Come with me on a Journey to a Far away place inhabited by Mythological Gods and Constellations. Through the Portals we go to an Epic Universe.

[Robo56]

Welcome everyone on my adventure to Epic Universe.

I have been traveling to Universal for years for vacation. It is my happy place. A place were I can shut off the outside World and be a kid again. I think we all need that.

What is not to love about no dishes, no cooking, no housekeeping etc..Although I don’t dislike those things it is nice not to think about them on vacation for sure.

The best part is riding rides and just having a good time. Which is easy at Universal.

I started vacationing at Universal Orlando many years ago with our two youngest grandchildren M and P. M has graduated college with her MBA and is married now and P is a Junior in College.

They are both busy so most of the time I travel to Universal solo as my hubby who is the love of my life does not like to travel much anymore.

I did get my hubby to travel up to Universal a few years ago for Mardi Gras and he did have a wonderful time.

I’am a retired RN, as is my older sister D and our younger sister K is also a RN who is still practicing. K has gone on vacation with me to Universal Orlando the past couple of years for HHN. She loves everything Halloween as much as I do.

Now onto my recent adventure. I had been on the fence about going to Epic Universe for the AP preview opportunity.

Then I started looking at some of the information coming out on youtube and other media. I then decided that if I was going to go during a time where I could enjoy Epic without the serious crowds. It was now.

So the planning began in earnest.

I knew I wanted to stay at the Helios Grand Hotel located in the park technically. Will clear that up in minute.

I started watching prices and found my comfort zone for pricing and made the reservation only to find a room I liked better a week later and changed it.

I’am at my home in Indiana right now so I also had to get a flight our at our local small airport which was not a problem.

Car rentals prices were a bit all over the place. I was only going down for a few days.

Everything was in place and all I had to do was wait for my trip.

Our grandson E was down for the weekend for a visit. I had the house all clean with plenty of good meals for hubby to enjoy while I was gone.

I had made numerous mini loaves of banana bread and homemade chocolate chips cookies. I made a rib dinner Saturday evening and our grandson said he was still full when he woke up in the morning.

Enough blabbering lets get this show started.


Sunday, May 4th

Our Grandson E had told me he would be happy to drop me off at the airport before he had traveled up for his visit. I wanted to make sure he knew we had to leave at 6:30 am for the airport and he is an early riser and said it was not problem. I had packaged up some banana bread and cookies for him to take home when he left later this morning.

My bags were packed so off and we went.

As we were almost to the airport I got the message on my phone that the plane would delayed about 45 minutes. You want to know why? One of the airline attendants showed up late for the flight. This is a people business and things happen sometimes.

Grandson E helped me with my suitcase and I gave him a big hug. He is such a sweet grandson. Then off I went into the airport to get checked in.

I had downloaded some movies to watch. So i got my IPad set up and watched some things I had downloaded off of Prime Video and before long it was time to board the plane.

The flight down to Sanford was uneventful. I picked up my rental from budget and was upgraded to a futuristic looking Kia K4 and off I went.

I had some business to attend to at my home in Florida so I made the trip south about 2 hours then spent the night at home.


Monday, May 5th

I was up bright and early for my trip to Helios Grand Hotel.

I stopped and picked up a Starbucks then onto I 95. The route I take up to Universal is I 95 to the 520 then 528 East Then onto the I 4 for a couple miles until my turn off.

Once I was on 528 and was getting closer there was a designated sign for a turn off to Epic Universe on the 528. I just followed the signage and before long I was turning into the Grand Helios Hotel entrance.




It was early in the next morning when I took these photos. I’am up early so took advantage of some photos while the lobby was empty.

There are bellmen to help with luggage if needed.




The lobby of this hotel is fairly small in comparison to lets say Sapphire Falls. This is just narrow photo so it is nicely sized and very pretty.

Your eye is definitely drawn outward to the park.


There is a very large chandelier hanging in the lobby. It looks like a massive star is sending out rays of light in all directions.


The check in is on your right when you enter.


Baggage service to hold your baggage is on the left as is the Avis rental area and vacation planning.

Also on the left is the

 

[Robo56]

The Flora Taverna is really beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery. It has an abundance of natural light pouring in through the windows.

I’am guessing this might be one of the largest restaurants at any of the resorts.

There is plenty of seating inside with a mix of booths and tables as well as a bar and abundant outside seating.










The interesting center pieces of the this beautiful, spacious restaurant are the Petrified Olive Trees that were imported from Italy.







Outside seating

 

[Robo56]

I wanted to back track a little there is a parking garage provided at the Helios Grand.

If you park on the second floor of the parking garage it leads right to the front door via a short pathway to the right of the entrance.

There is a cost to park in the garage.

A side note. If you’re coming to Flora Taverna or Bar Helios to dine at the Helios Grand Hotel and you spend at least $50.00 you can have your parking ticket valeted and there is no charge for parking.

If you are coming from one of the other Resorts you have to catch a bus at Citywalk and it will drop you off. I did not see where that bus drop off loop was.

Of course you can use one of the car services at the Resorts for transportation for a small fee.

Not sure on the Uber and Lift transport to the front door. Others who have used it can share if you like.

There is a place to plug in your electric vehicle, but I’am not sure how many they have. This one was obvious to me as it was not far from where I was parked.

There is also handicapped parking in the garage.

Back inside to the right of the check in desk is the Aurora Market. You can purschase coffee, pastries, some tempting fancy desserts and prepared sandwiches etc……









Also to the right and down a short hallway are restrooms, small Universal Store and the area leading to Helios resort guests entrance.




More on the guest entrance. This is only for guests who are staying at the Helios Grand to enter the park. You have to have your room key and park ticket that is linked to your App or a physical ticket to scan.

You show your room key then go through security. Then stop for the photo scan.

I had purchased my tickets through the Universal APP and I didn’t have to physically show my ticket on the App as when they took my photo and it was obviously linked to my name and ticket and I got the green check to walk through.

I thought that was great, but I would never be without physical proof of your ticket either on you App or a paper ticket just in case it is needed.

Also as onsite resort guess you can get into the park via the guest entrance one hour before the park opens.

If you have only stayed for one night at Helios and you have a ticket for the park for your check out day you can store your bags with luggage check, leave your car in the garage and still use your room key to use the hotel guest entrance which is good until park closes the day of your departure.

 

[Robo56]

Down the same hallway to the right of check in desk is the fitness center located on the left side of hallway. It is very nice and has a nice amount of equipment.



The Treadmills are facing the park. Who ever had the idea of placing the treadmills this way was a genius. What a view while you are exercising.

 

[Robo56]

A little farther down the hallway on the left side is another set of bathrooms, These bathrooms are more serene and are utilized more probably by the folks using the fitness center.

I read that someone was upset that there was not changing table in the bathroom that is closet to the lobby.

This bathroom has a changing table as well as lockers and showers both a regular one and one that is handicap accessible.














Notice how I included the scale……..LOL…..just nope on vacation.

 

[Robo56]

There is game room. Although I think it would be more fun to buy the little ones the power-up bands in the park for Nintendo Land.

This would allow them to use the bands to have an interactive day of fun in the park.





















More to come on the hotel and my first day at Epic.

 

[Charade67]

Thanks for the pictures. I am so looking forward to staying here in January.