We've visited Universal around a dozen times since 2000 and have always stayed at Portofino (except once at Royal Pacific) for the convenience and fast pass benefits. However it's been a while since we've been there - the last time was in 2014.
We'll be going again in about a month but for a very short stay; probably two days in the parks with only a single night at the Portofino.
Which brings me to my question:
We're annual pass holders, but we need the on site hotel for fast pass access.
If we book a room say just for Saturday night and plan on doing the parks both Saturday and Sunday, will we have fast pass access all day Sunday, or would our fast passes be valid only between our check in and check out times?
Years ago when we first started going to Universal our room card was our fast pass. Back then they never even checked or scanned them, all you did was flash your room card and you were granted fast pass access. Even though we never did, you could literally have gained access to fast pass days after your hotel stay was over.
Then the last time we were there they actually printed out paper fast passes for us to use. These were scanned prior to entry.
Is that still the current system, or is there a new more advanced system in place? Someone told me there is an electronic (possibly facial recognition) system in place now.
What it comes down to is this: Does the current system automatically void your fast pass access immediately at checkout time?
If so, since check in is not until 4PM and check out is 11AM, that would mean we'd only have fast pass access for a few hours Saturday night and a couple of hours Sunday morning.
Does anyone know how this currently works?
We'll be going again in about a month but for a very short stay; probably two days in the parks with only a single night at the Portofino.
Which brings me to my question:
We're annual pass holders, but we need the on site hotel for fast pass access.
If we book a room say just for Saturday night and plan on doing the parks both Saturday and Sunday, will we have fast pass access all day Sunday, or would our fast passes be valid only between our check in and check out times?
Years ago when we first started going to Universal our room card was our fast pass. Back then they never even checked or scanned them, all you did was flash your room card and you were granted fast pass access. Even though we never did, you could literally have gained access to fast pass days after your hotel stay was over.
Then the last time we were there they actually printed out paper fast passes for us to use. These were scanned prior to entry.
Is that still the current system, or is there a new more advanced system in place? Someone told me there is an electronic (possibly facial recognition) system in place now.
What it comes down to is this: Does the current system automatically void your fast pass access immediately at checkout time?
If so, since check in is not until 4PM and check out is 11AM, that would mean we'd only have fast pass access for a few hours Saturday night and a couple of hours Sunday morning.
Does anyone know how this currently works?