I Tested Epic Universe's Early Admission for Hotel Guests - Here Are Its Best Perks

I hate to admit it, but I was skeptical that Universal’s early admission perk for hotel guests would help me get ahead on my day at Epic Universe, but I was wrong.

We’re at Epic Universe!

Over my days visiting Epic Universe riding its rides, trying out all new to me foods and restaurants, and checking out the incredible views from my hotel room’s windows, I found it pretty easy to call myself an Epic-pro by this point. I didn’t think it could get any better, and scoffed at the idea of extra time in the park I didn’t think I needed, but ooooh, was I sorely mistaken.

Universal’s Epic Universe is just weeks away now from its official opening but I’ve actually been visiting the park for months thanks to special previews for Team Members and their families AND for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders. So with so many days at Epic Universe already “under my belt” I’ve come to learn the lay of the land and where to make the best use of what time I’ve been able to experience the park so far.

A truly “Epic” entrance

Even with as often as I’ve been fortunate enough to attend, it’s still not been enough time for me to experience Epic Universe in all the ways I truly wanted — I needed MORE. So, because I was a hotel guest staying for a few nights at Universal’s newest hotel, Helios Grand Hotel, which sits just steps away from the backside of Epic Universe, I knew I needed to push it to its limit and see if this is a perk I would splurge for again.

Myranda testing out the entrance!

Universal’s Helios Grand Hotel has a dedicated entrance for hotel guests entering and departing Epic Universe throughout the day making it super convenient to get into the park. In fact, as a Universal hotel guest, I was also afforded the extra perk of entering the park an entire HOUR earlier than by entering with just a day’s visiting ticket. And this perk completely demolished any prior misgivings I may have felt about it before. Here’s where I think it shines the most!

The Wait

As a Universal hotel guest staying at Helios Grand Hotel, you’ll wait inside the hotel to be scanned into the park and through security screenings meaning this has also afforded you the convenience of waiting where there’s AC and shade from the sun.

To further drive this one home, if you’re arriving VERY early to the gate before it opens, you may get the notion to want to sit over standing (since you’ll probably be doing a lot of that throughout the day) and this is certainly easier to do indoors if you’re there before the line stretches outside.

Lines For Days…Or Not?

If you’re anything like me and are prone to taking one look at a line that’s perceived to be too long and say “nope” to yourself, this one’s for you!

As you’re waiting in the hotel guests’ line to enter security and ticketing, your one big line will separate into multiple lines making it exponentially shorter than you may have experienced waiting out by the front entrance. This one is easy when you think about it, hotel line over multiple parking lot crowd lines…yeah, that’s hardly worth a second thought.

Come and Go Room Convenience

Universal seriously bopped the “easy” button for you on this one, especially if you’re staying at the same hotel I did. Heading back to your hotel or even up to your room if you’ve forgotten something, need to head back for a nap throughout the day, or just want to unwind, relax, and cool off for some time off your feet outside of the park, you’re within steps to get you back to the hotel.

It’s so easy to come and go that I didn’t feel the need to pack as heavily as I normally would have for a regular day at a Universal park and it was so convenient knowing if I had left something behind, it was just as far to me as the next world to enter.

Elbow Room

I don’t ask for much when it comes to theme parks, but sometimes extra space so I don’t feel like I’m on top of the people on all sides of me is quite nice. This was certainly something I personally enjoyed maybe a little more than the passer-by because I’ve literally been on both sides of the entrances for Epic Universe.

As someone who’s been corralled at the front entrance after scanning into the park AND used early admission for the hotel guests, the elbow room was significantly greater with the line for hotel guests. The pathway that stretched outside certainly was long enough to accommodate a longer line to enter. Plus, it didn’t hurt that there’s great scenery and picturesque backdrop around if you want to snap a few photos with your time before you’re let into the park!

Concierge

Assuming you’ve just decided to buy upgrades to your tickets that you didn’t in advance at the hotel or with your initial ticket purchase, as soon as you’re let into the park you’re within steps to a less crowded (if at all) concierge kiosk.

You’ll find these stationed within the park at various points nearby the portal entrances. These concierge locations function mostly like how guest services at the entrance of the park does making it super convenient from wherever you are around Epic Universe to ask questions, inquire about ticket add-ons, and more.

Access With or Without Strategy

This extra time is great for multiple versions of theme park goers. Are you someone who just wants to sit and marvel inside a world that’s less crowded before it officially opens for the day? Do it. Are you like me and want to knock out a few rides with significantly lower wait times than that morning rush? Have at it!

Maybe you’re more of a photo person and want your best chance to explore and take photos of you and your family with the least amount of crowds during the day? Now’s the time to do it. This time is so flexible to anyone who visits.

Easy Recovery for Rope Drop “Mistakes”

I’ve been there — I’ve done it, actually multiple times, and this extra hour saved me with this one move the MOST! Sometimes the first ride you have in mind to approach may not be opening with the rest of the park due to whatever reason between technical delays, weather, or something completely out of the norm.

This extra hour is a great time to learn that in advance so you have time to correct course and steer yourself somewhere else on your wish list so you can circle back to ride it later. Unfortunately, if you’re stuck at the front right at park opening, unless you’re really savvy on the Universal app, you might find that out later as you approach the ride’s entrance and discover it’s not in operation at that time.

So yes, I totally feel like the extra time Universal hotel guests get as an added perk to their Epic Universe day is multiplied and makes sense once you’ve actually used it and put it to use. Be sure to stay tuned with us at AllEars as we bring you all of our best tips, tricks, strategies and more to help make your next Epic Universe visit easier!