Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Smugpugmug]

I wouldn't be shocked if when Helios opens, express is available for US/IoA. Im just guessing, but maybe not advertising now so there's not confusion with the general public about it being available for Epic too

I would hope so because at this point I'll be sticking to my ol' reliable Cabana Bay...

 

[DoryGirl1963]

I'm fine with getting the hate but I'm actually glad Express won't be offered at the start for Epic. Let the park have a year without it and then introduce it. Helios not having Express for IoA/USF is an odd choice given how expensive this hotel will be. It's why I never choose Sapphire Falls - too expensive despite lacking Express.

I agree completely - no Express of any kind for minimum the first year, please!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I would think they would be on the priority restaurant seating list too.

 

[Suger Mag]

I agree it would be nice.

They have probably done some calculation and decided due to higher liability or insurance its just not worth it.

I know some hotel groups outsource their bars because of the liability and insurance costs.

So there is some reason - I just don't have any idea what it is.

also less expensive and easier build to make the outside smooth.... def, less hassle,

I feel like too many rooms with a balcony inside a theme park would mean the rooms stand a higher chance of noise leakage from the parks into the rooms.

but even on the other deluxe/premier Lowes hotels that dont face into a park, the balconies are far and few between. Seems like a overall choice, but it is something that keeps me from wanting to pay to stay at those resorts to be honest, I am sure most folks could care less... But i specifically look for hotels that have balconies on them even when I travel outside of Orlando. Wont do a cruise without one....

 

[sherlockmiles]

Balconies offer opportunies to drop/throw items including humans.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

but even on the other deluxe/premier Lowes hotels that dont face into a park, the balconies are far and few between. Seems like a overall choice, but it is something that keeps me from wanting to pay to stay at those resorts to be honest, I am sure most folks could care less... But i specifically look for hotels that have balconies on them even when I travel outside of Orlando. Wont do a cruise without one....

I don't expect balconies at the vast majority of hotels regardless of category of the hotel. Beach hotels? Yes that's where I expect them. And a cruise is very different than a hotel at a theme park (I also don't really want to cruise without a balcony). I was actually shocked that we had a hotel in London back in May with a balcony although it was the smallest room (outside of the one in Hamburg) by far of the various hotels we stayed at in multiple countries.

I totally understand preferring them but it's not something I expected nor am I annoyed at. And like you said it's not super common at their other properties.

 

[Suger Mag]

I don't expect balconies at the vast majority of hotels regardless of category of the hotel. Beach hotels? Yes that's where I expect them. And a cruise is very different than a hotel at a theme park (I also don't really want to cruise without a balcony). I was actually shocked that we had a hotel in London back in May with a balcony although it was the smallest room (outside of the one in Hamburg) by far of the various hotels we stayed at in multiple countries.

I totally understand preferring them but it's not something I expected nor am I annoyed at. And like you said it's not super common at their other properties.

lol this is where DVC has spoiled me, I do expect them at a resort/theme park, especially where the view is a selling point, or of course a beach, but even in other places I do look specifically for them .... I was amazed I found multiple places in Toronto and Chicago with balconies, so not just beach places...

 

[disney-inspired]

I wouldn't be shocked if when Helios opens, express is available for US/IoA. Im just guessing, but maybe not advertising now so there's not confusion with the general public about it being available for Epic too

I would be surprised if it IS offered because they would drag down the express times for those parks with a huge influx of people.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

lol this is where DVC has spoiled me, I do expect them....

Yeah I almost commented that's probably where people are getting the thought from, comparing them to DVC. But DVC is a timeshare with different expectations of usage of the room. Deluxe rooms have balconies as well but not always usable ones.

I get why people may prefer them but it's nowhere near a critique I would have of the hotel. It's extremely rare for me to have stayed at a hotel with a balcony much less a window that even opens (which we had that in Belgium and Germany) so not a feature I look for unless it's a beach vacation. I never expected them to have it. Now rooftop bars where you can get the views and ambience that is something they are doing more of at Universal. Loews is actually a hotel company, Disney is not.

 

[tony67]

I wouldn't be shocked if when Helios opens, express is available for US/IoA. Im just guessing, but maybe not advertising now so there's not confusion with the general public about it being available for Epic too

Yeah - I can't imagine staying there and not getting express pass for US\IOA.

If they don't change it then they may end up with a lot of people doing one night and then switching.

There is still all the questions on tickets in general and how they will work as well for Epic.
The talk is a 3 day ticket with 1 day of epic for example or a 5 day with 2 days of Epic.
How will that work for AP holders, I don't need a three day ticket for US\IOA.

So there is still a lot to be fleshed out no doubt.

They have also added Sapphire to the signature hotels, and that wont be getting express either. The other option is they will add it at some point in the future to all signature hotels - or remove it totally - or some other permutation - like Club level only.

Will be interesting to see how this all works out. They need to figure it out soon so people can plan for it.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Balconies offer opportunies to drop/throw items including humans.

Savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have balconies and you could easily throw stuff down at the animals but to my knowledge* that isn't a widespread issue at that resort.

* = feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Minnie1222]

I would be surprised if it IS offered because they would drag down the express times for those parks with a huge influx of people.

I would be so disappointed if Helios doesn't offer Express Passes to IOA/UO. If that's the case, I would just stay at the other premier hotels. The standard rooms at Helios don't look pretty enough to spend four figures per night without any benefits.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I would be so disappointed if Helios doesn't offer Express Passes to IOA/UO. If that's the case, I would just stay at the other premier hotels. The standard rooms at Helios don't look pretty enough to spend four figures per night without any benefits.

Yeah, the rooms don't look amazing, rather standard. But I feel like they will add EP to the older parks, can't imagine paying so much without!

 

[Minnie1222]

Speculation: I think Helios will offer Express Passes to their guests at an additional cost. Stay at Helios and have the option of purchasing EP. Group and private VIP will also be available. I can't see Universal refusing the extra money.

 

[Keladry84]

As I think more about it, it actually kind of makes sense for them not to include Helios in the express, at least at the start.

They don't want to gut occupancy at the other hotels, and want to keep encouraging people to visit the older parks as well.

So lets say the other three express hotels cost relatively the same per night as Helios:
Helios - attracts those who want excellent access to Epic, and to stay in a new upscale hotel (=focus on the new experience)
----which if express were included would encompass everyone who used to choose all of the other 3 express premier hotels, but that's way too much demand for the new hotel.
But without express included, some of those demographic will still elect Helios, but others will go to the older hotels.....and thus also the older theme parks to make use of their incentive.

I'm betting Universal is fairly sure they will have enough people in the first camp (wanting the new glitz/access to Epic) to still fill Helios even without those who will stick with their usual place due to wanting Express, which gives incentive to utilize the older parks/options as well.


- random question - does anyone know if Helios will be part of the pool sharing????

 

[GhostHost24]

As I think more about it, it actually kind of makes sense for them not to include Helios in the express, at least at the start.

They don't want to gut occupancy at the other hotels, and want to keep encouraging people to visit the older parks as well.

So lets say the other three express hotels cost relatively the same per night as Helios:
Helios - attracts those who want excellent access to Epic, and to stay in a new upscale hotel (=focus on the new experience)
----which if express were included would encompass everyone who used to choose all of the other 3 express premier hotels, but that's way too much demand for the new hotel.
But without express included, some of those demographic will still elect Helios, but others will go to the older hotels.....and thus also the older theme parks to make use of their incentive.

I'm betting Universal is fairly sure they will have enough people in the first camp (wanting the new glitz/access to Epic) to still fill Helios even without those who will stick with their usual place due to wanting Express, which gives incentive to utilize the older parks/options as well.


- random question - does anyone know if Helios will be part of the pool sharing????

Im going to guess not just because it's not on property. Similar to how Surfide isn't part of it

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Similar to how Surfide isn't part of it

I've always assumed Surfside/Dockside aren't pool hop worthy because of their lower price point and the assumption that pool hopping would only be one-way from those resorts. They don't want to have their premier pools overrun. The number of people who bother to hop from CB or Hard Rock is much lower than the number that would hop from Endless Summer, since the other hotels already have really nice pools (minus Aventura but it's not that big of a hotel, and fewer kids = fewer guests overall). Who would bus over to ES to use the least fancy Universal pools?

The reason I suspect Helios may not be included in hopping is the ease of access from Epic. A midday break poolside, without "leaving the park"? Sign me up.

 

[tony67]

Yeah, the rooms don't look amazing, rather standard. But I feel like they will add EP to the older parks, can't imagine paying so much without!

Yeah - I felt like the rooms were very standard - not much better than the rooms at say Surfside.

The rooms at Stella Nova and Tera Nova are much more interesting IMO.

Obviously location and view are a big part of it.

 

[tony67]

I think Helios will offer Express Passes to their guests at an additional cost.

Personally I think this is something Universal should have done a long time ago for all the hotels. An express add on for onsite hotels and phase out the free express. Maybe exclude the value or "off" property resorts.

Free express is a great benefit, but it also gets a lot of throw away rooms booked from folks in the know who may have just bought express anyway.

IF SF or Aventura had the option of an add on length of stay express pass I'd be far more likely to stay there over Dockside and I prefer SF to RP.

 

[Minnie1222]

Personally I think this is something Universal should have done a long time ago for all the hotels. An express add on for onsite hotels and phase out the free express.

There's a possibility they may sell Epic-only express passes to onsite guests. This would encourage people to stay at their hotels, like what Disney did with the LLMP/SP.