Early Admission on Checkout Day

[Shoretown]

A question for folks who have taken advantage of early entry on the final day of their stay at a qualifying hotel. According to the Disney website, you need to present a room key (as proof) in order to gain early admission (at least at the Hotel Elysee). However, on checkout day, don't you need to return the key card in order to check out? Do you need to enter the park by 8am, then exit before checking out of the hotel, and then return to the park?
Thanks for your help!

 

[A Small World]

Im not sure how it works at Elysee but at the Disney hotels you are given a hotel easy pass- a slip of paper which proves which hotel you are staying in and this is what you show not your room key/card