6 Essentials for an Epic Day at Universal Studios
Are you visiting Universal Studios in Orlando in the near future? Are you visiting for the first time? Have you started mentally packing your car with masks, hand sanitizer, extra underwear, and every odd and end you can think of, but you’re worried some things have slipped your mind?
If that’s your case, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with my list of things you need for a trip to Universal Studios, things you might not think are essential but absolutely are necessary for a fun and epic trip.
Need help packing for your trip to Universal Studios? I’ve got you covered with my list of essentials.
First up…
Sun protection
This one is KEY. I used to think sunglasses were optional while outdoors. When I lived in Alabama, I constantly left them at home, content to squint when needed while driving and running errands. My eyes never complained.
Not so in central Florida. I can’t walk outdoors with bare eyeballs; sunrays pierce without mercy in this area, and especially at a place like Universal Studios, with its glaringly bright sidewalks, there is no reprieve.
Do yourself a favor and pack the sunglasses first so you don’t forget them. While you’re at it, toss in a hat to protect your face (and hairline—seriously, my middle part fries every time I visit the park) and some sunscreen to reapply whenever you have a spare minute. Because you ARE applying sunscreen, right??
Lanyard
Some may view this as a preference, not an actual essential. I certainly did. The first time I visited Universal Studios, a few people suggested I wear a lanyard to carry my park ticket, hotel room key card, a little cash, etc. while in the parks. I’d never really worn a lanyard before, so I didn’t listen.
Here’s the thing. A lot of the rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure require you to get a locker for your loose items. To open said lockers, you need your park ticket. I usually wear athletic shorts when I visit the parks, and they don’t typically have reliable pockets to hold items securely.
Enter the lanyard. You can slip your park ticket into the plastic clip-on sleeve and keep it safely around your neck while on rides (just remember to tuck it under your shirt for any upside down rides).
The lanyard is also a really convenient place for things you need quickly. You don’t want to be fumbling with your wallet while buying snacks when you can just reach into the lanyard’s sleeve and have a twenty dollar bill on hand. Sadly, you’ll probably need that much cash for your snacks—unless you have your souvenir popcorn bucket.
Which brings me to my next essential…
Refillable containers
If you don’t already own the Universal Studios Refillable Souvenir Popcorn Bucket, rectify that situation IMMEDIATELY. It costs around $9 initially, but after that it’s just $2 for refills. When the cost of one pretzel at Universal Studios is already in the $5 range, popcorn starts to sound really good as your vacation snack.
All that popcorn will make you thirsty, of course, so you’ll want to invest in a souvenir cup as well. Purchase the tumbler for $16, then refill it with your choice of soda for just $1.50 (pro tip: refill it with water for FREE and stay hydrated while running around the parks).
You can also purchase another souvenir refillable cup that’s part of the Coke Freestyle program. Basically, you buy one cup for $16, then you can refill it at any Coke Freestyle machine around Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for FREE.
Now, these free refills are only good for one day, and reactivating the cup costs $9. But this option saves you the time in line at a snack cart, and that makes the extra cost worth it to me.
Refillable containers help you save money on snacks during your trip to Universal Studios.
Comfortable shoes
My favorite shoes are probably my pair of high-top white converse. They’re cool; they’re versatile. They look great with a dress, shorts, jeans, you name it. But they are NOT a great choice for a day of walking.
I learned this the hard way. I chose to wear them over my trusty tennis shoes because the converse looked better with my outfit, and by around noon I was limping from an ache in my heels and blisters on my ankles. When it comes to a day at the parks, always always always choose comfort over style.
And I mean comfort in every situation; it’s also a good idea to pack a pair of flip flops to slip into when you go on water rides. They don’t take up too much space in your bag, and you’ll thank yourself when you aren’t walking around the park with wet socks.
And speaking of water rides….
Poncho
Some water rides at theme parks do not deserve that label. You know what I’m talking about: you stand in a hot line (sometimes for hours), dripping with sweat and yearning for the sensation of cold water on your skin. Then you finally get on the ride….and you barely get splashed.
Universal’s rides are a little different. Whether you’re on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, or Jurassic Park’s River Adventure, you WILL get wet. All three rides see fit to literally dunk you under waves of water before spitting you back out into the theme park proper.
It’s nice for a minute, that relief from the heat, but once you start walking around in a soaked cotton T-shirt, it’s no fun at all. That’s why I suggest having a poncho on hand to throw over your clothes while enjoying water rides. You get to cool off and stay dry enough to enjoy the rest of your day at the parks.
Pro tip: Wear a poncho on water rides at Universal Studios. You WILL get wet.
Portable game
The lines for attractions can get pretty long. Like I mentioned above, you could find yourself waiting hours before you can get on a ride, and in that time you don’t want to occupy yourself only with thoughts of how hot and tired you are—that leads to grumpiness, which no one wants to experience on a fun day at the parks.
I suggest having a game to play with your friends and family while in line. It can be something simple, like I Spy, or something you find on an iPhone or tablet. My family likes to play Heads Up!, an app that’s kind of like Taboo or reverse charades, where one person holds the phone to their forehead and the rest of the group reads a word on the screen and tries to get the person to guess what’s displayed.
Whether you choose Heads Up!, I Spy, or any other number of games to play, just make sure you are keeping yourself entertained and distracted as the line inches forward. The time will pass much quicker that way.
When you’re planning your vacation to Universal Studios, make sure you have all you need for a fun and safe trip. Don’t let a lack of preparation leave you sunburned, broke, and grouchy by the end of your trip. You want to have the most epic time ever at Universal Studios, after all!
Until next time, dreamers!
