Early AM check-in at RPH, then heading to the parks...?? Logistical question.

[sunshine girl]

Hi all!!

I'm going this Saturday to Universal, staying on-site at Royal Pacific on Sat. nite. I plan to drive to the hotel and check in first thing in the morning on Saturday (I live in FL) to get my on-site express pass thingy (the technical term eludes me at the moment) and immediately go to the parks.

My question... how should I time this to (hopefully) get to the parks when they open? Specifically:

1. What time should I be there to check in?
2. How should I get to the park (IOA) from the hotel... drive, walk, or public transport? (Never been there, don't know how this works at all, and don't know how far away the RPH is from IOA).
3. I have to pick up my prepaid park tickets at a kiosk at the park gate. Is this an obvious/easy transaction, or does it require strategy? If so, please advise!

Thanks in advance! I'm super excited. I know it'll be crowded but I'm hoping the express on-site makes a difference. Plus, I've got the Unofficial Guide plan... hope it helps!

 

[robvia]

I live in Plantation, so you're about 20 minutes north of me.
We wake up at 02:30am, and we're on the road by 04:00am taking the turnpike up. Driving early in the morning is great because no one gets in your way on the turnpike. For you, it will be 200 miles, about 3.5 hours depending how much time you spend at the rest stops. Take the Turnpike to I-4, head West towards Tampa, and you'll come to Universal Blvd a mile down the road.

Check into the hotel as early as you can, and a room may be ready. If it's not, you'll still get your magic keys. That's what we call them around here, either magic keys, or UEPs which means Unlimited Express Passes. By the time you check in, it will be about 8am. The parks open at 08:30am, so you'll get there right when they open.

You walk over from the RPR, it's 7 minutes and you'll end up next to Margaritaville which leads to IOA. If your room is not ready, they'll take your cell phone # and call when it is. You can come back to your car around 1pm, change cloths, and go to the pool. Pack a cooler the night before you drive up. There is a Publix just north of the parks. There is no fridge in the room, so bring the cooler and stock it well.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm

 

[sunshine girl]

Thank you! This is great information. Any and all tips are helpful!!

 

[patster734]

There's also a water taxi to take guests between RPH and Citywalk, which is the entertainment/dining/shopping hub for the 2 parks.

Picking up the tickets from the kiosks is usually easy. They are located outside of the gates to each park. Make sure that you have the credit card, that you used to purchase the tickets, with you. You'll insert the credit card into the card slot, the kiosk will verify the purchase and release the tickets to you. Should you have a problem getting the tickets, guest services should be able to help you.