FAQ about the Hotel Express Pass - AKA FOTL

[Goonie]

I have a question about the logistics of using the hotel express pass system. When our family goes we will have 4 adults and 2 children. We are planning 2 days in the parks, so we are going to get one room for one night to crash in. This will give us room keys for 3 adults and 2 kids. That will leave my father-in law without an express pass. Will we be able to swap our key cards to let him use express pass at times? Am I correct in assuming they don't care about the name on the card, and only check if it says adult or child? This system would work well for us because my oldest loves riding multiple times and my youngest can't ride everything so he spends a lot of time doing other things with Grandpa anyway.

 

[phamton]

Technically, it is against policy to share the hotel keys but, realistically, the team members will be looking to see that the card matches as an adult or child not for the name.

 

[Goonie]

Thanks! That makes sense. Things just became slightly more complicated because it appears that you can longer get a "VIP" Express Pass without staying at an onsite resort. For groups that include guests from onsite and offsite hotels, the offsite guests will be forced into buying an Express pass that only allows 1 ride per attraction per day. Granted this will not affect most people. However, it will reduce waits in Express pass lines (assuming that enough people purchased VIP express tickets in advance online). I know that when my boys ride something they like it's always "Can we do it again?" We used Six Flags' version of the Express Pass last summer and loved it (pricey though!)

 

[Poly-Anna]

Just spoke to a reservationist who confirmed that FOTL express for hotel guests will be limited to 1 ride per day for the 3 Harry Potter rides only. All other rides will be unlimited as usual. This will be in effect indefinitely (or at least for the rest of the year).

 

[Goonie]

This could be kind of good news if it means that Express Pass for HP would be available at the opening (I know, doubtful... but one can hope!)

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

hello, I have a question,seems like I've read about this before just want to be totally sure before making a reservation.
As a family on a tight budget I've decided on only one night onsite to get the express pass. Is it indeed true that if I go to the hotel before going to the park I can check in and get our keys for the day,spend the night and the keys will still be good for the next day as well? Hope this makes sense,I have a hard time writing what I'm thinking in my head..guess what I'm trying to say is, you can get 2 days of express pass for a 1 night stay??
Thanks for any help! Eeven though I would love my Disney fix,we've never done Universal and have decided to go there this summer!!

 

[csmommy]

hello, I have a question,seems like I've read about this before just want to be totally sure before making a reservation.
As a family on a tight budget I've decided on only one night onsite to get the express pass. Is it indeed true that if I go to the hotel before going to the park I can check in and get our keys for the day,spend the night and the keys will still be good for the next day as well? Hope this makes sense,I have a hard time writing what I'm thinking in my head..guess what I'm trying to say is, you can get 2 days of express pass for a 1 night stay??
Thanks for any help! Eeven though I would love my Disney fix,we've never done Universal and have decided to go there this summer!!

Yes to both! I understand what you are asking & for 1 nights stay you get FOTL for 2 days.

 

[ky07]

hello, I have a question,seems like I've read about this before just want to be totally sure before making a reservation.
As a family on a tight budget I've decided on only one night onsite to get the express pass. Is it indeed true that if I go to the hotel before going to the park I can check in and get our keys for the day,spend the night and the keys will still be good for the next day as well? Hope this makes sense,I have a hard time writing what I'm thinking in my head..guess what I'm trying to say is, you can get 2 days of express pass for a 1 night stay??
Thanks for any help! Eeven though I would love my Disney fix,we've never done Universal and have decided to go there this summer!!

Yes you can go and get your room key and check in and if your room isn't ready you can go to the parks while waiting and still use your room key for the express pass and they are also good for the day you check out also

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

ok awesome, I thought I had read that before. Universal hotels are a little pricey,but I do want the kids to get the full experience and I have already read how the summer can be crucial without the express pass.
I just know we're going to have a good time!!
Thanks all

 

[ky07]

ok awesome, I thought I had read that before. Universal hotels are a little pricey,but I do want the kids to get the full experience and I have already read how the summer can be crucial without the express pass.
I just know we're going to have a good time!!
Thanks all

We are going in July and its very busy and hot and this will be or 3rd time staying onsite and the unlimited express pass and the closeness of the hotels make it worth the price but have to admitted it makes a very tight budget for us but we always have a great time and no doubt you and your family will

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

We are going in July and its very busy and hot and this will be or 3rd time staying onsite and the unlimited express pass and the closeness of the hotels make it worth the price but have to admitted it makes a very tight budget for us but we always have a great time and no doubt you and your family will

thanks appreciate it,we'll be going the beginning of June. We love(I love,lol) Disney,but we're big on watching movies and I think the kids will really enjoy riding rides that are themed around movies and shows they watch! The new Harry Potter is a plus,the oldest DS is a big fan so I know he'll enjoy that! DS(8) is a big Spongebob fan and DD just goes along with the flow,lol
I want to make the best of it all,but at an affordable price, so I think this will be just the ticket for us!

 

[paper1225]

what is the going price for the hotel express if staying offsite?

 

[phamton]

You can't get the hotel express unless you are staying onsite. you can buy an express pass though. The prices are here: http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...es.html&expID=13-5805&contentID=13-1152&seq=1

Click on "begin purchase" and it will show the prices for different dates.

 

[paper1225]

yikes! thanks for the information, that is expensive!

 

[IDoBelieveinFairies!]

This was great information for someone like me who has not been in a few years and it seems things have changed quite a bit. We had planned on sneaking a few days of Universal in at Christmas but keeping our Disney Resort, now this makes us rethink our strategy, I do believe we shall go ahead and check out at Disney and check in at Universal.

 

[azdoughboy]

Do you get early admission to the parks staying onsite? I can't seem to find that info anywhere...thx



BC

 

[damo]

Do you get early admission to the parks staying onsite? I can't seem to find that info anywhere...thx



BC

It is a seasonal thing.

 

[azdoughboy]

It is a seasonal thing.

Middle of November..? Is this something I can find online somewhere or...



BC

 

[Metro West]

Middle of November..? Is this something I can find online somewhere or...



BC

I'm pretty sure the only time you would early admission staying onsite would be around very busy periods and with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend, November hasn't been very busy in the past. In fact...the only time I've ever heard of onsite guests getting early entry was in the summer. Now keep in mind...I live 20 minutes away from the parks and don't stay onsite so I'm relying on what others have said.

 

[Friendly Frog]

How do park tickets work for hotel guests? Does the hotel stay already include park tickets or do you purchase them separately?