Universal Studios Hollywood Packing List

What to actually pack for Universal Studios Hollywood — the essentials, the seasonal extras, and what to leave in the car.

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Introduction

I covered the pre-arrival basics in Universal Studios Hollywood for First Timers, but packing deserves its own breakdown, because this park punishes bad bag choices more than most. Hillside layout, a water ride, and long stretches of sun exposure all shape what's actually worth carrying.

This is the list I'd hand anyone the night before their visit — split into what you need every time, and what depends on when you're going. And before you pack, lock in your discounted tickets through Undercover Tourist so gate-day ticket stress isn't on the list.

The Non-Negotiables

Real walking shoes. Universal Studios Hollywood is built on a hillside split across two lots connected by escalators, and you'll be on your feet all day. Sandals are a genuine mistake here.

A phone charger or portable battery. You'll be using the official park app all day for wait times, and California sun drains batteries faster than you'd expect. This is the single most common thing people forget and regret by 3 p.m.

Sunscreen. Large stretches of the queue lines and walkways have limited shade, and reapplying once midday is worth the two minutes it costs you.

A small bag, not a backpack. Security screening moves faster with less to check, and a bulky bag becomes a real problem the moment you hit Jurassic World — The Ride, where you will get wet. Lockers are available near the bigger attractions specifically for this reason.

Worth Bringing

A reusable water bottle. Refill stations are available throughout the park, and staying hydrated matters more on a full sun day than people plan for.

A light poncho, especially if you're set on riding Jurassic World and don't want to be soaked for the rest of the day. It packs down to almost nothing and takes up nowhere near the space it saves you in comfort.

Cash or a card you don't mind pulling out repeatedly — most transactions in the park are card-first, but a little cash covers the rare vendor or tip situation cleanly.

Seasonal Add-Ons

Summer (June–August): A cooling towel or handheld fan genuinely helps on a full-sun day, and I'd bring more water capacity than you think you need. Check my Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood guide if you have flexibility on dates — summer is also the most crowded window of the year.

Evening visits: Southern California evenings cool down faster than people expect, especially once the sun drops. A light layer is worth having if you're staying through close, particularly for an evening trip like the one I cover in Universal Studios Hollywood After Dark: A Date Night Guide.

Halloween Horror Nights season: If you're staying for the nighttime event, plan for a longer day than usual — comfortable shoes matter even more here, since haunted house queues add real standing time on top of a full day in the daytime park.

What to Leave in the Car

Large bags and backpacks. Between security screening, ride lockers, and getting soaked on water rides, anything oversized slows you down at nearly every stop in the park.

Anything you're not willing to get wet or wear all day in the sun. This isn't the park for a delicate outfit or gear you're precious about — plan around comfort and durability over anything else.

Sarah's Take

Sarah's Take: People overpack for this park constantly, and it's almost always the same mistake — a full backpack they end up hauling through a locker line at Jurassic World. Real shoes, a charger, sunscreen, and a small bag will cover 90% of what you actually need. Everything else on this list is a "depends on your day," not a "bring it no matter what."

— Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins, Universal & Coaster Specialist

Skip It

Skip bringing a professional camera or anything you're not comfortable carrying through a water ride queue and a full day of walking. Your phone camera handles 95% of what you'll want to capture here, and a nicer setup mostly just becomes one more thing to worry about protecting.

Quick Reference

Category	Bring
Always	Real shoes, phone charger, sunscreen, small bag
Worth it	Reusable water bottle, light poncho, some cash
Summer	Cooling towel, extra water capacity
Evening visits	A light layer for after sunset
Leave in the car	Large bags, anything precious or delicate