Trip questions

[KennesawNemo]

Hi, all, I am planning a trip to Universal Studio the last week of Seotember. We plan to spend a week at Orland with three days at Universal.

Here are my questions:

1. To get early entry and express pass, how many nights do I need to book at one of the premier hotels? We plan to spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday there.

2. Given Last week of September has low crowd and we are spending three days, is express pass absolutely necessary?

Thank you very much for your insight!

 

[macraven]

Last week of September will have some crowds due to Hhn

Weekends in the park would probably be more crowded than the non Hhn days

If you plan to go Monday Tuesday Wednesday to the parks, you will avoid major crowds

If you stay onsite in a deluxe hotel, the ep is a free perk from the hotel for all on your reservation

All 5 hotels allow EE

If you do not stay at the deluxe hotels, ep can be bought in the parks
Wait until you are there to make that decision as it might not be needed

Think about booking the onsite rooms now
Don't wait until September to book as rates could go up as the hotels start to book up

 

[imprint]

Just to expand a bit on what macraven said, the deluxe on-site resorts (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay) perk of express passes is valid the day of checkin through (inclusive) the day of checkout. So, you could checkin Monday and checkout Wednesday, and all people staying in the resort would have express passes all three days. You don't need to stay on-site Sunday night or Wednesday night to cover all three days. Hope that helps.

 

[babesboo99]

So when we check in on Sunday we would be good Sunday through Thursday?

 

[macraven]

Yes
Check in Sunday and check out on Thursday
You would have all Thursday with ep and EE


For the op, she checks out Wednesday and she will have the perks all park day on her check out day
EE and ep

 

[babesboo99]

That's good to know we probably won't be needing Thursday since that is the day we head over to Disney but I am glad to know we have Sunday - Wednesday to use the EP..

 

[KennesawNemo]

Hi, all,

Thanks for the answers. I have one more question regarding the details,

Let's say I check in Monday and check out Wednesday, I will have Express Pass for all three days. But on Monday, I won't be able to check in until in the afternoon. If I go to the hotel very early in the Morning, they would give an Express Pass for the day, correct?

Thank you very much!

 

[macraven]

Once you check into the hotel, you are given your room key

Everyone on your reservation will receive a room key

Take the room key to the kiosk at the hotel to create your express pass

You insert your room key in the machine, look at the camera and press it for your picture to be taken

You will receive the paper photo ID card which is your ep

If your room is not ready when you arrive in the morning , TM will send you a text when it is and your room number will be listed

No need to go to the front desk then
Go directly to your room

 

[imprint]

Yep, it's what we do every visit. Get there early in the morning, checkin, get room keys, get express passes, and go to the park. They will hold your luggage for you while you go to the parks. It's a great system.