13 Things You NEED to Bring to Universal Studios Hollywood

[@MP-cr7uf]

If your interactive Harry Potter wand is not working properly, it might be because the tip is scratched. If this is the case, the wand shops at Universal will repair it for free and it just takes a few minutes. Try this before buying a whole new one.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

That's good to know. I was told if it didn't work, and it wasn't the day you bought it, they wouldn't replace it. But the person who told me this didn't mention they had repair services.

[@MP-cr7uf]

Unless this has changed or if they do not offer this in Hollywood like they did (or still do) in Orlando.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@MP-cr7uf It wasn’t a team member. It was just second hand info. So I would imagine it’s the same.

[@valdez5597]

Yay!! We are exploring Universal next month for the first time in about 7 years ! Thank you for the tips ! Your videos of Disneyland have always been our saving grace and knew your Universal videos would be super helpful here too ! Wasn’t disappointed !! 🎉🎉

[@MBFF-if7yu]

My teens are HP fans so the wands were a great purchase, they spent hours doing all “magic” over and over. It’s expensive but they decided to spent their savings on it. Did not disappoint. Power bands on Nintendo only my boy wanted, and me :) so much fun!!!

[@needanap2needanap232]

I love the honesty! Thanks for the info, we don't have time for Universal Studios but it looks fun!

[@kjc2987]

We’ve done the wand repair multiple times in Orlando - pretty sure they just replaced it as it was a bit different color. But now we have some older versions from early 2022 and they won’t “fix” those since they no longer sell those models. Another helpful thing to bring for wands is eraser tips, the cheap kind that go over pencil tops, to cover the wand tips when not doing spells. Really cuts down on accidental scratches to the tip especially with kids.

[@calvinreed9751]

No way!!! We came out to Disney land yesterday and today looking for you!!! Can’t believe we missed you and we are going to universal tomorrow!!

[@jennifergonzalez6236]

This is definitely very helpful. Thanks for all your informative videos.

[@elvisnamikaze3464]

Number 1 should be Snacks and Water other than that really loved the video :)

[@CaptainBash123]

Thank You So Much!! 🙏🙏 I’m about to go !!!

[@Sandiastef]

Sharing this with people I know going next month.

[@kristenhoskin5822]

Do you know if the power up bands run out of batteries? We bought them last year and wondering if we can still use the same ones?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’m pretty sure they are RFID based, and don’t run on battery. It’s just a chip that gets read locally and transmits data to the reader. Their software then updates and you view that on the app, which you have to connect via a QR code initially.

[@kristenhoskin5822]

Thanks! I’d hate to have to buy new ones every time lol

[@crayzieap]

Going for 2-days in early August (mid week) and will pay for the early Mario entry. Think I need to also get express if we plan to stay from open to close?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I only ever bought it once (I’ve been 7 or 8 times now) and it was unnecessary. I’ve never been on a day that’s been too crowded to get everything done waiting standby. If you have early entry, that will allow you to get Mario Kart done before it gets 90 minute lines. The rest of the rides should be manageable without Express. If it turns out to be busy, you can buy it day of at the little kiosk just inside the park entrance that I show when talking about the lanyards.

[@crayzieap]

​@@SoCalDisneyDadThanks! Also to clarify your power bands input, will one band work for 1 kid and 2 parents for the final battle?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@crayzieap No, it’s 1 band for 2 people total. I think the allowance is because if only the parents only bought one band for their child and not themselves, the kid can’t get in alone, so a parent can accompany. But only one.

[@crayzieap]

@@SoCalDisneyDad It turns out 4 people are allowed to accompany the player. Your point is valid though since having two kids (players) you do need multiple bands. Reached out to the customer support folks and this is what they said, "Up to four guests may enter the Bowser Jr. game to accompany the player with the Power-Up band, so you should be fine. Please be aware, though, that only the player with the Power-Up band will be able to play the game."

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@crayzieap That’s different from what I’ve been told (and experienced first hand). So it must be new policy maybe? When I did it, it was only one other person (also verified this from other sources online), but both people could play (and I did). So I wonder if this is either new, or if they do allow parties higher than 2, but the play policy is different because of the quantity. Like if you took only two they’d still let the non-band person play. I’ll have to ask for clarification the next time I’m there.

[@susanhill4212]

I used my neck fan everyday last week in Disneyland and Universal, and even just out in LA, and it was great. I saw so many people with them! If you have long hair though, bring a hair tie otherwise your hair gets sucked into the fan part lol

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

That makes a lot of sense! I hadn't thought about hair getting in the way. But yes, ever since I got one, I see so many people with them now.

[@MelissaAndAlex]

I’m going for first time next week. I don’t love that only way to enjoy Nintendo land is 45 bucks purchase

[@dasedworld]

There are actually elevators for anyone to use. Well almost. If anyone is super scared of heights, get vertigo (like I do), have a special needs kiddo who won’t stay still - you can let a worker know about it and they’ll let you wait for the elevator/bus to get up and down! ❤

[@wendypoloway8692]

Thanks for the info, I will be going to Universal in November and this video was full of interesting information

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Especially the reminder to not forget simple things, am I right? 😅 Because clearly I left at least three things at home that should have been givens for me. This is why I make lists before packing when we do big trips, because inevitably I'll forget something stupidly simple.

[@lauismadventures]

Does Universal Studios Hollywood have a Hotel/Express pass combo similar to Orlando?

[@crayzieap]

No.

[@cman1512]

Universal Hollywood does not have any on site hotels since its a fairly small land

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I wish, because I routinely stay at both of the Universal hotels (Sheraton or Hilton), but they don’t, no.

[@lauismadventures]

@@SoCalDisneyDad Thank you

[@lauismadventures]

@@SoCalDisneyDad sorry, 1 more questions… Is it possible to do all the attractions in a single day?

[@mik2163]

For the lockers do Fanny packs have to go in them? Or just larger bags?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@mik2163 Fanny packs are okay on rides as far as I’ve seen.

[@Michimarie91]

Thank you for the tips !

[@MattCastllo]

Would i have to go to guest services for a paper ticket….? And would i have to do the same for HHN?

[@davidmichael5568]

I heard u talk about the lockers, but my question is what if I have a leg bag. Like the kind u would see on someone who rides a motorcycle. Would they make u put that bag in the locker to?

[@LJMDad]

Wait..I used my phone for my ticket...how to you get the old school paper card?

[@alexandralb23]

Thank you for the video 😊

[@jasyn11]

It would be awesome if you did the VIP tour there and let us know your thoughts. It's an amazing tour!

[@Snowy7346-q2k]

Do the fuelrod stations take cash?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@Snowy7346-q2k I don’t think so.

[@BBWBrynn]

Dang can’t believe we just missed you!

[@juanserrano5629]

Come on I want you to do water park videos like Wild Rivers to beat the heat🥵

[@cman1512]

I'm surprised you didn't mention needing a poncho for the jurasic world ride

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I did mention the change of clothes bit, but every time I’ve ridden Jurassic World I haven’t gotten that wet. I have been drenched in Florida though. Dont know why theirs is different from ours. Or I just got lucky at ours? I’ve ridden it maybe 4-5 times.

[@crayzieap]

With how hot it can get, I am welcome to getting drenched :)

[@cman1512]

@SoCalDisneyDad my first and so far only time I've been to universal studios was near the end of march and we did disneyland too and I did jurasic world 4 times and I got pretty soaked at least 2 of the times

[@susanhill4212]

@@SoCalDisneyDadI didn’t get wet on it either! I did get drenched on Grizzly River Run though!

[@stephaniewebb1014]

Is Mario Land and Jurassic World included with general admission?

[@noelhollowell-small3495]

Does the wand fit in the new free lockers?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@noelhollowell-small3495 that, I don’t know. But it would be odd for them to sell so many of something and not be able to store them.

[@RunieDayeVT]

i realized in Disney World, they have designated stroller areas, so if you place them else ware the cast members will move them to it, alarming the parents that they though there strollers were stolen..

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The cast members will move them even if you properly park them in the stroller area. They're constantly optimizing the space, moving strollers to fill in all available gaps so the empty spaces are at the end for easier access for guests dropping off. You always have to play the "where is my stroller now" game

[@colettedonovan]

Thank you

[@Cypress93]

Thank you for the video

[@calebyost9228]

Not a universal person, but dropping a comment amd like nonetheless

[@jamesrgamesoffical]

If you care about this, bring your 3ds. You'll probably get at least one streetpass.

[@alejandraderasgado7001]

literally, i only go on youtube to watch your videos!! we are traveling to california in january 2025. we are going to disneyland and universal and it would be amazing if you could publish more information about universal, an updated ideal strategy for early entry to mario world, the best places to have breakfast and lunch, is the express pass worth it the last week of january, the best hotels to stay at!! you are the king of disney, could you also share universal with us???

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@alejandraderasgado7001 I’m going next week. I’ll see what I can put together while I’m there.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@alejandraderasgado7001 This is my full Universal Playlist though: Universal Studios Hollywood kzbin.info/aero/PL_0Qje8SjlSCGQTfgEinB2aOEGuQwK_y2

[@sophiadoll4793]

I was there in August 2023 so they must have moved them in that time.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The lockers? Yeah, sometime in the last 4 months. I was there Feb 22nd, and this video was filmed June 26th, and the change happened between those two visits.

[@sophiadoll4793]

@@SoCalDisneyDad sorry, yes the lockers. My brain forgot that the video had so much more info then just the lockers.

[@dividii]

It’s always so hot there

[@NicoleLawson-93]

Thank you for the videos!