Hard Rock Hotel & FOTL

[amystevekai&bump]

I'm thinking of trying to squeeze in a night at Hard Rock Hotel - we are definitely visiting US but I now desperately want to stay at HRH aswell - it looks amazing!!

I am visiting relatives in Clearwater and also have a villa booked - so the only way I can reasonably fit it in is to leave the relatives one day early!!

My question is - Would we still qualify for FOTL if we only stay one night? & would that be for arrival day or departure day or both??

Also how early can we check in to the hotel??

(Ideally I'd like to get to the hotel quite early and spend the pm by the pool - to make the most of our stay - and then go to Universal for opening the next day once we've checked out & get FOTL- is that possible???)

Thanks for your help!!

 

[t-and-a]

Yes, one night gets you FOTL. Your FOTL privileges are good for the day you check in and the day you check out; so with one night at HRH, you get 2 full days of FOTL. You can go ahead and check in before the parks open and they will hold your luggage until your room is ready.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thats great - thanks Alison(and Tim!!!!)

Whats the earliest the room would become available - 3pm????

 

[t-and-a]

That all depends on whether or not they were booked up the night before. It could happen that they could have a room ready when you arrive. It would be good for you to go to http://www.loews-first.com/Loewsfirst.asp (if you haven't already) and sign up with Loews First, and you can go to the Express Check-in line and it is much faster, and you may get higher priority on a room actually being ready. We checked in RPR at about 9 AM once and our room was ready.

 

[patster734]

FYI, your room key is you FOTL pass. Every person staying in the room will receive a room key (including children). Then, to access the express line, each person will show their room key to the line attendant. The room key will show the check-in and check-out dates.

I suggest getting a lanyard that you can wear around your neck, with a sealable pouch. I feel this is the best way of carrying your room key and your park pass. On the rollercoasters, tuck the pouch under your shirt so that it doesn't fly off.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thanks for all the advice!!!

In terms of Park entrance - do I just buy that as normal or do I need to do something through HRH to get the FOTL???

 

[t-and-a]

You will need park tickets. The best deal going now is the $86 for 7 days, which you can buy directly from Universal's website http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html, Dreams Unlimited http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/ or AAA. If you have AAA, be sure and use it for a discount on your room. Just use this link to make your reservations https://universalhotels.ibe.netbook...o;jsessionid=C23A1D7F294536202A2667A1D968853D and type in AAA in the promotion code box to see what your rate would be or call 1-888-273-1311.
I have preferred annual pass, and use APH for my promotion code. Florida residents can use code FLA for a discount.

Your room key will be your FOTL pass, don't turn it in at the end of your stay. Each member of your party will get a room key and each key lists the dates that it is good.

 

[gschmerl]

You can buy your park tickets where you want. The FOTL only has to do with staying on site.

 

[mamato4]

If I can jump in here. I think we decided to do one night on site to get the 2 day FOLA, but Im wondering how check out goes, I understand you can check in early, drop bags off, get room key to use at the parks in the morning, but how does check out work, if you have to check out around 11ish, how do you use your key for the park the second day?

 

[gschmerl]

If I can jump in here. I think we decided to do one night on site to get the 2 day FOLA, but Im wondering how check out goes, I understand you can check in early, drop bags off, get room key to use at the parks in the morning, but how does check out work, if you have to check out around 11ish, how do you use your key for the park the second day?

When you check out, you don't turn in your key. The hotel will hold your luggage for you. Just keep your key and enjoy the parks. Then go back to the hotel and pick yp your bags.

 

[mamato4]

Im getting so excited we get to stay on site, even if its for one night. I have one more ? though, anyway to get the room at a discount rate. When booking it was $239 before taxes. I dont have AAA or anything, but did sign up for the Lowes membership. Any way to get a discount?

 

[t-and-a]

Im getting so excited we get to stay on site, even if its for one night. I have one more ? though, anyway to get the room at a discount rate. When booking it was $239 before taxes. I dont have AAA or anything, but did sign up for the Lowes membership. Any way to get a discount?

The only hotel discounts that I know of are the discount for preferred or premier annual passholders, AAA members and Florida residents. I posted the link and the codes to use on post #7 on this thread. You might check the Universal Resorts & Hotels board.

 

[mamato4]

Well RPR was booked so we are officially staying at Hard Rock. It was $310 after taxes, but ended up saving $10 instead of buying the express passes. Just a little, okay allot of research, we figured a way to stay on site and it was cheaper, who would have guessed. Thanks for all the great help!

 

[MassMom94]

That all depends on whether or not they were booked up the night before. It could happen that they could have a room ready when you arrive. It would be good for you to go to http://www.loews-first.com/Loewsfirst.asp (if you haven't already) and sign up with Loews First, and you can go to the Express Check-in line and it is much faster, and you may get higher priority on a room actually being ready. We checked in RPR at about 9 AM once and our room was ready.

I have a Loew's First card but am staying on a AAA rate, so I know I don't get some of the Loew's First perks. Can I still go to the Express Check-in line?

 

[rlduvall]

I have a Loew's First card but am staying on a AAA rate, so I know I don't get some of the Loew's First perks. Can I still go to the Express Check-in line?

AAA rate is a "qualifying" rate under Loew's First perks. APH, the old entertainment rate and a few others are not "qualifying" rates. As a Loew's First member, you can definitely use the Express Check-in line, whether a "qualifying" rate or not, you just wouldn't get some of the other perks.