EPIC UNIVERSE/HOTEL STAY

[LMO429]

I have not been to Universal in ten years. We would like to be able to go to EPIC UNIVERSE and stay on site. Thinking the end of June. Where would be the best place to get basic information so I can make an educated decision on where to book. Would like to stay at the new resort Helios (?) or either Hard Rock Portofino. If you stay at Portofino for example how many days would you be able to enter epic universe I was reading somewhere only one day. Where is the best place for a beginner right now. would be willing to stay onsite at universal for 4 nights thank you. Do you get express pass if you stay at Helios

 

[reddog21]

I think at this point details are scarce however Universal did say that Helios would not have express pass. I would assume that Epic Universe would not have any express pass for awhile.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Your tickets are separate from the hotel stay (you can do a package but generally it doesn't save much/any money). Tickets including EU go on sale tomorrow - the first round of tickets available will be multi day tickets which include only 1 day at EU.

Helios will be the only hotel directly onsite at EU. There will be bus transportation to get you from any of the other hotels to EU - presuming that Universal stays on top of its game with the buses, it should be a fairly smooth bus situation as their current busing operations are generally excellent.

You might start with looking at maps of the area to get an idea where the hotels are. There's also an EU stickie in the main Universal forum.

 

[Mle8308]

No EP for Helios nor EU when it first opens.

 

[Lewisc]

There was something which suggests PAID Express passes at EPIC will be available, may not immediately.

 

[Minnie1222]

I saw this on the Universal website. It said EP will be launched before the park opens. To me, it sounds like we will see EP this year, if not immediate upon opening.

 

[vinotinto]

View attachment 905658
I saw this on the Universal website. It said EP will be launched before the park opens. To me, it sounds like we will see EP this year, if not immediate upon opening.

OK, this is interesting. I wish we would know if the 3 hotels would have EP at Epic Universe at a later date. Or if the EP at Epic will be a completely separate EP product.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I wish we would know if the 3 hotels would have EP at Epic Universe at a later date. Or if the EP at Epic will be a completely separate EP product.

We pretty much know - the new hotels won't have included EP. They have never been hinted at having EP. Universal specifically lists them as not having EP.
EP at Epic will be a completely separate EP product.

 

[Lewisc]

OK, this is interesting. I wish we would know if the 3 hotels would have EP at Epic Universe at a later date. Or if the EP at Epic will be a completely separate EP product.

The 3 original hotels have express pass in 2 parks. Grandfathered, we don't know for how long.
New hotels, such as Sapphire and Helios, don't off hotel express passes. New patks,Volcano Bay and EPIC, don't offer hotel express passes

 

[vinotinto]

The 3 original hotels have express pass in 2 parks. Grandfathered, we don't know for how long.
New hotels, such as Sapphire and Helios, don't off hotel express passes. New patks,Volcano Bay and EPIC, don't offer hotel express passes

I understand that. But what is not clear is if the grandfathered hotels with EP will offer at a later time (in 2025 or 2026) EP for Epic. Our initial assumptions here were that Epic would not have EP period. But if they do offer it (at least for some rides, I assume the e-ticket ones won't), will they be included in the grandfathered hotels?

 

[Lewisc]

I understand that. But what is not clear is if the grandfathered hotels with EP will offer at a later time (in 2025 or 2026) EP for Epic. Our initial assumptions here were that Epic would not have EP period. But if they do offer it (at least for some rides, I assume the e-ticket ones won't), will they be included in the grandfathered hotels?

Express is sold at Volcano Bay. Express is not included as a benefit in the original hotels.

Why would the theme park division give hotel guests free express? Why would the theme park division even sell Express, at a nominal price, to Loews?

It seems clear.

 

[Minnie1222]

I understand that. But what is not clear is if the grandfathered hotels with EP will offer at a later time (in 2025 or 2026) EP for Epic. Our initial assumptions here were that Epic would not have EP period. But if they do offer it (at least for some rides, I assume the e-ticket ones won't), will they be included in the grandfathered hotels?

I don't think so, unless Loews had a watertight contract that said the grandfathered hotels would automatically get EP with all future Universal parks.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think so, unless Loews had a watertight contract that said the grandfathered hotels would automatically get EP with all future Universal parks.

I think Volcano Bay answers your question

 

[vinotinto]

OK, so no included EP to Epic for anyone.

So, is the ONLY reason why the 3 premier hotels are getting EP to the 2 parks because they are grandfathered into it? Is that permanent or can that change?

 

[Minnie1222]

Is that permanent or can that change?

I guess we should never say never. Maybe they can do another contract.

 

[disney-inspired]

I have not been to Universal in ten years. We would like to be able to go to EPIC UNIVERSE and stay on site. Thinking the end of June. Where would be the best place to get basic information so I can make an educated decision on where to book. Would like to stay at the new resort Helios (?) or either Hard Rock Portofino. If you stay at Portofino for example how many days would you be able to enter epic universe I was reading somewhere only one day. Where is the best place for a beginner right now. would be willing to stay onsite at universal for 4 nights thank you. Do you get express pass if you stay at Helios

Right now they are requiring multi-day tickets with packages and that will only get you 1 day at Epic Universe.
Express pass won't be included if you stay at Helios. No premier resorts will offer EP for Epic, it will be a standalone purchase.

I think at this point details are scarce however Universal did say that Helios would not have express pass. I would assume that Epic Universe would not have any express pass for awhile.

Epic Universe will have EP but it will be a standalone purchase and not included at any premier resort.

 

[namelessoracle]

You have to do 3 day minimum tickets. I would recommend picking up 2 nights at Stella/Luna Nova or Grand Helios for your epic day, and then go and transfer to Royal/Portofino/Hard Rock for the rest of your trip if you want Express Passes. Because you can only go one day you will want to rope drop. Express passes will never get included by default with any hotel for Epic, Universal regrets they ever allowed that to happen for the existing hotels by all accounts and would love to get out of that arrangement if they could.

There may be a trip package that includes it in the future, but nothing right now.