What We Pack for Universal That We Don't Pack for Disney World

You might find yourself tempted to pay a visit to Universal Orlando during your Disney World vacation but we’ve got to caution you before you go!

Most folks don’t realize that visiting Universal is incredibly different from Disney World and what you choose to take with you to Universal could truly make or break your experience in their parks. Here’s a look at 6 ways in which what we pack for Universal is different from Disney World!

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We prefer to take a smaller belt bag with us!

You’re in for a long day at Universal’s theme parks when you figure out the hard way that those complimentary ride lockers aren’t terribly big. These belt bags we found on Amazon are just the right size to hold our essentials without spending more money on a big locker to hold our bigger bags!

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Oh yeah — we’re wearing a lanyard!

Universal still uses physical ticket cards (or the wallet in the Universal app) to scan your park entrance tickets. You’ll find that most visitors (it’s us… we’re most visitors) to Universal prefer to wear their tickets around their necks in a lanyard. While you can certainly purchase a variety of themes, characters, and colorful lanyards at Universal stores, you’re already a step ahead if you walk in with your own. (Bonus points to your Hogwarts house if you’re repping the Wizarding World with these themed lanyards!)

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We’re taking a cooler backpack, for sure!

We know you may prefer to pack your own park snacks and meals for the day and we’ve got the perfect solution for you! This insulated cooler backpack is capable of holding it all — even up to 54 soda cans! Universal doesn’t allow hard-sided coolers, so this one is perfect!

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Accessories tell it all– especially a themed smart watch band!

Representation for your Hogwarts house around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter while visiting Universal and Islands of Adventure could be a great conversation piece! Find your right match and start earning those House Points, asap! And since your phone isn’t allowed with you on most attractions, having a smart watch so you can still communicate with the outside world is always nice.

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You’ve never known convenience quite like a tumbler cup holder!

This tumbler holder could be your BEST FRIEND while visiting Universal! If you’re considering taking your own cup into the parks or purchasing one of their souvenir refillable cups, this will conveniently hold your cup upright freeing your hands and maximizing your capacity while toting around a smaller belt bag where it likely won’t fit.

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We only have room for a poncho as raingear!

Yep, we’re packing light which means the same for our rain gear contingency plan. These reusable ponchos are perfect for toting around the the parks with ease and can quickly be dried out to be reused over and over again! It’s a win-win against the weather. You get to keep playing in the parks while staying dry in the rain! And while we do use these in Disney World for weather, we also like to have them for all the wet rides at Universal. Because unlike Disney World, they will literally soak you!

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