Best way to keep track of kids' room keys for fast pass?

[linnylu]

As I understand it, our hotel keys are our fast passes for the rides. What is the best way for our kids to hang on to these that makes them easy to access but tough to lose? I'll have kids ages 8, 12, 14, 16, and 18 with me. Plus DH- he'll want to put his in his wallet which won't be quick to access.

And how to people go bagless at Universal. From what I've read it's easier for rides, but how do you not bring in anything- sunscreen, waterbottles, etc? I am looking for some tips to make our vacation go smoothly! I am the planner, so anything that doesn't go right is my fault!

 

[mesaboy2]

As I understand it, our hotel keys are our fast passes for the rides. What is the best way for our kids to hang on to these that makes them easy to access but tough to lose? I'll have kids ages 8, 12, 14, 16, and 18 with me. Plus DH- he'll want to put his in his wallet which won't be quick to access.

And how to people go bagless at Universal. From what I've read it's easier for rides, but how do you not bring in anything- sunscreen, waterbottles, etc? I am looking for some tips to make our vacation go smoothly! I am the planner, so anything that doesn't go right is my fault!

A lanyard with a clear pouch for the card works well for us. It will be optically scanned at each Express queue, so it doesn't have to come out of the pouch. The lanyard can be tucked inside your shirt for the thrill rides.

As for no bags, we are only a family of 3, and DD6 is either not tall enough or brave enough for most of the rides that would force us to use a locker. (Men In Black is a notable exception.) Therefore single-rider for us and the non-rider keeps the bag.

 

[Bluer101]

Lanyards.

 

[damo]

I just keep everyone's keys.

 

[christophfam]

I bought these cheap colored strings with a clip on the end at a school supply store here in town. Then I just asked at the front desk when we checked in if they could hole punch the room keys for us. We loved this method! We'd tried many other methods in the past, but this was just so easy and no bother at all for any of us.

As fas as water goes, we just asked for free cups of ice water at cs or drink stands. So beats lugging water bottles around. I do carry a small convertabile purse/fanny pack type bag that I put cell phone, sunscreen, and camera in. http://www.ebags.com/product/kipling/multiple-convertible-waist-bag/60241?productid=685198 I've never had any problems wearing it on all the rides when wearing as a fanny pack.

 

[Bluer101]

I bought these cheap colored strings with a clip on the end at a school supply store here in town. Then I just asked at the front desk when we checked in if they could hole punch the room keys for us. We loved this method! We'd tried many other methods in the past, but this was just so easy and no bother at all for any of us.

As fas as water goes, we just asked for free cups of ice water at cs or drink stands. So beats lugging water bottles around. I do carry a small convertabile purse/fanny pack type bag that I put cell phone, sunscreen, and camera in. http://www.ebags.com/product/kipling/multiple-convertible-waist-bag/60241?productid=685198 I've never had any problems wearing it on all the rides when wearing as a fanny pack.

A lot of people do this and its a great idea. I use the lanyards because we have our AP's on one side and the other out hotel keys.

Just remember that some lanyards don't have the break away feature incase it gets stuck on something, this could be a hazard.

 

[bumbershoot]

Lanyards are a good idea.


But I kept mine and DS's in my SideSwipeWallet. It was lovely and easy and convenient. We got them at a fair and everyone comments on how simple they are when we are at a park. I highly recommend them! You could put everyone's in yours and just fan out the sleeves (one card in each sleeve) for them to scan.

 

[tink20]

A lanyard with a clear pouch for the card works well for us. It will be optically scanned at each Express queue, so it doesn't have to come out of the pouch. The lanyard can be tucked inside your shirt for the thrill rides.

I've seen lanyards here, but they don't have a pouch. Where do you get the clear pouch at. Also, can we get them at a store in Citywalk? If so, what's the price? tia

 

[Bluer101]

I've seen lanyards here, but they don't have a pouch. Where do you get the clear pouch at. Also, can we get them at a store in Citywalk? If so, what's the price? tia

You can get them at most of the gift shops. They are $7.99.

The only one they don't show is the red youth one which is smaller.

CLICK HERE

 

[Jessica527]

If they are open to a lanyards that is the best option. But if not, I would take pictures of the back of their passes and then allow them to chose their method of carrying them. If they lose them, no big deal you can get them replaced with the numbers from the back.

 

[Bluer101]

I forgot to add that the lanyards are great for the water days. We put some money in them between the AP's and room cards. Then we can ride the water rides while carrying nothing. Some water gets inside of the pouch, but nothing a towel won't solve back at the hotel.

 

[glocon]

Lanyards seem like a great idea if they are the breakaway kind. But I just wore a fanny pack which was not a problem on any ride in either park and held all the room keys. A small bottle of sunscreen tucked into the fanny pack and free cups of water cover all the bases. The first time we did Universal we did not have an express pass or stay on-site, the second time we bought an express pass, and the third we stayed at HRH. Let me just say that a fotl pass makes for a whole different kind of trip, and I wouldn't want to do it any other way now. Worth it to wait and save and stay on-site. If you do lose your room key though, it is not a problem to have it replaced at your hotel (some friends of ours did this).

 

[pooh98378]

Whatever you do, do not keep it in your shirt pocket! DFIL did that while we were there.... got on the Mummy and guess what happened -- it flew out!!! We had to go back to the hotel and get a new card for him! It sounds like this happens often according to the front desk.

 

[francie57]

DH and DS just keep them in their shorts pockets. They always make sure they have pockets with snaps or velcro closings so they are secure. We have never had a problem doing this and they are definitely on all the major thrill rides so even going upside down wasn't a problem.

 

[czycropper]

When I was there in 2008, I got the Vera Bradley Mini-Hipster and put my camera, money & room keys (the whole family) and just took the keys out for the Express lines. It worked great - I was able to ride all the ride with it including Hulk so I'm hoping that I'll be able to ride FJ with it when we go next month

 

[LUVIOA]

Our whole family uses badge holder style clips like these

http://www.amazon.com/Card-Black-Ch...KKN2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300714745&sr=8-2

I have plastic sleeves for them. They just clip on belt loops or waistbands. All you have to do is pull out the retractable cord to get them scanned then they retract right back to your waist. They never came loose or got in the way for all the thrill rides. I can't stand something around my neck, especially in the summer heat so these are fantastic.

 

[christophfam]

When I was there in 2008, I got the Vera Bradley Mini-Hipster and put my camera, money & room keys (the whole family) and just took the keys out for the Express lines. It worked great - I was able to ride all the ride with it including Hulk so I'm hoping that I'll be able to ride FJ with it when we go next month

Nope, no go on FJ with the mini-hipster. Fanny packs only and there have been some recent reports that even those can be a problem although I never encountered any.

Also, I don't know if my kids are weird , but we've tried the regular lanyards with the plastic pouch. It was a no-go for them. The straps are thick and get heavy and hot when you start adding things to them. The simple string that I posted in the picture above was the ticket for them! You can't really feel it is there at all. And, yes break-a-way...it is a little black thing up at the neck so you can't see them in the picture.