Wondering what to take to Universal Studios for the best day ever? Before you leave for the parks, you want to make sure you have all of the vacation essentials that you will need to save time, save money and be comfortable all day long.
After hundreds of visits to theme parks, I have narrowed down my list of day bag essentials to the must-have items to bring to Universal Studios.
I hate carrying too much stuff because it hurts my shoulders, but I also hate being unprepared. This list is the result of years of visiting theme parks and not bringing enough or bringing too much. Finally I got my packing list down to what is just right.
Here is our list of what to pack for Universal Studios. I’ve included links to the actual products that I use when visiting the theme parks.
If you want to print this packing list for Universal Studios Orlando, get your free downloadable packing guide.
Reusable Water Bottle
Among the absolute must-have items is a reusable water bottle. You will save a LOT of money by bringing your own refillable water bottle. Unless you prefer sodas, then we recommend buying the Universal Studios Refillable Cup when you get into the theme park.
Drinks are expensive at Universal Studios, but you need a lot of them to combat the intense Florida heat and humidity.
Bringing in a refillable water bottle allows you to use the free water stations at Universal Studios. If you use an insulated cup or bottle, then you can keep cold drinks cold all day long, even when the temperature outside is as hot as the surface of the sun (Which is common).
Hate carrying around a water bottle? I hear ya. Some smart alternatives are to bring a collapsible water bottle that squishes down flat and can be stored in a fanny pack or bag. (Available on Amazon and Walmart)
Or you can get a water bottle holder that straps across your chest so that you don’t have to carry the bottle. (Great choices on both Amazon and Walmart. Many have pockets which can hold your small items all day.)
If you hate the taste of water fountain water (Disney’s is the worst, but Universal’s isn’t bad) or you are concerned about water quality, get a water bottle with a water filter to improve taste and remove contaminants. We highly suggest LifeStraw water bottles.
Fanny Pack
We can’t imagine visiting Universal Studios without a fanny pack.
While fanny packs aren’t usually the height of style, they are extremely functional. Using them will save a ton of time in the theme parks because you won’t have to store your bag or backpack in a locker outside of the rides.
Fanny packs are so important at Universal Studios that we have several shopping guides so you can find the perfect one:
Lanyard
Lanyards are another item that is perfect to use at Universal Studios, especially if you are not bringing a fanny pack.
If you are using the lockers or have an Express Pass, you will need to scan your ticket frequently. Instead of having to pull the ticket out of your pocket or bag each time, it is easier if you just use a lanyard hanging around your neck!
We have an entire list of the best lanyards for Universal Studios.
Don’t have time to read the list? These are our favorites.
Sunscreen
Can you travel to Florida without bringing sunscreen? We don’t think so. And especially when you are inside a theme park with all of the reflective sun bouncing off of the sidewalks and concrete.
Sunscreen bottles can be heavy and bulky, so we suggest applying a liberal dose of sunscreen before you leave for the theme parks. Bring a travel-size bottle of sunscreen in your bag for each person. (These are a great price and the ones we use!) Reapply the sunscreen during the day.
If you don’t want the hassle of applying sunscreen, then wear sun-protective clothing, especially during the summer!
I.D. / Driver’s License
While you might be tempted to leave your I.D. behind in the hotel room for safe keeping, don’t do it. You might need your driver’s license or identification at the theme parks.
Universal Studios alcohol policy states that you may be carded to buy a cocktail, wine or beer. So you will need proof of age to buy a drink.
If there is a problem scanning your ticket at the entrance gates, you could need to show your ID to enter the park. You definitely don’t want to have to go back to the hotel to get your drivers license just so you can get inside the theme park.
Credit Cards or Cash
If you are staying at Universal Studios hotel, you can use your key card to make purchases. But it is always a wise idea to have a backup plan to buy things.
Keys can become demagnetized. There could be an issue with the card scanner. Or perhaps the system goes down for payments.
Having at least one credit card and some cash is smart when visiting the theme parks.
Hand Sanitizer / Wet Wipes
Your hands are disgusting when in a theme park. It’s that simple.
Between dragging your hands across the railings, grasping handle bars, climbing into ride vehicles and touching merchandise, your hands are going to be pretty grimy throughout the day.
When it comes time to eat a snack or a meal, you will definitely want to wash your hands before touching food!
The best choice is always to wash your hands with soap and water, but sometimes that is not possible, especially if you are standing in lines.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer is smart to have attached to your backpack or inside your fanny pack. You can find bottles for $1-2 on Walmart, Amazon or in the Dollar Tree.
Cleansing cloths, such as Wet Wipes or Dude Wipes, are my preferred choice. I like the cloths that can wipe off dirt, sticky messes and germs rather than just rubbing a liquid on your hand.
Helpful Tip: Pack a few wipes in a zip-top plastic bag each day instead of bringing the entire pack.
Rain Poncho
Afternoon thunderstorms are very common in Orlando, especially during the summer! Chances are very good that you will be caught in the rain some time during your Universal Studios visit.
We suggest bringing an inexpensive plastic rain poncho in your bag or fanny pack to have just in case. Buy a multi-pack of rain ponchos online at Amazon or Walmart to save a lot of money, compared to needing to buy them inside Universal Studios if it rains. (They cost $1-2 online, but you’ll probably pay around $10 per poncho in the theme parks.)
Not only is a poncho great for protecting yourself in the rain, it also works great on Universal Studios water rides, too!
Related Posts:
Snacks
Bringing a few snacks into Universal Studios is one of our favorite old-fashioned ways to save money in the theme parks.
You can bring food into Universal Studios, so don’t be worried that you can’t bring a few snacks in for you and your family.
A few granola bars or bags of chips is smart to have in your bag to save money on buying snacks. These are also great to have on hand when you are in a long line and suddenly the kids are hungry because you can’t leave line to get them some food.
Just don’t bring chocolate! Candy bars made of chocolate will melt in the Florida heat and being next to your body in a fanny pack or backpack all day.
We have an epic list of non-refrigerated foods that make perfect theme parks snacks.
Phone Charger
Your phone battery will probably die quicker than normal at Universal Studios for one of the following reasons:
- Taking a lot of photos
- Using the Universal Studios app
- Watching videos, checking email or playing games while standing in lines
- Heat (unless you are protecting your phone with a Phoozy to reduce heat strain on your phone: see our YouTube review)
Just one of these things can really eat your batteries, but combine several of these situations and you will find that your phone battery is low before it is time to leave the park.
I have a love/hate relationship with phone chargers. They are so necessary when in the theme parks, but they can weigh so much and hurt my shoulders and neck when carrying around in a bag.
That is why I try to find the thinnest, most light weight phone charger that there is. Among my favorites is this Anker Portable Charger that is inexpensive.
Traveling with a group? Look for a phone charger with multiple outlets and/or multiple charges. That way you only need to bring one phone charger, instead of multiple devices.
Sunglasses
It goes without saying that you need sunglasses in the Sunshine State!
Bring a good quality pair of sunglasses that aren’t super expensive. You don’t want to lose an expensive pair of glasses on a roller coaster!
To make sure that your sunglasses don’t fall off when on Universal Studios rides, it is smart to invest in a glasses band like these on Amazon or Walmart. Just buy them before getting to the theme parks because they will be MUCH more expensive at Universal Studios!
We personally wear Sunski sunglasses because they look great, are sustainable, and have polarized lenses. They have styles for both men and women.
Bag or Backpack
If you don’t want to use a fanny pack, then you will definitely need a bag or backpack for carrying items in the theme park.
Because you will need to store your bag before going on many rides, it is important to get the right size bag. See our guide to the best bags for Universal Studios for backpacks and sling bags that will fit inside Unviersal’s free lockers.
Comfortable Shoes
If you don’t bring the right type of shoes, you will be miserable. It is that simple.
Thousands of steps on hard, hot concrete is not fun with uncomfortable shoes. Especially when your feet are hot and swollen from the heat.
We personally wear Vionic and Kuru orthopedic shoes and they really make a difference! They come in sandals, flip flops and sneakers so there is something for everyone!
Be sure to check out our big list of best shoes for Universal Studios for more great brands.
Lip Balm with Sunscreen
A sunburn on your lips is something that most people don’t think about, but it is a very real concern. Bring a soothing lip balm that has sun protection to keep your lips from cracking and drying from sun exposure.
Zip Top Bags
Zip Top bags, such as Ziploc, are multi-purpose items that you definitely want to have on hand just in case. Think of them as the duct tape of theme park world.
There are so many ways that you can use a zip top bag, including:
- Packing snacks
- Using to bring uneaten food from the restaurant to eat later
- Protecting your phone on water rides
- Keeping things organized
- Filling with ice for a cool pack for burns, bruises, blisters, etc.
Plastic bags are incredibly thin and lightweight so you can pack a few and they won’t weigh you down, but they could be lifesavers during the day.
Hat
The sun beating down on you all day long can definitely cause a sunburn on your face. It can also cause a sunburn on top of your head (especially in the part of your hair) or on top of your ears.
I have been sunburnt on my hair pair and tops of my ears too many times to count. And it is always when I’m walking around a theme park and forget to wear a hat.
If you want to shade your skin without needing to wear sunscreen, or just feel cooler by escaping the rays of the sun, bring a hat.
We like these foldable hats with a wide brim and mesh inserts. They work great and are definitely cooler than some types of hats. We’ve worn these in the Utah desert, too, and they really helped!
Plus, we fold them down and stuff them in a bag or a belt loop for convenience.
Mini First Aid Kit
Yes, there is a first aid station inside Universal Studios but if you need help, you don’t want to have to walk all the way to first aid and wait in line to get some relief.
We like to pack a very small first aid kit full of things that could be helpful during the day. Our miniature first aid kit includes:
- Band Aids
- Blister Band Aid, Blister Prevention, Blister Cushions
- Ibuprofen or Acetamenophen
- Benadryl
- Motion Sickness Pills
These items can be put in a plastic zip top bag and tucked into your fanny pack or backpack.
You don’t need to bring the entire box of band aids or pills, but you do need to make sure you know which item is which so they don’t get mixed up. These tiny pill pouches allow you to label everything.
Honorable Mentions
While these items aren’t a necessity, they sure do make a hot day in the theme parks more enjoyable. If you have room in your bag, add these items:
- Anti-Chafing Cream (chafed skin is a real problem in the theme parks for both men and women)
- Aloe Vera (soothes sunburn and cools skin)
- Headphones (Perfect for watching videos or playing games while standing in lines)
- Jacket (even when its hot outside a jacket can come in handy in air-conditioned buildings or to protect from rain or sun)
- Cooling Towel or Neck Fan (these are great to have during the summer when the heat and humidity are at their worst in Florida)
Free Printable Universal Studios Packing List!
Worried about forgetting something? Don’t be!
Print off our Universal Studios Packing List to easily remember what to bring to the theme parks.
Be sure to Pin This list to save for later!
Are you going to Volcano Bay water park while at Universal Studios? Be sure to see our Volcano Bay Packing List.