Arrival Day: Check in first to use Universal Express or straight to park?

[Giz1026]

Hi! First time Universal trip for us.

We arrive on Sunday at 1130am to ORL and will be checking into HRH for the night and a 2 day park-to-park pass. We had wanted to go directly to parks but I think I have to check into hotel first to get the special card/pass to allow us to front of the line. Can anyone please confirm?

My IL's are meeting us at airport but will have arrived earlier that morning (they are driving from TX) is it possible to have my father in law check us into room, get our passes and then after he picks us up can we go straight into park? (We have 1 room for all of us however the room reservation is under DH's name.)

We only have Sunday and Monday so want to maximize out time at Universal.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Bluer101]

The persons name on the reservation has to check in.

Besides, you are parking at HRH so the only time you are saving is check in. It should take under 15 minutes. Plus everyone will get their own room key with name on it. You have to stick that key in a kiosk to have your photo taken for your photo express pass. So everyone will need to be there.

Don't sweat it.

 

[Giz1026]

Ok! We will all stop into HRH then to get our passes then head out to park.

Thanks for info!

 

[snoopboop]

Plus, won't you want to drop your luggage off anyway? (Even if the room isn't ready yet, they'll hold your luggage for you until the room IS ready.... and this way you won't have to trek out to the car after spending hours at the parks just to get your luggage...)

 

[bumbershoot]

At other hotels you can call to get other names put onto the booking, so I would try that. Put FIL's name on it so there's a chance he can check in.

But your pictures are taken (by you at a kiosk) for the Express Passes, so each person will have to show up in the lobby to have that done. It really doesn't take that long (especially if no one is picky about their pictures, which end up weird and black and white and elongated and odd anyway), and you'll have parked and gotten your bags squared away and safe, and then you can run along to the parks!