FOTL/Express Room Key question

[D&D's Mom]

Sorry if this has been asked & answered, but I wasn't able to locate it doing a search.....As I understand it, on-site guests at HRH or Portofino Bay can use their room key for FOTL access or a separate line for express access. We are only planning to stay one night ( have use of a condo for rest of the week) and will arrive late the night of our arrival so will not visit a park that day. By checking out early AM, will we still be able to use this feature on the day we check out? Thanks for any info.

 

[Robinrs]

Yes, you can use it the entire day of checkout. Have fun!

 

[jdm]

Wow, I'm glad I found this post as I was wondering the same thing. In other words, you don't really use the room key itself.. which I assume you turn in at checkout?
If you check into the hotel early, (really early..like 9am) can you drop your bags and go over to the parks and use the express perk?
Thanks
Jenn

 

[gschmerl]

jdm
Yes, you DO use the room key itself. If you check in early, they will give you a key even if you don't have a room assigned yet. Then later they will code the key to open your door. After you check out just keep using the key. You will no longer be able to charge things to your account with the key after you check out, but you'll need it for the express access.

 

[D&D's Mom]

Thanks for the replies...that is exactly what I was hoping to learn.

 

[tinkerbarb]

don't forget that if you are parking in self parking (at the hotel), show your key and you don't have to pay the parking fee

 

[jdm]

I don't mean to sound stupid (really) but this means you don't turn your key in when you checkout? And, if this is the case, how do they prevent people from using these keys later in their vacation if they leave the hotel. Are they dated in some way? Just curious how it's done.. thanks :~)
Jenn

 

[gschmerl]

Jenn,
Yes, there are dates on you room key. The dates will go from your day of check in to your day of check out. As stated above, they can be used as soon as the park opens on your day of check in and the entire day on the date you check out. Some attendants check them VERY carefully.

 

[BarryHom]

You don't need to turn in your keys at checkout. The attendants look closely at the dates and make sure that you're using them within your stay dates.

 

[Beckles]

HRH and PBH room keys have your name and dates of stay printed on them, so you don't need to turn them in since they can't be used again (though I imagine they could be recycled, but that would probably be more trobule for the hotel than it's worth) and they can't be used after you checkout (the ride attendants are usually pretty thorough in checking these days).

 

[gschmerl]

Actually Beckles the keys CAN be used after you've officially checked out of the hotel. Check out is about 11:30 and the keys can be used for express access the entire day of your check out. They just can't be used to charge things after you check out.

 

[jdm]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. That definitely has me leaning towards one night at the Hardrock. Initially I thought it wouldn't be worth it from late afternoon until early the next AM for the front of the line access but if you can do the whole day.... it makes a difference....
Thanks again
Jenn