboop]

I'll try to do this off the top of my head

IoA:

Lockers for bag rides (do not have to empty pockets):
Forbidden Journey
Spider-Man? (we do child swap, so I can't remember)

Spider-Man is like Transformers, in that is has a spot near your feet for your bag. No lockers for Spider-Man.

 

[bumbershoot]

Only the first two pages are from that date Molly
2007 when the lockers were new to many

Half of the stuff from page 3 to now is all current

It's still a good read and after reading thru it all, still a valid thread to help others

When I edit threads, I try to keep them intact so all can be helped by them

Ah mac, but you have to know that there are FEW people who read all of a thread. And there's no way of knowing if someone has read the whole thing. Many MANY people read the first bit and then charge in.

And someone reading the last 2 pages or so of this one but still worrying about it...well...I have to wonder if they've read the last 2 pages at all.

 

[macraven]

I guess then we are the rare ones that do read threads before posting

 

[schumigirl]

I guess then we are the rare ones that do read threads before posting

This is quite a helpful thread regardless of the first couple of pages. I think most of us read all the info on threads usually........

Heck, you can answer any question with one post and someone will come back and ask it again........

Some folks you just can't help sometimes........I had someone doubt me when I told them I wear a waist pack on The Mummy..........even when someone else said the same thing.........

 

[2manydaves]

Was there last week, and while the crowds were not heavy, the cluster at the lockers (particularly for WWOHP rides) was ridiculous. We found them much more manageable late in the evenings, but even then it felt like walking into Wal-Mart. Groups of 10 standing in a huddle while one person takes five minutes to figure out how to access the locker and put stuff in it, multiple people not understanding how to retrieve their items / forgetting their locker number, shoving, cutting line, etc.

There HAS to be a better way for Universal to manage stowing items.

 

[cheshireqt]

Do not take bags! We do not take bags in with one exception: when our children were young DH would take a camelbac filled with water, and with raincoats, sunscreen, bandaids stuffed into the pocket of it - especially those trips in August. Since then we wear shorts with pockets that button and lanyards that can hold cell phone and cards and can be tucked in under a shirt.

Went with a friend this Spring to Universal had a great time and would do it again - but the bag thing was super irritating. She had not ever been to Disney or Universal - which she now regrets not ever doing with her kids. Told her over and over to not bring her big ol purse into the parks, gave her a lanyard, which she refused, begged her to get a fanny pack - nope. The only thing I saw her ever take out of the purse was her paper for entrance and a mint/gum after lunches. Her room key and cash were in her pocket.

Maybe it was when we were there, or maybe it is because I am not used to dealing with lockers, but it was a HUGE pain all four days we were there. We lost time with security going in during the all important 1 hr early admittance, waited for lockers over and over again, people got huffy while she tried to stuff her big ol bag into the narrow locker -especially if she was blocking their access to their locker, sometimes we would forget what locker was hers and would wait in a line where people would get huffy when we used the keypad to find out, people would stand in clumps of six -10 people blocking the keypads and/or lockers which made us huffy, and finally we missed out on last ride of forbidden journey on our last day there. It was still open and we could go in but by the time she got a locker and joined me TWELVE FULL MINUTES LATER they had closed the line for the day. Don't do it!

If we go again will buy her three prong fanny pack like what a previous poster said works and make it a condition of the trip!

 

[Disxuni]

To be honest, I haven't read every single page, but I have read parts of this topic. A lot of people seem to have a yes and no type of response, however, instead I'm going to just give advice on both ends of the spectrum and not speak my preference even though I have one.

If you're not bringing bags: Make sure you have not that many items on you. The more items you have, the more you're likely to possibly leave something behind if you do happen to go on a thrill ride that requires you to put your items into a locker (because as it's been previously stated you have to put ALL items ON YOU into a locker on some rides). As others have suggested, if you can, try to bring your tickets and EP in lanyards, perhaps even think about putting your ID, or other cards you might need in it as well and cash, but only if you can fit it all, if not, that's what wallets are for. I recommend double checking your pockets as your leaving your seat (whether ride, or show) and/or before you close your locker, as to make sure you have all your items on you.

If you are bringing bags: Honestly, as with if you did not have a bag, if you have a bag, I feel as if the best route is to have something small, or light, meaning not that many items on you still. Bring what you think you honestly need, as it would be easier to put in the locker, easier to on your body, and easier to keep track of the items. However, if you have an item that is too big for the locker, or a bag that is too huge for it, you can always leave your bag, or item with someone and do the child swap method (only it's bag swap I guess). That would be a plus, as that way you don't have to deal with the crowds trying to get a locker.

Advice on lockers in general... Do it first thing in the morning while the crowd is light, or when things have slowed down at night (hey, that rhymed, it can be a motto). If you don't have the time to plan accordingly of doing locker needed rides first thing, or at night, just make sure it's a low wait time and I mean low, as even if the wait (for the ride) doesn't seem that bad, the struggle to get a locker might be intense. If it's really low, it's the best time to go (oops, I did it again). Also, repeat your locker number out loud several times to yourself to remember.

I'm sure I forgot a few pointers and in the end, I have a preference which I won't get into, but honestly, I think if you know how to work the system you can enjoy the park whether you use a bag, or not. It's mainly about timing, because honestly, it's the question of how many times you use the locker, because either way you have to do it if you're a thrill seeker.

 

[tortilla24]

Do not take bags! We do not take bags in with one exception: when our children were young DH would take a camelbac filled with water, and with raincoats, sunscreen, bandaids stuffed into the pocket of it - especially those trips in August. Since then we wear shorts with pockets that button and lanyards that can hold cell phone and cards and can be tucked in under a shirt.

Do you mind sharing which lanyards you use? Looking for ones that can hold smartphones! Thank you in advance