Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Pyxie]

Another question about buying preview tickets during a hotel stay..

Does anyone know if your room has to be ready and if you need your room key before you can buy the tickets? I read something that made it sound like this may be the case. I haven't actually booked a hotel yet, but if I were to do this, I would have to visit Epic the same day I check in and there is no guarantee my room would be ready early enough. I'd need to be able to check in, store luggage if necessary, and head to the park (if I was able to get tickets). Does anyone have clarity on this?

 

[georgina]

So there are a few videos on Helios Bar already - but its very pricey.
Menus are up now - https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/bar-helios

The drinks are pretty much more in line with what I'd expect at Universal - around $20 for a cocktail - but the wings for example - are $24 for 6.
14.50 for a 20oz draft beer. there are a couple of drafts for 13.50 - like bud light

Everyone has said the food is excellent and the drinks are unique - but very expensive.

I guess they are trying to keep the riff raff from the parks (like me) out

I'll be staying there and not thrilled with those prices! Gonna be interesting - my SMSM rate for a standard Helios room in Dec is $314/nt. (3 night stay) I have looked at the current AP rates for that basic room and they now say $643/nt

 

[Minnie1222]

Does anyone know if your room has to be ready and if you need your room key before you can buy the tickets?

The other 3 premier hotels would print your room card, long before your room is ready, so you can immediately use it for early admission and express lanes. Helios should be able to print something for you to buy tickets and access the private entrance.

 

[Pyxie]

The other 3 premier hotels would print your room card, long before your room is ready, so you can immediately use it for early admission and express lanes. Helios should be able to print something for you to buy tickets and access the private entrance.

Thank you! I wasn't look at Helios, but if they can print the card early, I'd imagine any of the hotels could.

 

[Leigh L]

Just verifying: EPIC busses are coming directly to ( & from) Cabana Bay, correct? We are staying in a few weeks and have preview tix & weren't sure if we would have to go to the CityWalk bus terminal & change busses or not.

Yes, we saw buses yesterday, and I believe there was a sign "EPIC" (right past where the Bayside Diner ends). I just reconfirmed with my adult DD, and she said she saw actual buses too.

The Cabana Bay staff seemed to be pushing info out, which was great. When we checked in, the front desk staff was encouraging us to go buy tickets in the morning of 4/14 for 4/17 if we had a late flight. On 4/16, we came back that night to a message on our phone to inform us we could buy tickets in the morning.

Ticket counter, I'm not sure what their usual hours are, but they were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. while we were there.

 

[fatmanatee]

First glimpse at an official POV of Stardust Racers:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913282451729768823

 

[georgina]

First glimpse at an official POV of Stardust Racers:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913282451729768823

Looks fun, but perhaps less intense than Velocicoaster? I am a huge VC fan, love the air time!

 

[BorderTenny]

Anyone know if the Touring Plans Lines app is working for Epic yet? I can see from the website that they're not doing touring plans yet, but I'm thinking of resubscribing so I can view/submit wait times during my preview day Monday.

 

[tony67]

Looks fun, but perhaps less intense than Velocicoaster? I am a huge VC fan, love the air time!

Yeah - the jury is still out on that I guess. I have heard reports both ways on this one.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Anyone know if the Touring Plans Lines app is working for Epic yet? I can see from the website that they're not doing touring plans yet, but I'm thinking of resubscribing so I can view/submit wait times during my preview day Monday.

As of yesterday, no.

 

[Minnie1222]

First glimpse at an official POV of Stardust Racers:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913282451729768823

The music is amazing.

 

[Minnie1222]

Any update on the Atlantic or Blue Dragon restaurant? I called Universal yesterday to make a dining reservation, and the TM said they take walk-ups only. Are these restaurants even opened right now?

 

[istillbelieve]

Howdy! Went to the AP preview this week and had an amazing time. The park is just stunning and many areas gave me goosebumps walking in them. We ate at Atlantic but just walked in for dinner towards the closing of the park. It was awesome and I will be eating there again when we come back. Information we got about the park times and bus info was not correct or consistent. We were told at aventura first bus was at 9. We got Starbucks and decided to go see at 8 and a bus was there which got us towards the front where security opened at 9:30. No one told us that there was early entry for hotel but there was and we were in line at Mario kart before 10. As it was preview there were problems such as entry with face and Harry Potter ride. Overall it was a great day and look forward to coming back in October!

 

[hopemax]

Thanks for these details. I've been trying to figure out when things actually get running / open. We're going on Thursday, staying at Stella Nova and was wondering what time we should head over. I did know Early Entry was available for Celestial Park and Mario, but not what time things like busses and security. I watched a video that it's about an 8 minute walk from Stella Nova, so we may just walk over after we get some breakfast.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Glad to hear about the walk up at Atlantic. I tried the web and ap to no avail. Be there Wednesday.
From other friends already there SRacer > VCoaster.

 

[Minnie1222]

Does Epic have nightly fireworks?

 

[hopemax]

Does Epic have nightly fireworks?

While I was looking for info, I think I saw something, maybe on the Inside Universal forums that the permitting hasn't come through yet. So there will be fireworks for the Grand Opening, but not a regular thing yet.

 

[jrsharp21]

I haven't been following this thread, but hopping in now as we are going to be at US May 12-14 for a work conference. We are staying at the Loew's Royal Pacific. Since EU will not officially be open when we are there, are there any opportunities for sneak previews or soft openings during that time?

 

[Pyxie]

I haven't been following this thread, but hopping in now as we are going to be at US May 12-14 for a work conference. We are staying at the Loew's Royal Pacific. Since EU will not officially be open when we are there, are there any opportunities for sneak previews or soft openings during that time?

As of right now, no previews are announced for that time. They end on May 8. Who knows what could happen though.

 

[Pyxie]

Looks fun, but perhaps less intense than Velocicoaster? I am a huge VC fan, love the air time!

I've heard some say that is more intense than VC and others say not quite, but very close. I wonder if it depends on which side you ride because one is apparently more intense than the other (although I've also heard people flip flopping on which one).

There is apparently a lot of air time though so you should love it.