Universal’s Islands of Adventure lockers now scan your face

Most ride lockers at Islands of Adventure switched to facial recognition this week. Plus, Hollywood Drift’s spike switch is moving and Dark Universe’s next ride is getting its foundation.

Your face is now your locker key at most of Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Most locker locations at the park have switched from ticket scans to facial recognition, WDW News Today reported Thursday, Oct. 22. The change was first spotted by a guest who posts as @CoasterK24 on X.

It’s the latest step in Universal’s move to face-based tech. Here’s how the new lockers work, plus the latest on Universal Orlando’s two big construction projects.

Which Islands of Adventure rides have facial recognition lockers?

Four of the five that use ride lockers, according to WDWNT:

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Jurassic World VelociCoaster doesn’t have them yet. Neither does Universal Studios Florida, WDWNT said. Hagrid’s also has more lockers than before, @CoasterK24 noted.

How do Universal’s facial recognition lockers work?

You get your picture taken at the locker bay, and the image is tied to your locker, WDWNT reported. When you come back, the system snaps another photo, matches it and pops your locker open.

The screen then asks whether you want to open the locker just once or end the rental. It works a lot like Universal’s photo validation entry at the front gate.

Universal officially launched that photo entry system at Islands of Adventure in November 2023, Inside Universal reported. It matches your face to your ticket at the turnstiles.

Can you still use your ticket for Universal lockers?

Yes. Guests who’d rather skip the photo can ask a team member to use their ticket instead, according to WDWNT.

There are a few quirks. The rentals are timed, but the screens don’t say how long you have, @CoasterK24 pointed out. The payment consoles at each bay aren’t working yet, so you’ll need a team member if you want to pay for more time.

Universal first rolled out facial recognition lockers at Epic Universe, and later added ring lights to the lockers at Monsters Unchained, WDWNT noted.

How close is Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift to opening?

Getting closer. Crews are fine-tuning track components and finishing new pavement along the CityWalk waterfront, WDWNT reported Oct. 24, citing aerial photos from bioreconstruct.

The photos show the brake run leading into the station and shipping container walls hiding a jackknifed Peterbilt truck. The launch is expected to send riders toward the truck before diving under its trailer.

The spike’s switch track is moving, too. Bioreconstruct said he could hear a strong whoosh of air as it locked into place, WDWNT reported.

Here’s Midway Mayhem’s construction tour from Oct. 23:

When does Hollywood Drift open at Universal Orlando?

In 2027, at Universal Studios Florida, where it replaces Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, according to WDWNT. Universal has promised 360-degree drifting and a 170-foot vertical spike.

The Hollywood version already opened at Universal Studios Hollywood this summer. PNP reported Oct. 21 that the Orlando coaster has started testing.

What’s being built in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe?

A new attraction, though Universal hasn’t said what. Crews are pouring concrete for foundation pilings between the Monsters Unchained show building and a backstage road, WDWNT reported Oct. 24.

The pilings outline the future show building, but no steel frame is up yet. Universal hasn’t announced a theme or an opening date. PNP first reported the construction Oct. 6.

What else happened at Universal Orlando this weekend?

CityWalk turned into Oz for a day. Universal’s one-day Oztacular Spectacular on Saturday, Oct. 24, celebrated the Wicked movies with a yellow brick road, costumes from the films and a DJ, Laughing Place reported.

The line to meet Glinda and Elphaba at the Universal Legacy Store ran for hours, Laughing Place said. Fans also got sing-alongs, trivia, stained glass photo backdrops and a big LEGO build.

There’s no word on whether the event will return. Wicked merchandise is still sold at the Wicked store inside Universal Studios Florida.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• WDW News Today (Oct. 22 and 24, 2026), the facial recognition lockers, Hollywood Drift and Dark Universe construction

• @CoasterK24 on X (Oct. 21, 2026), the first look at the new lockers

• Laughing Place (Oct. 24, 2026), the Oztacular Spectacular

• Inside Universal (Nov. 2023), photo validation entry at Islands of Adventure

• Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 6 and 21, 2026), Dark Universe construction and Hollywood Drift testing

• Midway Mayhem on YouTube (Oct. 23, 2026), the Hollywood Drift construction video

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