Visitors who showed up to Universal Orlando on Monday received an unpleasant surprise: They were not allowed to bring bottled water or other liquids into CityWalk or its theme parks.
Spokesman Tom Schroder said in an email, “This is the result of a review of our procedures and is not permanent.” He would not give other details, including how long the ban would last.
Visitors can still bring in baby formula or medicines, he said.
Universal has generally prohibited guests from bringing in lunches, but has allowed small snacks and bottled water.
There has been online speculation that Universal could be trying to prevent people from bringing in alcohol during its Mardi Gras special event, which includes concerts that began earlier this month and end April 18.
The ban could be a security measure, said Scott Smith, a hospitality associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Airports already have restrictions on bringing beverages through security checkpoints.
“It might be that they’re concerned about security, but in the end they’re going to end up selling more food and beverages through not allowing people to bring in the liquid,” Smith said.
Mark Mantel, visiting with his wife and son from Claremont, Calif., said he was surprised Monday when he had to give up his two bottles of water.
Security guards put unopened bottles in trash cans but ran out of room, Mantel said, so they then placed them on tables. Some people dumped out their water and brought in empty containers, Mantel said.
Lines into the area slowed to a crawl, Mantel said, apparently as a result of confusion about the new policy.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I just was thrown off.”
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240
