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Universal Studios Packing List – 25 Items That Need to Be in Your Park Bag


Are overwhelmed with the idea of packing your theme park bag? What items are a MUST on any Universal Studios packing list? We have got you covered!

We spent a lot of time planning our Universal vacations. After all, travelling with 4 kids is not an easy task.

And the one thing that I learned pretty quickly about travelling with kids, is that you need to come prepared with all the necessities to keep everyone safe and happy.

And why spend extra money on items like ponchos or water bottles, when you can get those items for cheaper at home?

We have compiled a list of 25 items that need to be on your Universal Studios packing list, in order to make your visit as comfortable and worry-free as possible.

Our #1 Pick
Universal Studios Orlando - Backpack

Best Backpack to Bring to Universal Studios

🎒 Looking for the best backpack for Universal Studios? The Osprey Sirrus or Daylite Backpacks are our favourite way to carry all of our gear comfortably. We even have 2!

Universal Orlando allows backpacks into the parks, provided you do not pack any prohibited items.

However, keep in mind that you will not be permitted to bring a backpack on most of the rides.

Below, we have listed what can and cannot be brought into Universal Orlando parks.

Universal-Studios-Packing-List-Backpack

Acceptable items:

  • Bottled water
  • Small snacks that do not require heating
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically indicated nutritional supplements
  • Food required for special dietary needs
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

Items that are not allowed:

  • Suitcases and bags with wheels
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Picnic lunches
  • Food items that require heating or refrigeration
  • Glass containers
  • Hard-sided coolers
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
  • Folding chairs
  • Clothing with offensive language or content
  • Clothing that represents someone as an emergency personnel
  • Weapons of any kind

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25 Items That Need to Be on Your Universal Studios Packing List

You definitely need to be prepared when spending the entire day at a theme park. After all, you want to be as comfortable as possible, in order to have an awesome experience.

Our Universal Studios packing list includes all the basic items that we found to be useful when visiting the parks.

1. Good Quality Backpack

We can’t emphasize how important this is! If your backpack isn’t comfortable, it’s going to be a long and uncomfortable day!

Bring a pack that has comfortable straps, is not too large, and as a bonus, has a ventilated back for those hot days.

The Osprey Backpacks have all these features and more, including a rain cover, perfect for those Florida downpours! In fact, we love the backpacks so much that we purchased 2! And they are the ONLY ones we ever take to Disney or Universal.

Back Pack with Water Bottle

Keep in mind, that there are several attractions at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure that do not allow any personal items (including backpacks) to be brought onto the ride.

So if you are planning to go on the rides, your pack has to fit into the Single-Time Use Lockers located at the entrance to the attractions.

The standard-sized lockers (14 in x 5.5 in x 16.9 in) will fit small loose articles and are free while you ride.

If your pack is too big for the free lockers, they do have larger lockers (12 in x 13 in x 16.9 in) for oversized items.

These can be rented for $2 during the posted wait time for the ride and an additional $3 per 30 minutes.

Kids with Hubby wearing backpack at Universal

Pro Tip: Our family avoided the use of lockers, by taking advantage of the Child-Swap feature. So while one parent took the bags, the other went on the ride with the kids.

For this to work, whenever we entered an attraction as a family, we just had to let the Universal Team members know that one person was not riding.

Lockers are available at the entrance of the following attractions:

Universal Studios Florida

  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

2. Stroller

If you have younger children, strollers are a must!

You will be doing a ton of walking, and even if they don’t normally use a stroller, everyone will appreciate the convenience of having somewhere for the kids to rest.

Disney World - Family with two kids in strollers

Besides, most strollers have great storage for stashing your gear!

Our strollers were lightweight, brightly coloured (which makes them easy to spot in a large group of strollers), and a comfortable height for us to push.


3. Bottled Water/Refillable Water Bottle

Purchasing bottles of water in the park for close to $4 each can get expensive pretty quickly! Universal Orlando allows you to bring up to 2L of water into the park.

If you are not excited about carrying all this water around, consider bringing in a refillable bottle.

Pink Contigo Water Bottle

You can either refill the water at fountains located throughout the park, or some food establishments may refill for you.


4. Hat

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Universal Orlando, the sun is pretty strong.

Wearing a hat will keep your head protected, shade your eyes, and possibly even prevent headaches.

Universal Studios Orlando - Me in sun hat

I prefer a ball cap, but a hat with a wide brim will also shade your neck on those scorching hot summer days.


5. Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses will shield your eyes from the strong rays of the sun, as well as the glare from water and other surfaces.

I find they also help me from getting headaches.

Universal-Studios-Packing-List-Hubby-and-I-with-hat-and-sunglasses

Make sure to take them off before going on the rides though! We recommend bringing an inexpensive pair to theme parks.

This way, if they are lost or damaged, they can easily be replaced.


6. Comfortable Shoes

Comfortable shoes are probably the most important item on our Universal Studios packing list.

Knowing that you will be on your feet and putting in the miles in a theme park, should tell you that flat, rubber-soled sneakers, sports sandals, or something similar, is a definite must.

Blue Running Shoes

Heels, flip-flops, dress shoes, or fancy sandals should be saved for other occasions! Your feet will thank you!


7. Sunscreen

Having enough sun protection to get you through the day is pretty important. After all, the Florida sun is pretty strong!

And even on days when it is overcast, you are still exposed to UV rays that can cause sunburn.

Sunscreen being squeezed into someones hand

Make sure you apply your sunscreen before arriving at the parks. Then be sure to reapply every few hours while there.

We make sure to have an SPF of at least 60 for the kids, to ensure nobody ends up with an uncomfortable burn.


8. Lip Balm

Lip balm is one of the items on our Universal Studios packing list, that most people forget!

Our lips dry out pretty quickly on a hot or windy day. Reapply often to prevent uncomfortable cracking.

Lip Balm container with mint leaves

Make sure that the lip balm you are carrying also offers protection from the sun. An SPF of 30 is what we usually look for. My favourite is Burts Bees.


9. Card-Holding Lanyard

This was one item that we didn’t think to bring on our last trip to Universal Orlando.

And let me tell you how much of a pain it was to be constantly digging in my purse for our Universal Express Passes!

Having the cards on a waterproof lanyard makes going on rides just that much easier, especially with kids in tow! Just scan and go!

Blue lanyard with card holder

And if you happen to be staying at a Universal Orlando resort hotel, you can keep your room card on the lanyard as well.

It makes for a quick process to charge things like souvenirs and treats, back to your room.

Amazon has some great themed lanyards that would be perfect for your Universal Orlando adventure.


10. Rain Poncho

A rain poncho is definitely a necessity when going to a Florida theme park. You can usually expect at least one rain shower in the afternoon during summer visits.

And when that happens, you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

Wizarding-World-family-pic-with-Knight-bus-and-Stan

We definitely recommend bringing your own reusable ponchos with you. Universal Orlando does sell ponchos in their gift shops, but they are pretty overpriced.

And considering most dollar stores at home carry a decent product for a much better price, it’s worth grabbing them before you arrive!


11. Cell Phone

As I mentioned, I prefer to use my cell phone for taking pictures while out in the parks. But your phone can also be used for many other things!

Especially since free Wi-Fi can be found throughout the parks!

Cell phone in someones hands

We found that our cell phones came in pretty handy to keep the kids entertained while waiting in ride lines, and for accessing the Universal Orlando Mobile App.

Do yourself a favour and DOWNLOAD THE APP!

Just like with Disney, the Universal app makes a lot of information like a list of attractions with detailed descriptions, park maps, dining and hotel information, and showtimes, available at your fingertips.


12. Phone Charger

Because you are going to be using your smartphone for so many things, you will definitely need to bring a portable power bank to the parks with you.

Universal Studios Orlando - Pink Power Bank

Since you do not want to waste time looking for somewhere to charge your phone, having a backup battery will ensure that you are always good to go.


13. Camera

Although I tend to reach for my phone first, Hubby still likes to use our camera to capture all those magical moments.

Don’t forget to have an extra SD memory card and battery with you for those long days in the parks!

📷 Looking for the perfect Harry Potter caption or #Hashtag for your Instagram post? We have you covered here!


14. Park Map

Upon entering either of the theme parks, you can pick up a park map in your choice of language.

The maps give a great visual of how the parks are laid out, and where you can find everything you are looking for.

Couple looking at map

Of course, if you download the Universal Orlando App, you will also have this information, plus much more, right on your phone.


15. Motion Sickness Meds

Some rides at Universal Orlando, especially the 4-D variety, can be a challenge if you are prone to motion sickness. And I got pretty nauseous on the ride inside Hogwarts Castle, let me tell you!

Since Mr. Bump and I are both prone, we always make sure to carry some meds or remedies with us when we visit a theme park.

I don’t tend to go on many rides, but I certainly don’t want our day cut short because one of us is suffering from motion sickness.

🧳 Looking for tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? We have a guide to help you get started here.


16. First Aid Kit

We always carry a travel-size first-aid kit with us whenever we go places with kids. You just never know when a scraped knee or elbow is going to happen.

Universal Studios Orlando - Travel size first aid kit

And especially when walking around a theme park all day, blisters can put a real damper on the day!


17. Cash or Credit Cards

Although there are not too many places left that only accept cash, we usually try to have a small amount with us for incidentals.

Credit or debit cards are now generally more used throughout the parks because they are contactless forms of payment.

And again, if you are staying on the property, you can use your room key to charge many items straight to your room.

Just be aware, that you may be asked for ID when using this feature.


18. M&M Minis Container Full of Pennies and Quarters

These are a definite Universal Studios requirement for my kids as they are avid pressed penny collectors! The tubes are small and fit the coins perfectly.

🪙 Pro Tip: If you are a Harry Potter fan, 3 new pressed coin machines were added to Universal Orlando. There are 24 different designs to collect!

Having the tubes is a great way to stay organized while chasing down every machine in the park! Make sure to bring a container for the pressed coins as well!

Of course, if you really want to stay organized, you can always bring along an album to put your pressed coins into right away!

Pressed Coins in Collectors Book

19. Small Cooler Bag

Especially if you have a stroller with you, bringing along a small cooler bag is recommended.

This way, you can keep extra water and snacks cool throughout the day. It’s also great for packing away leftovers, because who likes to waste expensive food?

Red cooler filled with water bottles

We use small insulated lunch bags that fit perfectly inside our backpacks. Just remember; they need to be soft-sided, and no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep.


20. Tissues/Wet Wipes

It is a running joke in our family, that I ALWAYS have tissues with me!

But considering there are 4 kids in our family, and half of us suffer from seasonal allergies, do you blame me?

Having a travel pack of tissues and Wet Wipes in your park bag is definitely a necessity when travelling with kids.

Sticky hands, runny noses, and spills are going to happen at some point. So you may as well come prepared!


21. Snacks

Universal Orlando allows its guests to bring snacks into the parks, so take advantage! We always carry granola bars, or single-portion snack bags, with us.

Yes, we love to try the different treats that theme parks offer, but it can also get quite expensive.

Protein Bites stacked on a plate

So to tide us over between meals, or to prevent kids from getting “Hangry,” while waiting in long ride lines, we always make sure our cooler bag contains something good to munch on.


22. Zipper Bags

Adding a few large zipper-top bags to your Universal Studios packing list is definitely something we recommend. We always carry several in our park bag!

Not only are they awesome for storing snacks or leftover meals in, but zipper bags also work great for keeping items like phones and cameras dry in the rain, or during a water ride.

The bags are also perfect for putting wet or dirty clothing in so that the rest of your park bag doesn’t get damp.


23. Change of Clothing

And speaking of clothing, having a lightweight set to change into may be something you might want to consider.

Between the possible rain showers and the fact that there are several water rides and places where you and your family can get wet, it is definitely a smart idea.

Universal-Studios-Packing-List-Hats-on-kids

Also, while Florida weather is hot during the day, the evenings can cool off quickly, leaving you shivering. We always bring a hoodie, light jacket or sweater with us.


24. Hand Sanitizer

Although Universal Orlando has stepped up its cleaning protocols for high-touch surfaces and rides, it doesn’t hurt to come prepared with your own hand sanitizer.

Especially with kids who have the tendency to ‘touch everything,’ it’s an added peace of mind to be ready with your own bottle whenever you need it.


25. Tile Tracker or Air Tags

Tile Trackers and Air Tags are an awesome way to keep track of your stuff while in the parks.

With all the excitement going on and trying to keep track of kids, it isn’t hard to believe that we may leave something behind!

Universal Studios Orlando - 2 Airtags

These tiny devices are easy to set up and even easier to track through an app on your smartphone.

We tuck ours inside our bags, but we have even seen the keychain version attached to kids’ backpacks.

🧳 Marianne’s Tip – Be sure to use the Air Tags to track your luggage when travelling to and from Universal Orlando.


Universal Studios Packing List – FAQs

What kind of bag can I bring to Universal?

Backpacks, purses, and fanny packs are allowed at Universay, but subject to X-ray and/or additional inspection prior to entering the Theme Park. Suitcases and bags with wheels are prohibited, however. 

What is the best way to carry stuff at Universal?

While fanny packs are a great solution if you can limit yourself to just a few items to carry, backpacks are best for families. However, the one plus for fanny packs is that they can be worn on all but a few Universal rides.

Can I wear a fanny pack on rides at Universal?

You can wear a fanny pack on most of Universal Orlando’s rides. The Incredible Hulk, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit & Velocicoaster are the only attractions that require ALL items including cellphones be put into a locker.

Do you need a clear bag for Universal?

No. Clear bags are not necessary at Universal Theme Parks. But again, just know that all your bags are subject to being x-rayed.

Can you bring your phone on rides at Universal?

Cell phones and other loose items like cameras, umbrellas and keys are not allowed at most attractions as they can become a safety hazard. These loose items should instead be left with a non-rider or secured in a locker.


Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have found our 25 items that need to be on your Universal Studios packing list, to be helpful and inspiring.

Being prepared and comfortable when heading out to a full day in a theme park with kids, will help everyone have a much better and truly magical experience!


Our #1 Pick
Universal Studios Orlando - Backpack

Best Backpack to Bring to Universal Studios

🎒 Looking for the best backpack for Universal Studios? The Osprey Sirrus or Daylite Backpacks are our favourite way to carry all of our gear comfortably. We even have 2!


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