Thanks Mac. Last question (I think) Probably getting a Hard Rock res, is parking separate from the regular decks for day guests? Will having two cars and one reservation make a difference?
I think I almost understand. We have a townhouse rented so we will probably let my little sister stay overnight at Hard Rock without a car with her. Should we park both cars at the regular garage both days or is it cheaper to park "overnight" at the hotel even though we will be taking the cars away at night? Also, is HR parking the surface parking I can see right next to the hotel or is that for TMs? Sorry for the noob questions
Parking for each hotel is at each hotel. The big lot around the front of HRH is HRH guest parking.
At RPR it's a big lot across from the entrance of RPR.
At Portofino it's a garage with multiple levels, with just a tiny bit of parking you might see on the satellite view.
The parking for citywalk, which is the theme park parking, is entirely separate, in a different place altogether.
When we stay onsite, we don't go near the theme park parking lot; we park our car at our hotel and walk/pedi-cab/boat over to the parks.
BUT financially, here's the deal. If you park at the hotel as a hotel guest, they charge at midnight. So you check in on, say, August 1 and pull in to the lot (you use your keycard to open the gate, if I recall correctly...though honestly we used valet at HRH so I don't KNOW that is true there) and they charge at midnight as it goes to the 2nd. If you just have that one night booked, all you have to do is be out of their parking lot before midnight, and you've gotten two days of parking at the hotel for ONE fee.
If you park at the theme park lot, you're paying for two days of parking.
If you're using googlemaps, just know that they have the Universal area labeled ALL wrong, by the way.
Remember you'll have to book rooms that are adequate for the people in your party; you can't get the EP or early entrance to Wizarding World for anyone not on the reservation.
Because I know you're probably having to convince the family that this is OK, look here:
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hard-Rock-Hotel/index/faqs
Q: I realize check-in does not begin until 4:00 PM, but I wanted to use the Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass to skip the regular lines before that
A: Please arrive as early as you like the day of check-in and our front desk agent will be happy to pre-register you and assist you with your Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass.
From another area on the Loewshotels.com site:
Deluxe On-site Hotel Guests Enjoy Exclusive Theme Park Benefits including:
SKIP THE REGULAR LINES with Universal ExpressSM Unlimited ride access* in both theme parks - a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day^ (valid theme park admission required). It's the fastest way to ride enjoy unparalleled access all day long, as often as you'd like!
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal's Islands of Adventure® one hour before the theme park opens (valid theme park admission required). This is your opportunity to experience some of our most popular attractions before nearly all other guests.
*********
On-site hotel privileges good for hotel stay as indicated on the room key card and Universal Express Unlimited pass. .......Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to Universals Islands of Adventure regular scheduled park opening for on-site hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel through 12/31/13; valid only at select Islands of Adventure attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey", Flight of the Hippogriff", Dragon Challenge" and Caro-Seuss-el".
Ha, that last bit about Caro-Seuss-el I did not know!