Helios Grand details when?

[Minnie1222]

My big question regarding Universal's wording here: Does this imply that a multi-day Epic-Universe-only ticket will be available before the park opens?

Yes, I believe that's the plan. However, I'm worried that there will be no tickets left for the year 2025 by the time this system rolls out.

 

[marmentrout85]

Yes, I believe that's the plan. However, I'm worried that there will be no tickets left for the year 2025 by the time this system rolls out.

I hear you, that's a valid concern for sure. I'll definitely be online Thursday to see what we can get and not risk holding out until '26 lol.

I'm also just super curious how everything will work on Thursday. Do you or anyone happen to know if APs will be able to purchase single-day tickets for, say, 2 different dates?

Like, out of the 6 ticket limit per transaction, would I theoretically be able to purchase single-day tickets for my wife and I for 3 different dates? We already have both of our APs linked to my account, and based on some of the wording on Universal's communication it seems like that MIGHT be possible (?), but I'm wondering if that would have to be an entirely separate transaction for each different date.

Also, circling back to Helios Grand, I've been wondering if there's any chance in the world they'll offer AP discounts on the initial bookings they get this week. I'm doubtful they will but a guy can dream, right?!

 

[Minnie1222]

I'm also just super curious how everything will work on Thursday. Do you or anyone happen to know if APs will be able to purchase single-day tickets for, say, 2 different dates?

Like, out of the 6 ticket limit per transaction, would I theoretically be able to purchase single-day tickets for my wife and I for 3 different dates? We already have both of our APs linked to my account, and based on some of the wording on Universal's communication it seems like that MIGHT be possible (?), but I'm wondering if that would have to be an entirely separate transaction for each different date.

From what I understood, the 6-ticket limit per transaction means each account can only buy for 6 AP holders per transaction. If you have 10 people in your family, the other 4 would need to be on a separate account.

You are correct about having entirely separate transaction for each different date. If your account only has two people, then you can buy 2 tickets, choose the date, complete the transaction, then come back and buy 2 more tickets, and repeat the process. I'm planning to do the above but I have an inkling feeling that I won't be able to get consecutive dates.

Also, circling back to Helios Grand, I've been wondering if there's any chance in the world they'll offer AP discounts on the initial bookings they get this week. I'm doubtful they will but a guy can dream, right?!

That would be great but I'm 100% sure it won't happen.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

No Express Pass for Helios Grand is a critical error. Even if they intend to have no Express Pass lines at Epic Universe, offering no Express Pass to the other parks prevents those that want to spend their entire vacation at Universal from staying at Helios.

They should do the exact opposite. Offer Express at all 3 parks for Helios and just the 2 parks for PBH, HRH & RP. Express riders from a single hotel won't overwhelm Epic rides during its ultrabusy first year. Especially if some are spending some of their time at other parks.

But even if there's no Express lines at Epic, the current plan puts the Helios a significant step below the 3 EP hotels. That makes no logical sense at all.

We’ll be booking a split stay for this reason. 2 nights at Helios, 3 at one of the other premiere resorts that includes EP. I’m just hoping we’ll be able to purchase another single ticket to Epic so that we get more than one day at that park.

 

[Minnie1222]

Update: all rooms at Helios are sold out for the opening weekend.

 

[georgina]

Not surprising they sold out. I had no trouble booking 3 nights for December 2025.

 

[Lewisc]

Also, circling back to Helios Grand, I've been wondering if there's any chance in the world they'll offer AP discounts on the initial bookings they get this week. I'm doubtful they will but a guy can dream, right?

Seasonal and stay more discounts were available.
It's possible,.later this year, limited AP discounts might be offered.

 

[Peyton McLean]

Just booked for September 9-13 2025 for theme park view room (king bed) + 2 day, 2 park ticket + Epic ticket!!

Also wow these prices are so decent for a brand new hotel. Room was $305 per night

 

[namelessoracle]

Also, circling back to Helios Grand, I've been wondering if there's any chance in the world they'll offer AP discounts on the initial bookings they get this week. I'm doubtful they will but a guy can dream, right?!

They dont usually offer AP discounts this far out from what i understand. 6 months is when they start putting them in the system last i heard, that said if the hotel is already sold out they wont have any.

 

[namelessoracle]

Just booked for September 9-13 2025 for theme park view room (king bed) + 2 day, 2 park ticket + Epic ticket!!

Also wow these prices are so decent for a brand new hotel. Room was $305 per night

The amenity level of Helios is pretty low, by all accounts its below the Aventura, and your paying the 100 extra bucks for the walk and view of Epic.

The amenity package is below Sapphire/Portofino/Royal/Hard Rock in restaurants, spas, pool activities, gyms, and transportation. Its also going to be fairly inconvenient for the rest of your vacation for Universal, its hyper convenient for Epic, but its going to be a pain for the rest of the Universal resort.

 

[wendlle]

The amenity level of Helios is pretty low, by all accounts its below the Aventura, and your paying the 100 extra bucks for the walk and view of Epic.

The amenity package is below Sapphire/Portofino/Royal/Hard Rock in restaurants, spas, pool activities, gyms, and transportation. Its also going to be fairly inconvenient for the rest of your vacation for Universal, its hyper convenient for Epic, but its going to be a pain for the rest of the Universal resort.

I wouldn't say it's going to be a pain for the rest of Universal.
Works perfectly fine for WDW, not all the resorts are going to be near all the parks - transportation is easy and efficient.

 

[Lewisc]

Helios has a private entrance to EPIC. I'm assuming we'll be able to get a lot done in during early entry.

 

[Minnie1222]

I just hope they have a laundry room.

 

[marmentrout85]

They dont usually offer AP discounts this far out from what i understand. 6 months is when they start putting them in the system last i heard, that said if the hotel is already sold out they wont have any.

Yeah I didn't really get my hopes up lol. Ended up booking the 3 nights we wanted late-June. We'll see how it all shakes out once we get closer to that 6 month mark for next fall and into 2026 but then again, room inventory for then might get pretty scarce over the next few months anyway.

 

[marmentrout85]

Helios has a private entrance to EPIC. I'm assuming we'll be able to get a lot done in during early entry.

For sure that's what I'm hoping. The thing that will be an issue for a lot of people, at least initially, is that they'll only get to experience that for only one morning of their stay due to the current ticket packages being sold. It'd feel weird, to me at least, to be staying at that hotel for multiple days/nights and not be able to go into the park and take advantage of the location more than once. That being said I'm glad we're passholders and were able to get single day tickets on back-to-back days to coincide with our Helios Grand stay.

 

[Lewisc]

I just hope they have a laundry room.

I'd assume yes. Even PBH has self service laundry.

For sure that's what I'm hoping. The thing that will be an issue for a lot of people, at least initially, is that they'll only get to experience that for only one morning of their stay due to the current ticket packages being sold. It'd feel weird, to me at least, to be staying at that hotel for multiple days/nights and not be able to go into the park and take advantage of the location more than once. That being said I'm glad we're passholders and were able to get single day tickets on back-to-back days to coincide with our Helios Grand stay.

Many of us did the same thing.
Universal seems to be saying no multi-day discount. AP holders have to pay daily. Multi-day tickets include on day at EPIC. Single day EPIC tickets will be available later. In other words you don't free or deeply discounted extra days at EPIC..

 

[namelessoracle]

For sure that's what I'm hoping. The thing that will be an issue for a lot of people, at least initially, is that they'll only get to experience that for only one morning of their stay due to the current ticket packages being sold. It'd feel weird, to me at least, to be staying at that hotel for multiple days/nights and not be able to go into the park and take advantage of the location more than once. That being said I'm glad we're passholders and were able to get single day tickets on back-to-back days to coincide with our Helios Grand stay.

Agreed. Helios this summer is a hotel you want to stay at for 2 days. The day you check in to see the fire works on the top floor, and the day of your epic trip. Then its best to bounce to a EP Hotel or one of the cheaper hotels for the rest of your stay. You will have a better or cheaper stay at any of their other hotels once your Epic day is done. Aventura and Sapphire give you access to a nicer pool with waterslides for the kids and the boat (Aventura basically gets the Sapphire Falls pool which is really nice and access to their boat because its so close). Cabana has nicer amenities. Docksides and Surfsides are half the price, and the premium hotels give you express pass and are nicer.

Helios is going to be a great annual pass hotel for when you want to go to Epic multiple days, but its a bit over priced for this summer. I say this as someone going 2 days at Helios opening week

 

[Peyton McLean]

The amenity level of Helios is pretty low, by all accounts its below the Aventura, and your paying the 100 extra bucks for the walk and view of Epic.

The amenity package is below Sapphire/Portofino/Royal/Hard Rock in restaurants, spas, pool activities, gyms, and transportation. Its also going to be fairly inconvenient for the rest of your vacation for Universal, its hyper convenient for Epic, but its going to be a pain for the rest of the Universal resort.

That is true! However, we stayed at the All Stars at WDW and it was $182 per night in September 2024. So, for $123 extra per night, we can get a theme park view at a brand new hotel + exclusive entrance to a brand new theme park. Universal could come out with extra perks closer to the opening date! We just wanted to experience it!

 

[Lewisc]

A few months ago posters thought Helios would be superior to PBH. Some posters now think Helios should be ranked below Aventura.
Interesting how perception, prior to opening, can change so dramatically

 

[Minnie1222]

A few months ago posters thought Helios would be superior to PBH. Some posters now think Helios should be ranked below Aventura.
Interesting how perception, prior to opening, can change so dramatically

With the name like Helios Grand, I thought the interiors would be draped in gold like Caesar's Palace (Vegas), but with a mythical and interstellar aspects. The fly-through video was a disappointment. Hopefully the hotel will look nicer in real life.