What to pack for Universal Studios

If you’re planning a Universal vacation and trying to figure out what to pack, I’ve got you covered. The short version: bring a small bag, the Universal app, a refillable water bottle, a power bank, and a poncho. Add sunscreen, motion sickness medicine, and comfortable shoes you’ve already broken in.

Maybe you’re wondering what to wear at Universal, and we’ll go over that too. We have a complete Universal Orlando Planning Guide to check out when you’re done here!

Universal packing list at a glance

• The Universal Orlando app on your phone
• A small bag or hip bag
• A refillable water bottle
• A power bank
• A poncho
• Motion sickness medicine or a wristband
• Bandaids
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• A light jacket for winter mornings
• Comfortable shoes you have already broken in

Work with a Universal Travel Agent

Hi there, I’m Amy. I’m a top-selling Travel Agent, Universal Annual Passholder, Florida Resident, and mom of the Florida Travel with Kids-kids. I love planning Universal and Disney vacations, so contact me today if you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to turn the work over to a pro!

Do I need a rental car in Orlando?

If you want a car for your Universal vacation, I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. They offer the best rates, whether you’re flying into Orlando or Sanford.

Sadly, they do not have flying cars, but you don’t pay until arrival, so if you find a flying car elsewhere, you can cancel anytime. Don’t forget to check out Universal Orlando hacks after you’ve finished this post.

What to bring to Universal

Now that we’ve covered rental cars, let’s get to what to pack for Universal.

What to pack for the hotel

Whether flying or driving to Orlando, you’ll need to bring a few things for your hotel that you won’t necessarily need in your park bag.

Clothes

I won’t be listing clothes because you know the needs of your individual family. However, I would recommend bringing extra clothes for kids or planning to wash clothes during your vacation. All of the Universal hotels have onsite laundry, so pack a little lighter if you plan to utilize those facilities.

However, know that Universal Orlando has several water rides along with lots of water features. Those can be tempting on a hot day, so bring extra clothes (AND SOCKS!) because your kids might need them.

Snacks

Keeping extra snacks in your hotel room is always a good idea. Most rooms will have mini-fridges (although they are technically “drink coolers.”) Some even have kitchenettes.

I like to stop at Sprouts or Target and grab snacks, coffee creamer, and breakfast items for our family.

Are you wondering which hotels offer a kitchenette? Both Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside offer 2-bedroom suites, and Cabana Bay offers both family suites with a kitchenette and a 2-bedroom option. Check out our review of Surfside here, along with videos for both the resort and 2-bedroom suite!

Outlet Extender

Bringing an outlet extender is always a good idea if you have multiple devices to charge.

Should I stay at a Universal Resort?

I always recommend staying onsite at Universal if possible. The early park admission, free transportation, and easy access to the parks are worth it. Plus, some of the Universal hotels are surprisingly economical!

If you don’t have your hotel stay booked yet, you can check out prices for your dates at:

• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay
• Sapphire Falls Resort
• Loews Royal Pacific
• Aventura Hotel
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal Endless Summer Resorts – Dockside Inn and Suites
• Universal Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn and Suites
• Universal Stella Nova Resort
• Universal Terra Luna Resort
• Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Remember that you’ll get a free Express Pass if you stay at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, or Loews Royal Pacific.

If you’re visiting during the summer, holidays, or spring break, that Express Pass will be handy. It works at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for your whole stay. It does not work at Epic Universe or Volcano Bay.

What to pack for a day at Universal

Here are things to bring in your park bag for Universal. If you want to know the best bags for Universal, we have a post about that too!

Universal Orlando App

While this isn’t an item you put in your bag, you’ll need to have this on your phone. You can even attach a credit or debit card and pay through the app. The Universal app can be used for many things, from mobile orders to checking wait times and directions around the parks.

Backpack/hip bag

The very first thing you should pack for Universal is a small bag. If you don’t need to carry much around the park, I’d recommend a hip bag/fanny bag.

A hip bag works on many rides, but not all. The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Stardust Racers at Epic Universe have metal detectors. On those three, you must put everything in a locker first, including hip bags and phones.

Rides like Revenge of the Mummy, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and both Harry Potter dark rides also require loose items to be in a locker. A small hip bag is usually allowed on these if it doesn’t interfere with the ride restraint. 

Speaking of roller coasters, don’t miss the 10 best thrill rides at Universal.

That said, I realize that most people need to carry more than a hip bag. For that reason, I recommend a small backpack. Loungefly backpacks are the best (I have several!) and fit perfectly in the free lockers.

 If you have a large bag, you’ll need a paid locker or a non-rider to hold it. Standard ride lockers are free for a set window based on the ride’s wait time.

Water Bottle

It gets hot at Universal, and bottled water is expensive and wasteful. You can get free cups of water, but they are small, and I feel bad throwing away all that plastic, so bringing a reusable water bottle is a better option.

We typically bring our Hydroflasks (decked out in Harry Potter stickers), but lately, I’ve been bringing my Berkey Water Bottle instead.

No matter what type of water bottle you bring, you can fill it up for free at the Coca-Cola stations (water and ice are always free). These are far better than the lukewarm water fountains around the park.

Any quick service restaurant at Universal will also give you a free cup of ice water. Epic Universe also has bottle refill stations in every land, and many of them are by the restrooms.

Motion Sickness Medicine

This could be the #1 thing to pack for Universal, and I used to always forget it. Universal has many 3-D rides, and you might get sick if you’re prone to motion sickness.

I find the worst rides for motion sickness are:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Fortunately, I found something that is a GAME CHANGER for motion sickness: the Emeterm wristband. These bands use TENS technology (it’s not just a pressure band), and it actually works! I use these on rides, boats, helicopters, and it’s the only thing that helps.

I use the green Emeterm band because it’s waterproof. The pink one (not waterproof) is cheaper and I use that too. Yes, I love it so much that I have a backup!

If you get motion sickness, try to band and/or getting some ginger pills, Dramamine, ginger chews, or whatever works for you!

Powerbank

I like to keep a power bank in my Universal bag. Universal offers FuelRods, so you can always purchase one and swap it out. You can purchase a FuelRod at Universal for $30 or buy one on Amazon for $20 before you go.

When it runs low, swap it for a charged one at any FuelRod kiosk. The FuelRod app shows the kiosk map and the current swap rules.

There are several Fuelrod locations at Universal Orlando with more being added.

The Fuel Rod locations are:

• Next to the Today Cafe (Universal Studios)
• World Expo near Men in Black (Universal Studios)
• New York by the Palace Arcade (Universal Studios)
• San Francisco by the Fast and Furious (Universal Studios)
• City Walk near guest services
• Marvel Superhero Island by the Comic Book Shop (Islands of Adventure)
• Seuss Landing by the Mulberry Street Store (Islands of Adventure)
• Jurassic Park by the Jurassic Outfitters gift shop (Islands of Adventure)

You can also use any old power bank if you don’t want to swap it out.

Poncho

It rains a lot in central Florida, especially in the summer. Bring some small, foldable ponchos if you don’t want to pay Universal prices for ponchos or an umbrella.

You can also wear a poncho on the water rides if you’d rather not get soaked. Be warned, you’ll still get soaked on Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, even in a poncho. Ask me how I know.

Bandaids

When I visit Universal, I can walk over 25,000 steps in a day. That’s a lot of steps! I recommend wearing good shoes (more on that later) but bring bandaids just in case of blisters.

Bringing a small first aid kit in your park bag might also be a good idea. Just make sure you don’t have anything sharp in there.

Tip: If you’re staying in a Universal Resort, and you should, they’ll give you bandaids if you need them. It’s still best to bring your own as you will probably need quite a few should you get a blister.

Sunscreen

If you’ll be outside all day, you’ll probably need some sunscreen. I like the “All Good” brand as it is earth-friendly and people-friendly.

You can read more about reef-safe sunscreen and why it’s so important here.

Lip balm

Lip balm is another theme park bag must-have that takes up very little space.

Snacks

There are plenty of great restaurants around Universal, and you should definitely check out several during your vacation. That said, theme park meals and snacks add up quickly.

Officially, outside food is only allowed at Universal for medical or special dietary needs, plus baby food and formula. However, I’ve never had anyone ask about my snacks.

Bottled water is always fine. If you have food allergies or celiac disease like I do, your own snacks fall under that rule.

Snacks are also great for anyone who is on a special diet. Luckily, Universal is very friendly for those with allergies or special diets. Make sure to check out where to find vegan food in Universal for vegan/dairy-free options.

A vegan reindeer brownie during the Christmas holidays at Universal.

I also have a post about gluten-free food in Universal for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances.

A jacket or sweater

I know this falls under the “what to wear at Universal” category, but you can’t wear it if you don’t pack it.

Believe it or not, Orlando isn’t always hot. In the summer, it is, but not all year. It can be chilly during the winter, especially in the mornings.

Pack a light jacket or sweater and bring it along, just in case. Even if you don’t need to bring it in your park bag, it’s good to have it at the hotel just in case.

On the bright side, a sweater or jacket is another way to wear your favorite Universal characters!

What to wear at Universal

Now that we’ve discussed what to pack for Universal let’s talk about what to wear at Universal.

Comfortable shoes

The #1 most important thing to make sure you have when considering what to wear to Universal is comfortable shoes. 

Comfortable shoes look different to everyone; for my kids and me, it’s Tevas. It can get hot in Orlando, and I don’t really want sweaty socks or, worse, wet socks, so I prefer sandals.

That is another good option if you prefer gym shoes/tennis shoes (what do you call them?).  Just make sure to choose some moisture-wicking socks.

Another important note about shoes is that a Universal vacation is not the place to test out new shoes. Ensure your shoes are comfortable and worn before walking in them all day.

Harry Potter gear

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to wear your best Harry Potter outfits. Although costumes are not technically allowed at Universal, you can wear your Harry Potter house gear, including robes.

Buying all of this Harry Potter gear at Universal would be pricey. Lucky for you, we have a post with 7 things to buy before going to the Wizarding World that goes over some things you can buy in advance to save.

We also have a post about things you should buy at Universal, such as interactive wands and more.

The interactive wands are about $55 and are an absolute must-have for Universal. Watching a wand ceremony is also a must-do at the Wizarding World.

Here is a video of Kainan getting chosen for the wand ceremony on his 11th birthday, one of his favorite Universal memories.

Other Universal gear

If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, well, I’m sad for you, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of fun at Universal for everyone.

Make sure to rock your best Jurassic Park, Minions, Simpsons, or Trolls gear instead!

By the way, you might want to check out 30 movies to watch before going to Universal to get even more excited for your Universal vacation.

What to pack for Universal FAQ

What should I pack for a day at Universal Orlando?

Bring a small bag, the Universal app on your phone, a refillable water bottle, a power bank, and a poncho. Add sunscreen, bandaids, and motion sickness medicine if anyone in your family needs it. Wear comfortable shoes you have already broken in.

Can you take a bag on rides at Universal?

Not on every ride. The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Stardust Racers have metal detectors, so everything goes in a locker. On rides like Revenge of the Mummy, a small hip bag is usually allowed if it doesn’t get in the way of the restraint.

Are lockers free at Universal Orlando?

Standard ride lockers are free for a set window based on the ride’s wait time. Large ride lockers, all-day lockers, and the lockers at the water rides cost extra.

Can you bring water into Universal Orlando?

Yes. You can bring bottled water, up to 2 liters per person. Quick service restaurants will also give you a free cup of ice water.

What should I wear to Universal Orlando?

Comfortable shoes matter most, so wear a pair you have already broken in. Dress for heat most of the year, and pack a light jacket for winter mornings.

What to pack for Universal

I hope that you enjoyed this post about what to pack for Universal. What do you bring in your park bag? Make sure to let me know in the comments. Contact me today if you’re ready to plan your Universal vacation with an expert.

If you’re planning a Universal vacation, make sure to check out more of our Universal blog posts:

• How to keep cool at Disney World (the tips apply for Universal Orlando too!)
• Cabana Bay vs Aventura Resort
• Legend of Zelda at Universal Orlando
• 5 reasons to book Universal with a Universal Orlando Travel Agent
• 7 things to buy at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• 15 Amazing Volcano Bay Tips and Volcano Bay Hacks
• The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels
• NEW Vegan food at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Star Wars Land vs. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• 30+ Movies to watch before going to Universal
• What is a ghost room at Universal Orlando?

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

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