Do I understand this?

[Daydreamer64]

We will be staying at RPR next week and of course will have the UE access with our room keys I read "somewhere" that the express lines where only for the on site hotel guests for the first hour that the parks are open??


Is this correct ?- only on site guests are allowed in express for the first hour ?? If this is true then what time should we be at the gates in order to get all we can out of this perk?? Is there a need to be there more than an hour before opening time?

Are the express lines always open ?- our experience at WDW has been if it gets slow they merge all guests in the stand by line AND then they close the fastpass lines.

We always rest for a few hours in the hottest part of the afternoon We tend to be up and dressed by 6 AM on a daily basis anyway! We can't sleep in no matter how hard we try- we're all too hyper

 

[Motherfletcher]

You get hotel priority access all day. I have read that some attractions only allow one visit to that particular attraction per hour. I have found that this isn't followed too strictly.
If you are up that early you should go to the fitness center when it opens at 6. Sit in the co-ed whirlpool and be all by yourself for quite some time.
The only reason that you would want to get to the park an hour early would be to be chosen as the family to open the park. But you could probably arrage something like that in advance.
I love those afternoon rests.

 

[phamton]

They used to have the one hour rule where you could only ride say MIB once per hour, but that has been discontinued. You can now ride as often as you want with FOTL privileges all day.

 

[welovedisneyfamily]

We're staying at the HRH and was wondering if ALL rides are included for On-site guests to ride without making the lines ?

 

[phamton]

The only ride it can't be used on is Pteranodon Flyers.

To read more about it, see the thread that is a sticky at the top of this page called "Important: How to get to the front of the line (includes Universal Express information)"

 

[robvia]

I'm driving up Tuesday morning, checking into HRH to get magic keys, and I'll still try to be there early. It's just exciting to be there ahead of the crowd at the front of the gate.
At IOA, arriving early gets you a front seat ride on Hulk, then you continue to PF before they enforce the height limit. You can also continue on to Deuling Dragons to try and and get a front seat ride on each coaster.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Thanks all for the info-

still waiting for an answer to the Loew's hotel guests only express for the first hour of the park day?? Anyone know?

Oh how do you get to be the first family? Do you get anything for being first at Universal Studios??

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Daydreamer64
Thanks all for the info-

still waiting for an answer to the Loew's hotel guests only express for the first hour of the park day?? Anyone know?

Either you misread the "express for the first hour" or whoever posted it was mistaken. Many of us have stayed onsite and can assure you that it is for all day not just for one hour.

This is from the hotel site:
Bypass the Regular Ride and Attraction Lines All Day Long

As an on-site hotel guest you'll enjoy UNIVERSAL EXPRESSSM ride access all day, every day during your stay. Just present your hotel room key card at each ride and attraction's express entrance and you can bypass the regular attraction lines!

On-Site UNIVERSAL EXPRESSSM Ride Access Enjoy theme park rides and attractions without having to wait in the regular lines at both Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure. For maximum benefit, stay at a Universal Orlando® On-Site Hotel- Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel®, or Royal Pacific Resort, A Loews Hotel - and enjoy UNIVERSAL EXPRESSSM. Just present your hotel room key card at each attraction's Universal Express entrance--no ride reservations are necessary. There's no better way to get the most out of your day!

http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/resort_hotels/rp_amenities.html

 

[Princess Michelle]

I don't know the answer to her question but I'm reading it this way, she can correct me if I'm wrong. I believe she is saying she read somewhere that hotel guests are the only ones who have express access the first hour the park is open. Not that this is the only time they can use it but that it's another perk that regular park guests aren't allowed in the express line for the first hour, just on-site hotel guests. That's the way I read it anyway but I don't know if it's true or not. Maybe someone else can answer that for her.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I believe that is correct Princess!

 

[phamton]

Ohhh... now I understand.

It is correct. The Express Pass Booklets (that you can buy) cannot be used until after the first hour of the park openings. Also the express passes from the machine do not print out any times that fall during the first hour, so the only people who get FOTL in the first hour of park openings are hotel guests or VIP tours.

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.

 

[Daydreamer64]

YEAH! - I thought I read this somewhere-

all the more reason to get there early- then we can lay around in the nice air-conditioned cool hotel room while the heat/water wave passes in the afternoon!

 

[curlyjbs]

Ooooooh...I did not know this! The DIS is chock full of info!!!

Curly

 

[Motherfletcher]

First family there and queuing at the turnstile of USO usually gets selected to "Open the Park". Normally they pick a family with children that are old enough to read and clap the clap board. They give you a family photo with absolute vacant streets and you are the first to run to Mummy.

Robvia,
I share your love for first at the front seats on the Hulk. The only time I rode it was at the morning sprint. My kids have got front seat twice without anyone else on the train. I love the parks at opening!

Daydreamer64,
You are right, however you must consider a couple of things. Usually the attendants are not manning the express lines in the first 30 minutes at least. An example would be IOA. If you circle left you won't need FOTL until Suess Landing which is after 10. It is a good point and may have value at Shrek and the Mummy I'll have to check and see what attractions that might be beneficial.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Thanks and do check for me Motherfletcher- I appreciate the help.

I anticipate a huge crowd since this is the busy time of the year. It was miserable last summer for us. We stayed off site and while we had a handicapped pass the crowds were thick. I am so glad that you let me know about the first 30 mins of the day and the express being unmanned. Now I know not to expect the express to open at 9 AM. Helps to keep things in perspective-


We are so excited- just can't wait. What the kids and grandpa don't know is that I have planned to spend our last day at the Majic Kingdom- they think it's a "rest and pack" day to get ready to go home I'm sneaky- just when they think the vacation is all over I get to surprise them again!

I lied and told them we had a reservation at 7:30 AM to ride the monarail- don't need one but they don't know that- that way I can I can get them to the entrance of the Majic Kingdom to "ride" the mon. and then surprise them with the tickets.

Thanks for all the help from you guys- I got the $10 certificate for Nascar for $50 in food, and I've found out all about the Loew's card and other "important" stuff-

Thanks for everyones help on this question!~

 

[Motherfletcher]

I took a look at your countdown timer and I will be cheking in at PBH only a half an hour before you. I won't have FOTL until then. If you are at the gates in the morning we'll probaly see you. I could share some tips about opening the park. My daughter opened MK once and it was "magical".

I just love those sneaky Mothers!

 

[Daydreamer64]

WOW- it's a small world after all ! oooppps - wrong park - sorry

My boys will be wearing bright and I mean bright orange shirts with Shrek and Donkey on them with blue/orange shorts on our first day. We started with Universal last year and they want to ride Jimmy then Shrek first again this time. I believe in dressing them as bright as I can- it helps me to keep them in my sights in the crowds!

I'm not sure what time we will arrive on the first morning because we are spending the night at Country Inn in Orlando- I have to save all the $ I can and didn't see a reason to pay $200 plus for our non-park arrival night. The plans are to be at RPR by 7:30 AM to check in. Hope to be at the parks as soon as possible.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by Daydreamer64
WOW- it's a small world after all ! oooppps - wrong park - sorry

I think you meant to use this:

 

[d4est]

I didn't know there was anything like a "park opening family!" This would be so cool! My DS will be 7 1/2 when we go, he CAN read...he would LOVE this!

Any pointers for getting selected? How early to get there?

 

[Motherfletcher]

They usually look for the first family at the turnstiles. When do they open the parking garage? 8? When is the 1st water taxi? 7:30? If you aren't selected you should have the opportunity to politely ask an attendant how you could be selected. The guy I arranged it with has since retired.
At MK you have to stay at the Contemporary and walk over to beat the monorail.