Question about check in?

[NicholeB630]

We are doing a split stay between Universal and Disney in June. I am possibly extending the Disney stay which would have us checking out in the am and heading to Volcano Bay for the day. We are staying at Portofino. Would it be possible that we drop our luggage at Bell hop and then get on the bus and head to VB by opening? I am assuming we wont be able to check in at 8am so hoping we can leave our luggage.

 

[davper]

Yes and you can check in that early. You will be issued a room key that is your express pass for use in the parks but won't be activated to open a room yet as they won't be ready until later.

 

[NicholeB630]

Yes and you can check in that early. You will be issued a room key that is your express pass for use in the parks but won't be activated to open a room yet as they won't be ready until later.

OK so if I check into Portofino on the eighth and we have volcano bay that day and then Universal and Islands of adventure the ninth and the 10th checking out on the 10th my express passes will be good for those two days correct? Even the day that we are checking out of the resort

 

[schumigirl]

Your EP is good till park close on check out day too.

Staying one night always gives you two full days of EP, handy if you can check in very early on the first day.

 

[NicholeB630]

Your EP is good till park close on check out day too.

Staying one night always gives you two full days of EP, handy if you can check in very early on the first day.

Awesome thanks!

 

[MomOTwins]

Yes, but I would just give a heads up that depending on how busy it is, you might take longer than you expect. We went over spring break thinking we'd drop our stuff with bell services first thing in the morning, pick up our park tickets and express passes and be in the parks by breakfast time. The line for bell services was winding around and sloooooow. Same with the tickets. Took us two hours form the moment we arrived at Portofino to the moment we arrived at City Walk. I don't know if you are getting tickets at Portofino (e.g., as part of a 3-park ticket) or just buying at the gate at Volcano Bay, but the hotel does get busy in the morning.

 

[NicholeB630]

Yes, but I would just give a heads up that depending on how busy it is, you might take longer than you expect. We went over spring break thinking we'd drop our stuff with bell services first thing in the morning, pick up our park tickets and express passes and be in the parks by breakfast time. The line for bell services was winding around and sloooooow. Same with the tickets. Took us two hours form the moment we arrived at Portofino to the moment we arrived at City Walk. I don't know if you are getting tickets at Portofino (e.g., as part of a 3-park ticket) or just buying at the gate at Volcano Bay, but the hotel does get busy in the morning.

Well crap that def makes a difference!! I dont want to end up spending two hours doing that. My other option is to just go straight to Volcano bay and just park wherever that is that Im supposed to ha. I did purchase 3 day, 3 park tickets but they are showing on my phone. I wouldnt need to get anything from resort would I? I was thinking about getting the VB express pass which I can add to my phone too but then would I need to get the actual hard copy to use at VB from the resort? UGH

 

[03GirlsMom]

Well crap that def makes a difference!! I dont want to end up spending two hours doing that. My other option is to just go straight to Volcano bay and just park wherever that is that Im supposed to ha. I did purchase 3 day, 3 park tickets but they are showing on my phone. I wouldnt need to get anything from resort would I? I was thinking about getting the VB express pass which I can add to my phone too but then would I need to get the actual hard copy to use at VB from the resort? UGH

If you have the tickets added to your wallet in the app, they will be able to scan them at the entrance to VB. You will not need printed tickets.

You are able to purchase the EPs at Guest Services either at the entrance or just inside the VB entrance. But, you can purchase those online beforehand and they should show up electronically in your wallet as well in the app. You would still need to stop by Guest Services to have them added to your tapu but it should only take a matter of minutes.

 

[NicholeB630]

If you have the tickets added to your wallet in the app, they will be able to scan them at the entrance to VB. You will not need printed tickets.

You are able to purchase the EPs at Guest Services either at the entrance or just inside the VB entrance. But, you can purchase those online beforehand and they should show up electronically in your wallet as well in the app. You would still need to stop by Guest Services to have them added to your tapu but it should only take a matter of minutes.

Ok thanks! Maybe that would be the better option for time sakes. Just have everything digital on my phone then get into VB get Tapu Tapu and then I'd go to Guest Services after getting in and have it added? Also do you know how I then find out what Cabana I am in?

 

[03GirlsMom]

Ok thanks! Maybe that would be the better option for time sakes. Just have everything digital on my phone then get into VB get Tapu Tapu and then I'd go to Guest Services after getting in and have it added? Also do you know how I then find out what Cabana I am in?

You can check in to your cabana with Guest Services when you get your EP added to your tapu. Easy peasy!

Editing to add: You'll want to head to the Guest Services slightly inside the park vs. the one at the turnstiles. It's up the hill and to the left once you enter. If you're there for early entry, it'll be at the check point where they hold all the non-hotel guests back from entering.

 

[NicholeB630]

You can check in to your cabana with Guest Services when you get your EP added to your tapu. Easy peasy!

Editing to add: You'll want to head to the Guest Services slightly inside the park vs. the one at the turnstiles. It's up the hill and to the left once you enter. If you're there for early entry, it'll be at the check point where they hold all the non-hotel guests back from entering.

Ok awesome. I did change my resort plans SO We'll be going straight to Volcano bay from Art of Animation, depending how early were up we may swing by Portofino and check out the lines for checking in. If its busy we'll just go to City Walk parking lot. So when you go through the turnstiles is that where they hand you the tapu tapu. Will I be able to enter early without checking into resort first? Even though Im staying that night, will it count still?

 

[03GirlsMom]

Ok awesome. I did change my resort plans SO We'll be going straight to Volcano bay from Art of Animation, depending how early were up we may swing by Portofino and check out the lines for checking in. If its busy we'll just go to City Walk parking lot. So when you go through the turnstiles is that where they hand you the tapu tapu. Will I be able to enter early without checking into resort first? Even though Im staying that night, will it count still?

No, you'll want to check in to the resort first unless you will not be at VB for early entry. Without your room key, you will have to wait until the regular opening time. I don't know how that works if you have a cabana though. I don't believe that grants you early entry but I can't confirm that.

You get your tapu tapu when you scan your ticket at the turnstiles. They don't check for room keys for early entry until you get into the park a little further. They have a checkpoint near Guest Services that is roped off until regular park opening for non-hotel guests.

 

[NicholeB630]

No, you'll want to check in to the resort first unless you will not be at VB for early entry. Without your room key, you will have to wait until the regular opening time. I don't know how that works if you have a cabana though. I don't believe that grants you early entry but I can't confirm that.

You get your tapu tapu when you scan your ticket at the turnstiles. They don't check for room keys for early entry until you get into the park a little further. They have a checkpoint near Guest Services that is roped off until regular park opening for non-hotel guests.

Ok!! I think I’m going to just make us all get up really early and leave art of animation at 7 AM. I would hope that not that many people will be checking into the resort at 7:20 AM on a Tuesday. That will give us 2 1/2 hours to check in and get to Volcano Bay by 930!!

 

[HashberryOTG]

The line for bell services was winding around and sloooooow. Same with the tickets. Took us two hours form the moment we arrived at Portofino to the moment we arrived at City Walk.

Wow! I've thankfully never had that happen. I've used bell services even during busy times and never had to wait more than 20ish minutes or so.

 

[NicholeB630]

Wow! I've thankfully never had that happen. I've used bell services even during busy times and never had to wait more than 20ish minutes or so.

Fingers crossed that’s what we get