This best packing list for Universal Studios Orlando will help you decide what essentials you should pack for Universal Orlando, and what you don’t really need.
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park in the Orlando, Florida area. It consists of Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe (opening summer 2025).
It also has Volcano Bay water park, numerous on-site Universal hotels, and Universal CityWalk.
When packing for Universal Studios Orlando you should be prepared with a few things but you do not need to pack a lot.
I do not think you need lots and lots of things for a theme park vacation. You don’t want a heavy bag to carry around all day.
We have visited many theme parks like Walt Disney World, Hersheypark, Disneyland, and Universal Orlando.
You want to have the basics, so you don’t have to stress to find them and to save you money, but you do not need to bring a lot of things to Universal.
10 Things You Need to Pack for a Universal Orlando Trip
Purchase Theme Park Tickets Before You Arrive
This is something you necessarily pack but it is something to prepare for before you leave home.
Always purchase theme park tickets before you arrive. Do not waste time waiting in line once you arrive at the parks.
Purchasing tickets before will not only save time it will save money.
Download The Universal App
This is another item that doesn’t take up space! Download the Universal App on your phone before you arrive at the park.
The app allows you to view wait times, show times, character meet and greets, and park hours. It is essential when visiting the parks.
We have also made dining reservations through the app. Most reservations for restaurants at Universal can be made 30 days before you visit.
Portable Charger
You will need your cell phone for a lot of things when visiting. Tickets can be stored on the app as well as checking wait times.
You also will want to take photos and possibly video during your visit. This uses a lot of your iphone battery.
Having a portable charger will be a huge help when visiting the parks. We like to use the iWalk because it is small and doesn’t add a lot of bulk to our bag.
Reusable Water Bottle
We have always carried reusable water bottles with us during our vacations to Universal Studios. There are water fountains throughout the park and more recently you can fill it at the Coca-Cola freestyle machines.
Orlando is hot and humid. It is so important to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months. Having a refillable water bottle is a great way to stay on top of it.
Water is free at the parks so if you are looking to save money this can be a huge help. With the five of us fountain drinks can end up costing $25.00+ for each meal.
Having water on hand is so helpful. We don’t pack 5 water bottles, we usually bring 2 to share.
Decide what is best for you and your group. You can also ask for cups of water at most counter service restaurants and they will give you some free of charge.
You can also purchase bottled water and refill it throughout the day.
Snacks
Guests are allowed to bring small snacks into the park. I like to include granola bars and pretzels in our bag to keep us going during the day.
We often skip breakfast and eat a granola bar as we wait for the parks to open. Snacks are even more important when you have small children.
If you have special dietary needs Universal will help to accommodate you. Check with a team member for assistance.
Essentials for Self-Care
The basics that you need for a park visit are sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen. You may also need to bring any daily medications that you need.
I also like to bring Tylenol or Motrin for headaches. If you are spending long days at the park you may need it!
Sometimes the rides can cause motion sickness for some people. Motion sickness medicine is a good idea for those prone to it.
My typical theme park bag has ibuprofen (adults & children), sunscreen, lip balm, deodorant, mega babe thigh rescue, and hats/sunglasses for the family.
I also pack hand sanitizer and wet wipes to keep our hands clean.
You may also want to bring a first aid kit, change of clothes if traveling with young children, and any other personal items you may require.
Rain Ponchos
The summer months are the rainiest time of year but we have needed rain ponchos in the spring too.
Bring them even if you don’t think you will need them or wear them. When the rain is heavy and you need to get somewhere fashion goes out the window.
We have used these rain ponchos on a few visits. They have held up and lasted us a couple trips. Just make sure you allow them to dry before you store them.
When it is a rainy day at the parks the crowds are usually small, having rain ponchos allows us to stay. Most rides are open when it rains.
We have also used rain ponchos for riding the water rides at Universal when we don’t want to be soaked for the day.
Heads Up App
The Heads Up app isn’t a necessity but when waiting in long lines it has saved us from boredom. They have different categories to choose from and you have to guess the person/thing by hearing clues from others.
It is fun for all ages and we use it whenever we are waiting for an extended period of time.
Comfortable Shoes
Visiting a theme park is not the time to try out new shoes. You will do a lot of walking. Pack dependable shoes that you can walk all day in comfortably.
I prefer sneakers but many people have found comfortable sandals that work for them. Use your best judgement.
If you end up with blisters because of all the walking you may want to pack a few Band-Aids. Guests services will have them available if you don’t have any with you.
Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
Theme parks have a lot of touch points. Usually we sit down to eat and realize we don’t have a place to wash our hands.
Having hand sanitizer and/or hand sanitizing wipes on hand makes it a lot easier to continue with our day.
Best Tips for What to Pack for Universal Orlando
That is really all you need to pack for Universal Studios Florida. Below I have an packing list for Universal Studios that you can save or screenshot to help plan your trip.
You also need to pack a credit cards or cash for your visit. If you are using mobile ordering for dining a credit card will be required.
Lockers at Universal Orlando
One thing that is really important to mention is the lockers at Universal Orlando. Some of the rides at Universal require guests to put their belongings in a locker before they ride.
This includes purses, fanny pack, and backpacks. There are big and small lockers. The small lockers are the free lockers.
This is the small backpack we used and it fit in the small lockers. There are lockers that offer all day use for a fee but we have only used the lockers at the attractions that require it.
The attractions that require a locker at Universal Studios are:
- Revenge of the Mummy
- MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley)
The attractions that require a locker at Universal’s Islands of Adventure are:
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
The small lockers are free to guests to use for the duration of your ride time. Do not ride multiple times because the locker will not open. You need to reset it if you are riding more than once.
The large lockers at these locations are not free. If you do not want to pay for a locker be sure to bring a backpack that will fit.
An overstuffed backpack may not fit in the small locker. Also, from experience, be sure your water bottles are closed when putting them in a locker.
There are also single-time use lockers, for a fee, at the water attractions. These include Jurassic Park River Adventure, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, and Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Ralls.
If you want to ride the water attractions but don’t want sneakers getting wet, consider packing flip flops and using a locker for your sneakers when riding the water rides.
Items Not Allowed at Universal Studios
- Explosives and/or weapons of any kind.
- Alcohol, Marijuana, Illegal substances
- Clothing that falsely represents guests as emergency personnel.
- Clothing that may create danger and/or has offensive content.
- Glassware, hard sided coolers, large soft sided coolers
When packing for Universal Studios be sure to only bring what you need. This will make walking around the parks much easier.
Read Next: Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure (Best Universal Park)
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.