I have 12 year old twins and we are going June 11-16.
We had a deluxe room last year and were looking forward to being upgraded to a suite. As far as the room keys, all four of us don't usually go to the park all at the same time anyways; someone always seems to stay back at the pool. It doesn't make sense that they can legally squeeze 5 people into a room that is 375 Sq Ft, but not 5 people in a room that is over 600 Sq Ft.
We can always rent a rollaway or bring a mattress, but they won't go for it and told me that I could forget about getting upgraded to a kids suite unless it happened when we got there, but I can't count on that. I knew that I could count on you guys for any advice.
i hear ya
you can have 5 in a room at universal hotels legally in the standard rooms.
i don't usually say go against the rules but will say, some guests do what is best for their families. sometimes UO hotels go along with it.
when i took 2 sons ages 18 and 19, we were faced with paying extra each night for the additional adult. (18 and over, you are an adult) front desk waived it for us but we did have 2 queen beds to cover our sleeping arrangements.
some bring air matresses w/pump to accomadate the extra person in the room to avoid renting a roll away. this is a smart move. housekeeping wil provide linens and pillows for the air mattress.
only situation you might encounter is the hotel keys are marked with the names on them and indicates A for adult and C for child.
i am assuming you or your husband would be the one at the pool when the other 3 are at the parks.
i have never ever had my key checked for name or A in the express pass lane. i have seen people in a group hand their cards to the employee to swipe and the group has been 1 short on cards. employee only allowed the ones with cards to proceed in that ex lane then.
if one adult will not be going on the rides, and you have hotel key cards for the rest of the group, no one will notice the difference unless they read them besides swipe them. highly doubtful imo.
i am aware the hotels enforce the issue of how many in each room for fire procedures. they need to know at all times if there is an emergency they can account for all registered guests.
i totally understand you can't take the chance of going to the hotel and not getting the suite. you can't afford to screw up your vacation at the last minute like that and want to be prepared.
call again and see if you get a different employee to discuss your situation with. write down their name and any facts you are given.
if you are denied again, then:
i strongly urge you to send an email to the hotel general manager and explain your situation.
let him know you have the trip booked and won't have an alternative place to go once you get there if you are denied the kids suite. if you try to cancel there standing at the front desk, you still have the penalty of paying for one night stay as you didn't cancel 5 days prior.
work with the gm before you make a decision. it may work out to your advantage where you can book the kids suite in advance. maybe they will just do a surcharge with the room rate to upgrade you. it is worth a shot.
it's a four star hotel, surely the gm can figure something out since you are already booked and took time off of work for this vacation.
do you have the loews card?
if you are platinum, no worry about the upgrade.
gold, if there is room
blue, it is a possiblity but not a gurantee.
i hope i have not confused you.
a lot of us regular posters on the threads try to stay away from suggesting anything illegal or against UO or hotel policy. we try to think of alternative ways to help others when they are in a pickle like you are in.
a year ago, we had a very heated thread on some hotel guests giving away their room keys to anyone in the park to use since they would not be back/checking out. no one here who posts regularly accepted that practice.
it's illegal and taking advantage of the system.
hotel room keys are valid for fotl even on the day you check out of the hotel.