Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Minnie1222]

Speaking of Helios, several rooms just became available for the grand opening on May 22 if anyone is interested.

 

[lynnfitz]

Thanks for the parking info! We are going over for the day-I was going to splurge and purchase the express pass, then I thought of parking cost, tickets, it's going to be one expensive day lol!

 

[GhostHost24]

Sounds like there's some media previews going on this weekend

 

[Minnie1222]

Sounds like there's some media previews going on this weekend

How did you come upon this information? Was there any hint on AP previews?

 

[GhostHost24]

How did you come upon this information? Was there any hint on AP previews?

I'm on a lot of forums

Also saw some posts from vloggers saying they were invited for media preview this weekend lol

 

[Rick Blaine 7982]

Sounds like there's some media previews going on this weekend

I bet that means we will get some good video coverage on YouTube soon.

 

[tony67]

Also saw some posts from vloggers saying they were invited for media preview this weekend lol

Yeah - just saw and email from Orlando Informer saying they will be going this weekend

 

[Lashed34]

Really looking forward to some great content this weekend while the vloggers get their Epic experiences.

Can't believe that Alicia wasn't invited though, she's been incredible on her Theme Park Stop channel.

 

[tony67]

Several Helios walkthroughs on YouTube now. It looks good no doubt - but they really should have had them stay the night and test things out IMO. Maybe that is coming with some of the folks that will get the epic preview

The rooftop bar looks amazing - hopefully they have the right staff - the rooftop bar at Aventura is really nice - but the place had no atmosphere as the staff is always mediocre in my experience - I don't even bother anymore

I really think having it open the same day as the park is somewhat risky considering the issues at the other two.

 

[GhostHost24]

Several Helios walkthroughs on YouTube now. It looks good no doubt - but they really should have had them stay the night and test things out IMO. Maybe that is coming with some of the folks that will get the epic preview

The rooftop bar looks amazing - hopefully they have the right staff - the rooftop bar at Aventura is really nice - but the place had no atmosphere as the staff is always mediocre in my experience - I don't even bother anymore

I really think having it open the same day as the park is somewhat risky considering the issues at the other two.

I'm guessing it being inside the park is why they aren't opening it til epic opens.. But I agree... I'm staying there on Fri night before going to Epic. We'll see how it goes.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Where are you staying the Friday night before EPIC opens?
Helios is not open til May 22 .

 

[Minnie1222]

I really think having it open the same day as the park is somewhat risky considering the issues at the other two.

Oh no, what issues do they have with the other two hotels?

 

[schumigirl]

The rooftop bar looks amazing - hopefully they have the right staff - the rooftop bar at Aventura is really nice - but the place had no atmosphere as the staff is always mediocre in my experience - I don't even bother anymore

Fernando from Strong Water Bar is the manager of Bar Helios, I do know quite a few SW staff left there to come join him at Helios, so I think it will be something special from what I`ve heard so far.

Agree with you on Bar 17, it has always been a huge disappointment, we never go either.

 

[GhostHost24]

Where are you staying the Friday night before EPIC opens?
Helios is not open til May 22 .

No, I'm staying there Fri night the 23. The day before I go to Epic on Saturday of opening weekend.

 

[GhostHost24]

Fernando from Strong Water Bar is the manager of Bar Helios, I do know quite a few SW staff left there to come join him at Helios, so I think it will be something special from what I`ve heard so far.

Agree with you on Bar 17, it has always been a huge disappointment, we never go either.

Ya this past winter did a 2 night stay at Aventura and went to bar 17 and it just wasn't that good... Great views, actually could see MK fireworks pretty decently, but wouldn't hang out for drinks very long.

 

[schumigirl]

Ya this past winter did a 2 night stay at Aventura and went to bar 17 and it just wasn't that good... Great views, actually could see MK fireworks pretty decently, but wouldn't hang out for drinks very long.

Yes, the views are good to see including the fireworks but agree, that aside there are no real reasons to go back up there.

It`s a shame as it could be something rather decent.

 

[fatmanatee]

Restrictions on filming inside seem to be opening somewhat but Alicia Stella (who isn’t there and wasn’t invited) is saying they still have “no photos” signs in some areas.

 

[tony67]

Oh no, what issues do they have with the other two hotels?

I'd say watch some of the videos.
There are some youtubers who overdo the negative and some that are way too positive no matter what.
So take it all with a grain of salt and see what others have to say after they have actually stayed there.

Both openings did not go well from what I saw and what I have heard, and if I had paid for those room - and some of them did - I'd be pretty unhappy.

Some issues are expected first day of a new hotel - but the number of issues seemed crazy to me.

Issues with the automatic light coming on randomly or going off randomly like when you are in the bathroom shower and the light just go off was a big one. Lights turning on and of while you are trying to sleep. No one at the hotel knows how to disable that it seemed.

Lights in hallways flashing on and off - and the way they were flashing very quickly could be a big issue for someone who has a medical condition and could cause a seizure IMO.

Issues with hot water. Noise from Pipes. It's obvious showers were not run in advance so air in the pipes and some of the showerheads were turned off at the shower head and it was not obvious to people that they had to fiddle with the showerhead to get it turned on.

Looks like the revolving doors at both hotels have the glass broken and are blocked off now.

Again many of those are to be expected first night at a new hotel, some are beyond the control of the hotel, but in addition they did not have enough maintenance people for the opening of the second hotel - supposedly it was one person for both hotels - not smart when you had so many issues with the first opening.

The deal breaker for me is the reportedly paper thin walls - I've seen numerous complaints about that from vloggers and regular posters on here and I've not had that issue at the other Universal Hotels.

One other thing that should be brought up this is really not a Universal issue but a Loews issue.

 

[BorderTenny]

Really looking forward to some great content this weekend while the vloggers get their Epic experiences.

Can't believe that Alicia wasn't invited though, she's been incredible on her Theme Park Stop channel.

That is such a terrible snub. She and Bioreconstruct have been driving the Epic hype train all these years. They should have been the first invited.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Can't believe that Alicia wasn't invited though, she's been incredible on her Theme Park Stop channel.

For real. Someone like PCDev gets invited but not Alicia.