FAQ about the Hotel Express Pass - AKA FOTL

[damo]

I've just looked at prices for RPR on loews and on the Amex travel site. The Amex site appears to be a better deal for me. Can anyone confirm that booking with someone like Amex still gets FoTL. Thanks.

Yes, you will still get your unlimited express access (it isn't FOTL as you still need to wait in the express line---FOTL only exists if you purchase the VIP tour) and early admission. You just won't get any credit for your youfirst perks as it won't be a qualifying stay.

We're trying to get away from calling it FOTL here as there still seem to be people who think that you actually do get to go right to the Front of the Line,lol.

 

[leemel]

Thanks for that, to be honest, we only have a short stay at Universal so any benefits from the Youfirst are negligible for us anyway. And I'll consider my wrists slapped for calling it FotL

 

[damo]

Thanks for that, to be honest, we only have a short stay at Universal so any benefits from the Youfirst are negligible for us anyway. And I'll consider my wrists slapped for calling it FotL

The best thing about getting a qualifying rate is that after two stays using qualifying rates you get free internet and free room upgrades if available. The free internet is the big one for us.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

We are planning to go end of January into February with a stay PBH. The original post says the EP is good for dining. Is this still accurate? If so, where?
I know this may have been already asked and answered but I really don't want to go through all 13 pages

 

[Bluer101]

We are planning to go end of January into February with a stay PBH. The original post says the EP is good for dining. Is this still accurate? If so, where?
I know this may have been already asked and answered but I really don't want to go through all 13 pages

It's not the Express pass that's good for dinning, it's your onsite hotel key. At most sit down restaurants in the parks and in City Walk just show your hotel key to get priority seating.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

It's not the Express pass that's good for dinning, it's your onsite hotel key. At most sit down restaurants in the parks and in City Walk just show your hotel key to get priority seating.

Thank you! That's the best news I've heard in a while. My husband hates counter service for every meal but since we're only ther a few days, we hate to spend hours between waiting and eating and traveling just to eat. He was considering renting a car just so we go promptly to eat. This will help.

 

[justwonderful]

We have reservations at the Hard Rock for a few days between Christmas and New Years. It costs a fortune then, but I figured that it would be worth it for those Express Passes. This week, however, my son severely broke his ankle and the doctor says he'll still be on crutches and/or a wheelchair at Christmastime. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to spend so much extra to stay on a Universal Property just to get the Express passes. Won't we be going to the front of the lines now that my son is in a wheelchair? Does it still make sense to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel? Thanks!

 

[damo]

We have reservations at the Hard Rock for a few days between Christmas and New Years. It costs a fortune then, but I figured that it would be worth it for those Express Passes. This week, however, my son severely broke his ankle and the doctor says he'll still be on crutches and/or a wheelchair at Christmastime. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to spend so much extra to stay on a Universal Property just to get the Express passes. Won't we be going to the front of the lines now that my son is in a wheelchair? Does it still make sense to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel? Thanks!

It isn't the same. From what I recall, you'll be given a time to return and then you will go into the express lane. So you'll still be waiting, just not in line. It is a much easier experience with hotel express.

 

[macraven]

It isn't the same. From what I recall, you'll be given a time to return and then you will go into the express lane. So you'll still be waiting, just not in line. It is a much easier experience with hotel express.

yes, that is how the gap works.

get the card from the TM at guest services.

take the card to the TM at the ride.
they will mark down the time for you to return for that ride.
you do have some wait on the return time listed on that card as you enter the express lines then.

this procedure will be repeated for each ride if you use the GAP.

easier to stay onsite and use the express lines for the rides and shows.

 

[justwonderful]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I'll just leave our reservations as is -- appreciate your help!

 

[MarkLem]

We have reservations at the Hard Rock for a few days between Christmas and New Years. It costs a fortune then, but I figured that it would be worth it for those Express Passes. This week, however, my son severely broke his ankle and the doctor says he'll still be on crutches and/or a wheelchair at Christmastime. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to spend so much extra to stay on a Universal Property just to get the Express passes. Won't we be going to the front of the lines now that my son is in a wheelchair? Does it still make sense to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel? Thanks!

My daughter tore her ACL last Dec and we were at Universal 12/28-1/3.
She was in a wheelchair in the park, which on it's own did not get her to a front of any line. We stayed at Hard Rock so we got in the express line just like everyone else with express pass. On a few rides there was special boarding (like Harry Potter) where once we got to a certain point in line we were ushered into a special boarding area on stationary cars.

 

[hazlnut]

What time do the parks open for hotel guests next week? Thurs, Fri, Sat.

Is that all the 'partner' hotels or just the 3 on-site?

 

[damo]

What time do the parks open for hotel guests next week? Thurs, Fri, Sat.

Is that all the 'partner' hotels or just the 3 on-site?

Except for New Year's Eve, IOA opens at 8 am for hotel guests and those who have purchased a package through universalorlando.com at a partner hotel. On New Year's Eve and the weekend before, IOA opens at 7 am for those people.

 

[hpriamson]

I've read elsewhere that you no longer use your room key as your Unlimited Express Pass in the parks - that the hotel issues each person a photo ID Express Pass when you check in. Can anyone who has been there recently confirm or refute this?

 

[Metro West]

I've read elsewhere that you no longer use your room key as your Unlimited Express Pass in the parks - that the hotel issues each person a photo ID Express Pass when you check in. Can anyone who has been there recently confirm or refute this?

Yes...this is true.

 

[justwinnie]

Is the hotel photo ID Express Pass still an unlimited Express Pass or are you now limited to once per ride?

Thanks!

 

[damo]

Is the hotel photo ID Express Pass still an unlimited Express Pass or are you now limited to once per ride?

Thanks!

It is unlimited but can't be used on Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rockit or Pterandon Flyers.

 

[ElGringo49]

Here's my question, we are going to Orlando for WDW & a Disney Cruise in June. The cruise returns a day before we fly out at 7:30am, and we fly out the next day at 5:30pm. If we stay on-site at UO for one day and get a 2 day ticket, can we use the Express Unlimited and use the early entrance for both days. Of course, the early entrance wouldn't apply for the 1st day, but can we use it for the 2nd day??

 

[Metro West]

Here's my question, we are going to Orlando for WDW & a Disney Cruise in June. The cruise returns a day before we fly out at 7:30am, and we fly out the next day at 5:30pm. If we stay on-site at UO for one day and get a 2 day ticket, can we use the Express Unlimited and use the early entrance for both days. Of course, the early entrance wouldn't apply for the 1st day, but can we use it for the 2nd day??

 

[sydjim]

If checking in for one night at the hard rock, will you be able to use your ID express line card for two days worth? Meaning the day you check in and the day after? Or is it only valid for the one night you are staying at the resort?