ORLANDO, Fla. – Assuming funds were unlimited, the decision would be simple regarding where to lodge during a visit to Universal’s newest attraction.
Epic Universe theme park
.
For sure, it would definitely be
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
since it’s linked to the park and features a private entry point.
You can essentially step out of bed and right into the theme park,” said Dennis Quinn, senior vice president of Hotel Commercial Strategy at Universal Orlando Resort, to USA TODAY. “This significantly enhances how guests immerse themselves in our entertainment setting.
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
Not only does this location provide guests with an incredible advantage of being some of the very first to step into Epic Universe every morning, but it also offers convenience during midday lulls when visitors can leisurely return to their rooms or hotel pools to refresh themselves.
He mentioned, ‘It doesn’t mean you need a specific pool day. You can jump in anytime.’
Sadly, for many tourists, finances are a concern, and the Helios Grand stands out as one of the more expensive accommodations.
Universal Orlando Resort
.
The starting costs fluctuate significantly based on various elements such as the season, duration of your visit, and current deals. Visitors interested in knowing the exact rates for their planned trip should check the pricing for their particular travel dates.
Universal’s website
.
Featuring 11 hotels with 11,000 rooms on site, there’s an option for all budgets. Additionally, certain hotels, jointly owned by Universal and Loewss, are considered to potentially
better perks
.
Before reserving your trip to Epic Universe, here’s what you need to be aware of.
Which hotels are within walking distance of Epic Universe?
There are three hotels within walking distance of Epic Universe. Right next door is Helios Grand.
Universal Stella Nova
is located across the street from the park, approximately a 12-minute stroll distant. Its counterpart,
Universal Terra Luna,
It is slightly farther away, positioned diagonally across from the park.
The three hotels launched this year drew inspiration from Celestial Park, which is at the center of Epic Universe.
With Stella and Terra, we were fond of the cosmic element.
Celestial Park
Within the Epic Universe realm, instead of focusing on space travel, we aimed to encapsulate the essence and marvel of space,” clarified Russ Dagon, Senior Vice President of Resort Development at Universal Creative. He mentioned that the same team behind the development of the park also created initial conceptual artwork for both Stella Nova and Terra Luna.
Regarding Helios Grand, they embraced the style reminiscent of historical world expositions, an influence that can also be seen in the design of Celestial Park.
“We understood during the design of this hotel that it would serve as the background for nearly every photo snapped inside the park, hence its strong integration,” he explained.
Many of Universal’s other accommodations are not within walking distance from Epic, as they sit on a separate property alongside Universal’s additional theme parks—Volcano Bay for aquatic fun and CityWalk which offers shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The transit center at CityWalk is approximately 15 minutes away from Epic Universe via shuttle service provided by the resorts.
The two Endless Summer hotels operated by Universal stand out as exceptions. While they aren’t directly linked to either of the theme parks’ campuses or easily walkable from them, they sit between both locations. The upside is that these properties typically offer the most budget-friendly accommodations among those available at Universal.
Complimentary transport is offered between Universal’s hotels and parks; however, visitors will weigh their anticipated activities during their holiday when deciding on their accommodation.
How does Stella Nova differ from Terra Luna?
These modern, cosmos-inspired accommodations share many similarities, yet there are some subtle distinctions between them.
On the exterior, both structures are adorned with glossy, multi-colored tiles; however, Stella Nova’s tiling reaches down almost to the ground level at its main entryway, whereas Terra Luna’s does not go as far.
Upon entry through the main entrance, you’ll notice they’re virtually identical on the inside. To your left is Stella Nova’s café and fast-food area within its lobby, while Terra Nova’s counterpart can be found to your right. Both spaces boast distinct designs and offer separate menu options.
In both hotels, the main color is white; however, their names indicate the difference: Stella Nova features cooler hues and celestial themes, whereas Terra Nova boasts warmer tones and earthier motifs.
Overall, their sizable guest rooms with two queen beds appear similar, except for the differing artworks adorning them.
Each hotel features a lobby bar and pool bar, along with amenities such as a fitness center, gaming area, Jacuzzi, and an extensive swimming pool equipped with plenty of loungers.
For families with small kids, Stella Nova features a splash pad as well. However, Terra Luna lacks one; instead, its pool provides a zero-depth entrance, which is something Stella Nova doesn’t have.
What advantages does choosing to stay at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel offer?
In addition to its unmatched closeness to Epic Universe and dedicated park entry, Helios Grand is a stunning hotel.
One of our major hurdles — and I believe we handled this exceptionally well — was ensuring it was luxurious, refined, and user-friendly simultaneously,” Dagon stated. “We have all experienced staying in places that seemed overly posh… Yet, everything remains incredibly cozy.
Part of the hotel overlooks the park, providing breathtaking vistas that are best enjoyed from its rooftop bar named Bar Helios as well as from the accommodations where you can effortlessly operate the drapes using a button.
Like any Universal Orlando hotel, guests staying there enjoy early entry to select parks each day with paid admission, free resort transportation, free delivery of in-park purchases back to their hotel, room charging privileges – and the feeling of staying inside the Universal bubble.
“That’s largely what it comes down to — the sense that you never truly leave the resort premises, maintaining this unbroken vacation feel,” Quinn explained.
A significant distinction, though, compared to other Universal hotels within comparable price ranges is that Helios Grand visitors do not receive complimentary benefits.
Universal Express Unlimited passes
To bypass wait times at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands ofAdventure, consider staying at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, orLoews Royal Pacific Resort. Normally, these perks would set you backbetween $149.99 and $349.99 per person daily, but they come complimentarywith your accommodation at these hotels.
Visitors intending to explore Universal’s additional theme parks ought to weigh whether the advantages of lodging at Helios Grand justify the trade-off involving the value of the Universal Express passes along with the time conserved from reduced wait times. (It’s worth noting that these free express passes aren’t valid for use at Epic Universe.)
Guests might divide their visit among different hotels to enjoy the advantages of each.
Dagon stated that none of their properties aim to cater to every individual’s preferences, which allows guests to have a distinctive experience at each location and ensures there is something appealing for everybody.
The journalist working on this piece was granted access by Universal. However, USA TODAY retains full editorial control over the content.
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
Are you able to stay at Epic Universe? These accommodations place you nearest to all the excitement.
Leave a Reply