how does onsite early entrance to IoA work?

[Bluer101]

It was like a gun scanner not a machine, so they could scan through the plastic. It really was still quite fast. And I was suprised by it at first because in the past we always just flashed our room keys as we ran by.

Oh and almost forgot, there is bar codes on my RPR room keys from my May 5-8 visit. I'm looking at the key right now. That is what the gun scanned.

Thank you for the clarification. I knew they had hand scanners because that's what they used for the paid express pass plus. At least they will scan through the plastic.

 

[macraven]

Is this something new? I have been so many times and they never swipe your room key for express. I know they scan for the purchased express pass to make sure it's only used once per attraction. I hope this is not true then we will have to keep removing our keys from our lanyard pouches, what a pain in the you know what.

i can remember as far back as to 2002 and having to have my hotel card scanned while i was in line.

some rides i had the card scanned twice.
at the beginning of the ep line and near the end of that line.
hand held scanners were used.

i have been going in october and have always had to present my card.
for the horror make up show, animal planet, etc only had to show my hotel card for them to check.

maybe it is different for the time period you go to the park?

if the hotel cards weren't scanned to make sure it was valid, many people would be going through the ep lines.

if you are using an expired card, meaning you have been checked out of the hotel for 48 hours, you couldn't use the ep line.
i have heard of peeps trying to use their hotel key cards from past visits and it didn't work for them as they were scanned.

 

[Bluer101]

i can remember as far back as to 2002 and having to have my hotel card scanned while i was in line.

some rides i had the card scanned twice.
at the beginning of the ep line and near the end of that line.
hand held scanners were used.

i have been going in october and have always had to present my card.
for the horror make up show, animal planet, etc only had to show my hotel card for them to check.

maybe it is different for the time period you go to the park?

if the hotel cards weren't scanned to make sure it was valid, many people would be going through the ep lines.

if you are using an expired card, meaning you have been checked out of the hotel for 48 hours, you couldn't use the ep line.
i have heard of peeps trying to use their hotel key cards from past visits and it didn't work for them as they were scanned.

Mac,

With living in S. Fla we go a lot and have never had our hotel keys scanned. They just ask to see it and they just press the colored button on the handheld scanner for which hotel you are staying at. Like if the 3 of us in my family go up to and express entrance, I just hold up my lanyard with the key in it, they normally look at the dates, then they wave us in and press a button on the hand scanner, in our case the press it 3 times. Never once have they scanned it. I have seen people that have the purchased express pass scanned in front of us, that I understand because its only valid for one entry. I have also had with Mummy, at the entrance they will look at the key and then midway though the queue there will be another employee asking to see it, but never scanned.

We normally go in the summer around July 4th weekend, xmas time, Mardi Gras time, and plenty of other quick 2-3 days trips all times of the year. Maybe I'm extremely lucky.

 

[jeanico2000]

We visited Universal Orlando in December 2010 and in April this year, and both times stayed onsite. Every time we used the Express Pass line for a ride or show, our room keys were scanned with the hand held scanners mentioned in previous posts. We never had to remove them from the clear plastic pockets on our lanyards as the scanners read the bar codes right through the plastic. It was fabulous, super convenient, and we felt so totally privileged! What a fabulous perk!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We definitely had our room keys scanned for express access last July. It seems like we did the trip before that, but I might not be remembering that correctly. The TMs used the handheld scanners.

 

[Bluer101]

Well I have learned that this is something new since the last time we went in Dec. 09. I guess its not a big deal. We were just used to all the years of just showing the card vs scanning it. Oh, well.

 

[macraven]

Mac,

With living in S. Fla we go a lot and have never had our hotel keys scanned. They just ask to see it and they just press the colored button on the handheld scanner for which hotel you are staying at. Like if the 3 of us in my family go up to and express entrance, I just hold up my lanyard with the key in it, they normally look at the dates, then they wave us in and press a button on the hand scanner, in our case the press it 3 times. Never once have they scanned it. I have seen people that have the purchased express pass scanned in front of us, that I understand because its only valid for one entry. I have also had with Mummy, at the entrance they will look at the key and then midway though the queue there will be another employee asking to see it, but never scanned.

We normally go in the summer around July 4th weekend, xmas time, Mardi Gras time, and plenty of other quick 2-3 days trips all times of the year. Maybe I'm extremely lucky.

i have nothing to add.........


i guess i look guilty...............


Mr Lucky, are you sure you don't carry a rabbit's foot in your pocket.....
jk, glad you haven't gone thru the inconvenience some others have mentioned.

 

[damo]

i didn't know there are offsite hotels with early entry privileges...
are there any other offsites besides the doubletree that offer early entry?

The only way you get early entry by staying offsite is with a package purchased through Universal or have a travel agent book it for you through universal. Hotels just don't arbitrarily give early entry.

 

[disneyholic family]

The only way you get early entry by staying offsite is with a package purchased through Universal or have a travel agent book it for you through universal. Hotels just don't arbitrarily give early entry.

thanks! yes i noticed there are really good florida resident packages at the partner hotels...too bad i don't live in florida!