Bizarre Scenario, help please!

[librarygurl]

Hi,
We usually go to Disney every January, but are planning a Universal trip this year. We are going for a week over MLK weekend and we are renting a villa.

We decided to book a night in a Universal hotel to get Unlimited Express, even though we don't plan on sleeping there. The only available hotel that night is Portofino Bay, which gets me nervous that the parks will be very crowded. Any idea what crowds are like MLK weekend?

The problem is we have 2 adults plus 4 kids over age 3 and the room sleeps only 5. My 4 year old is scared of her own shadow, so I don't think she needs it anyway, she won't be going on too many rides. However, will she need an express pass if we are babyswapping her? At Disney, you don't need to get on line to babyswap but I don't think that's the case at Universal.

Also,can all of us get into HP at early entry if the 4 year old doesn't have the pass? Is there any way for her to get early entry? We can buy one express pass if need be, but does it include early entry?

Anyone check into a hotel with no plans on staying there? Does Universal have a problem with it? (I don't see why - we're paying for the room).
Any other problems with this plan I didn't think of?

Thanks for your help!

 

[RMulieri]

MLK weekend is usually busy but after Monday it dies down( we are there the whole week too at PBH).AS for your question, you can not put 2 adults and 4 kids over 3 in a regular room.Everyone needs a room key for early entry and everyone over 3 would need an express pass to utilize it( even for childswapping my DD always had to show hers).

 

[librarygurl]

Thanks! We would only check 5 people in, we don't plan on sleeping there anyway. that is a downer that she needs the express pass to babyswap. If we bought her one, do you think she needs the unlimited, or can we babyswap multiple times with the one time use express pass, since she is not riding anyway.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks! We would only check 5 people in, we don't plan on sleeping there anyway. that is a downer that she needs the express pass to babyswap. If we bought her one, do you think she needs the unlimited, or can we babyswap multiple times with the one time use express pass, since she is not riding anyway.

You need 6 ROOM keys though to show for early entry.Everyone must have their own, so she wont have early entry either..Early entry is verified by resort key. Express pass is its own separate photo pass made using your room key.If you plan on riding an attraction more than once, you would need the unlimited. The ride attendants scan them at the beginning of the express pass queue and check them again further in

 

[librarygurl]

Hmm, so this plan isn't looking so good. what if we didn't do the official babyswap, just split ourselves up outside the ride, and took turns going on the express line. Would that take significantly longer than the babyswap? Thanks

 

[macraven]

Hmm, so this plan isn't looking so good. what if we didn't do the official babyswap, just split ourselves up outside the ride, and took turns going on the express line. Would that take significantly longer than the babyswap? Thanks

just to repeat what RMulieri posted, hotel guests will receive a room key when they check in.
all that will be staying in the hotel room will recieve their own room key.

you use the hotel room key to create your express pass.

the express pass will have your photo on it besides hotel info.

photo on express must match the person using the ep.

 

[librarygurl]

All of us will have express pass besides the 4 year old, who doesn't want to ride anyway. If we go in two shifts on the express line, will it be much longer than babyswap?

 

[damo]

All of us will have express pass besides the 4 year old, who doesn't want to ride anyway. If we go in two shifts on the express line, will it be much longer than babyswap?

It all depends on lines. Sometimes, with express, it is a walk-on, but more likely you're going to have to wait at least 5-10 minutes in line. So you'll be looking at a little bit longer than doing babyswap.

I'm not sure that you need express for a child that is too short to ride the ride anyways. I'd send guest services an email and see what they say.