Getting to Know Universal Orlando Resort Lockers

Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest looking to switch your vacation up or you are visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. This week I will cover Universal’s locker system, how it differs from Disney, what your options are, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting tips.

What Are Lockers?

Lockers are for loose items you wish not to carry around the park or on a ride. Universal’s lockers are located throughout the parks such as at the front of the park, water rides, and certain high-intensity rides. Unlike high school lockers from our youth, Universal’s are accessed through a central terminal and unlocked using a bar code.

What Kind of Lockers Are There?

There are three types of lockers:

1. All-Day Paid Lockers – These lockers are found at the front of the three theme parks and are available for a flat fee for a full day.
2. Single-Use Free Lockers at Attractions- Located at specific attractions inside Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, the lockers are free for the length of the posted wait time. These lockers will hold small backpacks, purses, souvenir bottles, and loose items from pockets.
3. Single-Use Paid Lockers at Attractions – Located at regular and water rides, these lockers require a small fee to use. At regular rides, all large lockers are for items too big for the smaller, free lockers. All lockers, small and large, at water rides are paid lockers.

Wait, Free?

Yes, FREE. They are free for the posted wait time, $3 for every 30 minutes after, up to $20 per day.

How Much Do Paid Lockers Cost?

• Universal Studios Florida
  • All-day, large lockers: $10 per day
  • All-day, family lockers: $15 per day
  • Single-use free: free during the posted wait time, $3 per half hour after up to $20
  • Single-use paid: $2 during the posted wait time, $3 per half hour after up to $20
• Islands of Adventure
  • All-day, large lockers: $10 per day
  • Single-use free at regular rides: free during the posted wait time, $3 per half hour after up to $20
  • Single-use paid at regular rides: $2 during the posted wait time, $3 per half hour after up to $20
  • Single-use paid small lockers at water rides: $4 for 90 minutes, $3 per half hour after up to $20
  • Single-use paid large lockers at water rides: $5 for 90 minutes, $3 per half hour after up to $20
• Volcano Bay
  • Small/Mini: $9 per day
  • Regular & Child Swap: $13 per day
  • Family: $16 per day

Paid lockers accept credit cards and USD bills.

What Sizes Are the Lockers?

• Universal Studios Florida
  • All-day, large lockers: 12″ x 13″ x 16.9″
  • All-day, family lockers: 12″ x 16″ x 16.9″
  • Single-use free: 14″ x 5.5″ x 16.9″
  • Single-use paid: 12″ x 13″ x 16.9″
• Islands of Adventure
  • All-day, large lockers: 12″ x 13″ x 16.9″
  • Single-use free: 14″ x 5.5″ x 16.9″
  • Single-use paid: 12″ x 13″ x 16.9″
• Volcano Bay
  • Small/Mini: 17″ x 15″ x 5.4″
  • Regular & Child Swap: 17″ x 12″ x 13″
  • Family: 17″ x 12″ x 16.25″

WIZARDING WORLD NOTE: All interactive wands will fit into a locker but not all Ollivander’s wand boxes will. Keep this in mind before purchasing a wand at the start of the day.

Which Attractions Have Lockers?

The following attractions have single-use paid and free lockers:

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit*
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Men in Black: Alien Attack
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster*
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster (opens Summer 2021)*

The following attractions only have single-use paid lockers:

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Jurassic Park River Adventure

* These attractions do not allow any loose articles onto the attraction. This includes cell phones, wallets, keys, cameras, and more (excluded are glasses, watches, and park admission). Locker use is mandatory.

How Do I Use the Lockers?

Locker banks are segmented into numbered sections, each with numbered lockers and an access terminal.

1. Walk up to a locker kiosk with a green light and scan a ticket to reserve a locker.
   • If you do not have a ticket or it is on your phone, see a Team Member who will supply a temporary card to use.
2. Once your locker is assigned the display will show a locker number (example: 01-01 is in locker bank 01 and is locker 01) and the locker will open.
3. Place all items into the locker (but not the ticket or barcode you used to reserve the locker) and then close.
4. When returning, visit the same locker kiosk and scan your ticket. The locker will reopen.
   • If you return to the wrong locker bank or forget your locker location, simply scan your ticket at any kiosk and it will tell you where to go.

Anything I Cannot Place in a Locker?

If it’s allowed inside the park it’s allowed inside a locker but Universal requests you empty all refillable mugs before placing them in a locker. That being said, do not put perishable or melting food in lockers – you do not want to come back to that mess in the Florida heat.

Help, I’m Having an Issue!

Find a Team Member assigned to the lockers for assistance, they will help override additional charges if the attraction is delayed or help you gain access to your locker.

Many thanks to Brian Glenn, Alex Negel, and Angela Dahlgren for the photography for this article. Also thank you to the mysterious secret informant we met inside the Universal parking garages in the middle of the night who provided the sizes to the Volcano Bay lockers.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below!