26 Things You Need for Your Universal Studios Vacation
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26 Things You Need for Your Universal Studios Trip from Amazon
I love a good vacation shopping list! Something about it reminds me of back-to-school shopping, which was one of my favorite times of year. And, as a two-time Disney College Program participant, I’ve curated plenty of opinions on the must-have items over my hundreds of park visits to Disney and Universal Studios! Continue reading for the 26 must-have items for your upcoming Universal Studios Orlando vacation!
1. Water bottle
Listen, I spent my summers in Florida growing up. I lived in Florida twice. One thing I notice people underestimate is just how hot Florida is. A lot of families plan their vacations during the kids’ summer break, which makes sense, but it also the hottest time of year in Florida. If you’ve never experienced inland Florida (with no nice sea breeze) from June-August, trust me when I say waiting in line for a ride under that blazing Florida sun while your body has essentially become a puddle of sweat can be a come-to-Jesus moment. You are going to question your life choices. You are going to get testy. You are going to swear off ever going to Florida during the summer again. It’s part of the process. But you know what significantly helps? Staying hydrated.
Universal Studios Orlando allows you to bring in refillable water bottles. I started by taking plastic/sealed water bottles, but I quickly gave this up because the water was warm within an hour or so. Then I started using a refillable plastic bottle filled with ice, but also scratched that because the ice would be melted by noon. The best option? Get a quality metal water bottle that is insulated with a screw top lid and drinking spout. Fill that puppy to the top with ice and top off with cold water.
The great thing about Universal Studios Orlando? They have Coke Freestyle machines located around their parks where you can refill your bottles with water for free. On a recent Disney trip with my sister, we tested two brands of refillable water bottles and both of them held ice for around eight hours, which is more than enough to get you through the hottest part of the day.
This is the bottle that I tested:
And if you’re looking for something a little bit smaller (that still holds the ice), this is the water bottle my sister tested out:
2. High socks
Alright, hear me out. Did my millennial soul want to shrivel up at the idea of shedding my no-show socks? Yes. But when I decided to embrace the Gen Z trend of higher socks, it was a game changer for my time in the parks. Is it Dad fashion? Yes. Is it fabulous? Also yes. Did I have to stop even once to dig my sock back up over my heel? Nope. And, most importantly, did I get any blisters from my shoes rubbing my otherwise naked ankles (Victorian women clasp your pearls)? No.
As you can probably tell, I’m an Adidas girlie! There’s just something so classic about the Adidas brand that I love. Get the same socks here:
3. Backpack
This was the first thing I changed during my College Program days of park hopping. When I was a kid visiting amusement parks, my mom would slap a fanny pack on me and call it a day. And while fanny packs are back in fashion, they aren’t really roomy enough to carry the basic necessities (again, see #1 - WATER BOTTLE).
My personal favorite for visiting the parks is the trendy Fjallraven Kanken bag. The bag pictured was tested at five theme parks within a month and held up well to my high standards. They are a nice mid-range brand backpack that offers more room than the popular Loungefly bags, but is less bulky than a full backpack. Because let’s be honest - you don’t want to feel like you’re hiking while on vacation.
These come in so many different colors, but I went with black to match my bicycle shorts! Get the exact bag I bought here:
4. Makeup organizer
Okay, this one isn’t for the park, but if you’re going on a Disney vacation and planning to take makeup and/or personal hygiene items, I can not rave enough about the foldable cosmetics bag I recently bought from Amazon. It unfolds to reveal four compartments and has an attached hanger, which allows you to hang it (while open for easy access) from the clothing bar in your hotel room. It was so nice having all my cosmetics and personal items in one spot, which kept the counter of the bathroom from getting too cluttered.
Seriously, this toiletry bag is so good! It could also be used for card games, snacks, or all sorts of things to make your vacation more organized! Get yours here:
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5. Poncho
Some people aren’t bothered by getting wet in the rain and, if that’s you, feel free to move along to the next item on the list. But before you go, if you’ve never been caught in a Florida downpour, they are often short but intense and will leave you soaked clear through to your undergarments. If that’s something that will bother you (I personally can’t handle how heavy my clothes feel after the rain stops and the humidity intensifies), it’s smart to invest in a poncho. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy and you can find good quality ponchos without having to pay the steep price in the parks.
These are two-packs that are made of a nice, thick material:
6. Sunscreen
This should go without saying, but pack sunscreen! Nothing makes a vacation less enjoyable than a bad sunburn! Even if it’s rainy or overcast, Florida is notorious for its strong sun. If anyone knows how sneaky those Florida sunburns can be, it’s me. I am allergic to PABA, an ingredient that was stuffed in nearly every sunscreen of the 90’s and 00’s - meaning all those summers I spent in Florida? I went without. And to add insult to injury, I do not have the skin type that tans. Like, at all. I am pale. So when I give you a sunscreen recommendation, know that it is 100% tried and tested. Once I was in my mid-20’s, PABA-free sunscreen started to become prevalent on the market and I was finally able to start protecting myself, but a lot of the damage was already done. Please protect your skin! This recommendation is up there with taking a water bottle to the parks - it’s important! The sunscreen that has never let me down is Sun Bum! It is PABA and paraben free, as well as reef friendly! And I have never burned while wearing it.
Here’s my all-time favorite sunscreen:
7. Setting spray
This one isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you plan on wearing makeup - whether it’s all day at the parks or just a night out at CityWalk, you definitely want setting spray. Otherwise your makeup is going to melt off your face within an hour or so and you’ll be left with orange stains on the neck of your shirt (totally not talking from experience here). Do yourself a favor and buy some setting spray, then set between each layer of makeup you add.
Setting spray can be super expensive, but here is a cheaper option that I took on my last trip:
8. Liquid IV
These are a game changer! If you’ve never had them, they are packets of powder you add into your water that are stacked with electrolytes. It’s not just me, there are tons of travel bloggers that swear by these!
Here is my favorite flavor that tastes just like childhood!
9. Power bank/extra phone cords
Let me tell you now - you’re going to use your phone all day taking pictures and using the Universal app to check wait times. Do yourself a favor and buy a charging brick (or two!) and a lightning cable. It’s so much easier to charge your phone on the go when it starts getting low than to try to find a wall outlet and get stuck in one place for a chunk of your day recharging.
This is a great power bank from a reputable company:
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10. Plastic glasses case
Fun tip that I learned on a recent trip: a lot of glasses cases are made of aluminum and will get you pulled for a bag check at security every single time. It was a running joke that I would always get pulled to the side by security, but finally one of them let me know what the problem was - my glasses case! I wear prescription glasses and also take my prescription sunglasses into the parks, so I usually have two cases with me to pack both sets away for the more intense rides. For my most recent trip, I bought a couple of plastic glasses cases for super cheap off Amazon and it made all the difference in the security lines!
These are the exact cases that I bought for my last trip:
11. Gallon size Ziploc bags
Listen, I’m a worrier. I like to be prepared for any situation that might come up. This might seem silly, but I am always sure to take a couple of Gallon size Ziplock bags on the trip. It makes it easier to group things together in your backpack so you aren’t digging to the bottom of your bag to find your wallet, but also offers a safe place for phones and electronics in case you get caught in a downpour!
If you don’t have any extra at home, grab a small pack here:
12. Aloe vera
Hopefully you won’t need it, but I always take aloe vera with me just in case. You might forget your sunscreen one day or forget to reapply in time. Having aloe vera on hand in the hotel room just offers peace of mind.
Of course I’m going to recommend Sun Bum to pair with your sunscreen!
13. Comfortable shoes
This should be a no-brainer, but you might be surprised at how many times I’ve seen people make horrible shoe choices in the parks. Shoot, I’ve made horrible shoe choices in the parks. On my second College Program, my roommates and I decided to doll up for the parks and I made an awful decision to wear wedge heels. Take it from me - when it comes to theme parks, always think practicality over fashion. There are plenty of cute options that offer much needed support to get you through the day. My personal favorite park shoes are my Adidas!
Try out these Adidas with Cloudfoam soles to keep your feet cushioned all day long in the parks!
14. Protein bars
Listen, Universal Studios is expensive. Chances are that you knew that already. One way I keep costs down is by taking protein or breakfast bars with me on the trip. Not only does an entire box cost less than one meal at Universal, but the heartiness of a protein bar keeps me going through the day.
I am absolutely obsessed with these right now:
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15. Sunglasses
Pretty self-explanatory, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been traveling with someone who forgot their sunglasses. It’s Florida! It’s bright! Don’t get stuck paying Universal prices because grabbing a pair slipped your mind!
I love the classic look of these unisex sunglasses:
16. Hat
Remember when I told you above that I am allergic to PABA, which was in most sunscreens in the 90’s and 00’s? Yeah, which means a hat was often my only line of defense against the Florida sun. This is another one I will preach about until the cows come home. My obvious suggestion is a wide-brimmed hat or bucket hat, but I know depending on your sense of style, you may feel like you’re sticking out like a sore thumb. If that’s the case, just a good old-fashioned ball cap will do (just don’t forget the sunscreen on the back of your neck and top of your ears)!
I absolutely love this hat - and it also comes in black!
17. Beach towel
If you plan on swimming at the resort, my recommendation is to take your own beach towel. There are beach towels offered at each pool the Universal resorts, but they are super small and thin. If you’re like me and actually like to be able to wrap a towel around you, do yourself a favor and throw one in your luggage.
I love the classic feel of these towels (hello aesthetic IG post!) and they come in several colors!
18. Cooling towel
Speaking of towels, if you’ve never heard of cooling towels, listen up! Did you know a lot of your body’s temperature is regulated by your neck? Some brilliant person decided to design a towel that maintains cool moisture, so all you have to do is wet it with water and lay it over the back of your neck. The cool fabric against your neck will help with heat exhaustion and is a life saver for those who have disorders that are triggered by heat.
Get yours here to try out on your next trip:
19. Body Glide stick
Where’s my fellow thick-thighed people at? Days sweating at a hot amusement park with the wrong shorts on can be a disaster for the inside of your thighs - if you know, you know! The Body Glide stick is pretty much essential for combatting chaffing!
Be sure to grab one to protect those thighs!
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20. Reusable straws
People have a lot of opinions about paper straws. Love them or hate them, none of us can change the fact that Universal moved exclusively to paper straws in their parks and resorts. While we love a good eco-friendly move, the fact still remains that if you’re a sipper when it comes to your drinks, the paper starts to get yucky after a while. My suggestion is to grab a pack of reusable stainless steel straws to throw in your park bag.
Grab yours here:
21. Bags for trip back
If you’re a shopper, you definitely want to take an extra bag or two in order to bring back all the goodies and gifts you’ve bought! I typically drive down from Ohio when I go to Florida, so I pack groceries in oversize tote bags and then use those on the way back to pack everything I’ve bought on my trip. If you are flying, I highly recommend checking a larger bag with your clothes and taking an empty carry-on to bring things back in.
Is it even a trip to Universal if you aren’t bombarded with Minions everywhere? Join in on the fun with this Minion tote bag:
22. Bicycle shorts
Another life saver for my thick-thighed friends! I swear these better never go out of fashion because I’m not sure I’ll ever do the parks without them again. I’m so glad it’s in to wear bicycle shorts and oversized shirts right now!
I always go with black to hide any sweat and plus these have pockets for your phone! Trust me, it can be a pain in the butt to dig your phone out of your bag all day!
23. Hair spray
If you have hair that loses its form in the humidity, do yourself a favor and take a good quality hairspray. Even if you plan on wearing a hat during the day, it’s still humid in the evenings when you might have dinner plans or want to hang out at CityWalk.
Here’s a travel-size hairspray to keep you looking great:
24. Neck fan
Like the cooling towel, these are becoming popular at the Disney parks for keeping your neck cool. They are small plastic devices that rest around the back of your neck with a fan on both sides aimed at your neck.
This one has over four stars on Amazon and over 55,000 reviews!
Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
25. Apple AirTags
Honestly, whoever came up with this one was a genius. This has become a popular way to keep track of your stuff on your Disney/Universal Studios vacation. Pop one in your checked luggage to keep an eye on it while flying, keep one in your wallet or backpack in case you sit it down somewhere and forget it, or even clip one to a lanyard for your child in case you get separated.
Grab yours for some peace of mind:
And if you are planning to use them to keep track of kids and family, check out these keychain tag holders to make things a little easier:
26. Packing cubes
Packing cubes can be a great for space saving in your suitcase! If you’re going to be living out of your suitcase for the duration of your vacation, you might as well keep it organized. It also helps keep your clothes compacted, therefore taking up less space.
This set offers a lot of variety in sizes:
I hope this list helped you on what you’d like to pack for your Universal Studios Orlando vacation! Remember, if you don’t have your trip booked yet, I am a travel agent so feel free to send me a message on the Aurora’s Dreamcations Facebook page and I’ll be more than happy to pull you a no-pressure quote!
