Wondering what to take to Universal Studios for the best possible family vacation? This is the ultimate Universal Studios packing list for adults spending a day at the parks.
We (two adults) visited two of the Orlando, Florida Universal theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but not the Volcano Bay water rides), and our primary purpose was to enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as efficiently and effectively as possible.
I’m a very prepared person who always wants to have everything I need, but I also don’t want to spend my day lugging around a huge bag, so this Universal Studios packing list balances both of those goals.
This is NOT an all-inclusive list of everything you can possibly consider for your packing list for Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood. Rather, it’s my recommendations of what to pack for a day at Universal Studios with specific tips and products based on personal experience of what you REALLY need versus what you can leave behind.
And, because I don’t have kids, nor did I travel with any kids to Universal Studios, this list is generally meant more for adults, although it may certainly help you pack for a trip with kids as well.
Below are all my Universal packing list tips for adults with exactly what to bring to Universal Studios.
Top Picks from the Universal Studios Packing List for Adults
These two top picks are popular with both me and readers of The Literary Lifestyle, who have been scooping them up for their Universal Studios trips.
Learn more about them below.
Ultimate Universal Studios Packing List for Adults
What do I need to pack for Universal?
- Bandaids
- Cell Phone
- Credit Cards
- Fanny Pack / Belt Bag
- Hand Sanitizer
- Identification
- Lanyard
- Medication
- Poncho
- Portable Cell Phone Charger
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Snacks
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Tickets
- Universal Studios App
Fanny Pack / Belt Bag
First and foremost, I HIGHLY recommend you wear a fanny pack/belt bag to Universal Studios because you can wear it on most rides! Otherwise, you may need to use lockers for rides, which can get really crowded and costly, as well as waste time.
Wearing one also helped me carry my cell phone into the rides and take pictures while waiting — there are actually a lot of really cool things to see, and experience (and capture) while you are waiting in line.
I wore this specific fanny pack on ALL the Harry Potter rides, but this belt bag is a really popular style that fits a lot comfortably. (Both are bestsellers with readers of The Literary Lifestyle.)
Bandaids
Since Bandaids are so small and thin, and since you can be SO miserable if you need one and don’t have one, I recommend you throw a few in your bag. You will definitely be doing a lot of walking at Universal Studios, so you may very well get blisters.
Cell Phone
It’s totally obvious to bring your cell phone, but I also don’t want you to forget to bring the most obvious item, so I added it to this Universal Studios packing list.
Credit Cards
While you can use your Universal Studios hotel key as a credit card (if you are staying on-site), it’s glitchy and doesn’t always work, so I recommend you bring at least one credit card with you to the parks.
Hand Sanitizer
You will definitely be touching a lot of rides, handles, handrails, etc., in Universal Studios, so if you want to be extra cautious about germs, pack some travel-sized hand sanitizer in your bag. These little packs are so tiny and great for one-time use.
Identification
So, you probably DON’T need personal identification at Universal Studios. BUT, the specific type of ticket that the person in front of me in line had REQUIRED identification, and he didn’t have it, so he had to go back to his hotel to get it, virtually wasting an hour of time when he had paid for early admission to the parks. Woof! So, I say, bring it just in case you need it.
Lanyard
If I could have packed only one thing differently at the Universal Studios parks, I would have packed and worn a lanyard with my tickets and express pass. It was SUCH a pain to dig through my wallet every time I needed them, which was often.
Lots of people wear Harry Potter lanyards there, like this Hogwarts-themed one.
Medication
I ALMOST forgot to pack my Dramamine for motion sickness and, boy, am I glad I went back to get it because I was feeling woozy on the rides! It’s a must for anyone who struggles with ANY motion sickness, as the types of rides at these parks (i.e., virtual reality) can really bring up those icky feelings fast.
You may also wish to pack a pain reliever and/or any other medication you are required to take during the day.
Poncho
If you think it may rain the day you are at Universal Studios, or you don’t want to get wet on any water rides (like the Jurassic Park one), you may want to be prepared by packing these foldable, disposable ponchos in your bag.
Portable Cell Phone Charger
I purchased a new cell phone just before visiting Universal Studios Orlando, but even with a brand new cell phone battery, I took a lot of photos and videos during the day, and my battery deteriorated quickly.
So, you may want to pack a small, portable cell phone charger, like this credit-card-sized charger, in your bag.
Refillable Water Bottle
If you are visiting Universal Studios on a hot day, you should consider packing a small, foldable, reusable water bottle to stay hydrated without spending a fortune on bottled water. There are spots where you can fill it up in the park.
Snacks
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on food, either, you may want to pack one or two small snacks like a Clif Bar to keep you full, especially since the food lines can get really long at lunchtime. Try to pack something that won’t melt as well!
Sunglasses
I wore my Ray Ban sunglasses all day long at Universal Studios, so packing them was an absolute must for me that I recommend to you too. They fit nicely in my belt bag as well.
Of course, feel free to pack a cheaper pair of sunglasses, in case they break during one of the rides!
Sunscreen
You will definitely spend a lot of time in the sun at Universal Studios, so you should pack a travel-sized bottle of sunscreen and/or lip balm to avoid a burn.
Tickets
Again, maybe it goes without saying that you need to pack your tickets, but just in case: YOU NEED TO PACK YOUR TICKETS! We stayed at a hotel on-site and picked up our tickets at the hotel the night before we visited the parks.
And, since our hotel key also functioned as our express pass and a “credit card,” we packed that as well.
Universal Studios App
Lastly, while you won’t exactly “pack,” the Universal Studios app, you should download it on your cell phone before you visit Universal Studios.
It can be really hard to use, so I kind of hate recommending it, but at the same time, it functions as a park map, provides current wait times for rides, allows you to order food at busy restaurants, etc. So, overall, it’s still extremely useful. We definitely consulted it a lot while we were at Universal Studios.
Shop This Universal Studios Packing List
Scroll and click through the images below to shop these recommended things to take to Universal Studios, most of which can be purchased quickly and easily on Amazon:
Popular Picks:
That concludes the ultimate Universal Studios packing list of things to bring to Universal Studios for the best day ever.
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- What to Wear at Universal Studios
- Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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