There are many things we’ve seen for the FIRST time over in Epic Universe, and for the most part, we can’t get enough!

Dark Universe in Epic Universe

The immersion in these lands, especially ones like Isle of Berk and Dark Universe, is unlike anything we’ve seen in Universal parks before, and those rides? The way Stardust Racers twists and turns around each other, the seamless transition between screens and practical effects in Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry, the list goes on and on. HOWEVER, there’s something really interesting you need to know about the lockers at these attractions, because believe it or not, it could totally throw you off.

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There are three attractions in Epic Universe that utilize lockers:

• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
• Monsters Unchained
• Stardust Racers (this ride also has metal detectors to ensure you’ve put EVERYTHING in a locker)

Dragon Racer’s Rally also has a cubby hole type system, but those aren’t exactly lockers. Just know though that you won’t be able to keep your stuff with you since the ride takes you so high up in the air.

Dark Universe Lockers

However, these lockers are a little different than some of the other ones you may find in other theme parks for TWO reasons. Number one, they’re mirrored, and this can throw a LOT of people off. What’s a mirrored locker, you may ask? Well, it means that you put your stuff in one side of the locker before you board a ride, and then you retrieve it on the other side of the locker after you get off. This reduces congestion at the lockers, so it’s genius on paper, but we’ve experienced firsthand that it CAN throw you off.

Closer look at lockers

This means you really need to pay attention to where you put your stuff inside the locker, and remember it will be OPPOSITE when you get off. For example, if you put your bags and things in a locker on the FAR RIGHT END of the locker line up before the ride, then you’ll need to retrieve all your stuff from the FAR LEFT END after the ride. This also means that if you put your phone at the FRONT of your locker when you close it, it’ll be at the BACK of your locker when you pick it up. We know, it sounds confusing. If you’re concerned about it tripping you up, instead pay attention to what number your locker is and look for that number when you get off.

Monsters Unchained Lockers

Another thing a lot of people don’t realize about the park, partly because it’s the very first time we’ve seen it ourselves, is that instead of using a park ticket to open these lockers, you’ll use YOUR FACE! Yes, similar to how entering all three Universal Orlando theme parks now requires your face, facial recognition is all over Epic Universe. When you go to get a locker, you will press a button, which will then prompt the system to scan your face and take a photo of you. If you like the picture, you can submit it, but you also have the option to retake it or even cancel it if you need another one or want a different section.

Using facial recognition

If you submit the photo, that’s the photo it’ll store in the system to confirm that it’s you. When you get off the ride, you’ll head to the station with the same number (say you put yours in 7-13, you’ll need to head back to section 7), and use your face to reopen the locker. This process has been largely seamless for us on our visits, but if you do have trouble, you can speak to a Team Member nearby. However, this is also why it’s very important for you to remember what locker, or at least what section your stuff is in, because the facial recognition technology that re-opens your locker isn’t going to open your locker if you’re currently scanning your face in a section that your stuff’s not at. If the system is giving you trouble and you can’t get your locker to open, make sure you try a few other sections. If it’s still not working and you chat with a Team Member, it’s important to be able to tell them what section (even better, what locker) your items are in.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Make sure you match the photo you submitted before the ride as much as possible. If you were smiling, smile again, or keep a straight face if that’s what it was like before. Make sure your glasses are on/off, and if you still have some trouble, we recommend trying 2-3 times before getting a Team Member, especially if it’s nighttime — in the dark, sometimes it takes an extra second since there’s not as much light!

We love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders!

Looking for more recent Epic Universe news? Check out our posts below!

We’re always here to give you the latest and greatest Disney and Universal news so you can plan for your upcoming vacations, so stay tuned to DFB!

I Went to 3 Different Theme Parks in a Week. Disney and Universal Were Hard…But SeaWorld Nearly Killed Me.

What’s your favorite ride in Epic Universe? Tell us in the comments!