Universal Orlando is building a brand new theme park called Epic Universe which will open in 2025 with a new Harry Potter land, Super Nintendo World, a Monster themed land, How to Train Your Dragon, and more. Epic Universe is also getting three brand new hotels including a hotel that has direct access to the theme park!
Keep reading for all the information on the brand new Epic Universe hotel that is inside the theme park plus two other brand new hotels! This is such a brilliant construction move for Universal.
Keep scrolling to see the newly released CHEAP prices for some of these new Universal hotels and FULL theme details for the signature hotel option with its own entrance.
Planning a Disneyland Vacation?
Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Universal Helios Grand Hotel is located at the back of the park (you can see it in the back of the concept art in this image!) with its own gate into the Celestial Park land in Epic Universe. Based on the map of Epic Universe, you can see how one entrance of the park is the regular front gates and the other is the Helios Grand Hotel. This new hotel is a “majestic Mediterranean-inspired escape” that will rise above the gardens and waters of Celestial Park at Epic Universe. The hotel aims to blend immersion and relaxation.
The Universal Helios Grand Hotel is designed to transport guests to a “world where the heavens and earth unite.” This aligns nicely with the theme of the Celestial Park land which emphasizes constellations, galaxies, and a similar aesthetic.
The new hotel will include 500 rooms with some rooms providing a view of Epic Universe! But the biggest news about this brand new Universal hotel is the dedicated entrance into Epic Universe. Universal Orlando is calling this hotel the “crown jewel” of Epic Universe and the “pinnacle” of Universal Orlando's hotel experiences.
New Changes to Universal Orlando Hotel Categories
Universal Orlando is changing the name of their hotel categories once Universal Helios Grand Hotel opens. The three tiers will now be the Signature Collection, Prime Value Hotels, and Value Inns and Suites.
The Signature Collection hotels include Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. This category of hotels will include Express Pass for hotel guests.
The Prime Value hotels include Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort(opening January 21, 2025)and Universal Terra Luna Resort(opening February 25, 2025). This is the mid-tier range but does not include Express Pass.
The Value Inns and Suites include Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites. These are the most affordable hotels of the bunch.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel Theme
READ MORE –Star Tours Secrets Revealed! 10 Facts About Iconic Disney Ride
The theme of Universal Helios Grand Hotel is inspired by Helios, the Greek god of the sun, and the lobby of the hotel will be filled with details of celestial patterns, constellations, and Mediterranean design elements.
The lobby will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of Celestial Park and offers some of the best views of Epic Universe.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel Rooms
The rooms and suites at Universal Helios Grand Hotel aim to “evoke the tranquility of a blissful garden” with many rooms offering views of Epic Universe.
How to Train Your Dragon Kids's Suites
Unique to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel are the “How to Train Your Dragon” kids' suites which are themed are the popular franchise.
Dedicated Entrance to Epic Universe
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have its own dedicated entrance to Epic Universe located off the lobby.
This is easily one of the biggest perks of this new hotel!
Bar Helios at New Universal Orlando Hotel
Bar Helios is the new rooftop lounge at Universal Helios Grand Hotel offering a menu of tapas, specialty co*cktails and a 360-degree views of Epic Universe.
Beautiful Epic Universe Themed Pools
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will also feature a zero-entry pool with underwater speakers, poolside cabanas, a hot tub, poolside movies, and recreational activities.
The pool area has its own poolside bar and grill, Lotus Lagoon, serving co*cktails, drinks, and casual options like burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.
Other amenities will include a fitness center, game room plus an on-site Universal Orlando Resort Store.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel Full Service Restaurant
Flora Taverna is the full service restaurant which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a lobby bar.
The restaurant features an open-style kitchen with live cooking, Mediterranean comfort foods, pizza ovens, and al fresco seating overlooking the beautiful scenery of Celestial Park.
There will also be a contemporary coffee shop, Aurora Market, offering coffee and grab-and-go items.
Other New Epic Universal Hotels
There are two other Universal hotels being built for Epic Universe. Both of these hotels will be considered Prime Value Hotels in the on-site Universal Orlando category.
Universal Terra Luna Resort is inspired by the massive and planetary elements of the universe and is expected to open February 25, 2025. Universal Stella Nova Resort follows a similar theme and will open on January 21, 2025. There is no opening date yet for Universal Helios Grand Hotel but I imagine it will likely coordinate with the Epic Universe opening date which has also not been announced yet.
For the Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Stella Nova Resort, they will feature about 1,500 total guest rooms. Prices for these hotels start at only $147 per night. This is a quite affordable price range that many guests will appreciate!
Universal Orlando On-Site Perks
Universal Orlando guests staying on site are eligible for perks which further highlights why it may be worth it to stay on-site at Universal.
Here are the extra benefits you will receive for staying on site when you visit Universal Orlando:
- Easy walking distance to the parks using the CityWalk pathway.
- One hour early entrance into the theme parks- this will include Epic Universe when it opens!
- Guests staying at select on-site hotels can skip the regular lines at themost popular attractionswith free Universal Express Unlimited to Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Island of Adventure.
- Complimentary transportation to the theme parks using the scenic water taxi or bus.
- Room-key purchasing and complimentary hotel delivery of purchases.
- Character wake up calls from characters such as the Grinch, Spider Man, Optimus Prime, etc.
Read all the pros and cons of on-site in our Universal Orlando planning guide.
We cannot wait to see how Universal Orlando utilizes this theme park access for its newest hotel. This puts it on par with hotels like which has its own theme park entrance to California Adventure. The newly imagined Pixar Place also has a similar theme park entrance but guests cross the street to reach it.
READ MORE – Disney Bans Guests From Theme Parks. No Exceptions Were Made For These Celebrities That Broke the Rules!
Disney has a variety of rules in place for the safety and happiness of its guests, and if guests break these rules, there can be consequences—even for celebrities. See the celebrities who have been banned from Disney Parks and what they did!
READ MORE – 11 Weird Things We Can’t Believe Were Once at Disneyland
Disneyland has changed and evolved quite a lot since its opening in 1955. With the park's history comes an interesting past, including some things that we look back on today and find really weird…from real alligators in the Jungle Cruise to live mermaids in the lagoon of Submarine Voyage. See the 11 weird things we can't believe were once at Disneyland!
Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses
In addition to exclusive discounts for Mickey Visit subscribers, get our free planning printable and guide to make your life SO much easier.
