The DANGER with the NEW Locker Rules at Epic Universe

Epic Universe is bringing the future to theme parks — but that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof.

Universal is rolling out facial recognition lockers at their brand-new park, and while the system looks sleek and modern, there’s one big issue that could leave you panicked after a ride. The lockers are meant to streamline the process, but the moment that tech doesn’t cooperate, things can go sideways fast. Here’s what you really need to know before trusting your face with your backpack.

Thinking You Don’t Need to Remember Your Locker Number

Universal is using facial recognition technology for the lockers at Epic Universe. The whole idea is that instead of messing with a locker key or even your park ticket, you just use your face to unlock your stuff. Sounds easy, right? It is — until it’s not.

Here’s how the process works: You walk up to the locker bay, press a button, and a camera scans your face. You approve the photo, stow your stuff, and head to the ride. Afterward, you walk around to the exit side of the lockers, press the button again, and have your face scanned a second time. If the system recognizes you, your locker opens and you grab your things. Smooth.

But here’s the problem. You might not be thinking about remembering your  locker number or the locker bay. The idea is you don’t need it — just your face. So if you’re relying on the tech 100% and don’t note which locker bay you’re in or which locker you used, you’re kind of playing with fire.

When Facial Recognition Fails

We all love tech when it works. But anyone who’s ever had to re-scan their fingerprint five times to unlock their phone knows that “flawless” isn’t always the reality.

If your face scan doesn’t work (and yes, it happens), you’ll need help from a team member to access your locker. Here’s the catch: to get that help, they need to know your locker number.

So now you’re stuck. Your backpack with your phone, wallet, and portable fan is locked inside a mystery locker in a sea of identical compartments. You don’t know your number. You can’t remember which locker bay. And the ride exit you’re at? Well, it has hundreds of lockers, all identical. It’s a panic moment no one wants to experience, especially in the middle of a long, hot park day.

What You NEED to Do Instead

We get it — the whole point of facial recognition is that you shouldn’t have to remember a locker number. But trust us, you still need to. Here’s what we recommend:

• If you can have your phone on you for the ride, take a picture of your locker number or bay the moment you stash your stuff.
• Make a mental note of something around you. Is your locker near a wall? A water fountain? Some other landmark?
• Use your ticket instead of your face if you’re not comfortable with the tech. You can still access your locker with your ticket, and you might feel better knowing there’s a backup.

Basically, don’t get too confident with the face scan. It’s cool, it’s futuristic, and when it works, it’s great — but don’t let that fool you into skipping the basics. A little bit of old-school remembering could save you a ton of stress later.

It’s Not Just About the Locker — It’s About Your Day

Here’s the thing: A locker issue might seem minor, but when you’re in the middle of your day at a brand-new, super-hyped theme park, the last thing you want is to lose 30+ minutes trying to prove you’re you just to get your sunglasses.

Add in the fact that Epic Universe can get packed — with all the new rides, new lands, and new crowds — and you’ll want to keep things moving. Getting stuck waiting for a Team Member to verify your locker situation isn’t exactly part of the dream. Universal’s system is definitely a big upgrade from the old-school “tiny key you’ll definitely lose” setup. But that doesn’t mean you want to put your full trust in it just yet.

Bottom Line

Yes, facial recognition lockers are cool. Yes, it’s great to not fumble for a key or your park ticket. But the second you say, “I don’t need to remember this,” is the second you’re asking for trouble. So just do this one thing before you hop on that ride: take note of your locker number. Your future self (the one who’s hot, tired, and trying to find their phone) will thank you.

Check back with AllEars again soon for more.

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Have you used the lockers at Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments!

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