Are you a fan of trading and hiding crafts while at Universal Orlando? There is a group specific to doing this, Universally Crafted. It can be a fun way to add some excitement to your day at the park. However, it’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure that everyone has a fair and safe experience.

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As of 2023, hiding crafts is no longer allowed in Universal Orlando. You may bring items to gift or exchange, but no hiding or selling items.

Hiding

First and foremost, make sure you’re familiar with Universal’s park guidelines. These rules exist to keep everyone safe and ensure the park runs smoothly.

Banned Areas

Queues
Attractions
Test seats
Stores
Restaurants
Arcades
Lockers
Bathrooms
Areas that are not accessible to guests

These areas are off-limits to guests for a reason, and hiding crafts there can disrupt the flow of park-goers.

Lastly, there are some items that are prohibited for trading and/or hiding. Anything political or religious, food items, anything that resembles a weapon, and large glass items are not allowed. But always check on Universal’s current policies.

What to hide

People hide a variety of crafts at Universal Orlando, including handmade items like keychains, bracelets, and pins. Some people also create custom magnets or small pieces of artwork to hide. Others may hide themed items like Harry Potter wands or Minion figurines. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to the individual to get creative with their crafts! Keep in mind that if an item looks like merchandise and has no label, guests may think it is lost instead of a hide.

Originally, I was making lots of gaiter style masks with Universal theming to hide during the reopening of the parks in 2020.

Now, we love to hide temporary tattoos that I print off on my Silhouette Cameo. They are easy to tuck into our park bag and simple to leave in open spaces or just pass out to other guests.

How to label it

It’s important to note that hiding crafts that resemble trash or discarded bags is not recommended, as it could lead to confusion and potentially be seen as littering. Team Members in park services know that we hide items and keep an eye out, but may discard items looking like trash.

It’s up to personal preference whether or not to add a label/sticker when hiding a craft at Universal Orlando. Some people like to add stickers or other decorations to their crafts to make them more noticeable, while others prefer a more subtle approach. Just be sure that any stickers or decorations used are allowed within the park’s guidelines and do not pose a safety hazard to guests.

Here is what my labels say:

You found me! Keep or re-hide, it’s your choice. Post a pic to Universally Crafted (Universal Orlando) on Facebook to share. Happy Hunting! @NotNormalMom – Rebecca

Some common locations for hiding

Hidden corners: some areas of the park are less traveled or more tucked away, and these can be great spots to hide crafts.
Resting spots: benches, picnic tables, or even on the ground near a shady area.
Decorative locations: around statues, fake rocks, or props that fit the theme of the land.
Trees and bushes: some people may choose to hide crafts in small crevices of plants or wrap them around tree branches.
In plain sight: some crafters may choose to place their creations in places where they are easy to see, but just not immediately noticeable, such as on ledges or in between railings.

Finding

Finding items is just as much fun as hiding items. Some spots within the park have more hides than others, such as the Nom Nom above or the subway station in the New York area. You may even be lucky enough to bump into another member of the group who is willing to do a trade!

Please do not follow or stalk someone to pick up most of what they put down. This takes away from the joy of finding something and can ruin the experience for others.

If you find a craft that you’re not interested in, leave it for someone else to find or re-hide it. If you see a child hunting for a craft, please do not take it from them. Children are of the utmost importance in the groups, and we want to ensure that they have a positive experience.

If you find a craft in one of the banned areas, please remove it out a quickly as possible and keep or re-hide. Guests not part of the group may not be aware of Universal’s rules and we want to maintain a good relationship with the parks.