FOTL PASS/staying onsite

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Dh and oldest ds are spending one day at Universal during our upcoming trip. The other kiddos and myself don't have an interest in going off Disney property!

We are staying a full week at Bonnet Creek and then moving to onsite (Disney) for another 3 days. I was thinking of sending them to US the first day of our resort change. Then I got to thinking about some other options, like possibly sending them to stay onsite at US for that first night so they could get some of those perks. We'd need two rooms for our family, so having the two of them stay somewhere else that first night isn't a big concern.

So...on to my questions

When you stay onsite at US, if I'm reading correctly, you get a pass to bypass many of the long lines. That could be huge for them, as we are going in the summer. Is there a limit to how many times you get to use this pass (per ride or total for the day)? Is it good for both parks? And is it good for your check out day, too? Is that FOTL option available to every guest who stays onsite, or is it something I need to add to the price?

I've priced having them stay with us at Disney and sending them to US just for the day, plus buying them the FOTL pass offered as a separate thing. That, I believe, only lets you use it once per ride. If I can get a AAA discount on the US room (don't know if they take discounts), it may be a tad cheaper to have them stay at US that first night. I just want to be sure I'm understanding the benefits of staying onsite at US. Other than the FOTL pass, are there any other benefits? I assume you also get transportation to the parks?

I'm used to how Disney works. The whole US concept is so new to me, but I know they'll enjoy it!

TIA

 

[rwdavis2]

The Express Pass you get for staying onsite is unlimited for all the rides that accept it. The new rides in Harry Potter don't take it and neither does Rip Rid Rocket in Universal Studios.

A one night stay at a Universal resorts gets you 2 days of Express Pass. The day you check in and the day you check out.

 

[Metro West]

When you stay onsite at US, if I'm reading correctly, you get a pass to bypass many of the long lines. That could be huge for them, as we are going in the summer. Is there a limit to how many times you get to use this pass (per ride or total for the day)? Is it good for both parks? And is it good for your check out day, too? Is that FOTL option available to every guest who stays onsite, or is it something I need to add to the price?

Onsite guests receive..as a perk..unlimited Express for the duration of their stay. Each person in the room would receive the room key with their name on it. That will act as the Express Pass. Express access is valid at both parks and at all participating attractions. You may use it as often as you like. There is no additional cost for unlimited Express for an onsite guest.

 

[macraven]

if you are an onsite guest at the hotel, you do not receive any type of pass for using the express lines at the park.

you receive your hotel key card which validates your usage for unlimited rides using the express lines.

if they are going in the summer, stay onsite.
summer days can become brutally hot.

the perks by staying onsite are perfect for a family wanting to only spend one night there.

hotel guests also receive the perk of the ability to use the express lines for rides and shows in the park on check in day and check out day.

2 days of this perk for a one night stay.

yes, AAA discounts are available at the hotels onsite.
when you call to make your reservation, ask for the AAA discount for your room.
just show your card at check in time.

 

[cruisingkat]

The new rides in Harry Potter don't take it and neither does Rip Rid Rocket in Universal Studios.

The only ride in Harry Potter that doesn't take an express pass is Forbidden Journey. The Dueling Dragons and Flight of the Hippogriff both take express pass. And Olivanders wand shop show doesn't have an express pass. The line for that can be quite long as they only let in a small number of people for each approx. 15 to 20 minute show (the shop inside is very small).
But the best part about staying at one of the Loews hotels onsite is that you get early admission to Harry Potter an hour before the park opens to the general public.
We go straight to Olivanders and do that and then make it over to Forbidden Journey before the park opens to all.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Thank you all! I was able to get a little discount with AAA, so it sounds like this will be perfect for them! They went during our last visit, but didn't stay onsite. The unlimited express pass will definitely make it worth it!