Universal Studios Hollywood Park Essentials
Universal Studios Hollywood is one park, but it's built on a hillside with stairs and long escalators between the upper and lower lots, all in strong Southern California sun. Supportive shoes and sun protection do the heavy lifting. Here's the short list.
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Happy Feet & Recovery
Ask anyone what hurt most after their park day and they'll point at their feet. You're walking 8 to 12 miles on concrete, then standing in line for hours on top of that. Sorting out your shoes is the highest-impact thing you can pack for.
Max-Cushion Walking Shoes
PremiumThe problem
You'll cover 8 to 12 miles a day on hot concrete. Cute sneakers won't survive it, and by mid-afternoon your feet and lower back will be done.
Our take
Get a max-cushion running or walking shoe and break it in for a week or two before you go. That thick midsole soaks up the pounding that flat-soled shoes pass straight to your knees. Wearing a brand-new pair on day one is the most common way people wreck a trip.
Crocs Clogs
Mid-rangeThe problem
Cushioned running shoes are great but pricey, and no closed sneaker is fun on a water ride.
Our take
Crocs have quietly become a park staple. They're light, roomy enough for feet that swell by afternoon, and you can rinse them off after a soaking on a water ride. The LiteRide and sport styles hold up best for serious all-day walking; the classic clogs work better as your evening and water-ride shoe. Either way, a much cheaper way in than premium running shoes.
Shoe Charms for Crocs
Budget pickThe problem
Honest answer: this one isn't fixing a problem. Every pair of Crocs in the park looks the same, and kids really want to decorate theirs.
Our take
Jibbitz-style charms snap into the holes on a pair of Crocs, and there are endless theme-park and character designs on Amazon for a few dollars a pack. It's a cheap way to make a kid's day, and a handy side effect is being able to tell whose shoes are whose back at the hotel.
Blister Patches & Liquid Bandage
Budget pickThe problem
Even good shoes rub eventually. A hot spot at 10am becomes a limp by 2pm.
Our take
Pack a few hydrocolloid patches and a small tube of liquid bandage. The patches cushion a blister that has already formed; the liquid bandage seals a hot spot before it tears open. They cost a few dollars, weigh nothing, and you'll be glad they're in the bag.
Cushioned Compression Socks
Budget pickThe problem
Thin cotton socks bunch up, hold sweat, and rub. Feet also swell after hours of standing.
Our take
Padded athletic socks cut down the friction that starts blisters in the first place. A pair with light compression also helps with the ankle swelling that creeps in late in the day. Toss a spare pair in your bag to swap into after lunch if your feet run hot.
Gel Arch-Support Insoles
Mid-rangeThe problem
Your favorite shoes are comfortable for errands but not for a 12-hour day on pavement.
Our take
A gel or arch-support insole upgrades shoes you already own and trust. It spreads the load off the ball of your foot, which is where park fatigue tends to settle. Cheaper than buying new shoes, and you can move them between pairs.
Cushioned Recovery Slides
Mid-rangeThe problem
Your feet are wrecked by the time you get back to the hotel, and tomorrow is another park day.
Our take
Recovery slides have a thick, soft footbed that takes the pressure off once you've changed out of your shoes. Slip them on for the walk to dinner or around the room. It's a small thing that makes day two start a lot better.
Beat the Heat
Most of the misery at a theme park happens standing still, in a long queue, in the sun. None of these items are fancy. Together they make the wait bearable and keep you from burning out by mid-afternoon.
Evaporative Cooling Towel
Budget pickThe problem
Queues are long, shade is rare, and standing still in the heat is its own kind of misery.
Our take
Soak one of these towels, wring it out, and give it a snap. It turns cold and stays that way for an hour or two, and you re-chill it at any water fountain. Drape it around your neck while you wait. No batteries, packs flat, costs about as much as a churro.
Hands-Free Neck Fan
Mid-rangeThe problem
There's no breeze in a packed queue, and a handheld fan ties up a hand you need for everything else.
Our take
A neck fan hangs like a pair of headphones and blows air on your face while you wait, push a stroller, or eat. Most rechargeable models last a full day on one charge. Ask a regular which cooling gadget they actually use, and this is the one they name.
Water-Resistant Sunscreen
Budget pickThe problem
A full day outside with almost no shade adds up fast, and a burn on day one sours the rest of the trip.
Our take
Bring a water-resistant SPF 50, ideally a sweat-proof stick for your face plus a lotion for everywhere else. Put it on before you leave the hotel and reapply after lunch. Buying it ahead of time also spares you gift-shop prices for a tiny bottle.
UV-Blocking Compact Umbrella
Budget pickThe problem
Outdoor queues and long walkways leave you baking in direct sun with nowhere to step out of it.
Our take
A compact UPF umbrella gives you your own patch of shade while you wait, and shade feels far cooler than full sun. It folds down small, clips to a bag, and doubles as rain cover when an afternoon storm rolls in.
Electrolyte Drink Packets
Budget pickThe problem
Plain water isn't enough when you're sweating all day. The result is a headache and a wiped-out kid by 3pm.
Our take
Drop a single-serve electrolyte packet into your bottle a couple of times a day. It replaces the salts you lose sweating, which water alone can't do. It's a cheap way to dodge the afternoon crash that sends families back to the hotel early.
Families with Young Kids
Little kids change the math of a park day. These are the stroller and comfort items that prevent the three things most likely to derail it: an overheated toddler, a stroller you can't find, and a hungry meltdown in a 40-minute line.
Clip-On Stroller Fan
Mid-rangeThe problem
A toddler strapped into a stroller in direct sun overheats fast, and they can't always tell you why they're upset.
Our take
A clip-on fan with a bendy arm grips the stroller frame and keeps air moving over your kid. Get a rechargeable one so it lasts the whole day. It's also handy clipped to a high chair when you stop for dinner.
Stroller Organizer Console
Budget pickThe problem
Phones, water, sunscreen, and park tickets all disappear into the bottom of the stroller basket.
Our take
A console-style organizer straps to the handlebar and keeps the things you reach for constantly in sight. No more digging through the basket every time you board a ride or need to scan in.
Bright Stroller Name Tag
Budget pickThe problem
You park your stroller, ride something, come back, and it's one of two hundred that look identical.
Our take
A bright, personalized tag or ribbon makes yours easy to spot from a distance. Parks also move parked strollers around to keep walkways clear, so a clear marker saves you a frustrating search with a tired kid in tow.
Toddler UPF Sun Hat
Budget pickThe problem
Little kids squint, get cranky in bright sun, and burn on the face and neck where sunscreen wears off first.
Our take
A wide-brim UPF hat shades the face, ears, and neck. Get one with a chin strap, or it will end up on the ground six times before lunch. Pair it with sunglasses if your kid will tolerate them.
Spill-Proof Snack Containers
Budget pickThe problem
A hungry toddler in a long line is a meltdown waiting to happen, and park snacks add up quickly.
Our take
Spill-proof snack cups let a kid graze in the stroller between meals without coating everything in crumbs. Pack them with snacks from home and you'll skip a few pricey stops while keeping everyone civil.
Stay Powered & Dry
Your phone runs the whole day now, from park entry to ride reservations to dinner. Add weather that turns on you with no warning, and a little prep keeps small problems from becoming trip-ruiners.
10,000mAh Power Bank
Mid-rangeThe problem
Your phone is your ticket, your ride reservations, your mobile food orders, your map, and your camera. It will not last the day on its own.
Our take
A 10,000mAh power bank recharges a phone once or twice over, which covers a full day from rope drop to fireworks. Throw a short cable in your bag and top up while you're sitting down for lunch or a show.
Compact Rain Ponchos
Budget pickThe problem
Afternoon storms roll in with little warning, and in Florida summer that's close to a daily event.
Our take
A multi-pack of thin ponchos costs a few dollars and packs down to nothing. The same poncho at a park gift shop costs several times more, and there's a line for it the moment it starts raining. Pack one per person and forget about them until you need them.
Insulated Refillable Water Bottle
Mid-rangeThe problem
Bottled water in the parks is expensive, and it's easy to under-drink until you've already got a headache.
Our take
Parks have free refill stations all over, and counter-service spots will hand you cups of ice water. An insulated bottle keeps it cold for hours. Refilling all day costs nothing, and it pairs well with electrolyte packets.
Anti-Theft Crossbody Day Bag
Mid-rangeThe problem
You need to carry sunscreen, chargers, ponchos, and snacks without it turning into a hassle on rides.
Our take
A compact crossbody or anti-theft bag keeps everything organized and zipped, and it's small enough to keep on your lap through most ride restraints. Check each park's current bag rules before you buy, since a few rides ask you to use a locker.
Crossbody Phone Lanyard
Budget pickThe problem
Your phone is the one thing you can't lose, and you're pulling it out constantly for scans and photos.
Our take
A crossbody lanyard keeps your phone secured to you and ready to grab, with no fishing around in a bag. It's reassuring on coasters and gentle water rides, though for the rougher rides you'll still want to zip it away.
Universal Studios Hollywood Packing Questions
What should I pack for Universal Studios Hollywood?
For Universal Studios Hollywood, start with broken-in cushioned shoes and sun protection, since the Southern California sun is strong most of the year. Add a portable charger, a refillable water bottle, and a light layer for the evening, when temperatures drop off quickly after sunset.
What are the best shoes for Universal Studios Hollywood?
A cushioned walking shoe you've already broken in is the safest bet for the 8-plus miles you'll cover at Universal Studios Hollywood. Max-cushion running shoes are the popular choice. If you want something cheaper, Crocs in the LiteRide or sport style hold up well and rinse off easily after a water ride. Whatever you pick, don't break in a brand-new pair on day one.
Does it get cold at Universal Studios Hollywood in the evening?
Even on warm days, temperatures around Universal Studios Hollywood drop noticeably once the sun goes down. A packable light jacket or hoodie in your bag keeps the end of the night comfortable, especially if you're staying for fireworks or a nighttime show.
Looking for the full guide? See all theme park essentials.