On a scale of 1-10, how hyped are you for Universal Orlando’s brand-new Epic Universe theme park?
Opening in 2025, Universal Epic Universe will be home to five new themed lands — Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk. It will also feature an in-park hotel that comes with some pretty sweet perks!
Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a brand-new Universal hotel within Epic Universe inspired by a Mediterranean aesthetic that will offer celestial-themed relaxation, unique dining, breathtaking views, and other unforgettable experiences for guests lodging within the theme park. It will also several perks that have now been CONFIRMED.
Let’s start with the most obvious perk: location! Helios will have a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe, nixing the need for transportation to and from Epic Universe. Providing gorgeous views of the park and the ease that comes with having your hotel room just steps from your theme park activities, Helios offers a convenience not matched by any other Universal hotel.
With the entrance so close, it only makes sense that Helios also provides early park admission into the parks. Not just limited to Epic Universe, Helios will offer early entry into other Universal Orlando theme parks as well. As is the case with the dedicated entrance, valid theme park admission is required. Also of note, only select attractions are open during the early park admission period.
While getting into Epic Universe is easy, getting anywhere else at the Universal Orlando Resort will require transportation. Helios, like the other Universal hotels, will offer complimentary shuttle buses that take passengers all over the resort, including other parks and Universal CityWalk.
Your Helios room key will also be a perk, as room keys allow you to charge your purchases anywhere you shop or dine at the Universal Orlando Resort. Whether buying merch at the parks, dining at a different Universal hotel, or shopping at CityWalk, your key card can be a convenient way to keep track of specific charges.
Finally, Universal hotel guests can enjoy carry-free shopping at select stores in Universal’s theme parks and CityWalk, and that perk extends to Helios. The resort will deliver your purchases directly to Helios free of charge! Restrictions do apply and you can learn more about those upon check-in.
Surprisingly, one perk we were hoping to see has not made the list. Free Express Passes will NOT be included for stays at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, at least when it initially opens.
Typically offered at Preferred and Premier Universal hotels, Express Pass is Universal’s skip-the-line program that allows users access to a second queue that bypasses the standby line. It’s an upcharge offering with dynamic pricing based on crowd levels, season, and other factors.
We’ll keep you updated on more Helios Grand Hotel developments as they pop up as well as the latest Universal Orlando news, so be sure to stay tuned right here at AllEars!
The Harsh Reality of Universal’s NEW Epic Universe Park
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Do Universal Helios Grand Hotel’s perks influence whether or not you’ll stay there? Let us know in the comments!
No express pass…Back to Royal Pacific I go.
Given this no express pass strategy, the best plan would likely be to do 2 night stay at Helios. Get Epic park done then switch to hard rock/portofino/royal.
I get they are not going to do express pass for Epic yet- but they should at least give you one for other parks. Until then it would be split stay.
Or girls group was holding out for the grand helios hotel since it would be a premier hotel expecting express passes. But since they are not offering that as a perk, we’ll book one of the other hotels instead. That’s a deal breaker for us.
Pricing is very important
Without the Express pass offering, I’ll just go to Hard Rock again. My family loves the Express pass and only stay at the hotels that offer it. Its well worth the extra you pay at the premier resorts compared to buying it separately. I’m sure Helios will cost just as much as the premier resorts… so it makes no sense not to offer the same perks as they offer.
Agreed. That place is going to be untouchably busy for the first couple years and to not have fast pass. You’ll be lucky to get on four or five rides a day.