Freestyle cup for free water, annual pass/ID/CC, cell phone, mobile charger, and a thin pullover for those cold indoor attractions/restaurants; all in a draw string bag. I don't like having more than that!
I have pared down my daily essentials to a large fanny pack with a ton of pockets I found at a flea market for maybe $15. The best part is that unless the ride has metal detectors, they don't make me put it in a locker, such as on Hagrid's and Gringott's, so I can keep going in the line. And yes, Ziploc bags are essential! 👍
This channel has prepped me so much for my Universal adventure this weekend. It wasn’t even hard to binge watch these videos. Thank you for the amazing videos!
My own tip is i also bring hand sanitizing wipes for rides like MIB since thousands of hands touch the blaster lol, and also a rubbing alcohol spray in case you get any cuts or scratches
Great tip! We have them in our bags but generally use them when we are on the airplane or when we get handed a cup or something! Never thought about MIB guns! Thank you!
I'll be there in 9 days!! I'm doing a solo trip and bought my first Sling Bag. I made sure to get one that is the dimensions of the smallest locker. (Thanks for telling us the size info on another YT vid!) Super excited to be able to not have to carry a big backpack full of stuff for my whole family
That is so exciting! Sling bags are a great choice as well! So comfortable and they can hold a lot of stuff without taking up too much space. Hope you guys have an incredible trip!
Tried both when we went and I definitely loved caring our backpack better. By day three we knew what we really need to carry in it and it made for such a hassle free day. One day we even got a locker by Hagrids just so we could be hands free and cast spells and get cute pics.
Yeah it takes a little time! We definitely still tweak it from day to day. That’s so adorable and it makes us happy that you decided to take some time just to do magic and get pictures 🥰!
Here today. Day 1 we were only in the park for two hours and had rode gringotts front row, were given a galleon from a worker, my gf was picked for the wand ceremony first time going, and got tons of photos with the pass. As well as the knight bus duo talking trash about me being a blonde slytherin. All thanks to you guys and your great tips
This sounds like one of the best days ever! We hope you all had a magical time and that you created all of those memories! Thank you for all the support and we hope to see you in the parks one day!
I carry a sling with many many pockets… Took me a couple trips through the parks to figure out what worked for me! My essentials include collapsible water bottle, sunscreen, contact solution, sunglasses, a copy of my park tickets in case they get lost or wet, hair ties, and a sun blocking umbrella ☂
Meds are a must have for headaches etc. Couldn't agree more. Also super super important to hydrate BEFORE you travel to the parks(if its going to be a hot day). If you start to drink fluids when you start to sweat, you're already dehydrated. I also find the lanyards with the pouches are a must have to keep your credit cards and ID instead of having to dig them out of your wallet etc
We don’t know how people go to the parks without lanyards! It’s such a hassle and I would 100% lose something without it 😂 totally agree about hydrating, too. It’s so important!
A pair of Vessi shoes are great for walking and keeping dry. I’m saying that as a person who has owned a pair for more than a year. They are great and pretty much water proof.
I had never gotten the freestyle cups before my last trip because I always thought they'd be a pain to carry but my boyfriend insisted last time. We ended up both sipping on it regularly, so neither of us ever actually ended up carrying it for long when we were actively using it. By the time one of us was done, the other one usually wanted it.
They are the best single tip that we can give someone! At this point, they have for sure saved us thousands haha. Most of the time we are asking the other one for it 😂.
What type of bag we take and what we bring with us depends on the weather and whether or not we plan to stay keto or have a free eat day. We have an insulated backpack with a thermos if we are bringing all of our own keto food. If we’re eating park food, my husband will carry a sling packs and I’ll wear a crossbody bag. We take mostly what you do, but include hand lotion, croakies to hold our glasses on during thrill rides, lens cleaning spray and lens cloths. We may even bring sandals to wear on water rides and a towel to dry off our feet before switching back to our dry socks and shoes.
Our park bag definitely changes depending on the day! And if we were locals vs staying at the resort, that would have a big difference on what we bring with us as well. You just have to find what works for you!
The ponchos that are sold in the travel section at harmon’s face value are GREAT. I can get everything in my Fanny pack. Poncho, inhaler, small sunscreen bottle, stick battery charger that plugs directly into my phone, lip balm WITH SUNSCREEN, dry socks, and I got extra card holders to go on my lanyard for license, AP, and credit card
Have to say, rather than the dollar stores throw away rain jackets, investing in a theme park rain jacket is worth the 10 to $12. The park jackets are reusable, and are a souvenir as well!
I took a sling bag that had a pocket for my freestyle cup, it worked great! I could also clip my popcorn bucket to my bag.I wish I would have put an extra pair of socks in my bag. My tip is make sure your freestyle cup lid is closed when moving your sling bag around. I'm pretty sure the lady in the stall next to was praying that the yellow substance splashing on the ground was pop. (Mountain Dew)
A lot of great tips here guys! I especially like the tip about the chapstick and eye drops, stuff that you would commonly not think about. What a fantastic video.
Hey guys, loved the video 😊so smart to bring extra socks! don't underestimate the importance of bandaids! I used a ton of them on our last UO vacation for blisters on my feet & they helped me keep going from rope drop to close- the first day i wore sandals & without bandaids & blister tape... let's just say less rides would have been ridden y'all lololol
Great point! We actually have bandaids in the bag as well we just forgot to mention them! Like you said, the first time you get a blister you start to consider other things to bring in order to prevent them haha!
I'll start off by saying that my family absolutely appreciates all the tips! A couple questions. Do you ever worry about pick-pockets with zippered backpacks? How do you feel about collapsible cups? What is the best clothing to stay cool, but not be a lobster when we crawl back to the hotel?😅🥰
Thank you so much! We are so happy to help! We do worry about them but we have never had a single issue in the parks. Lots of cameras around. We have seen others using the collapsible cups so they would probably suffice. Tyler fishes a lot and one of his favorite things to wear is that big sun hat and a long sleeve spf shirt!
I'm jealous! But that aside, I always take several disposable lighters with me. Being a smoker, and the fact that I like to socialize in the smoking areas, there is ALWAYS someone who asks, "May I bum a light from you?" I just give them a lighter to keep, since they cannot be purchased in the parks. Since lighters are free at home (one free lighter with every carton of smokes), I have MANY to spare!
Glad I’ve come across this channel, going down in June and have learned quite a bit from you guys, hopefully I can share a butterbeer with Foo ina bun while I’m down there
First off FUINA!!! Glad he's on here! More importantly, we almost ALWAYS have a freestyle cup because Fuina lives on Soda, but it's also nice to just have! We were taking a sling back and/or smaller backpack for the first few trips with the kids, it held or very compactable rain jackets, wallets, sunblock and had bottle holders with a bonus umbrella holder! I will tell you that we started using a fanny pack since the last trip because of a video y'all posted a while back! It has worked wonders. Not only did it fit my phone and insert wallet, but it help my chapstick, mint candies and my kids phone! I will also not, where I don't grab extra salt or utensils(I might now, because we almost had an incident at Three Broomsticks and getting locked on the back porch, haha) I DO carry a very small container of hot sauce. It is something I almost always have with me no matter where I go. WOW, This was long, My apologies! Cheers!
If you can fit everything you need in a Fanny pack we 100% recommend it! They’re so convenient, and it’s nice to avoid the lockers at most of the rides or at least have less you have to cram in there. I (Anna) recently got a slick back bag that doubles as a Fanny pack from Vera Bradley! I’m excited to use it. We didn’t take it on this trip, though, because we were carrying extra sweatshirts so we didn’t film all our videos in the same two outfits 😂
@@ThePughTwo Oh man, I need to find that bag! Part of my issues with sling or regular backpacks is I have terrible shoulders and after a bit they just hurt so bad! I will gladly take the sore feet over the pain in my shoulders!
@@knick0820 I feel that! I’m bad about chaffing where to bag hits my arms! The sling/Fanny pack is from Vera Bradley, it’s their HP series! I got the yellow hufflepuff one and you can take a section of the shoulder strap out and it becomes a Fanny pack. Super excited to take it to the parks!
Opening week of HHN we were soaked I was so thankful I took your warning and brought bonus shoes and socks. Also ponchos 100% needed. We keep a gallon bag with a few small bags inside for phones.
I bring nothing but my lanyard, fast pass, credit card, phone, and the freestyle cup. The perks of being on the premier hotels you can pack light and go back to the hotel.
I’m glad you guys did this video! It’s very helpful for future trips to Universal! I plan on taking a solo trip up there soon so I’m hoping for the best. Love you guys!
Yes!! You can get both of those things at the parks, too, if you need them. They sell deodorant behind the counter and you can get eye drops from med services!
I LOVE the Neutrogena stick sunscreen. It's in the same size/type packaging as stick deodorant, it goes on easily & does not feel greasy like the aerosols tend to - I'm also paranoid about spraying sunscreen around people & offending them, so I like that aspect. I have sort of sensitive skin that ignites in the sun & it work sooo well. I like to soak & freeze cooling towels, then bring them in with a couple bottles of water in the backpack as well, to keep cool & hydrated with just my Hydroflask. We didn't buy a Freestyle cup on our trip, but we might next time.
Anna has super sensitive skin and her list of sunscreens that she isn’t allergic too is really small! She does best with the spray which is why we use them. We would rather use something different cause we hear that they are bad for the environment 😞. Those towels are life savers! We use them when we are playing golf!
I almost never see people talk about bringing drawstring bags!!! That’s what I usually bring and it can be almost full and still fit in the small lockers and easy to carry. The only way it wouldn’t fit is if it’s stuffed with my Hogwarts robe but it fits with my robe in the small locker if I take the robe out
DO NOT EAT THE BUTTER BEER CHAP STICK!!! Lol. I actually usually take a fanny pack, sling bag, or small day pack depending on what I need to carry each day. However, I do have some specialized needs, such as my diabetes testing supplies. One thing I have figured out is that, for fanny packs and sling bags, it is possible to add on extra pouches, such as the ones made by Amphipod, to extend the storage somewhat.
We’re going in 3 weeks (first big family vacation) and our 14yo is diabetic.. Half my planning has been around trying to make that part of it as stress-free as possible. Good tip about the add-on pouches! We have a ton of sling bags (for his daily supplies) that never get used anymore bc now that he’s a teenager it all gets shoved into his pockets 🙈
@@aliciastucky1674, not the one I have isn't very big but it can fit my testing supplies(including a few lancets), or offer me room in my other bags by relocating other item. It will be more difficult if he is insulin dependent but you can probably use a slightly larger pouch or something. Believe me, I get how teenagers are. I did the same thing, and am sometimes still guilty of it. If he is insulin dependent, there are plenty of small carrying cases for insulin that are insulated. I would also advise you to consider calling Universal to preregister for the Attraction Assistance Pass. If the heat will affect his diabetes at all by standing in long lines, your family should be eligible. Worst they can do is tell you that you don't qualify. They aren't allowed to ask for medical information(no proof required), but you do have to articulate any concerns you may have to them.
I was just in the park for my birthday and I saw y'all on Sunday!! I was with a tour so couldn't say hi, but it rained all day on that Tuesday and I got to try out my Vessi shoes. They are waterproof and worked great!! No sock change needed.
Ahhh dang! We wish we could have said hello! Happy belated birthday! You are the second person to mention those shoes so we definitely have to check those out!
BUTTERBEER FLAVORED CHAPSTICK. WHY IS THIS NOT A THING? I carry a drawstring bag in the parks and my wife and I put in a lot of what you guys recommended in this video. Definitely great ideas
Red hair = red burn! Know that feeling! I don't tan, just burn!! I carry fanny pack if daughter taking backpack. Used to only do backpack when I took my good 35mm digital and lenses. Only take that one day now, use phone other days
Going in October for HHN and was debating on getting a Fanny pack or backpack. You guys mentioned extra socks so looks like backpack it is. Yes!!! Ziploc bags is a must
My 10 year old daughter and I are going in August for her birthday. She has no idea we are going; I'm surprising her the night before the flight. I'm so excited!!! #DaddyDaughterVacation
I started carrying 2 pair of sunglasses in the park. I've lost a pair 2 out of the last 4 trips. Also!!! Sunglasses keep you from squinting!!! Which causes lines. Which is why I bring pair of sunglasses to the park now 😅
Hi Anna & Tyler! I know that I have seen another video you have done on what you bring to the parks, as I said in my comment on that video, I am a minimalist when going to the parks, but I see why carry what you do and since you have your camera equipment it make sense to bring the other items that you do. But like most of your videos, I did pick up on something new. The stuffed pretzel sounds really good, I did not know about them, because I usually avoid the smaller stands because they sometime do not honor the AP Discount. Actually it usually the carts that do not and the stands sometime do. But when I am there in December, I will have to try the pretzel. Thanks for sharing. Ken
Love you two. We'll be back subscribed soon, dang its sad not being on there but its ok. Just had a rough month lol the ziploc bag thing is such a big deal. must pack all of them
Shannon! You know we love you too! Do not worry about that at all! We just went through and updated it cause we haven’t in a while. We never want you to feel like you need to do anything as far as we are concerned! You have supported us for such a long time. All we ask is that you keep being so sweet and come see us in the parks from time to time!
This is unrelated to this video but I’ve been binging your videos, which are great. But I wanted to see if you could do a video on the roughest rides at universal. I sometimes have neck problems and would kind of like to know which rides would probably give me a stiff neck. I’m going in May with my kids and want to ride as many as I can with them. Thank you for all your videos
Another great video guys. Keep up the good work. I have finally caught up with all the vids. As I’ve now caught up what do I do now,.....I know rewatch all from the start 🤭. UK 🇬🇧 follower Jas
HI! you guys are my favorite! I'm planning a birthday trip for my first-time visit and your videos make it so much easier! What is the fanny pack that can hold the cups? I'm not sure if it's in one of your previous videos or not, but I would be curious to see it! Thanks in advance!
Great ideas! I also always carry wet wipes and hand sanitizer. Is that a Vera Bradley backpack? I have a Disney one but need to get a regular pattern one for Universal.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are another great idea! We generally have wipes in our bags, but we have always used them so they just seem like part of it at this point haha. Yeah thats a Vera Bradley bag that Anna has had for probably 10ish years!
I plan on only taking carry on luggage in September, and with the regulations with liquids/sprays/etc would you recommend just ordering off of an app to deliver to the hotel after we arrive? I don't want to spend a fortune to buy sunscreen in the park! Thanks for all your advice, it is really helping me plan for my 1st trip.
Honestly with delivery app fees it would probably work out to about the same. We would suggest taking an Uber from the airport your hotel and having the Uber (or whatever ride share) stop at a convenience store! There’s a feature on those apps where you can add in a stop. That would be the easiest and cheapest as far as we’re concerned!
@@ThePughTwo Absolutely! I have learnt so much. I'm from Sydney Australia and Ive never been to the US let alone the Parks, so you've helped me out heaps for when I do (hopefully) get there in January 2023
You guys should invest in some water socks or water shoes. You can buy them on Amazon or wherever. They are compact and light and you can switch out your shoes for the water rides or when it’s rainy and they fit in a larger Ziploc bag when you’re done (and can go back in the backpack 🎒)
I also have a big head haha. I seriously love the aussie hats that I wear most of the time. They are comfortable and they keep the sun off my neck and face!
We are looking to replace backpack with fanny packs (bumbags) this year. You mentioned that the Freestyle cup can fit in your fanny pack. Which one do you have? That was my concern if we were to get the freestyle cup.
The one we have is actually really old! It was Anna's dads and he said he got it in the 80's! We have ordered a few since then and the cups wouldn't fit, but we may have a solution for that before long!
So Pugh 2, with your incredibly love, some would call infatuation but others tend to say….. addiction…… Can you taste test butterbeer anywhere in the park? Never had it, it was never available at Warner Studios, Watford, UK when it first opened and when I went back the bottled stuff… we’ll it gave me the polly juice come down, aka moody shakes (Bartemius Crouch Junior) when it wore off. It was vile. When we came in October 2016 it wasn’t available. So do you think we can try before you buy? Loving the videos, you two are tremendous. Might see you at HHN 2022?
Haha we can just call it what it is.. an addiction 🤣. Unfortunately you can not try it anywhere in the parks. The bottled stuff is seriously.. just bad in our opinions. The stuff in the parks is so much different! We would suggest trying them all but our order is frozen, hot, and then the regular. We like them all, it’s just that regular is our least favorite! We would love to run into you at HHN this year!
I’ve been trying to ask a question, but every time you guys do a live I’m busy. I just got my year premium pass and my parents are visiting, I wanted to buy tickets for them, I heard that I can get 15% discount if I buy them at the gate the same day, should I do this? Or I will ended up paying more since the price goes up when you buy them the same day. I will really appreciate it your help
Hey Catalina! So it’s possible that it could save you money, but it all depends on how many days your parents are going to visit. If they are just going to the parks for one day, buying them at the gate with that discount COULD save you money, but not guaranteed. If they are visiting more than one day, then it would be cheaper to buy them online because the tickets you purchase at the gate with the discount are single day tickets only! Hope this helps!
Omg! You just saved me so much money! Hahah I was thinking 2 day park to park tickets.. I may just buy the seasonal passes for them… since I’m paying over $700 for both
We shoes are the worst! We suggest packing some flip flops that you can change into for the water rides! That way you don’t have to have soggy feet for the rest of the day.
What is the most important thing that you take with you to the parks!?
100% Freestyle Cup
Besides Richard 😍 then that has to be chapstick. But all natural ginger dramamine, Tylenol, hair tie, and eye drops are a close second.
Freestyle cup for free water, annual pass/ID/CC, cell phone, mobile charger, and a thin pullover for those cold indoor attractions/restaurants; all in a draw string bag. I don't like having more than that!
The correct answer is the ever popular FUNINABUN accessory.
Freestyle cup and since Mike said that already popcorn bucket
I have pared down my daily essentials to a large fanny pack with a ton of pockets I found at a flea market for maybe $15. The best part is that unless the ride has metal detectors, they don't make me put it in a locker, such as on Hagrid's and Gringott's, so I can keep going in the line. And yes, Ziploc bags are essential! 👍
Isn’t it the best feeling when you find the perfect backpack or Fanny pack and everything you need/want fits into it!? Thank you so much for watching!
This channel has prepped me so much for my Universal adventure this weekend. It wasn’t even hard to binge watch these videos. Thank you for the amazing videos!
Aww yay! We love hearing this! Thank you so much for watching the videos!
My own tip is i also bring hand sanitizing wipes for rides like MIB since thousands of hands touch the blaster lol, and also a rubbing alcohol spray in case you get any cuts or scratches
Great tip! We have them in our bags but generally use them when we are on the airplane or when we get handed a cup or something! Never thought about MIB guns! Thank you!
I'll be there in 9 days!! I'm doing a solo trip and bought my first Sling Bag. I made sure to get one that is the dimensions of the smallest locker. (Thanks for telling us the size info on another YT vid!) Super excited to be able to not have to carry a big backpack full of stuff for my whole family
The sling bag should fit! Ours does! We have one that fits me perfectly and I'm under 5 feet! Hope that helps!
My sling bag worked perfect, even when I had it filled pretty full. It fit in every locker.
That is so exciting! Sling bags are a great choice as well! So comfortable and they can hold a lot of stuff without taking up too much space. Hope you guys have an incredible trip!
Awesome to know!
Thanks for helping to community Krystle!
Tried both when we went and I definitely loved caring our backpack better. By day three we knew what we really need to carry in it and it made for such a hassle free day. One day we even got a locker by Hagrids just so we could be hands free and cast spells and get cute pics.
Yeah it takes a little time! We definitely still tweak it from day to day. That’s so adorable and it makes us happy that you decided to take some time just to do magic and get pictures 🥰!
Here today. Day 1 we were only in the park for two hours and had rode gringotts front row, were given a galleon from a worker, my gf was picked for the wand ceremony first time going, and got tons of photos with the pass. As well as the knight bus duo talking trash about me being a blonde slytherin.
All thanks to you guys and your great tips
This sounds like one of the best days ever! We hope you all had a magical time and that you created all of those memories! Thank you for all the support and we hope to see you in the parks one day!
I’m a chronic over-planner and I didn’t think of the socks, so thank you! Awesome job!❤
Haha you’re welcome! Thank you for watching!
I’ll be there in 47 days 👏🏻👏🏻 I’ve been binging all the Universal videos since :)
Thanks for all the tips!’
Yay! How exciting! We hope you have such an amazing trip. Thank you so much for watching!
Also vessi makes great waterproof shoes!! Comfortable, stylish, and your feet will be dry!
And the loop earplugs makes sound more bearable!
Oh that’s good to know! We might have to try out those shoes!
I carry a sling with many many pockets… Took me a couple trips through the parks to figure out what worked for me! My essentials include collapsible water bottle, sunscreen, contact solution, sunglasses, a copy of my park tickets in case they get lost or wet, hair ties, and a sun blocking umbrella ☂
Sling bags are so convenient! Your essentials sound a lot like ours. So awesome you can make a smaller bag work for you!
Meds are a must have for headaches etc. Couldn't agree more.
Also super super important to hydrate BEFORE you travel to the parks(if its going to be a hot day). If you start to drink fluids when you start to sweat, you're already dehydrated.
I also find the lanyards with the pouches are a must have to keep your credit cards and ID instead of having to dig them out of your wallet etc
We don’t know how people go to the parks without lanyards! It’s such a hassle and I would 100% lose something without it 😂 totally agree about hydrating, too. It’s so important!
A pair of Vessi shoes are great for walking and keeping dry. I’m saying that as a person who has owned a pair for more than a year. They are great and pretty much water proof.
We have never heard of them but you have us curious about them so we are going to check them out! Thank you!
I had never gotten the freestyle cups before my last trip because I always thought they'd be a pain to carry but my boyfriend insisted last time. We ended up both sipping on it regularly, so neither of us ever actually ended up carrying it for long when we were actively using it. By the time one of us was done, the other one usually wanted it.
They are the best single tip that we can give someone! At this point, they have for sure saved us thousands haha. Most of the time we are asking the other one for it 😂.
@@ThePughTwo yeah we're exactly the same. Nobody is worried about carrying it when the other person always wants it 😅
Hope you guys had a fun time on your mini vacation going for a week this Friday can't wait!
That is so exciting! We had a great time! Basically recorded the entire time but it was worth it!
What type of bag we take and what we bring with us depends on the weather and whether or not we plan to stay keto or have a free eat day. We have an insulated backpack with a thermos if we are bringing all of our own keto food. If we’re eating park food, my husband will carry a sling packs and I’ll wear a crossbody bag. We take mostly what you do, but include hand lotion, croakies to hold our glasses on during thrill rides, lens cleaning spray and lens cloths. We may even bring sandals to wear on water rides and a towel to dry off our feet before switching back to our dry socks and shoes.
Our park bag definitely changes depending on the day! And if we were locals vs staying at the resort, that would have a big difference on what we bring with us as well. You just have to find what works for you!
I love that you brought up earplugs! I thought of that the other day and ordered some loop earplugs for our trip. I get so overstimulated. 💕💖💕
They really do come in handy! A few of the queues are too loud and with earplugs I can still enjoy them and participate in it all!
The ponchos that are sold in the travel section at harmon’s face value are GREAT. I can get everything in my Fanny pack. Poncho, inhaler, small sunscreen bottle, stick battery charger that plugs directly into my phone, lip balm WITH SUNSCREEN, dry socks, and I got extra card holders to go on my lanyard for license, AP, and credit card
We love getting the cheap ponchos at the store! And yes, 100% to the chapstick with sunscreen. Burnt lips are the WORST!
Have to say, rather than the dollar stores throw away rain jackets, investing in a theme park rain jacket is worth the 10 to $12. The park jackets are reusable, and are a souvenir as well!
If you’re wanting to keep them, absolutely! We just don’t want to deal with the wet ponchos and trying to shove them back in their pouches 😂
I took a sling bag that had a pocket for my freestyle cup, it worked great! I could also clip my popcorn bucket to my bag.I wish I would have put an extra pair of socks in my bag. My tip is make sure your freestyle cup lid is closed when moving your sling bag around. I'm pretty sure the lady in the stall next to was praying that the yellow substance splashing on the ground was pop. (Mountain Dew)
That’s perfect! Sling bags are so convenient. LOL oh goodness that probably had to be explained quickly 🤣!
A lot of great tips here guys! I especially like the tip about the chapstick and eye drops, stuff that you would commonly not think about. What a fantastic video.
Thank you Kevin! We have been to the park too many times without both of them and every time wished we had them!
Hey guys, loved the video 😊so smart to bring extra socks!
don't underestimate the importance of bandaids! I used a ton of them on our last UO vacation for blisters on my feet & they helped me keep going from rope drop to close- the first day i wore sandals & without bandaids & blister tape... let's just say less rides would have been ridden y'all lololol
Great point! We actually have bandaids in the bag as well we just forgot to mention them! Like you said, the first time you get a blister you start to consider other things to bring in order to prevent them haha!
I'll start off by saying that my family absolutely appreciates all the tips! A couple questions. Do you ever worry about pick-pockets with zippered backpacks? How do you feel about collapsible cups? What is the best clothing to stay cool, but not be a lobster when we crawl back to the hotel?😅🥰
Thank you so much! We are so happy to help! We do worry about them but we have never had a single issue in the parks. Lots of cameras around. We have seen others using the collapsible cups so they would probably suffice. Tyler fishes a lot and one of his favorite things to wear is that big sun hat and a long sleeve spf shirt!
@@ThePughTwo thank you!
I like to use ziploc bags for leftover food to bring back to hotel room
I like using a small to medium backpack
Haha we do the same thing! Yeah we just use like the biggest bag we can that will still fit in the lockers!
I can’t stop watching you guys videos! 2 weeks and I’ll be back at Universal!
We are so happy to hear that, but we are even happier that you’ll be back at universal soon! We are so excited for you!
Def a Fanny pack couple. We don’t film and the tiny refillable water bottles we bring work perfectly!
Thats awesome! We really wish we could get away with a fanny pack still!
A small towel is good too to have with socks so you can dry your feet before putting the clean socks on
Ooo that’s such a great tip! We would have never thought of that. Thank you!
I'm jealous! But that aside, I always take several disposable lighters with me. Being a smoker, and the fact that I like to socialize in the smoking areas, there is ALWAYS someone who asks, "May I bum a light from you?" I just give them a lighter to keep, since they cannot be purchased in the parks. Since lighters are free at home (one free lighter with every carton of smokes), I have MANY to spare!
Haha that’s a great idea and a way to pass on some fortune! So sweet of you. What are you jealous of??
@@ThePughTwo - You're in Florida!
@@mattrost2574 Not any more 😥😥
Glad I’ve come across this channel, going down in June and have learned quite a bit from you guys, hopefully I can share a butterbeer with Foo ina bun while I’m down there
Lol thank you so much! That is certainly a moment we will not live down I have a feeling!
As always, you were there the week before us! We leave Thursday for Uncelebration.
Super jealous! I wanted to go to the Uncelebration this year too but couldn't make it work! Have fun!
We will get it lined up one day soon!
First off FUINA!!! Glad he's on here! More importantly, we almost ALWAYS have a freestyle cup because Fuina lives on Soda, but it's also nice to just have! We were taking a sling back and/or smaller backpack for the first few trips with the kids, it held or very compactable rain jackets, wallets, sunblock and had bottle holders with a bonus umbrella holder!
I will tell you that we started using a fanny pack since the last trip because of a video y'all posted a while back! It has worked wonders. Not only did it fit my phone and insert wallet, but it help my chapstick, mint candies and my kids phone! I will also not, where I don't grab extra salt or utensils(I might now, because we almost had an incident at Three Broomsticks and getting locked on the back porch, haha) I DO carry a very small container of hot sauce. It is something I almost always have with me no matter where I go. WOW, This was long, My apologies! Cheers!
If you can fit everything you need in a Fanny pack we 100% recommend it! They’re so convenient, and it’s nice to avoid the lockers at most of the rides or at least have less you have to cram in there. I (Anna) recently got a slick back bag that doubles as a Fanny pack from Vera Bradley! I’m excited to use it. We didn’t take it on this trip, though, because we were carrying extra sweatshirts so we didn’t film all our videos in the same two outfits 😂
@@ThePughTwo Oh man, I need to find that bag! Part of my issues with sling or regular backpacks is I have terrible shoulders and after a bit they just hurt so bad! I will gladly take the sore feet over the pain in my shoulders!
@@knick0820 I feel that! I’m bad about chaffing where to bag hits my arms! The sling/Fanny pack is from Vera Bradley, it’s their HP series! I got the yellow hufflepuff one and you can take a section of the shoulder strap out and it becomes a Fanny pack. Super excited to take it to the parks!
@@ThePughTwo I will have to look this bag up! It sounds like something I should get just because I LOVE Harry Potter!
Opening week of HHN we were soaked I was so thankful I took your warning and brought bonus shoes and socks. Also ponchos 100% needed. We keep a gallon bag with a few small bags inside for phones.
It was a wet one for sure! We took weeks to dry out. So happy that we could help prepare you for that! It was brutal.
I bring nothing but my lanyard, fast pass, credit card, phone, and the freestyle cup. The perks of being on the premier hotels you can pack light and go back to the hotel.
We always have camera gear on us. On the rare occasion we're just hanging out, it's so nice to be able to travel light!
Can't wait to go in Oct. When you're older like me, you need sun screen for good skin, even in the winter.
Sunscreen is always important!
I’m glad you guys did this video! It’s very helpful for future trips to Universal! I plan on taking a solo trip up there soon so I’m hoping for the best. Love you guys!
Thank you so much for watching! We hope you have an amazing time on your solo trip!
Eye drops are especially key at the water park. That chlorine is so strong my eyes will burn like crazy. Extra deodorant is nice, too
Yes!! You can get both of those things at the parks, too, if you need them. They sell deodorant behind the counter and you can get eye drops from med services!
The poncho tip is elite.
Thank you!
I LOVE the Neutrogena stick sunscreen. It's in the same size/type packaging as stick deodorant, it goes on easily & does not feel greasy like the aerosols tend to - I'm also paranoid about spraying sunscreen around people & offending them, so I like that aspect. I have sort of sensitive skin that ignites in the sun & it work sooo well.
I like to soak & freeze cooling towels, then bring them in with a couple bottles of water in the backpack as well, to keep cool & hydrated with just my Hydroflask. We didn't buy a Freestyle cup on our trip, but we might next time.
Anna has super sensitive skin and her list of sunscreens that she isn’t allergic too is really small! She does best with the spray which is why we use them. We would rather use something different cause we hear that they are bad for the environment 😞. Those towels are life savers! We use them when we are playing golf!
I almost never see people talk about bringing drawstring bags!!! That’s what I usually bring and it can be almost full and still fit in the small lockers and easy to carry. The only way it wouldn’t fit is if it’s stuffed with my Hogwarts robe but it fits with my robe in the small locker if I take the robe out
It just doesn’t suite our needs in the parks, but if you can make it work, it’s an amazing option for sure!!
DO NOT EAT THE BUTTER BEER CHAP STICK!!! Lol. I actually usually take a fanny pack, sling bag, or small day pack depending on what I need to carry each day. However, I do have some specialized needs, such as my diabetes testing supplies. One thing I have figured out is that, for fanny packs and sling bags, it is possible to add on extra pouches, such as the ones made by Amphipod, to extend the storage somewhat.
We’re going in 3 weeks (first big family vacation) and our 14yo is diabetic.. Half my planning has been around trying to make that part of it as stress-free as possible. Good tip about the add-on pouches! We have a ton of sling bags (for his daily supplies) that never get used anymore bc now that he’s a teenager it all gets shoved into his pockets 🙈
@@aliciastucky1674, not the one I have isn't very big but it can fit my testing supplies(including a few lancets), or offer me room in my other bags by relocating other item. It will be more difficult if he is insulin dependent but you can probably use a slightly larger pouch or something. Believe me, I get how teenagers are. I did the same thing, and am sometimes still guilty of it. If he is insulin dependent, there are plenty of small carrying cases for insulin that are insulated. I would also advise you to consider calling Universal to preregister for the Attraction Assistance Pass. If the heat will affect his diabetes at all by standing in long lines, your family should be eligible. Worst they can do is tell you that you don't qualify. They aren't allowed to ask for medical information(no proof required), but you do have to articulate any concerns you may have to them.
I recommend the eargasm ear plugs, their reusable and come in their own carrying case. Super convenient for HHN and the Mardi Gras concerts
Thank you for the suggestion! We will look into them!
I was just in the park for my birthday and I saw y'all on Sunday!! I was with a tour so couldn't say hi, but it rained all day on that Tuesday and I got to try out my Vessi shoes. They are waterproof and worked great!! No sock change needed.
Ahhh dang! We wish we could have said hello! Happy belated birthday! You are the second person to mention those shoes so we definitely have to check those out!
@@ThePughTwo I have the Cityscape Shoes, and a really good tip is that if you have wide feet get the men's style. They are a bit wider.
@@victoriahartable that’s good to know!!
I didn’t think of socks, thank you!
Absolutely! We hope they come in handy!
BUTTERBEER FLAVORED CHAPSTICK. WHY IS THIS NOT A THING? I carry a drawstring bag in the parks and my wife and I put in a lot of what you guys recommended in this video. Definitely great ideas
We think the same thing! Always gotta have the necessities!
Red hair = red burn! Know that feeling! I don't tan, just burn!! I carry fanny pack if daughter taking backpack. Used to only do backpack when I took my good 35mm digital and lenses. Only take that one day now, use phone other days
Fanny packs are perfect for the parks! I feel your pain with the sun burns too, they’re brutal! Lol pictures are always very important on vacations!!
Yay!! So fun! That pizza pretzel is awesome!
We love it!
Going in October for HHN and was debating on getting a Fanny pack or backpack. You guys mentioned extra socks so looks like backpack it is. Yes!!! Ziploc bags is a must
The socks are life savers for us! Really helps our feet throughout the trip!
My 10 year old daughter and I are going in August for her birthday. She has no idea we are going; I'm surprising her the night before the flight. I'm so excited!!! #DaddyDaughterVacation
Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet! We hope you have the best time on your trip!! She’s gonna be so surprised!
I actually carry a back pack that has a water bladder in it so we can stay hydrated.
We’ve seen a few people with those! They seem like a great idea!
You guys were funny when you talked about the wet clothes in the bag getting everything all moldy.
Haha thank you!
@The Pugh Two would you consider adding a segment to your monthly videos that covers what you might or might not need in your pack according to month?
We’ll keep this in mind, thank you for the suggestion!
I'm excited for my first trip to Universal in September - staying at Royal Pacific
We are excited for you! We are hoping we are around that week!
It so nice this video... I have written all in my notebook. Thank for your help. Really appreciated .❤❤🙏
Thank you so much! We hope you have a great time when you visit!
I started carrying 2 pair of sunglasses in the park. I've lost a pair 2 out of the last 4 trips.
Also!!! Sunglasses keep you from squinting!!! Which causes lines. Which is why I bring pair of sunglasses to the park now 😅
Haha that’s a big reason why we wear them too!
Another great video. Getting ready to plan my family's first trip. Your videos are such a huge help
Thank you so much Pat! We hope you all have an amazing time! The first trip is very special so if there are any questions, please let us know!
Thank you for all the advice! I visit Universal this weekend and I feel prepared!
How exciting! It’s supposed to be pretty chilly, so make sure you dress warm enough!
Hi Anna & Tyler! I know that I have seen another video you have done on what you bring to the parks, as I said in my comment on that video, I am a minimalist when going to the parks, but I see why carry what you do and since you have your camera equipment it make sense to bring the other items that you do. But like most of your videos, I did pick up on something new. The stuffed pretzel sounds really good, I did not know about them, because I usually avoid the smaller stands because they sometime do not honor the AP Discount. Actually it usually the carts that do not and the stands sometime do. But when I am there in December, I will have to try the pretzel. Thanks for sharing. Ken
Most of the carts have gotten better about accepting the discount! The kiosk with the pizza pretzels definitely do, though. Worth trying for sure!!
@@ThePughTwo thanks for the heads up, I know that some do. I will definitely try the pretzel in December and let you know what I think of it! Ken
We use a fanny back
We love Fanny packs and wish we could still utilize them exclusively!
I LOVE videos like this!!!!
Great job you 2!
#PughCrew4Life
Thank you so much! 💗💗
Love you two. We'll be back subscribed soon, dang its sad not being on there but its ok. Just had a rough month lol the ziploc bag thing is such a big deal. must pack all of them
Shannon! You know we love you too! Do not worry about that at all! We just went through and updated it cause we haven’t in a while. We never want you to feel like you need to do anything as far as we are concerned! You have supported us for such a long time. All we ask is that you keep being so sweet and come see us in the parks from time to time!
I would recommend bringing a real straw if you hate those paper ones
That’s a great suggestion! Bringing a reusable straw is definitely happening next!
I normally only carry my Camel back. It has 3 pockets to hold everything. Sunscreen is a must
That’s awesome that you can fit it all in there!
So that pizza pretzel is soooo good!!!!
It’s one of our absolute favorites!
Love these videos! So helpful as I’m a notorious overpacker for everything 😬😂
We are too but it’s better to have something and not need it!
This is unrelated to this video but I’ve been binging your videos, which are great. But I wanted to see if you could do a video on the roughest rides at universal. I sometimes have neck problems and would kind of like to know which rides would probably give me a stiff neck. I’m going in May with my kids and want to ride as many as I can with them. Thank you for all your videos
Thank you so much for watching the videos! We love that idea for a video and it seems like it could help people so we will start putting it together!
I carry both. My phone and cards and other important things stay with me in my fanny pack.
That sounds like a perfect plan!
Great list. Really helped me out. Thanks
You’re the best Tracy! Thank you like always!
Another great video guys. Keep up the good work. I have finally caught up with all the vids. As I’ve now caught up what do I do now,.....I know rewatch all from the start 🤭. UK 🇬🇧 follower Jas
Than you so much! We will make sure we have more videos out for you soon!
Vera Bradley BAG!!!!!🥰
Haha yes! I have the HP one shoulder bag now!
HI! you guys are my favorite! I'm planning a birthday trip for my first-time visit and your videos make it so much easier! What is the fanny pack that can hold the cups? I'm not sure if it's in one of your previous videos or not, but I would be curious to see it! Thanks in advance!
Thank you!! So, this Fanny pack is really old. It was my dads and he said he got it in the 80s. We will try to find a brand on it!
Great ideas! I also always carry wet wipes and hand sanitizer. Is that a Vera Bradley backpack? I have a Disney one but need to get a regular pattern one for Universal.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are another great idea! We generally have wipes in our bags, but we have always used them so they just seem like part of it at this point haha. Yeah thats a Vera Bradley bag that Anna has had for probably 10ish years!
When we went December we got that pretzel a few times they are amazing
It is so good isn’t it!? One of our absolute favorites!
Amazing thank you guys for the recommendation! When I go back I will 100% be getting another one
This is a random question but, do y’all have a specific type of socks that you prefer for the theme parks? Like a certain brand?
Love your videos!! 😊
We LOVE our bombas! Only problem is they are a little expensive and we only get them as Christmas gifts lol! Thank you so much
I plan on only taking carry on luggage in September, and with the regulations with liquids/sprays/etc would you recommend just ordering off of an app to deliver to the hotel after we arrive? I don't want to spend a fortune to buy sunscreen in the park! Thanks for all your advice, it is really helping me plan for my 1st trip.
Honestly with delivery app fees it would probably work out to about the same. We would suggest taking an Uber from the airport your hotel and having the Uber (or whatever ride share) stop at a convenience store! There’s a feature on those apps where you can add in a stop. That would be the easiest and cheapest as far as we’re concerned!
Saw you guys in line at velocicoaster yesterday but you were pretty far away so I wasn’t able to say what’s up 😎
Wish you could have said hello!
you guys are so lucky to be able to go almost daily !🥺
We wish! We live in Tennessee!
@@ThePughTwo really?! y’all are always making videos at universal!!
@@j.celaya3 we record several videos on our trips and then post a few each week. We were there this past weekend and recorded 7! Lol
@@ThePughTwo WOW! lol
i go there once a year!
Weird question but are the freestyle cups leak proof? Im concerned those cups will leak in the locker if we have drinks in it
No, you just dump it out before you put it in the locker!
Thanks for your awesome info!! I wish I was there.
Hope it was helpful!
@@ThePughTwo Absolutely! I have learnt so much. I'm from Sydney Australia and Ive never been to the US let alone the Parks, so you've helped me out heaps for when I do (hopefully) get there in January 2023
@@alisonings9735 We are so excited for you! If you have any questions between now and then, please let us know!
@@ThePughTwo Will do, thanks crew :)
Love this video! Thank you!
love these videos!! any tips to survive the colder weather at universal this time of year? i’m headed there this weekend!!
Take hot hands! Serious! They were our favorite thing we had in the bag this past weekend!
@@ThePughTwo I didn’t even think of that 😟 THANK YOU!!
@@jamiesteele6888 Have a great trip!
Do you have a video of the things you pack from your home to Florida. I am going in September.
We kinda touch that in an older video, but we could do a more comprehensive video sometime if you would like
Instead of getting freestyle cups you could buy a pack of water from Walmart and take some bottles of water.
Absolutely! We just like the convenience of the bottles. We always fly to the parks and don’t have a car, so it’s just the easiest for us!
Fanny pack works for me
They’re so convenient if you can fit everything in them!!
@@ThePughTwo ah, well, I'm not carrying camera equipment... .
Where are the water refillable stations? Going tomorrow!!😍🤗
You can find at least one in almost every land! (Excluding Wizarding World)
How many days are enough to explore and get on all the rides at Universal Studios?
Three days is what we see a lot of people do!
I carry zip lock bags every trip! lol
They have so many uses!
Great video!!
Thank you!
You guys should invest in some water socks or water shoes. You can buy them on Amazon or wherever. They are compact and light and you can switch out your shoes for the water rides or when it’s rainy and they fit in a larger Ziploc bag when you’re done (and can go back in the backpack 🎒)
That’s a great idea, thank you for the suggestion!
Question for Tyler, I have a pretty big head, I wear an XL football helmet, what hat would you recommend so I don’t die within the Florida heat?
I also have a big head haha. I seriously love the aussie hats that I wear most of the time. They are comfortable and they keep the sun off my neck and face!
My feet still haven’t recovered from HHN opening night!
Anna says it permanently changed her feet😂
hi guys, quick question, when you wear contacts, does going on the rides bother them
Not typically, but after a few days they can start to dry out!
We are looking to replace backpack with fanny packs (bumbags) this year. You mentioned that the Freestyle cup can fit in your fanny pack. Which one do you have? That was my concern if we were to get the freestyle cup.
The one we have is actually really old! It was Anna's dads and he said he got it in the 80's! We have ordered a few since then and the cups wouldn't fit, but we may have a solution for that before long!
@@ThePughTwo Look forward to hearing about it.
So Pugh 2, with your incredibly love, some would call infatuation but others tend to say….. addiction……
Can you taste test butterbeer anywhere in the park? Never had it, it was never available at Warner Studios, Watford, UK when it first opened and when I went back the bottled stuff… we’ll it gave me the polly juice come down, aka moody shakes (Bartemius Crouch Junior) when it wore off. It was vile. When we came in October 2016 it wasn’t available. So do you think we can try before you buy? Loving the videos, you two are tremendous. Might see you at HHN 2022?
Haha we can just call it what it is.. an addiction 🤣. Unfortunately you can not try it anywhere in the parks. The bottled stuff is seriously.. just bad in our opinions. The stuff in the parks is so much different! We would suggest trying them all but our order is frozen, hot, and then the regular. We like them all, it’s just that regular is our least favorite! We would love to run into you at HHN this year!
@@ThePughTwo 😂 thank you for the free lockers measurements. We’re still thinking on what rucksack to purchase.
I’ve been trying to ask a question, but every time you guys do a live I’m busy. I just got my year premium pass and my parents are visiting, I wanted to buy tickets for them, I heard that I can get 15% discount if I buy them at the gate the same day, should I do this? Or I will ended up paying more since the price goes up when you buy them the same day. I will really appreciate it your help
Hey Catalina! So it’s possible that it could save you money, but it all depends on how many days your parents are going to visit. If they are just going to the parks for one day, buying them at the gate with that discount COULD save you money, but not guaranteed. If they are visiting more than one day, then it would be cheaper to buy them online because the tickets you purchase at the gate with the discount are single day tickets only! Hope this helps!
Omg! You just saved me so much money! Hahah I was thinking 2 day park to park tickets.. I may just buy the seasonal passes for them… since I’m paying over $700 for both
What size backpack do you have!? I always end up having to pay for a locker with my backpack :(
Can't remember off the top of my head. When we bought it, we looked at the free locker dimensions and made sure it was smaller than that!
did ur backpack fit the lockers ?
Have you guys done the vip tour? If so. How was it?
We haven’t yet. We would love to do one and be able to share our experience with everyone!
No pots and pans on the water rides Tyler? Darn it
Hi, I never left a comment before but what about wet shoes after a water ride
We shoes are the worst! We suggest packing some flip flops that you can change into for the water rides! That way you don’t have to have soggy feet for the rest of the day.
@@ThePughTwo Lol..that makes sense, thanks for the reply!
Does the park allow a camelback in your backpack? Or water bottles only
To be honest, we aren’t sure. We haven’t seen anyone in the parks with one before!