Helios Grand Hotel

[fryoj]

No express at Epic universe for a while?

I’ve stayed at grand hotel in Beijing and Miracosta in Japan- and though I never thought it would matter, a theme park room is actually awesome.

But no express will absolutely make it a one and done for me unless you get some type of premium access to the park.

Sapphire falls is my favorite of the universal hotels, but no express has me never stay there anymore.

That's kinda where I'm at. I'm either staying at Hard Rock for express and convenience, or I'm going off property to stay somewhere I can use points. I'll have to decide on Helios. I'd really like to stay there, but our trips are infrequent, so there's probably not much room to just check out a hotel.

 

[Andysol]

I've seen conflicting information on this, but my understanding is that they'll only transfer luggage from a Premier hotel. They'll transfer it to any hotel on property, but you need to be going from a Premier hotel to get this service. I'd need to know more about the logistics to have a firm opinion, but if I'm Universal I think I'd prefer to provide the service if it means guests are going to go spend more time in my expensive theme parks rather than using that time to schlepp their bags to another hotel.

This is correct. You can transfer from premium to premium or premium to anything but you can’t do CBBR to portofino, for example.

No clue where Helios falls in that. But my thinking is it would have the same service.

Unrelated to transfer, but just to speak on service of their bell services at premium hotels- I remember when my youngest was 1 or 2, Royal pacific drove her lost stuffed animal to a flipping disney hotel after we left universal.

 

[Eckert]

I’m staying at Stella Nova on the night of 5/22. What would be the best way to get over to Helios that night just to check it out? Bus ride to CityWalk and then a bus ride to Helios (assuming you don’t need a room key)?

Stella Nova bus stop was pretty locked down on opening day, they were only allowing people with room keys on. I would imagine that it'd be double the scrutiny for Helios considering its access to Epic.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I tried to borrow a luggage carrier to walk my things from SF to Aventura. They would not let me saying they are a full service hotel and took it over for me.

Side note on this - I've always wished there was an option for them to take your stored luggage to your room once it's available.

Stella Nova bus stop was pretty locked down on opening day, they were only allowing people with room keys on. I would imagine that it'd be double the scrutiny for Helios considering its access to Epic.

My guess was always that you'd need to show your Helios room key to enter Epic through it.

 

[Andysol]

Side note on this - I've always wished there was an option for them to take your stored luggage to your room once it's available.

It’s not a set policy- like they don’t take bags from your room if you aren’t there, for example. But if you throw cash their way, they’ll do it in my experience.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

It’s not a set policy- like they don’t take bags from your room if you aren’t there, for example. But if you throw cash their way, they’ll do it in my experience.

I'll have to try it LOL

 

[OLSinFLA]

Stella Nova bus stop was pretty locked down on opening day, they were only allowing people with room keys on. I would imagine that it'd be double the scrutiny for Helios considering its access to Epic.

That apparently lasted only opening day though

 

[UniversalRBLX]

That apparently lasted only opening day though

Can't have 'undesirables' ruining shots for the media and influencers lol

 

[Brian G.]

That apparently lasted only opening day though

Not even. Just the morning. By afternoon, it seems key checks weren't happening.

Can't have 'undesirables' ruining shots for the media and influencers lol

Media Day was the Thursday before. It was more of not letting the influencers storm the paying guests. If Media/Vloggers had a room there on opening day, it was out of pocket.

 

[HandsomePete]

I’m staying at Stella Nova on the night of 5/22. What would be the best way to get over to Helios that night just to check it out? Bus ride to CityWalk and then a bus ride to Helios (assuming you don’t need a room key)?

Google Maps is obviously still not up to date, but I *think* you might be able to walk it. There is definitely a sidewalk that runs from Stella Nova out to the main road. It appears the Stella Nova entrance intersection has walk/don't walk signals where you would expect them to be if they were to add a crosswalk to cross what I assume is Epic Blvd. Then there's what also appears to be a wide sidewalk on the north side of that road that skirts the side of the big elevated traffic circle over to the Helios entrance. Then from there it's all dirt so TBD... but seems feasible.

 

[Eckert]

Can't have 'undesirables' ruining shots for the media and influencers lol

I call them AP loiterers

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Eckert]

Such a beautiful property. It's hard not to look at that area of Epic Universe as an extension of the hotel. I'm thinking they'll have tickets available for guests at the hotel a la Fantasy Springs so anyone who is staying there has guaranteed access to the park.

 

[UNIrd]

Such a beautiful property. It's hard not to look at that area of Epic Universe as an extension of the hotel. I'm thinking they'll have tickets available for guests at the hotel a la Fantasy Springs so anyone who is staying there has guaranteed access to the park.

That's what I'm hoping for. Literally booked for 3 nights but wasn't able to get any tickets during that time. I pictured myself just sitting by the windows and sighing.

 

[pjnugget]

Anyone think Helios Grand Hotel would be the only hotel in the UO hotels that they would offer Express Pass for Epic. I understand that the original 3 have contract rights for Express for IOA and US but wondering if people think they may do this for Helios just for Epic. Or maybe some sort of alternate version of Express (not unlimited) but only limit the purchase of it with a stay at Helios.


Yes, I know nothing has been decided for Express, just wondering what people's thoughts are.

 

[Jake S]

I strongly doubt we'll ever see the Express Pass perk expanded beyond the hotels that already have it. We may see the existing Express Pass hotels gain access to Epic Universe Express, too, but I think that's the extent of it.

 

[Clive]

I strongly doubt we'll ever see the Express Pass perk expanded beyond the hotels that already have it. We may see the existing Express Pass hotels gain access to Epic Universe Express, too, but I think that's the extent of it.

I think they'll add Express to Helios down the line if long-term bookings don't meet their expectations at their preferred price point. The resort should be able to accommodate the influx of Express guests with the additional park.

 

[Disneyhead]

There is a reason why "Universal Helios Grand Hotel" is less "Grand" than "Loews Portofino Bay Resort and Spa".

 

[Mad Dog]

I would doubt Universal has plans to extend Hotel Express to other hotels. The advent of hotel EP is a remnant of a time when hotels weren't generally full, and the park's attendance was a lot less. There's too much money to be made 'selling' Express' passes for Epic (and maybe IOA and Studios). Why depress your demand by having Helios get another couple thousand passes a day (based on 3 guests average per room). They'll average 90% occupancy without it.

 

[Brian G.]

I'm just here for the rooftop bar.