Is it worth staying onsite for express pass / early entry?

[damo]

We are staying at WDW for a week starting next Saturday

DS's 18th b-day is Aug 16th and we are surprising him with a day at IOA to see the WWoHP

After reading about that the crowd levels still seem to be high tonight I checked the Universal website and RPR had a std room available at a reasonable price so I booked

Question is does this make sense? We have a late flight into ORL on Sat, check in at the Dolphin and then on Monday we'd go over to RPR and then go to IOA on Tuesday morning for early entry. Mom won't be going into IOA with us so she'd have some time at the resort Tues morning.

Does this seem okay or should we give up early entry and just drive over from WDW early Tues morning?

Thanks for any help

I would do exactly as you are doing.

 

[Paging Mr. Morrow]

Does anyone know what is the earliest time you can stop by the front desk on your check in day to receive your room key? I remember going a few years ago and i arrived around 9 A.M. and while my room wasn't ready yet, I was still able to get a room key to use in the parks for that day. I will be arriving earlier this time...around 7 A.M. to be exact. I am wondering if they will issue me a room key that early so I can use it for the fast pass

 

[macraven]

Does anyone know what is the earliest time you can stop by the front desk on your check in day to receive your room key? I remember going a few years ago and i arrived around 9 A.M. and while my room wasn't ready yet, I was still able to get a room key to use in the parks for that day. I will be arriving earlier this time...around 7 A.M. to be exact. I am wondering if they will issue me a room key that early so I can use it for the fast pass

i checked in at 6 am before.

you can check in anytime you want.

someone will come to the check in counter for you.

just like you said, you will check in, get your room key, store your luggage with valet and off you go to the park.