Helios Grand details when?

[MIChessGuy]

Yep, I got an email update about the hotel this morning and conspicuously absent was any reference to express passes. Looks like it's not happening.

 

[hertamaniac]

The videos released this AM really show off the resort. It looks gorgeous in the common spaces. I am very impressed with the design.

 

[dizneedoll]

The common areas of the hotel look really nice but the rooms, aside from the HtTYD suites, look very boring and generic. The fly through video shows more of the room, including a small bathroom and carpeting (eww). I was not impressed at all.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Yep, I got an email update about the hotel this morning and conspicuously absent was any reference to express passes. Looks like it's not happening.

Yep they only mentioned the dedicated entrance. I had assumed that Helios would come with early entry but now it feels likely to me that they might follow the Universal Hollywood model of selling that access separately. I paid for it when we went there and it was 100% worth it for knocking out most of Super Mario Land before the regular opening crowds arrived (although the multiple long escalators also helped with that, lol). But I had hoped it would be included with Helios if not the other premiere hotels.

In any case, the hotel looks great and I can't wait. Hoping the How to Train your Dragon rooms aren't astronomical but if they are I suppose we'll just book regular ones.

 

[Minnie1222]

The info on Universal site shows that early park entry is included.

 

[Minnie1222]

From the brief video, the common area reminds me of a combination between Disney's Riviera and Gran Destino. I was hoping to see more "celestial steampunk" though.

 

[lisam70]

The info on Universal site shows that early park entry is included.

View attachment 888415

All the onsite hotels include early park admission per Universal website, so the question is will that perk include Epic too

 

[marmentrout85]

The info on Universal site shows that early park entry is included.

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FWIW (not sure if anyone has posted elsewhere about this, but) I called the number to see if any reservations could be made at this point in time and was told "not right now, but you should be able to within a few weeks". Also asked about room pricing for when we are thinking about booking next September (2025) and couldn't provide any info.

 

[marmentrout85]

From the brief video, the common area reminds me of a combination between Disney's Riviera and Gran Destino. I was hoping to see more "celestial steampunk" though.

I basically thought the same thing. Just a slightly larger scale version of those two with perhaps an added Greek nod. Although I have to say the standard rooms don't appear to be as nice as Riviera IMO, everything else looks great and the ultimate trump card compared to anything at WDW is the dedicated park entrance.

 

[dizneedoll]

Universal Orlando on social media: “While Universal Helios Grand Hotel will not include Universal Express Unlimited, Guests can take advantage of other incredible exclusive theme park benefits.”

 

[Minnie1222]

Universal Orlando on social media: “While Universal Helios Grand Hotel will not include Universal Express Unlimited, Guests can take advantage of other incredible exclusive theme park benefits.”

I think they're going to sell EP to only Helios guests for an additional cost.

 

[wendlle]

It’s a new hotel I don’t think they need to do anything to fill it just yet

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Universal Orlando on social media: “While Universal Helios Grand Hotel will not include Universal Express Unlimited, Guests can take advantage of other incredible exclusive theme park benefits.”

The careful way this is worded makes me think that they could offer the Universal Express (one time per ride) as opposed to the Express Unlimited. It does leave that possibility open.
One can hope...although my best guess is early entry, no express.
I also saw that the standard rooms are 325 sq. ft. at Helios. For reference RPR standard rooms are 335, PBR 450, HR 375, while CBR, ES, and Adventura range between 300-314 for standard rooms.
I'm quite disappointed in the design and size of the rooms. The HTTYD Kids' Suites looked really cute, though,, for families who like to spread out. I wonder if all 14 have theme park views. I can't imagine paying what I fear they will go for ($1,300++) and not getting the great view, even if the back gets a view of fireworks. Hopefully every single room category is broken up by views so you can pay extra for a view if that's important to you. Themed Kids' Suites are not divided by views at the other resorts that offer them.

EDIT:
A question to the UOR account on X asked if Universal Express would be offered instead of Express Unlimited. The answer was no.

 

[marmentrout85]

The careful way this is worded makes me think that they could offer the Universal Express (one time per ride) as opposed to the Express Unlimited. It does leave that possibility open.
One can hope...although my best guess is early entry, no express.
I also saw that the standard rooms are 325 sq. ft. at Helios. For reference RPR standard rooms are 335, PBR 450, HR 375, while CBR, ES, and Adventura range between 300-314 for standard rooms.
I'm quite disappointed in the design and size of the rooms. The HTTYD Kids' Suites looked really cute, though,, for families who like to spread out. I wonder if all 14 have theme park views. I can't imagine paying what I fear they will go for ($1,300++) and not getting the great view, even if the back gets a view of fireworks. Hopefully every single room category is broken up by views so you can pay extra for a view if that's important to you. Themed Kids' Suites are not divided by views at the other resorts that offer them.

I just asked them this very question this morning about the standard Universal Express (one-time use per ride per day) and their response was:
"Hello, Universal Helios Grand Hotel will not offer complimentary Universal Express Passes with reservations. We encourage staying tuned to our website, blog, and social channels as more details become available."

So, if we're lucky, maybe guests will be eligible to purchase DISCOUNTED Universal Express. But I suppose that's assuming that Epic Universe initially opens with ANY sort of skip-the-line service. I haven't heard confirmation that they'll even offer anything up to this point. Like, I'm wondering if they'll initially keep the entire park like they do with Hagrid's currently.

 

[Minnie1222]

I'm wondering if they'll initially keep the entire park like they do with Hagrid's currently.

Gosh! That's going to be hours and hours wasted in all the lines. If that's the case, we'll go for one day just to eat (if we can even get a reservation) and walk around.

 

[Tatebeck]

It sounds like it would be much cheaper to do a split stay with one of the unlimited express pass resorts or just buy a ghost reservation for a night at one of them if you want to experience both Epic Universe and the older 2 parks with maximum benefits

 

[marmentrout85]

Gosh! That's going to be hours and hours wasted in all the lines. If that's the case, we'll go for one day just to eat (if we can even get a reservation) and walk around.

Yeah it wouldn't be ideal. I could see the lines being somewhat manageable if they cap attendance, then the absence of Express would theoretically make each standby wait shorter than it otherwise would be.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

The kids suites better either have a guaranteed theme park view or be broken up by view for the kind of cash they will charge. Surprised and delighted that they will include early entry and not charge separately for it. Now to find out whether express will be offered at all (even if not unlimited) or if not at Epic Universe, what VIP tours will cost. I remember being at the first opening summer season of Islands of Adventure and the lines even with paper fast pass were insane. And that was 20 years ago. I only remember riding Spider Man, the Hulk, and Jurassic Park, don't know if we even got on anything else the whole day.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Surprised and delighted that they will include early entry and not charge separately for it.

Have we seen anywhere that they mean EE at Epic, and not just that Helios is eligible for normal EE the same as the other onsite resorts are eligible?

 

[Lewisc]

Have we seen anywhere that they mean EE at Epic, and not just that Helios is eligible for normal EE the same as the other onsite resorts are eligible?

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/places-to-stay/hotels/compare-features

Terms and conditions. EPIC will have early entry for resort guests. How many days a week and how many attractions will be included isn't specified