Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[CAPSLOCK]

Right now Stella Nova / Terra Luna appear to be priced the same as Cabana Bay / Aventura for standard rooms.

 

[tony67]

Right now Stella Nova / Terra Luna appear to be priced the same as Cabana Bay / Aventura for standard rooms.

Yeah - I had priced it out with AP rates in February and all three were the same price for a standard 2 queen room

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Yeah - I was thinking the same - that is was going to be a "true Luxury" level hotel

I still think there will be changes and it will all be more aligned at each level at some point in time.

I, too, was thinking Helios was going to be a true luxury hotel, but I have resigned myself that aside from the view & location, it is a more of a moderate/value. They are monetizing every inch, and that's their prerogative. The standard rooms are very small. The pool bar looks lovely, but the pool itself is lackluster with no features or slide/splash area. To be fair, they don't have a lot of room for all those things being that it is RIGHT next to Dark Univ on one side and the bus stop on another side. I wonder if the buses will be heard from the pool area. Maybe not if they're going electric.

It does seem like Helios will be more of a split stay hotel, for me anyway. The original three premiere hotels have so many great thing going for them, like the lovely paths and boats, more room and of course, EPs.

The rooftop bar looks amazing as well. I think they will limit access to Helios hotel guests only along with pool access. Too many people would pool hop for a midday swim after a long morning in EU.

 

[tony67]

The rooftop bar looks amazing as well. I think they will limit access to Helios hotel guests only along with pool access. Too many people would pool hop for a midday swim after a long morning in EU.

I really hope they get good staff at the rooftop bar. They did a nice job with the one at Aventura but there is no atmosphere at all- staff is not very good, food is not very good, I just don't enjoy it at all - such a miss. The lobby bar is usually better and of course Strong Water next door is far better. It all comes down to the staff, if you have good bartenders\waits staff everything else is secondary.

Had not even thought about the pool thing - but that is an interesting point.

I see myself doing one night and splurging for club level, but much depends on AP rates and\or what credit card deal I can finagle.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I really hope they get good staff at the rooftop bar. They did a nice job with the one at Aventura but there is no atmosphere at all- staff is not very good, food is not very good, I just don't enjoy it at all - such a miss. The lobby bar is usually better and of course Strong Water next door is far better. It all comes down to the staff, if you have good bartenders\waits staff everything else is secondary.

Had not even thought about the pool thing - but that is an interesting point.

I see myself doing one night and splurging for club level, but much depends on AP rates and\or what credit card deal I can finagle.

Agreed. I think Strong Water Tavern over at Sapphire is way better. Food and service were great every time I went. Staff were also very knowledgeable about the different rums they offer. Their Mai Tai is one of the best drinks I've had at an Orlando theme park period.

 

[tony67]

Their Mai Tai is one of the best drinks I've had at an Orlando theme park period

Yeah - they make an amazing Mai Tai - its a real Mai Tai not a resort Mai Tia.
That said, last time I was there they were using some cheaper ingredients and it was noticeable to me - this is a drink I make at home most weekends.
Things got more expensive and choices had to be made I guess...its understandable ..but disappointing

If I was at one of the hotels in walking distance I'd be at strong water, but I don't make the trip over from the other hotels anymore.

 

[namelessoracle]

Helios will be slammed pack opening year but seems destined to be a "lesser" hotel. No way it will continue to demand high prices long term if the other 3 will continue to give you express pass. Of the 3 Premier hotels, only Portofino seems actually Premier. Hard Rock is just ok, and Royal Pacific is in my opinion a worse hotel than Sapphire Falls when it comes to amenities, with only the included express pass giving it an additional value statement. Sapphire Falls has a nicer pool than RP does, and arguably has more amenities with walking access to Volcano Bay with Cabana Bay right next door and all of its unique amenities available to you.

Stella Nova also gives you a walking path to Epic, and I am curious how long of a walk that is. What is even crazier is the pool at Stella seems on par with Helios pool. Helios does not seem like a resort hotel like Portofino or even Cabana Bay is with stuff to do an occupy your time when you need a rest day. Families with kids are not gonna look at this hotel as anything special when compared to express pass hotels (express pass is a major amenity for families with kids) and look at the pool for the family rest day as a big minus. You cant take the kids up to the rooftop bar (or shouldnt).

I am guessing Helios will never ever have an automatic express pass to any park. But they may have packages that feature Helios for epic that have a "free" express pass included to Epic at some point. Fundamentally it doesnt seem like Loews invested as much into Helios as Portofino. It fundamentally is NOT the hotel you want to be at for a multi day universal stay that only 1 day out of 3 at Epic. It puts you farther away from everything else Universal has to offer at a higher price point, and the biggest draw for Epic is in the front of the park, so you arent getting to Mario any faster than Stella is. Dark Universe looks cool but isnt a major draw, and we will see how popular Potter land is.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Dark Universe looks cool but isnt a major draw

IDK of my friends that go to Universal Dark Universe is the major draw to Epic Universe, probably because some of them go to HHN. Dark Universe has, at least from the videos, the most grown up feel to it of the new park. We're all pretty interested in the vampire steakhouse as well.

 

[raidermatt]

IDK of my friends that go to Universal Dark Universe is the major draw to Epic Universe, probably because some of them go to HHN. Dark Universe has, at least from the videos, the most grown up feel to it of the new park. We're all pretty interested in the vampire steakhouse as well.

I agree. I think all 4 lands were chosen very carefully. Such that each has a significant following. With some overlap of course.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Dark Universe is what I'm most interested in at EU. In fact, Mario might be the least interesting to me because everything else is unique to EU.

 

[tony67]

Dark Universe is what I'm most interested in at EU. In fact, Mario might be the least interesting to me because everything else is unique to EU.

Yeah I think its going to be a big draw - even people who expressed little interest in that area have started to get excited about it.

Nintendo I expect will be amazing. For example I am no fan of HP - but those areas are really well done and no doubt Nintendo will be the same.

Mario is going to be a major draw - I recall several surveys and Mario is more recognizable than Mickey Mouse - they might just be skewed, but its going to be the main draw IMO.

Of the 3 Premier hotels, only Portofino seems actually Premier. Hard Rock is just ok, and Royal Pacific is in my opinion a worse hotel than Sapphire Falls when it comes to amenities, with only the included express pass giving it an additional value statement. Sapphire Falls has a nicer pool than RP does, and arguably has more amenities with walking access to Volcano Bay with Cabana Bay right next door and all of its unique amenities available to you.

Been saying this for years - could not agree more.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

After thinking about the logistics, I don't think non-guests will be allowed into Helios at all. At first, I thought they would probably just make the pool and elevators key-access only, but I think that the lobby might be too enticing to wait out a downpour. It seems unfair to paying guests to have to wade through a crowd of people and then also have an extra bloated security line once the weather clears. Not to mention park-goers taking up spots in the parking garage. No matter what they charge non-guests to park there, some will use it. However, that could be a feature, not a glitch to UOR.

 

[tony67]

make the pool and elevators key-access only,

This should be the standard at all hotels IMO

I don't think non-guests will be allowed into Helios at all.

That will be a tough one - what is a non-guest? people staying off property? I cant see them telling folks staying on property they cant visit the restaurants. maybe they require a reservation - i could see that - much like Disney

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

After thinking about the logistics, I don't think non-guests will be allowed into Helios at all. At first, I thought they would probably just make the pool and elevators key-access only, but I think that the lobby might be too enticing to wait out a downpour. It seems unfair to paying guests to have to wade through a crowd of people and then also have an extra bloated security line once the weather clears. Not to mention park-goers taking up spots in the parking garage. No matter what they charge non-guests to park there, some will use it. However, that could be a feature, not a glitch to UOR.

I see what you're saying but to hit on a few of your points it doesn't seem to be an issue for Disney's Grand Californian with the Disney Hotel.

Hearthstone Lounge at the DCA hotel for example was a place we frequented a few times throughout the two trips we took in 2019 and I'm not thinking Universal sees an issue with people going into their hotel, after all it's what can make someone want to stay there.

The parking garage part while it's possible they could bar non-on property guests (on property meaning including all Universal hotels) they could also just do what they already do which is high cost for a day guest which they already employ at other hotels on property. Their location of not having CityWalk to park in I could see making things a tad more complicated.

But the part that I don't think is part of it is your focus on fair. While we don't know for sure here it would probably be a negative PR move to tell people you can't come into the hotel and likely would mean less people wanting to book it over time. I mean if a hotel wouldn't even let you inside would you find that a hotel you'd want to book at even if you would then be a hotel guest at that point?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Dark Universe is what I'm most interested in at EU. In fact, Mario might be the least interesting to me because everything else is unique to EU.

I thought about that a little bit and I think part of what might make Nintendo less of a draw now is that 1) it's been announced for years that it was coming 2) you now have 2 other locations with it.

Orlando should be the best one to me but that's subjective. It's supposed to be the larger one and then it'll have 3 attractions so that adds to it.

I still think people are very excited for it but we've also had a long time to get used to what's to come and we've seen what the other parks have so it's less of a mystery these days.

 

[disney-inspired]

I thought about that a little bit and I think part of what might make Nintendo less of a draw now is that 1) it's been announced for years that it was coming 2) you now have 2 other locations with it.

Orlando should be the best one to me but that's subjective. It's supposed to be the larger one and then it'll have 3 attractions so that adds to it.

I still think people are very excited for it but we've also had a long time to get used to what's to come and we've seen what the other parks have so it's less of a mystery these days.

I haven't gone to Universal Studios Hollywood even though it's not far because I find that park so small and nowhere near the level of USF. I'm looking forward to experiencing it next year.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I haven't gone to Universal Studios Hollywood even though it's not far because I find that park so small and nowhere near the level of USF. I'm looking forward to experiencing it next year.

Is Hollywood really that bad? USF is in pretty bad shape right now IMO. The park has an imbalance of mediocre/bad rides to good rides. Unless I read that wrong and you're referring to the entire resort rather than the 1 park.

Then again the last time I went to Hollywood was before Hogsmeade existed so kind of fuzzy in the memory department.

 

[disney-inspired]

Is Hollywood really that bad? USF is in pretty bad shape right now IMO. The park has an imbalance of mediocre/bad rides to good rides. Unless I read that wrong and you're referring to the entire resort rather than the 1 park.

Then again the last time I went to Hollywood was before Hogsmeade existed so kind of fuzzy in the memory department.

I prefer the layout of USO compared to USH - it was so poorly planned out and now they're trying to shove new things in such a small footprint. It's pretty terrible trying to get around during HHN too.

I was never one to visit USH - last time I went for a visit that wasn't related to HHN was nearly 10 years ago for my sister's birthday.

I now have an AP for USO and try go whenever I visit WDW too. It's fun even though I'm not a coaster person, still like to just walk around do the shows and mild rides.

 

[fatmanatee]

Is Hollywood really that bad? USF is in pretty bad shape right now IMO. The park has an imbalance of mediocre/bad rides to good rides. Unless I read that wrong and you're referring to the entire resort rather than the 1 park.

Then again the last time I went to Hollywood was before Hogsmeade existed so kind of fuzzy in the memory department.

It's not that bad, I visited last year and it was a lot of fun. You get an early look at Super Nintendo World and I think the tour is a must. The rest of the attractions are pretty solid IMO, you get Hogsmeade, Simpsons (for now), Mummy, Jurassic World, Waterworld, Secret Life of Pets. New coaster in a couple of years, and I assume Simpsons will be replaced by something fresh after that. Obviously you don't plan a vacation around it in the same way you do for an Orlando trip but it's a good way to spend a day if you're out there, have friends who have APs and they enjoy visiting regularly. Complaint about the layout is fair though, it's a bit awkward but I guess that's what happens when you squeeze a theme park into a studio like this.

 

[maverik85]

That's been my thoughts towards it as well. Haven't been but looks like a decent park, just not enough special or unique to specifically draw me out there to it. But feels like a greatest hits type park with a few unique attractions like the tram tour, Waterworld, SLoP, and Jurassic world version of the river adventure. Plus the new F&F coaster going up now. Not sure if all of those will stay unique but for now give some different experiences along with other fan favorites. I won't go out to Hollywood specifically for it but if I plan a trip out there I might take a day at the park.