What to Bring to Universal Studios Orlando (Must-Haves & Bag Policy) (2024)

My daughter Rebecca and I just came back from our first visit to Universal Studios in Orlando. As usual, I did some right and some things not-so-right, so I thought my first post about the trip should be about what to pack and what to bring into the parks.

I'm not going to include a complete packing list of very basic vacation packing, like toothpaste, bathing suits, and underwear, but rather items you should have for theme parks in general, and Universal specifically.

You'll also learn what to bring into the parks, why the answer is somewhat different than what you should bring into the Disney parks, and what to wear depending on the season.

What to Bring into the Parks

Before I give you a long list of what you should put in your Universal Park backpack, let me start out by saying:

*Don't* bring a backpack into the Universal Parks.

That may sound crazy at best and impossible at worst (especially if you're going with young children, which I did not), so I'll modify if to say:

Bring as little into the Universal parks with you as possible, and avoid bringing a bag if you can.

Why?

Before I answer that, let's look specific at the Universal Studios bag policy:

Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood Bag Policy (from their conditions of entry and policies and restrictions)

All bags, backpacks, purses, packages and items are subject to X-ray and/or additional inspection prior to entering CityWalk or the Theme Park(s)
NO suitcases and bags with wheels
NO hard-sided coolers
NO soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide X 6″ high X 6″ deep

So back to my question: Why should you avoid bringing a bag into the Universal parks?

Because one of the differences between Universal and Disney is that many of the thrill rides at Universal require you to put your bag/backpack/whatever in a locker.

The first day I brought a small backpack and it was kind of annoying to walk up to the ride, be told I had to put my bag in a locker, go get a locker, go back to the ride, then get off the ride, walk back to the lockers.

Person with Loungefly mini backpack — *I love this **Loungefly mini backpack**, but it was a pain to keep having to put it into lockers*

Plus if you do what I did and think, "Oh, this next ride is right over here; I'll just ride this too and then go get my backpack," you'll be charged $3 when you do go back to the locker. You're only allowed too store your stuff in a free locker for the duration of one ride.

Even worse, if your backpack is any bigger than mine, you won't even be able to fit it into the free lockers, and will have to pay for a locker regardless.

Locker Sizes at Universal Studios

The standard-sized lockers that are while you ride are 14 by 5.5 by 16.9 inches.

If your bag or backpack won't fit in those, you can pay to rent a larger locker that is 12 by 13 by 16.9 inches.

Rides Where Bags are Prohibited:

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Revenge of the Mummy
Men in Black Alien Attack
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

For the first 3 rides listed above, everything but your park ticket must be put in a locker. You'll actually go through a metal detector before you enter the queue.

For the last 5 rides on this list, you can have, say, your cell phone in your pocket. It's also possible -- although not guaranteed -- that they'll let you on with a fanny pack.

So ... all that to say that, if you can possibly pull it off, bring nothing into the park except for:

Hotel room key (not just for obvious reason, but also because you'll need to show it for earl park admission if you're staying on-site
Cell phone (you'll want this for checking wait times for rides, placing mobile orders for food, and, of course, taking fun photos to instantly post on social media
Credit cards
Park ticket

Some people like to wear a lanyard like this one to easy keep their cards handy without needing a bag or wallet.

Marvel Comic Book Lanyard Magical Wizard Lanyard with ID Badge Holder (2 Pack)Harry Potter Hedwig ID Lanyard Badge Holder

So here's a fun story of what not to do:

I got all cocky that my park ticket was on my phone and I could use my resort key to buy things, and thought, "Ha! I don't even need my wallet at all!"

Well, I almost was sent back to our hotel at rope drop the first morning because they needed my ID for me to pick up my Express Pass.

No, I didn't even have a photo of it on my phone.

Yes, that was super dumb of me.

Fortunately, they reluctantly let me in because I was able to tell them my address and phone number. (And probably because they could see how panic-y I was getting.

Then when I entered the park, the little machine couldn't register my fingerprint for some reason, and the ~~cast~~ team member said, "Okay, I'll just need to see your ID."

So for the second time in 10 minutes, I had to say, "Uh .. duh ... I don't have my ID."

Fortunately, they let me in and just told me to bring it next time.

So yes -- bring your ID and your credit card, just in case!

Pro Tip:
If you stay in a Universal Resort Hotel, you can have stuff that you buy in the gift shops sent back to your hotel so you don't have to carry a bag around all day.

However, it takes about 2-3 days for it to arrive. If your vacation ends before then, ask if you can pick it up at the big Universal Studio Store in CitiWalk, just outside the parks.

Okay ... so now that I've just told you to bring almost nothing into the parks ... here's my list of what you should bring into the parks.

Comfortable Shoes

Be prepared for a lot of walking. (We clocked in at about 9 miles each day).

I suggest you visit my post on the most comfortable shoes for Disney World for a really deep dive on great shoe options, but I'll give you some brief tips here as well.

My daughter Rebecca (who, as you can see, is extremely stylish and into punk rock) was excited to be wearing her new Doc Martens combat boots on our trip, but she ended up with blisters on her feet.

So don't wear those. (Not that you were going to.)

I normally wear Merrell sandals when I go to Disney World. No, they're not the cutest things in the world, but they're comfortable, go decently with either shorts or a sundress, and I like not having to worry about sweaty or soggy socks.

If you want a cuter (and less expensive) sandal, I would recommend the Sanuk Yoga Sling. They're very popular among female theme park travelers. Unfortunately, my feet just say, "Nope!" whenever I try them, which is unfortunate, because I do like how they look.

On our Universal trip, I brought my Merrells as usual. However, since it was both cold and rainy, and I knew that my feet would be unhappy in sandals.

Instead, I wore my Bob sneakers, which I'd worn on the drive down to Florida, simply because they were the other only shoes I had with me.

And I'm happy to report that they were quite comfortable and held up well to 9 miles of walking. I particularly liked how lightweight they were for a sneaker.

Sanuk Women's Yoga Sling 2 Flip Flop Merrell Women's Slide Sandal Skechers BOBS Women's Party Sneaker

Pro Tip:
Since a lot of packing includes clothing choices, check out my post on What to Wear to Universal Studios.

Portable phone charger

While Rebecca's phone battery just barely lasted the entire day, mine did not. (She told me that was because I kept getting on Facebook while we were on line.) Having no phone access is a Bad Thing, so make sure you bring a portable charger if you think there's any possibility that you'll need it.

Reusable water bottle

People often ask if you can bring a Hydroflask into the parks, and the answer is yes. You can refill them at the park water fountains.

Again, since space and the size of your bag is a bit of an issue at Universal, you might want to check out these collapsible silicone water bottles that won't be as bulky.

Small snacks

I'm one of those ~~annoying~~ people who regularly does Intermittent Fasting (yes, even while on vacation), and I can easily go at least four hours at the parks without eating anything.

However, most normal people don't wish to do this, so you'll probably want to pack your own food in case you get hungry while waiting in line.

If you really want to go all-out and pack your own lunch in a small cooler, check out my post on the best soft coolers for theme parks.

Some ideas for snacks include:

Chips
Granola Bars
Crackers
Trail Mix
Yogurt
Fruit Roll-Ups
Cookies
Carrot & cucumber sticks
Raisins & other dried fruit
Apples
Bananas
Rice cakes
Beef jerky
Applesauce Packs (don't forget to pack spoons!)

Wet Wipes

You'll need these after eating al the applesauce and chips. Bring extra if you have kids.

Change of Clothes

This may seem like crazy overkill -- and frankly, I rarely do it myself -- BUT there is a lot of "wet stuff" at Islands of Adventure. (And if you ride Jurassic Park River Adventure, you're guaranteed to get good and wet.)

If you know that you (and/or your kids) will be unhappy walking around in wet clothes, then pack some extras -- or at least extra socks.

Plastic Bags

This is for holding your granola bar wrappers, used wet wipes, and wet clothes.

Hand Sanitizer

Even if you have pack lots of wet wipes, I still think hand sanitizer is good to have on hand, especially in a place where there are tons of people and you'll eventually be eating.

Lip Balm

Whether it's from the wind or the heat, your lips might get chapped from being outside in the Florida weather all day. It can also protect your lips from the sun. Here's a good lip balm with SPF that my dermatologist recommended.

Sunscreen

I have skin that is extremely sun sensitive. Here are the ones my dermatologist recommended:

EltaMD UV Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Blue Lizard Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Sunglasses and/or a Hat

This wasn't an issue for us since we barely saw the sun during our entire trip, but normally you'll want at least one of these.

Rain poncho, rain jacket, or umbrella

Yes, you can bring an umbrella to the parks, and we saw several people using them. In fact, I kinda wished that I had one instead of these disposable ponchos, which are not only annoying, but still allowed my arms to get all wet.

You can read about good travel umbrella options here.

Travel-Size First Aid Kit

This is something else that I never pack myself, but a lot of people recommend it, and sure, it sounds smart.

This one is very highly rated and is waterproof. Even if you don't bring it to Universal, it's probably not a bad idea to keep in the car for Life in General, especially if you family does a lot of outdoorsy things. Among other things, it contains cotton gauze, cotton swabs, an emergency blanket, a whistle, tweezer, and bandages of various shapes and sizes.

Even though I never pack a first aid kit, I do always bring a pain killer, though, which I would particularly recommend if you're planning on riding The Incredible Hulk Coaster. And Band-aids are easy to pack and might come in handy, especially if your daughter wears their Doc Marten combat boots and later asks you for a band-aid for her feet.

Motion Sickness Medication

These's a lot of rides at Universal that can make you motion sick, which is why my husband did not come with us on this trip. Bring this if you think you might need it. You know who you are.

Prohibited Items at the Parks

Here's what you can't bring into the park, courtesy of UnderCover Tourist:

Glassware or glass containers
Open containers or drinks containing alcohol
Hard-sided coolers
Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep
Picnic lunches, or any food that requires heating or refrigeration
Folding chairs
Any type of explosive, weapon, item that can be used as a weapon or has the appearance of a weapon
Marijuana, or any item containing cannabis or related paraphernalia
Illegal items or substances
Clothing likely to create a danger, incite a disturbance or displaying offensive language or content
Clothing or accessories that represent someone as emergency personnel
Power-driven devices such as Segways (ADA mobility devices are fine), hoverboards, drones or any other radio frequency-controlled device
Selfie sticks are permitted at Universal’s discretion but must be properly secured and not in use on any rides or attractions
Any other items Universal personnel deem to be inappropriate, disruptive or harmful

What to Pack for the Winter Months

Orlando can be surprisingly cold in the winter, especially in the evenings.

Our trip was during the week of Thanksgiving, and we wore long pants and jackets the entire time. One evening I wore ear muffs and two shirts, plus a jacket, which Rebecca wore two pairs of pants and a warm hat. You might not have the same experience, but definitely be prepared for cold weather and bring clothes that you can layer!

The Simpsons Men's Hoodie Lisa Simpsons Long Sleeve Shirt Marvel Avengers Boys’ Pullover Hoodie Marvel Spider-Man Toddler Boys Fleece

What to Pack for the Summer Months

It's not a bad idea to bring a light jacket (especially one that's good for rain) even during the summer.

However, for the most part, your main concern will probably be how to stay cool. Instead of making this post longer than it needs to be, I'll refer you to some other posts I've already written. Even though they're about Disney World, the same principles apply.

FAQs -- Packing for Universal Studios

Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to bring to Universal Studios:

Do you need a backpack at Universal?

Technically, no you do not need a backpack at Universal Studios. You could put your ID and phone in your pocket and be good to go.

However, most people have something additional they want to bring into the parks, whether it's sunscreen, water, or things that their kids need.

If you really need a bag, a small backpack or fanny pack is best.

(Don't worry, fanny packs are less icky these days than they used to be, and some are actually pretty fashionable.)

Are fanny packs allowed on rides at Universal Studios?

Yes, you can wear a fanny pack on almost every ride at Universal Studios.

The Incredible Hulk, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Velocicoaster will not allow any items on the ride, including cell phones or fanny packs. There are free lockers nearby for storing those items.

How big are the free lockers at Universal?

Free lockers that 9.5” wide x 11.5” high x 17” deep are outside certain attractions and are available for a limited amount of time while you ride.

What do you do with your backpack while on rides at Universal?

For most rides, you can put your backpack down by your feet.

However, there are several thrill rides that don't allow backpacks. For those, you'll need to store your backpack in a free standard-sized locker, which is 14 by 5.5 by 16.9 inches.

If your backpack doesn't fit in the standard-sized locker, you can pay to store it in a larger locker.

Can you bring outside food into Universal Studios?

Yes, you can bring food and drinks into the Universal Studios parks, although there are some limitations.

Bottled water up to 2 liters, small snack, food required for special dietary needs or medical needs, baby food and formula, and soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep are all allowed.

You can't bring alcohol (or marijuana), glass containers, open containers, large coolers, hard-sided coolers, or anything with wheels attached.

**What can you not wear at Universal?**

Universal guests must be fully clothed, including shoes and shirts. Coverings that fully or partially obscure a person's face aren't allowed, unless it's required by Universal or for religious or medical reasons.

Can I wear jeans to Universal Studios?

Sure, you can wear jeans to Universal Studios. I did, and it was fine. But depending on the weather, jeans might not be very comfortable. You might want to consider shorts, a sundress, or even leggings instead.