Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens 2025

[EatSalsa]

I think this is at least some degree wrong. We know MoM isn’t trackless, and AR integration would probably be both worthless and redundant at a park with Mario Kart.

The “wands and wrist bands” part makes me believe that the author is confusing the ride’s features with other Epic Universe attractions, because wrist bands wouldn’t make a lot of sense if he’s not talking about SNW’s power-up bands.

I thought the same thing. I just think it’s cool that there’s AA’s

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Will Earl the Squirrel be featured in Epic Universe?

Will he get his own 10 minute announcement video?

 

[DCBaker]

Here's the press release on the Universal Helios Grand Hotel:

Today, Universal Orlando Resort shares brilliant new details about Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel – a spectacular 500-room resort located at the much-anticipated Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025. Brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team and co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a majestic Mediterranean-inspired escape rising above the lush gardens and scenic waters of Celestial Park at Epic Universe. Designed to blend immersion and relaxation to create a hotel stay like no other, this palatial resort features tranquil sleeping accommodations, entertaining amenities for the whole family to enjoy, divine dining options, a stunning rooftop bar and the hotel’s very own dedicated entrance to the new theme park.

Bringing the destination’s portfolio to a total of 11 hotels and 11,000 guest rooms, Universal Helios Grand Hotel builds upon Universal’s more than three decades of expertise in world-class entertainment and creative theming – combined with Loews Hotels’ hospitality and service excellence – to set a new standard in immersive hotel experiences. Only here can guests unwind in the serenity of a sunlit retreat in one moment and then within minutes find themselves in the heart of exhilarating theme park adventures. Universal Helios Grand Hotel is so much more than just a place to stay; it’s the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the pinnacle of Universal Orlando’s hotel experiences.

WELCOME TO UNIVERSAL HELIOS GRAND HOTEL

As soon as guests step into this radiant sanctuary, they will be transported to a fantastical world within the palace of Helios, the Greek god of the sun, adorned with beautiful details of celestial patterns, dazzling constellations and elegant yet casual Mediterranean design elements. And through the lobby’s magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows is a breathtaking vista of Celestial Park – boasting some of the best views of Epic Universe in the entire hotel and immersing guests in the park’s brilliance by day and night.

From the beautifully appointed sleeping rooms to the polished public spaces to the exceptional amenities, Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers:

• Serene Guest Rooms and Spacious Suites – Bright, inviting and warm, the guest rooms and suites of Universal Helios Grand Hotel evoke the tranquility of a blissful garden – with many of the rooms offering fantastic views of Epic Universe. And unique to Universal Helios Grand Hotel are the imaginative How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites, where little ones can take to the skies and rest amongst dragons in a colorful room inspired by the Viking village of Berk.
• Dedicated Entrance to Universal Epic Universe – Located off the lobby is the hotel’s dedicated entrance into Epic Universe – an unparalleled amenity for guests of Universal Helios Grand Hotel that provides direct, convenient access to and from the theme park (valid theme park admission required).
• Bar Helios – A sparkling and stylish rooftop lounge, Bar Helios at Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers a delectable menu of creative tapas and familiar favorites, thoughtfully-handcrafted specialty cocktails, and unmatched 360-degree views of Epic Universe and beyond – making this the perfect spot for guests to kick back in the evening after a busy day in the parks.
• Resort-style Pool – The oasis of the zero-entry pool is the ultimate spot for rest and relaxation – complete with underwater speakers, poolside cabanas available for rent, a hot tub, poolside movies, recreational activities and more.
• Guests of Universal Helios Grand Hotel can also enjoy:
  • a complimentary state-of-the-art fitness center featuring a variety of strength and cardio equipment;
  • a game room for guests to blast, zap and race their way through a collection of arcade games with the purchase of a game card;
  • a Universal Orlando Resort Store for guests to purchase everything from sundries and necessities to Universal Orlando merchandise; and so much more.

Guests looking to have a meal or grab a quick snack in between visits to the parks can choose from a variety of unique dining options, including:

• Flora Taverna – a full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner and lobby bar with a light and airy atmosphere – featuring an open-style kitchen with live cooking, Mediterranean comfort foods, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating overlooking the beautiful scenery of Celestial Park;
• Aurora Market – a contemporary coffee shop and market offering freshly-roasted coffees, delightful grab-and-go food items and enticing snack and dessert options from morning to night;
• Lotus Lagoon – a poolside bar and grill where guests can cool off with refreshing cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks and enjoy casual fare options like burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.

EXCLUSIVE THEME PARK BENEFITS

Staying at any Universal Orlando hotel is the best way to experience all that the destination has to offer and comes with exclusive theme park benefits. Guests staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, or any of the other Universal Orlando hotels, receive Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions at the theme parks – which will expand to include Universal Epic Universe with the park’s opening in 2025 – up to one hour before the park opens with valid theme park admission. Universal Orlando hotel guests can also take advantage of complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk, resort-wide charging privileges, complimentary merchandise delivery and more.

The addition of Universal Helios Grand Hotel also brings three reimagined hotel categories to Universal Orlando – designed to make it even easier for guests to choose the hotel that best fits their preferred style and budget. The Signature Collection – including Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – offers full-service amenities, distinguished service, exceptional dining and more; the Prime Value Hotels – including Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort (opening January 21, 2025) and Universal Terra Luna Resort (opening February 25, 2025) – offer a mix of services and amenities made for comfort; and the Value Inns and Suites – including Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites – are fun, affordable options offering standard rooms and spacious suites with kitchenettes. To learn more about Universal Orlando’s extraordinary hotels, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

More details and photos from the Discover Universal blog:

Details Revealed About Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel

A majestic, Mediterranean-inspired escape located at Universal Epic Universe

blog.discoveruniversal.com

Here's the animated fly-through:

 

[TalkToEthan]

Everything we should expect with this hotel———which is a good thing.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Everything we should expect with this hotel———which is a good thing.

Well, except Express passes. Curious to see pricing. I’m not terribly compelled by the lack of Express and the need to ride a bus to parks every day except your one EU day. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they threw Sapphire Falls into this same category so Helios wouldn’t feel like an outlier.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Here's the press release on the Universal Helios Grand Hotel:

View attachment 811038

Today, Universal Orlando Resort shares brilliant new details about Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel – a spectacular 500-room resort located at the much-anticipated Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025. Brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team and co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a majestic Mediterranean-inspired escape rising above the lush gardens and scenic waters of Celestial Park at Epic Universe. Designed to blend immersion and relaxation to create a hotel stay like no other, this palatial resort features tranquil sleeping accommodations, entertaining amenities for the whole family to enjoy, divine dining options, a stunning rooftop bar and the hotel’s very own dedicated entrance to the new theme park.

Bringing the destination’s portfolio to a total of 11 hotels and 11,000 guest rooms, Universal Helios Grand Hotel builds upon Universal’s more than three decades of expertise in world-class entertainment and creative theming – combined with Loews Hotels’ hospitality and service excellence – to set a new standard in immersive hotel experiences. Only here can guests unwind in the serenity of a sunlit retreat in one moment and then within minutes find themselves in the heart of exhilarating theme park adventures. Universal Helios Grand Hotel is so much more than just a place to stay; it’s the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the pinnacle of Universal Orlando’s hotel experiences.

WELCOME TO UNIVERSAL HELIOS GRAND HOTEL

As soon as guests step into this radiant sanctuary, they will be transported to a fantastical world within the palace of Helios, the Greek god of the sun, adorned with beautiful details of celestial patterns, dazzling constellations and elegant yet casual Mediterranean design elements. And through the lobby’s magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows is a breathtaking vista of Celestial Park – boasting some of the best views of Epic Universe in the entire hotel and immersing guests in the park’s brilliance by day and night.

From the beautifully appointed sleeping rooms to the polished public spaces to the exceptional amenities, Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers:

• Serene Guest Rooms and Spacious Suites – Bright, inviting and warm, the guest rooms and suites of Universal Helios Grand Hotel evoke the tranquility of a blissful garden – with many of the rooms offering fantastic views of Epic Universe. And unique to Universal Helios Grand Hotel are the imaginative How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites, where little ones can take to the skies and rest amongst dragons in a colorful room inspired by the Viking village of Berk.
• Dedicated Entrance to Universal Epic Universe – Located off the lobby is the hotel’s dedicated entrance into Epic Universe – an unparalleled amenity for guests of Universal Helios Grand Hotel that provides direct, convenient access to and from the theme park (valid theme park admission required).
• Bar Helios – A sparkling and stylish rooftop lounge, Bar Helios at Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers a delectable menu of creative tapas and familiar favorites, thoughtfully-handcrafted specialty cocktails, and unmatched 360-degree views of Epic Universe and beyond – making this the perfect spot for guests to kick back in the evening after a busy day in the parks.
• Resort-style Pool – The oasis of the zero-entry pool is the ultimate spot for rest and relaxation – complete with underwater speakers, poolside cabanas available for rent, a hot tub, poolside movies, recreational activities and more.
• Guests of Universal Helios Grand Hotel can also enjoy:
  • a complimentary state-of-the-art fitness center featuring a variety of strength and cardio equipment;
  • a game room for guests to blast, zap and race their way through a collection of arcade games with the purchase of a game card;
  • a Universal Orlando Resort Store for guests to purchase everything from sundries and necessities to Universal Orlando merchandise; and so much more.

Guests looking to have a meal or grab a quick snack in between visits to the parks can choose from a variety of unique dining options, including:

• Flora Taverna – a full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner and lobby bar with a light and airy atmosphere – featuring an open-style kitchen with live cooking, Mediterranean comfort foods, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating overlooking the beautiful scenery of Celestial Park;
• Aurora Market – a contemporary coffee shop and market offering freshly-roasted coffees, delightful grab-and-go food items and enticing snack and dessert options from morning to night;
• Lotus Lagoon – a poolside bar and grill where guests can cool off with refreshing cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks and enjoy casual fare options like burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.

EXCLUSIVE THEME PARK BENEFITS

Staying at any Universal Orlando hotel is the best way to experience all that the destination has to offer and comes with exclusive theme park benefits. Guests staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, or any of the other Universal Orlando hotels, receive Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions at the theme parks – which will expand to include Universal Epic Universe with the park’s opening in 2025 – up to one hour before the park opens with valid theme park admission. Universal Orlando hotel guests can also take advantage of complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk, resort-wide charging privileges, complimentary merchandise delivery and more.

The addition of Universal Helios Grand Hotel also brings three reimagined hotel categories to Universal Orlando – designed to make it even easier for guests to choose the hotel that best fits their preferred style and budget. The Signature Collection – including Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – offers full-service amenities, distinguished service, exceptional dining and more; the Prime Value Hotels – including Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort (opening January 21, 2025) and Universal Terra Luna Resort (opening February 25, 2025) – offer a mix of services and amenities made for comfort; and the Value Inns and Suites – including Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites – are fun, affordable options offering standard rooms and spacious suites with kitchenettes. To learn more about Universal Orlando’s extraordinary hotels, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

More details and photos from the Discover Universal blog:

Details Revealed About Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel

A majestic, Mediterranean-inspired escape located at Universal Epic Universe

blog.discoveruniversal.com

Here's the animated fly-through:

Get ready for Disney to follow!

 

[Horizons '83]

Very cool property, however rooms look tiny and the pool seems to be a bit confined on space, but we shall see when it opens.

 

[lewisc]

No mention of included hotel express passes but guests will get

other exclusive theme park benefits

 

[surfsupdon]

No Express Pass and it has no mention of a waterslide. Yikes.

The reimagined hotel tiers are also kind of wonky. Aventura and Cabana are equal in prices, yet in different categories. And lopping Saphirre and Helios in with the original three seems like a few will get confused that they will not receive free express pass.

I have loved each and every stay at a Universal Hotel. I find them superior to Disney's in many ways (but not all).

 

[peng]

Helios looks bland as hell, save for the rooftop bar. If Disney put out something like this, they would be thrashed online as it feels like their current hotel output.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I was entertaining a stay here but it’s looking very hard to justify >$500/night for Universal’s answer to the Riviera resort. Maybe I should have expected less from the hotel that is EU’s centerpiece, but the existing catalog of hotels looks far better, honestly.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I was entertaining a stay here but it’s looking very hard to justify >$500/night for Universal’s answer to the Riviera resort. Maybe I should have expected less from the hotel that is EU’s centerpiece, but the existing catalog of hotels looks far better, honestly.

Yeah. Not impressed by this at all. We will stick with the actual premium resorts that include Express. This feels like it’s Aventura level with some lipstick. If I wanted to stay by EU, I’d just save $300/night and pick one of the iridescent twins.

 

[TalkToEthan]

it has no mention of a waterslide.

…..even better!!!

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Get ready for Disney to follow!

View attachment 811041

Well the plot thickens, When Epic opens up there will be NO express as per Loews' website.

Also since nobody has mentioned it, how are we feeling on the $50 parking for Day guest's at the hotel?

 

[peng]

Yeah. Not impressed by this at all. We will stick with the actual premium resorts that include Express. This feels like it’s Aventura level with some lipstick. If I wanted to stay by EU, I’d just save $300/night and pick one of the iridescent twins.

Yeah, the only places that felt premium in the video was that the restaurants had seemingly healthier choices than other Universal stuff and the rooftop bar (the latter being the only place that had theming), the pool looked unimpressive, the theming looked like current disney (or if you want a better comparison, the Marriottcore stuff) and aside from the iPads in the rooms, it doesn't seem that luxurious. Not having Express pass is also a dealbreaker as it will probably cost a arm and a leg for a night.

Get ready for Disney to follow!

Paid parking was one of the few fees that Iger and D'Amaro eliminated when Iger took the reigns again. And with the hotel woes disney is experiencing at the moment, it will probably not return.

 

[Starship824]

Nothing about this hotel looks all that spectacular to me other than the views in the park and the the fact that it's acting as the parks icon but other than that it just looks like any other hotel.

 

[Andrew C]

Well the plot thickens, When Epic opens up there will be NO express as per Loews' website.

View attachment 811064

Also since nobody has mentioned it, how are we feeling on the $50 parking for Day guest's at the hotel?

Makes sense. Unlimited express pass for hotel guests at a new park would be a bit nuts...

 

[surfsupdon]

Makes sense. Unlimited express pass for hotel guests at a new park would be a bit nuts...

But even 500 rooms multiplied by 4 per room on average is only 2000 people in the park (assuming ALL 2000 entered the park, and no one goes to any other park).

I’d say give Helios free unlimited express pass and raise the rates by $200/night for that perk.

 

[EatSalsa]

I looked at the UO Website, under Terms and Conditions for both the Deluxe Resort Express Pass and the Paid for Express Pass and both say "Excludes Universal Epic Universe." This is good news, it means they're opening this park correctly.

EDIT: Unless they open with their own form of Express. I sure hope not.

 

[ToTBellHop]

But even 500 rooms multiplied by 4 per room on average is only 2000 people in the park (assuming ALL 2000 entered the park, and no one goes to any other park).

I’d say give Helios free unlimited express pass and raise the rates by $200/night for that perk.

They don’t have the Express capacity until EU gets Express.