If you’ve never been to Universal Orlando® Resort before — and especially if you’ve never been to Orlando — you may have dozens of questions about your upcoming trip. Just as no two families are the same, no two vacation experiences are the same, but we’ve prepared some general suggestions to help your family prepare for your visit.
We know that planning for your Universal Orlando® Resort vacation is exciting, so we’ve put together a checklist of helpful items to pack. For your convenience, many of these items are available for sale at our resort, but you’ll save time and money if you remember to bring them with you from home. We want every member of your family to have a fun, comfortable, and safe vacation with us!
• Comfortable shoes. These are a must! You’ll be doing a lot of walking around the theme parks, and you could be on your feet quite a bit more than you may anticipate. For this reason, we do not recommend wearing flip-flops or heeled shoes to the parks.
• Dress shoes. For the fashion-conscious, stylish shoes will come in handy if you plan on dining at one of our upscale restaurants, such as Emeril’s® Restaurant Orlando or hitting the nightclubs at CityWalk®.
• Sunscreen. They don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing! It doesn’t take long to get sunburned. Make sure to cover up!
• Sunglasses. Great for two reasons: you’ll look like a movie star, and you’ll protect your eyes from the bright sun.
• Baseball cap or wide brimmed hat. Hats will help to shield your eyes and face from the Florida sun. This is especially essential for men with bald or shaved heads. Remember to take your hat off on our thrill rides, though!
• Swimwear. You’ll definitely want to cool off in the pool while you’re in Orlando. You may also want to bring your bathing suit or a change of clothing when you come to Universal Orlando’s theme parks. Some of the water rides, particularly in Islands of Adventure, will get you quite soaked. There are rental lockers where you can store your clothes. Some people even wear their swimwear underneath their outer clothes, and strip down to their bathing suits before boarding the water rides.
• Jacket or sweatshirt. Believe it or not, it can actually get pretty chilly in Florida. Between December and February, the temperature can fluctuate from week to week between T-shirt warmth and winter coat cold. Be sure to consult your newspaper, television, or the internet before your trip to determine the weather forecast for the entire length of your stay, especially if you’re visiting in the winter.
• Backpacks and shoulder bags. A small, soft-sided bag is always handy to have with you when exploring the parks. Please be advised that your bag will be inspected by Security before you enter the theme parks, and you may have to check it in a rental locker before boarding certain thrill rides and roller coasters. We recommend that you pack only basic essentials and leave valuable items at home or in your hotel safe.
PLEASE NOTE: Coolers are not permitted in either theme park.
• Wet wipes. These are a good idea if you’re traveling with kids, especially if they’re going to be snacking.
• Camera with batteries, plenty of film or extra memory cards. Expect to take lots of photographs during your visit.
• And most important, don’t forget to bring any essential medications you or your family will need during your stay! You can stop by Health Services at each park for assistance with storing your daily medication.
