Hotel Express Pass and Annual Pass Pick up

[jg789]

So, buying FL resident AP passes online, and staying at RP.

Does the hotel give me the express pass on my room key at check in, even though technically at that point, I am not in possession yet of the annual pass itself? Checking in on a Thursday, going to parks on Friday morning. Will need to be at guest services 30 min before EE to get in line for AP retrieval. Just making sure I don't have to then go BACK to the hotel to get our room keys activated for express (I've done express at hotel before, but always had regular tickets *already*).

Does this question make sense? Lol.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

So, buying FL resident AP passes online, and staying at RP.

Does the hotel give me the express pass on my room key at check in, even though technically at that point, I am not in possession yet of the annual pass itself? Checking in on a Thursday, going to parks on Friday morning. Will need to be at guest services 30 min before EE to get in line for AP retrieval. Just making sure I don't have to then go BACK to the hotel to get our room keys activated for express (I've done express at hotel before, but always had regular tickets *already*).

Does this question make sense? Lol.

No backtracking required! Your Express Pass is tied only to your Premiere Resort stay - has nothing to do with your ticket or the type of ticket - you'll be good to go as planned !

 

[NicoleLarson]

Just to add to Dorygirl1963 response. You will have 2 cards with you at all times. 1 will be your AP, the other will be your hotel key/EP. I HIGHLY recommend a lanyard that can hold both without taking them out, you will use them often while at the park.

 

[Mamabun]

You might want to ask the hotel when you check in, you may be able to pick up your APs at the hotel ticket desk and save some time in the morning.

 

[davper]

HI
I have picked up my annual passes at all 3 of the deluxe resorts. As of last April, I picked up mine at Portofino.
Your room key is the express pass.

 

[Nabas]

HI
I have picked up my annual passes at all 3 of the deluxe resorts. As of last April, I picked up mine at Portofino.
Your room key is the express pass.

Wait, I thought I had to go to a kiosk at the front of the park to pick up my annual passes. Can I pick them up at the HRH instead?

 

[cschaaf]

Wait, I thought I had to go to a kiosk at the front of the park to pick up my annual passes. Can I pick them up at the HRH instead?

It's been a few years, but we picked ours up at RPR when we checked in.

So, buying FL resident AP passes online, and staying at RP.

Does the hotel give me the express pass on my room key at check in, even though technically at that point, I am not in possession yet of the annual pass itself? Checking in on a Thursday, going to parks on Friday morning. Will need to be at guest services 30 min before EE to get in line for AP retrieval. Just making sure I don't have to then go BACK to the hotel to get our room keys activated for express (I've done express at hotel before, but always had regular tickets *already*).

Does this question make sense? Lol.

Interestingly, everyone staying at the Premiere hotels get EP whether they have park tickets or not. Of course, you can't very well use EP if you can't get in the park, but they are totally separate.

 

[wdwrule]

Wait, I thought I had to go to a kiosk at the front of the park to pick up my annual passes. Can I pick them up at the HRH instead?

We recently picked up our APs at Dockside. Each onsite hotel has a Universal Ticket Desk. I could be wrong but I do believe in order to pick up your AP at these desks, the AP has to be paid in full already.

ETA: I’ve heard these hotel ticket desks sometimes close around 7pm but maybe things have changed.

 

[davper]

THe HRH ticket desk is next to the check-in desk. At least it was.

 

[OrlandoGirl357]

Wait, I thought I had to go to a kiosk at the front of the park to pick up my annual passes. Can I pick them up at the HRH instead?

What I've been told is, if you have paid for you annual pass in full, you can pick it up from the hotel desks. If you are on the payment plan, you need to go to the parks for pickup.

 

[jg789]

What I've been told is, if you have paid for you annual pass in full, you can pick it up from the hotel desks. If you are on the payment plan, you need to go to the parks for pickup.

I did end up calling guest services and I was told that if FL resident AP, then I have to pick up at park. I know I have picked up FL resident multi-day tix at RP previously, so that seemed odd, but that's what I was told.

 

[cschaaf]

I guess it comes down to - ask at the hotel, but budget extra time incase you have to go to guest services.

I guess it's one of those weird handoffs between Universal and Lowes.

 

[jg789]

I am seriously thinking I should just buy multiple day tickets and upgrade. I mean, I know I didn't have to go to guest services when I did that in March (we picked up in hotel), so hoping that's still the case, so, why not try?

Is this correct thinking regarding upgrading?

Currently, I can purchase 2 park, 3 day tickets for 5 people for $1965.94 (before tax). So, I should buy those.

Then, upgrade to preferred ($399 each) for $1995 (before tax), which is a difference of $29.06. I assume I would have to pay that when upgrading, but could then do it AFTER we've hit rope drop first day, which saves us pain and aggravation that morning. In other words, hit up guest services on way out first day. Or second. But more convenient then than in line at 7:30 am.

Am I thinking this through correctly?

 

[cschaaf]

I am seriously thinking I should just buy multiple day tickets and upgrade. I mean, I know I didn't have to go to guest services when I did that in March (we picked up in hotel), so hoping that's still the case, so, why not try?

Is this correct thinking regarding upgrading?

Currently, I can purchase 2 park, 3 day tickets for 5 people for $1965.94 (before tax). So, I should buy those.

Then, upgrade to preferred ($399 each) for $1995 (before tax), which is a difference of $29.06. I assume I would have to pay that when upgrading, but could then do it AFTER we've hit rope drop first day, which saves us pain and aggravation that morning. In other words, hit up guest services on way out first day. Or second. But more convenient then than in line at 7:30 am.

Am I thinking this through correctly?

Interesting way of approaching it. I can't see anything wrong with that plan, but I've never tried any of that so I have no direct experience.

Something else to consider if you are going to use that method might be looking at tickets through a 3rd party reseller - you might save a few $ on the initial purchase, but they are bought at 'full value' so you'd pay the same upgrade price. Again, I have no experience doing this, but have seen many others on here do it.

 

[jg789]

I’m March we def picked up FL resident tix at RP. We validated those tickets at ticket desk AT ROyal Pacific.

We then had to also show verification as we went through turnstile, but did not have to go to guest services to validate again.

This was in March. Can anyone confirm if this is still how that works for multi day FL resident tix at onsite hotel?
Thanks!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

If you are getting Preferred APs anyways, you'll want one during the first day to start using the discounts.

 

[jg789]

If you are getting Preferred APs anyways, you'll want one during the first day to start using the discounts.

I was thinking of upgrading around dinner time as I left the park. Other than what we eat that day, and parking that day, is there something else I am missing? I thought hotel discount didn't matter (I'm booked on AP rate) as long as I upgraded during stay?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Just for food / merchandise. Snacks. Butterbeer. But still, might as well have the discounts from day 1.

Hotel parking is not included in the AP benefits, and if you are onsite there is no reason to park in the garages.