Can you drop off guests without paying for parking

[kathy884]

Hi, Two in our party will be doing a day at the two Universal Parks while the rest in our party visit relatives in Tampa for the day. Can I drop our 20 somethings without paying for parking? And if so where and how? (Thanks so much for your help.)

Also, If we are back from Tampa is it possible to do a guest pick up vs. having them take uber/lyft? Again where and how?

 

[kathy884]

Found this info. Is this still accurate? // So it sounds like drop off is easy. Still not sure if pick up is possible?

Guest drop-off area for ride shares.
If you are being dropped off by a friend or ride-share company, you will be brought to the fifth floor of the north parking garage (in the Jurassic Park section). There is a dedicated lane for this, and no parking fee will be charged to the driver. From there, you will walk over to the main transportation hub, where the security checkpoint is set up.

If you are being dropped off by a taxi or bus (including Universal’s own on-site transportation), you will be brought to a large drop-off area right beside the transportation hub. From there, you will take an escalator (or elevator) up to the security checkpoint. This area is located outside of the parking garage toll booths, so those drivers won’t have to pay for parking, either. This is also the same spot where you can catch a cab back to your hotel at the end of the day.

(Please note that this is a change to Universal Orlando’s drop-off policy as of August 22, 2019 – the company was forced to amend its traffic routes, it said, due to its resort’s “incredible growth” over the past few years.)

 

[damo]

Yup. No problem dropping off and picking up guests. There is a designated drop off area.

 

[hhoope01]

If your dropping them off in the morning when the CityWalk security lines can get chaotic with long lines, you might just drop them off at the HRH. They can walk from the hotel to the parks probably as quickly (or quicker) than going through CityWalk. And they then only have to go through the Security on the path to the parks which is virtually never crowded or backed up.

 

[DL1WDW2]

If they arrive at the HRH guest lobby , their temp will be checked and they will be given a wristband to keep on. Then they will not have to be checked again to walk thru security to enter Universal Theme Parks and keep wristband on to return and enter thru the Hard Rock for pickup.
They might want to eat at the Kitchen for breakfast, opens at 7 a.m. or in the lowerlevel down steps from lobby for their Quik Service. They exit on this lower level to follow the pathway to walk or take a boat but the walk is faster! Don’t forget resort guests usually have one hour early entry so they will be at a disadvantage for popular attractions. But they can get virtual times once they enter resort property during theme park regular Open time. The new Bourne Stunt Spectacular is spectacular so don’t forget... but it has real performers so theshow times are a little later . Study times and maps online! Helps a lot!
Will they already have their tickets? Not sure about the process if the printout can be scanned at turnstiles or they are required to go to guest services to show ID. Also might want to consider splurging and buying the theme park express pass that gets you thru the fast lane one time only along with the ticket price. The pricing is different depending on holiday rate, etc...

 

[kathy884]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the information and suggestions.

Yes, we were planning to get the tickets ahead of time and buying the one per attraction fast lane option for the two parks.. The fast lane option is pricey, but it's a busy time and with just two people and one park day I think this would be really nice for them. it's quite a bit less expensive to go that route vs. doing a deluxe hotel for one night when I crunch the numbers.