UNIVERSAL GRAND HELIOS info & FAQ

[Minnie1222]

In November we will be staying at Grand Helios Friday through Tuesday then switching to Portofino Bay. Do they have transfers available to take to Portofino? I know there are shuttles to City Walk but do those have room for luggage? There will be four of us plus luggage. What are our options?

Your best option would be a direct Uber/Lyft from Helios to Portofino. Even if they allow luggage on the shuttle to CityWalk (they most likely do not), you will have to roll the luggage through CityWalk and then the walkway from CityWalk to Portofino.

 

[Lewisc]

I was told, end of March, luggage can be transferred from Helios to PBH.

Posters say luggage transfer was discontinued.

Ride share is plan B

 

[DisneyMom93]

I was told, end of March, luggage can be transferred from Helios to PBH.

That would be awesome.

 

[Lewisc]

Your best option would be a direct Uber/Lyft from Helios to Portofino. Even if they allow luggage on the shuttle to CityWalk (they most likely do not), you will have to roll the luggage through CityWalk and then the walkway from CityWalk to Portofino.

Why? Wouldn't the same rules apply on buses from citywalk to PBH as from Helios to Citywalk?

 

[Minnie1222]

Why? Wouldn't the same rules apply on buses from citywalk to PBH as from Helios to Citywalk?

Do buses normally go from CityWalk to Portofino? I thought the boats are the primary mode of transportation for Portofino UO/IOA, and the buses only run when the boats shut down due to lightning.

 

[Lewisc]

Do buses normally go from CityWalk to Portofino? I thought the boats are the primary mode of transportation for Portofino UO/IOA, and the buses only run when the boats shut down due to lightning.

My memory is the buses run a loop between CityWalk and the 4 hotels which also operates boats. You have a wait

 

[Minnie1222]

My memory is the buses run a loop between CityWalk and the 4 hotels which also operates boats. You have a wait

Good to know!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Can you bring luggage on the buses?
They're designed as people transport to the parks/CityWalk. They are passenger transport only, there's no where to store anything, and often they're standing room only. I've never seen luggage on the Universal buses.

If luggage services won't provide hotel transfer, just grab the $10 Uber.

 

[tony67]

My memory is the buses run a loop between CityWalk and the 4 hotels which also operates boats. You have a wait

I was under the impression they stopped doing that - it would be quite useful if you wanted to go to dinner at Portofino for example and staying at RP

 

[Lewisc]

I was under the impression they stopped doing that - it would be quite useful if you wanted to go to dinner at Portofino for example and staying at RP

Within the past year, I was staying at Aventura. I took the bus to citywalk. I wanted to go to HRH for breakfast. The bus went to Sapphire, RPH and the HRH. Next stop was PBH. I would have walked over to Sapphire if I knew the routing.

YMMV

 

[tony67]

Within the past year, I was staying at Aventura. I took the bus to citywalk. I wanted to go to HRH for breakfast. The bus went to Sapphire, RPH and the HRH. Next stop was PBH. I would have walked over to Sapphire if I knew the routing.

YMMV

Thanks good to know

 

[Minnie1222]

We made it. I was worried Helios may be empty during the previews but it’s hopping. The view of Epic Universe is so so so lovely from the hotel. As usual, everything looks a lot better in person.

 

[Minnie1222]

 

[Minnie1222]

View from the club lounge.


Hor d'Oeuvres


Desserts

 

[Minnie1222]

FLORA TAVERNA


Again, things look much better in person. I wish I have better picture-taking skills.

 

[schumigirl]

Your pictures are just lovely Minnie, thank you for posting them.

We were there last night and yes, it’s beautiful, we said the same thing, pictures won’t do it all justice.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Minnie, Thank you for posting the pictures and menu at the club. Not a lot of info on the offerings or quality yet.

 

[Minnie1222]

We visited the lounge this morning for breakfast. I couldn't take pictures since it was busy. Basically, there were no hot dishes. The only protein dish were deviled eggs with bacon. I didn't see any cold cuts either. There were oatmeal, pastries, bagels, cereals, cantaloupe, honeydew.

 

[Minnie1222]

Mid-day snacks. No crudite.