Question about express pass

[HarborWhaler]

I am planning to check-in at the HRH about 8 am. I understand that my room would not be ready, but will they issue me the room key passes needed for express pass that day at the parks? Also, does my wife and two kids need to be there at check in with me to receive the passes or can I get all four and give it to them later? I will be down there from 2/27 - 3/3. Thanks for the help.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can definitely get the park front of the line passes when you arrive at the hotel. I'm not sure whether all family members need to be present.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[FrannyK]

We just got back from HRH and yes you can get your express passes/key card as early as you'd like, no problem. But, I think your DW and kids have to be present to sign the back of their cards. I remember DH and the kids having to sign the cards at the front desk when we checked-in.

 

[HarborWhaler]

That's what I thought the policy might be.... Thanks for the help.
-HarborWhaler.

 

[gschmerl]

Your express pass is your room key. I have never had to sign my room key in any of my stays at Universal. If you have bonus passes for the park, those have to be signed. If you have four people registered in your room, you should be able to pick up all four room keys without your wife or children being there with you.

 

[FrannyK]

Maybe that policy has changed: We just came back Tuesday and my son kept his HRH room key card/express pass as a keepsake--I'm looking at it right now and his signature IS on the back of it--there is defnitely a signature strip. I remember I had to call my kids over to the desk because the check-in staff said they could not give me my kids key/express pass cards until he witnessed the kids signing their cards. He asked my kids their names and ages too. Then he explained to my kids how to use FOTL in the parks and how to use it to purchase food and/or gift shop items and what to do it they had any problem anywhere w/it. I think it made my teens feel very important

We also had bonus passes (pay for 2/get 5) that we all had to sign the first time we entered both parks.

So Harborwhaler, I would have my DW and kids nearby at check-in just in case.

 

[gschmerl]

The policy must have changed. We have our room keys from this past summer and we didn't have to sign them anywhere!

 

[FrannyK]

Now that I think about it, it makes sense. If I checked in alone and asked for 4 keys/passes for myself, DH, DS & DD and I was the only one present, and they allowed that, I could, in actuality, be staying there alone and sell/give the other three room key/express passes to anyone I pleased. How would the HRH know? Yes, the room keys have names printed on them but the parks don't ask for personal ID's as far as I know. I know I was never asked for ID in the parks or even Citiwalk when we charged things to our room. Weird.

 

[JessicaR]

I guess they will have the parents sign for the younger kids?? Same as gschmerl, we never ALL had to be at check in. It took them a long time to do this! I did pull a few of my old room keys out and they all have my signature.

 

[wenpop]

We just got back today, I checked my whole famlily in, all 5 of us and no one had to sign their card, the only time I had to sign it was when I bought something in the gift shop.. Good luck.

 

[n2mickey]

Just got back yesterday - I checked us in and got all four of our room keys. No one had to sign anything.

 

[damo]

We were at HRH a few weeks ago and nobody signed.

 

[FrannyK]

Geez, maybe we look suspicious!! The check-in staff REALLY made a big deal of it too! Have a great time!

 

[YCFAN]

I think it matters whether or not charging privileges are assigned to the card. If no charging privileges then no signature is needed, just like a credit card must be signed when you charge so they can compare the signature at purchase time.

 

[antmaril]

I think it matters whether or not charging privileges are assigned to the card. If no charging privileges then no signature is needed, just like a credit card must be signed when you charge so they can compare the signature at purchase time.

I agree - it depends on whether or not you have charging privileges. We checked out of RPH yesterday and our room keys were not signed since I declined charging privileges at check in.

 

[gschmerl]

Well, it's good to know I'm not totally crazy. I always decline charging privileges, so that must be why I never heard of signing the room key.

 

[FrannyK]

No, I guess you're not crazy after all I remember I DID want my teens to have charging privileges because I assumed they might go to the parks without my DH and I at times. With signing privileges they could grab an ice cream or drink in the parks without the hassle of carrying money. Maybe the check-in staff asked me if I wanted them to have signing privileges, therefore all the signing? I can't remember since I was sooo excited to be checking in that morning I think it solves the mystery of why some people sign and some don't though. All I know is it's cold here and I want to go back to my "happy place!"