Helios Grand Hotel

[Magic-Man]

My guess is that you will need to show a Helios room key to get into the private entrance!

But then what prevents you from going down the other way? I doubt they'll be checking tickets for a restaurant inside the park.

 

[Brian G.]

But then what prevents you from going down the other way? I doubt they'll be checking tickets for a restaurant inside the park.

A park ticket? Im not sure I follow.

 

[Tobias]

But then what prevents you from going down the other way? I doubt they'll be checking tickets for a restaurant inside the park.

Just like @Brian G. , I'm not sure I follow this. If you're in Helios and want to use the private entrance to go into the park, you're gonna' need a park ticket to use it because that entrance is manned like any park entry. They WILL check tickets for that.

That's what they do at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel with its private entrance into DCA, that's what Tokyo's Hotel Mira Costa does with its private entrance into DisneySea, the list goes on. Unless you have a park ticket, you can't go through as you please.

 

[Alicia]

My guess is that you will need to show a Helios room key to get into the private entrance!

Correct. The website touts it as a dedicated park entrance for guests of the hotel only.

 

[Eckert]

I think they mean what prevents non-hotel guests from entering Helios from the park entrance? I can only hope they crack down hard on who's allowed in the hotel for the first year or so, ala Fantasy Springs Hotel at DisneySea. Can't even look inside there if you're not staying.

 

[Alicia]

I think they mean what prevents non-hotel guests from entering Helios from the park entrance? I can only hope they crack down hard on who's allowed in the hotel for the first year or so, ala Fantasy Springs Hotel at DisneySea. Can't even look inside there if you're not staying.

You have to show your room key to go into Helios from the park, as that gate is for hotel guests only. At least that’s my read of it anyway.

Non-hotel guests can park at the hotel parking, or take an Uber/bus, to be able to enter Helios via front entrance.

 

[Scott W.]

Or, most likely, to the very tip top point of the hotel on top of the dome.

180' sounds a lot like, as tall as we can go without FAA lights. One more floor would have put them over the limit.

I think that sounds right. Top of the dome is about 170ft above the park level.

You have to show your room key to go into Helios from the park, as that gate is for hotel guests only. At least that’s my read of it anyway.

Non-hotel guests can park at the hotel parking, or take an Uber/bus, to be able to enter Helios via front entrance.

View attachment 25366

So if you wanted to go to the roof top bar and you're inside Epic but not a guest, you'll need to leave the park and get an uber or drive since I assume there won't be a bus service unless you want to leave Epic, go to CityWalk and then get a bus back to Helios.

 

[Alicia]

So if you wanted to go to the roof top bar and you're inside Epic but not a guest, you'll need to leave the park and get an uber or drive since I assume there won't be a bus service unless you want to leave Epic, go to CityWalk and then get a bus back to Helios.

Even IF you were allowed into the hotel from the park via the back special guest entrance… You still would NOT be allowed to go back into the park from the hotel without a room key according to the language on the official website. So you’d still need to take an Uber/bus, or walk Kirkman to the Epic main entrance again.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I am curious if, as times goes on, you may be allowed to enter Helios from the park if you have a dining reservation.

 

[Alicia]

I am curious if, as times goes on, you may be allowed to enter Helios from the park if you have a dining reservation.

I have been thinking about that. And re-enter park with a stub similar to parking validation.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I am curious if, as times goes on, you may be allowed to enter Helios from the park if you have a dining reservation.

Disney's changed their policy with GCH over the years, I could see Universal adopting a strict Helios guests only at the start then loosening up the rules over time as demand wanes.

 

[fryoj]

Are we sure that Helios will have a restaurant with reservations? I know it says there is a full service restaurant, but the description suggests its a buffet.

 

[Alicia]

Are we sure that Helios will have a restaurant with reservations? I know it says there is a full service restaurant, but the description suggests its a buffet.

I believe breakfast is a buffet. Regardless, Universal's breakfast buffet locations at resorts are reservation-required dining as well.

 

[fryoj]

I believe breakfast is a buffet. Regardless, Universal's breakfast buffet locations at resorts are reservation-required dining as well.

I did not know that.

Guess that's what happens when you sleep through breakfast. lol

 

[amar831]

I believe breakfast is a buffet. Regardless, Universal's breakfast buffet locations at resorts are reservation-required dining as well.

I can only imagine that its date specific or based on availability, because I was able to sit down at the breakfast/brunch buffet at sapphire falls with no reservation required

 

[Alicia]

I can only imagine that its date specific or based on availability, because I was able to sit down at the breakfast/brunch buffet at sapphire falls with no reservation required

Oh there’s often walk up availability for most reservation full service locations at UOR. But they are meant to be reservation-based.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Oh there’s often walk up availability for most reservation full service locations at UOR. But they are meant to be reservation-based.

Yeah, I often wonder how many people actually use the reservation system on the app. I do for the most part, but I imagine I'm in the minority lol

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

They’ll probably be some security there as well. At least years ago, even leaving Hard Rock to ride the boats we had to go thru brief security screening since we’re entering Citywalk and the parks. Walking trail also had security just to the right of USF’s entrance. To get into the pool area side entrance it required your key or else it was totally locked. I’d assume the setup here will be very similiar.

 

[Alicia]

They’ll probably be some security there as well. At least years ago, even leaving Hard Rock to ride the boats we had to go thru brief security screening since we’re entering Citywalk and the parks. Walking trail also had security just to the right of USF’s entrance. To get into the pool area side entrance it required your key or else it was totally locked. I’d assume the setup here will be very similiar.

Security scanners are in permits for hotel dedicated park entrance.

 

[rhino4evr]

Assuming the security
Line will be way shorter at Helios entrance . Mainly because all other guests will be going through the same security , unlike city walk which has multiple security check points based on where you are staying.

Only exception is if they did securiry
Before boarding a bus. Which I suppose is possible ?