Royal Pacific Express Pass Usage
Universal Orlando: What dates are you able to use your room key as an express pass? Is it the day of and the day after?
From San G
Posted May 24, 2012 at 5:01 PM
Our family of 5 is planning on going to IOA and USF June 16 and June 17. We are also planning on staying at the Royal Pacific Resort the night of June 16.
I know that check in on June 16 isn't until the afternoon time, but is it possible to check in earlier (say, 9 am or so) on June 16 so that we may use the room keys as our express passes to go to Universal Studios Florida?
Also, when we check out on June 17, are we still able to use our room keys as express passes and go to IOA for that day?
Thanks so much for your help!
I called Universal's main resort line the other day, and the free Express passes are valid on the day of checkout.
Your room key is valid as Express for the entire length of your stay. If you check-in before your room is ready, the hotel will go ahead and issue a key for you to use as Express in the parks and will store your luggage (if needed) and let you know when your room is ready. The Express benefit also lasts the full time of your check-out date, as Jorge mentioned. Enjoy!
Also, after you check out, you can store your luggage with bell services to be picked up later in the day at RPR. As well, if you have a car, you can leave it in the RPR parking lot and use the boat system until you are done in the parks for the day. Then just come back and get your car and luggage at the same time.
Even though the listed check in time is 4:00 PM, they often have rooms ready way before that time. During our recent two stays at Portofino our rooms were ready at our 8:30 AM arrival and our 11:00 AM arrival times. They are now using pictures on the rooms keys that they do on an onsite kiosk. Word has it that there was some fraud going on with illegal room key transfers for express lines. The express use is as stated above. Both your arrival day & your departure day. Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rocket & Pterondon Flyers are the only attractions that are not Express eligible, but your room key will get you in an hour early for Islands so you can easily get in three rides on Forbidden Journey before the massive crowds arrive. Make sure you ride the refurbished Spider Man. It's a fantastic attraction. The previous incarnation was excellent but the new HD is countless times better.
From San G
Posted May 25, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Thank you all for your responses. They are greatly appreciated!
One other thing that I forgot to mention, we will also be bringing our 6-pound Yorkie with us. Does anyone know of any places that we could board our pet during the day on June 17th? (we wanted to go the other Universal park since the room key is valid on the day that you check out). Or does Royal Pacific have a boarding kennel within the hotel? Thank you!
I'm not sure about Royal Pacific, but Portofino has an area of the hotel where you are permitted pets in your rooms, so Royal Pacific may be similar.. On our trip earlier this month there were a large number of guests walking their dogs (Great Danes etc.) on the Portofino grounds. The Lowe's management is "very" pet friendly. They even have a large selection of pet food available on their room service menu.
From N B
Posted May 25, 2012 at 4:38 PM
All three Universal hotels are pet friendly and have walking areas. We always leave ours at home, but I am sure this is something you have to hang on the door to let staff know there is a pooch in the room before they enter.
I always bring my dog with me when I go to Universal. My Great Dane has walked the halls of both RPR and Portofino -- and gone to Hard Rock for ice cream ;-) I love Loews hotels!
But in answer to your specific question about boarding your dog on your check-out day.... I can suggest a couple options. You could request late check-out -- I've never done it at RPR, but sometimes hotels will be willing to go as late as 1:00 p.m. It depends on how many new guests they have checking in. That wouldn't give you a full second day in the park, but it might help.
There is no boarding facility onsite at RPR, but Universal itself does have a kennel. We visited it once on the off-chance we might use it someday for our dog... We never have, but I seem to remember the facilities were nice and clean. I can't remember exactly where the kennel is, but I think it's somewhere in the vicinity of the main parking garage. The hotel staff will be able to direct you.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
From Rob P
Posted May 29, 2012 at 2:51 AM
Universal Orlando does have kennel facilities. Go to : http://www.theotherorlando.com/contents/chapters/1/goodthings2.html
for more information.
Universal does have self service pet care (you have to return during the day to walk your pet and ensure he/she still has water, etc.). Bear in mind that although it is an indoor facility, it is very bare bones and the kennels are pretty small.
Another option would be Best Friends Pet Care at Disney which offers day boarding as well as overnight care. They are fully staffed and a full service facility, completely air conditioned, and can do feeding and watering, walks, and so forth so you don't have to interupt your day. They open an hour before the earliest park opens (7am most days) and are open until an hour after the latest park closes (including Extra Magic hours so as late as 1 or 2 am some days). You can add on additional services like play time, cuddle time, extra walks, etc. and can do a "Play and Stay" where your dog spends minimal time in a kennel, spending most of the day in a playgroup with other dogs.
From N B
Posted May 29, 2012 at 11:07 AM
I forgot to mention, if this is your first time using on-site unlimited Express Plus, be prepared to have it spoil all other theme parks for you. You will get used to almost zero waits for everything.
Try going to Busch Gardens and waiting 2 hours for Cheetah Hunt after you stay on-site at Universal and see how fun it is.....
From San G
Posted May 29, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Thank you everyone for your responses!! I really appreciate all your help :)
From San G
Posted May 30, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Does anyone know where the pet kennels are located exactly in Universal? I suspect that they will probably be located by the entrance where you purchase your tickets. I was just wondering, since we will be walking to both IOA and USF since we are staying at the Royal Pacific (vs. driving into the park), and if we will need to board our pet onsite at the park(s) if we do need to check out early. Thank you!
On the first level of the parking garage.
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