Does anyone reserve 1 night just to get FOTL for the day?

[jade1]

I know the rates are way up for early August, but its such a great perk we may check in just for the 4 room keys and not even use the room. I did see a $219 RP plus tax and am actually tempted. There is 8 of us going (staying at WDW) and not everyone wants to do all the rides so we could mix and match here and there right? Is that too crazy? Should we just check rates up to the last minute in case there is a better rate? Has anyone done this? We have a total of 15 of us going to WDW (only 8 want to go to US but some are hardcore HULK over and over types) so $250 on top of the whole tab is insignificant. What do you think?

 

[gschmerl]

Yes! People do this all the time. You can register up to five people and get five room keys for FOTL. As far as mix and match, they usually put name and age of the people on the room key card. It's not as easy to "share" room keys as you might think.

 

[jlima]

I got an entertainment rate of $149 at the PBH in July 01. Made the reservation about 3 months prior. We were actually staying at the Dolphin. Worth every penny to have FOTL access.

 

[robvia]

It will work. On some rides, they scan the key, but they do it so fast, they don't even look at what it says. On other rides, you just flash it and walk in.

The best thing to do, would be to pre-checkin early in the morning at 07:00am and get your keys. Go into the park, have fun, then you can actually check into the room and take a nap at 3pm. Once you are there, you'll proably end up staying the night. You can go to the pool and you'll "feel" like you are a part of the action.

Yeah, I'd book now if I were you. The first week of August is still the busy time of the year.

 

[jade1]

Great, thanks. Could I go over myself and check in the night before (ex Tuesday night), get the room keys and have automatic check out the next AM, or do we have to arrive and check out in person? That way everyone can get a little extra rest wed AM. I cant see getting 8 up and going by 6AM.

 

[Familyof14]

As long as you are just paying for the room and leaving - and PBH is aware that you are just getting tickets - I don't see why not. Only problem is that you may need everyone in your party to show up for room keys.

 

[disneyholic family]

i reserved one night at portofino bay, really only to get the express entrance...
however, we're actually going to stay there for that night...that will give us two days of express entrance....
plus we'll get a taste of an onsite hotel...if we like it, we'll come back next year for a longer stay...

 

[Motherfletcher]

I don't think they will give you keys for the next day. But let us know. Check out is easy. Ask them at check-in for their 3 choice check out options.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I won't go to the parks without it!

 

[RyGuy]

Me neither!

 

[jade1]

"I don't think they will give you keys for the next day. But let us know."

Do you mean if I check in Tuesday (say 11 PM even though I could have checked in at 4PM) night and get room keys for that night, and dont even go to the room, those keys are not valid for the parks the next day (check out day)?

 

[jade1]

Sorry, someone also mentioned 5 room keys, do they give 5 room keys for a room, or do you need to rent a cot or what?

 

[Flexan]

Originally posted by jade1
Sorry, someone also mentioned 5 room keys, do they give 5 room keys for a room, or do you need to rent a cot or what?

We had five people -- 2 adults, three children: 11, 8, 7 -- in our party and stayed June 6-10 in a standard room (two queen beds) WITHOUT ordering a cot. Each of us was given a room key (FOTL access) with our names on it.

The only time the subject of a cot came up was when we made the reservation last year; and we declined the cot ($25 extra) at that time.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The keys are good check-in and check out day. I thought you wanted to precheck-in the night before check-in. You can check-in anytime on check-in day. I check-in before 8 am so I'll have 2 days of FOTL.

 

[robvia]

Yeah, that would be a waste to book the room for the night before you are going to USF, get the keys that night, and not even use the room.
If the 8 people don't wake up early, that's fine, show up at 9 or 10am, pre-check in to the room, visit the park, then come back to the room at 3pm so everyone can rest. I'd even bring a cooler with some drinks, change of cloths, and take a shower. Heck, I'd even pack a small travel bag and spend the night there just to see what it is like.

 

[jade1]

That does make sense, I will just make them get up early that day. How is Orlando traffic from WDW to US ona wed AM around 7:30? 1/2 hour?

 

[Motherfletcher]

It kind of depends on your WDW origin ( AKL is different from OKW) but 30 minutes is a pretty good estimate for drive time. Parking and walking is another 15.

 

[mslclark]

One person can check in early that morning and get everyone's room keys. When you make the reservations, they will ask the names and ages of everyone staying in the room. So they will have that info when you check in to make the keys.

The day you check out your room keys are good for front of the line access until 4:00 p.m.

It would be a shame to pay for the room and not use it though! At least take a nap there or something! And definitely check out their pools!

 

[26555]

Whats with the "until 4pm on day of checkout"? I thought it was good the whole day?

 

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by 26555
Whats with the "until 4pm on day of checkout"? I thought it was good the whole day?

I've never heard of this 4 PM cut off either. As far as I know it's until the parks close on your day of check out.