The Nitty GrittyUniversal Orlando Resort

Bags on Universal Orlando Rides

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Whether they are draped on your shoulder, hanging over your back, across your fanny, full of diapers, or under your eyes during Early Park Admission – bags are everywhere at Universal Orlando.  So when you bring bags to the parks what should you do with them? This article discusses what bags are allowed inside Universal Orlando’s theme parks and what to do with your bags while on the rides.

Bags Not Allowed in the Parks

Not all bags are created equal, and some are not allowed in Universal Studios Florida. Universal Orlando requires all bags to undergo X-ray scanning before entering CityWalk and the parks. Universal also prohibits duffle bags, suitcases, hard-sided coolers, and soft-sided coolers over 6″ x 6″ x 8.5″ (152 mm x 152 mm x 216 mm) in size.

TouringPlans Touring Tip: Bring a bag smaller than 14″ x 16″ x 5.5″ so it will fit into Universal’s free attraction lockers.

(photo by Alicia Stella)

Storing Your Bags At The Parks

All-day lockers are available at the front of each park for stowing bags, purchased items, and unruly kids (just kidding). Here are their sizes:

  • All-day, large lockers: 12″ x 13″ x 16.9″
  • All-day, family lockers: 12″ x 16″ x 16.9″ (Universal Studios Only)

Strollers, ECVs, and wheelchairs are popular ways to store bags when on a ride. We just make sure to identify your stroller with a unique item or tag, as Universal frequently re-arranges strollers in high-congestion areas. Universal is not liable for any stolen or lost items, so don’t store important items like tickets or passports there.

Rides and Shows That Allow Bags

These attractions allow bags to be worn, on a lap, at your feet, or stowed near the ride vehicle. Some attractions found elegant ways to stow bags, like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-man where bags are placed at your feet, while others did not, like E.T. Adventure where your bag is draped over the handlebars of your ride vehicle “bike”.

Villain-Con. Minion Blast. Volcano Bay. Toothsome.

Universal Studios Florida (USF)

  • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – stowed near ride vehicle
  • Villain-Con: Minion Blast – carry onto ride
  • Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon – stowed under ride seat
  • Fast & Furious: Supercharged – stowed on a lap or at feet
  • Transformers the Ride – stowed at feet
  • E.T. Adventure – hung across handlebars of the ride vehicle “bike”
  • Hogwarts Express – stowed on a lap or at feet
  • The Simpsons Ride – stowed near the ride vehicle
  • The Bourne Stuntacular – stowed on a lap or at feet
  • Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show – stowed on a lap or at feet
Caro-Seuss-El. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Islands of Adventure (IOA)

  • The Cat in the Hat – stowed at feet
  • High in the Sky Suess Trolly Ride – stowed at feet or ride platform
  • Carou-Seuss-el – carry-on, wrap seatbelt through straps or handles.
  • Flight of the Hippogriff – stowed at feet or ride platform
  • Hogwarts Express – stowed on a lap or at feet
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure – stowed at feet
  • Skull Islands – Reign of Kong – stowed at feet or on a lap
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – stowed at feet
  • Dr. Doom Fear-Fall – stowed in bins at ride load
  • Storm Force Acceleration – stowed at feet
(photo by @ViewsAndQueues)

Rides Which Prohibit Bags

All bags not secured around the waist must be stowed in lockers on these rides. Small lockers for handbags and small backpacks are free and larger lockers are available for rent/hire. Universal’s lockers are quick and efficient – just scan your ticket at a kiosk and a locker will open. Return to the same kiosk and the locker reopens. [Blog – Getting to Know Universal Orlando Resort Lockers].

Universal Studios Florida

  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rock-It*
  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
  • Men in Black – Alien Attack

Islands of Adventure

  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster*
  • Jurassic World VelociCoaster*
  • Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

*Hollywood Rip Ride Rock-It, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster prohibit loose items in pockets and no bags on the ride. All guests go through metal detectors before riding.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster is in twilight tonight. #Velocitrails November 15th, 2022. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Bags at Volcano Bay

The same rules for bags apply at Volcano Bay – no hard-sided coolers, no coolers larger than 6″ x 6″ x 8.5″, and all bags must go through an X-ray. Volcano Bay has no free lockers for loose items or bags and no bags are allowed on the slides, rivers, or pools. The best place to keep your bags is in one of the paid lockers, a rented beach chair, or a cabana.

Aerial photo of Volcano Bay. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

TouringPlans Touring Tips

  • Bring a bag smaller than 14″ x 16″ x 5.5″ to fit into Universal’s free attraction lockers.
  • Worried about buying an item and carrying it around all day? Guests staying on-site may have packages delivered to their hotels the next day for pick up. Ask at the shop for more information.
  • Differentiate your bag from others using pins, stickers, or tags. This prevents confusion and also deters accidental theft.
  • Pack light and only what you need, you’ll feel every extra ounce you overpack.
  • Are you worried important items in your bag will be damaged from the rain? Ask for a plastic bag from stores to protect your belongings.

[Article updated February 3, 2025]

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Joseph Matt

Joe covers theme parks through the lens of his quality engineering day job. He has over seven years of writing experience at Touring Plans and has gone on dozens of trips to Orlando over his life. When not at amusement parks you can find Joe at breweries, enjoying live theater, playing video games, and cooking.

2 thoughts on “Bags on Universal Orlando Rides

  • Which of the above “no bags” attractions will, however, allow you to wear a fanny pack on the ride?

    Reply
    • All of them except the 3 attractions with the no loose items policy/metal detectors.

      Reply

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