Where to Stay for Epic Universe

Here is a quick guide for where to stay for Epic Universe. If you’re planning a Universal Orlando vacation and looking to visit Epic Universe, one of the biggest questions you’ll need to answer is where to stay.

Epic Universe brought three brand-new on-site hotels with it, and depending on your budget and how you like to vacation, one of them might be exactly what your family needs. If not, Universal has eight other hotels that might work for you!

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Universal Travel Agent, a travel blogger, and a long-time Universal Annual Passholder. Contact me for more information. I’d love to help you book your Universal Orlando vacation!

Today, we’re breaking down the three new Epic Universe hotels (Helios Grand, Terra Luna, and Stella Nova), plus a quick word on Universal’s other on-site hotels and the perks they still offer.

If you’re flying into Orlando for your vacation, I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. They offer the absolute best rates on rental cars; you don’t pay until you pick it up, and cancellation is free.

Why Where You Stay Matters for Epic Universe

Staying on-site at any Universal hotel gives you Early Park Admission, which means you can enter Epic Universe before the general public. With a park this new and this popular, that head start can make a big difference in your day. 

The location of your hotel also affects how you get around. If you want to visit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or CityWalk, you’ll need to take a bus from the Epic Universe area.

However, when you stay at one of the Epic Universe hotels, to get to Epic Universe itself, you can simply walk or hop on the bus and be there in minutes.

Helios Grand Hotel

Helios Grand is the closest hotel to Epic Universe, and it’s also Universal’s newest Signature Resort. That puts it at a higher price point than Terra Luna and Stella Nova, with the amenities and polish you’d expect from a Signature-tier property. Just remember, this property does not currently include Express Passes!

I’m not going to list pricing here, since rates change often and vary widely depending on the season and room type. If you want an idea of what to expect for your travel dates, contact me, and I can help you find the best rate.

When looking for where to stay for Epic Universe, this is by far the best option if you have the budget for it! The How to Train Your Dragon Kid Suites have some of the best theming I’ve seen at a Universal hotel.

Terra Luna Resort

Terra Luna is one of the two Prime Value resorts built for Epic Universe. It’s closer than Stella Nova, but not at the park gates like Helios Grand. This resort keeps with the “Celestial” theme that you’ll see throughout the Epic Universe area of the parks.

For families who want to be close to Epic Universe without paying Signature Resort prices, this is a great option. Just remember that this resort (along with Stella Nova) only offers queen/queen rooms. If you have a larger family or need more space, this may not work for you.

Check out Hotels at Universal Orlando That Sleep 5 (or 6) for the best places to stay for families with more kids, family groups, or those who just want to spread out.

Stella Nova Resort

Stella Nova is the other Prime Value resort in the Epic Universe area. Although it’s a slightly longer walk, it’s still close to Epic Universe and a quick bus ride if you plan to walk all day at the parks and don’t want to park at Epic. 

If you’re trying to decide between Terra Luna and Stella Nova, I’d really advise going with whatever is less expensive at the time of booking. The two are quite similar (much like how Dockside and Surfside Inn and Suites are similar) and have the same perks.

The pools here are underwhelming, but remember you can pool hop at Universal.

What About Universal’s Other Hotels?

Universal Orlando has several other on-site hotels beyond the three new Epic Universe properties, including Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside, Loews Sapphire Falls, and Aventura Hotel. 

I have The Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando Hotels to help you decide.

The Signature hotels (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort) include free Universal Express Unlimited for all guests. This is a fantastic perk if your trip includes Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, since it lets you skip the regular lines at those parks.

You can learn more here: Express Passes at Universal Orlando (Everything you need to know).

Here’s one important tip: that free Express Pass does not apply to Epic Universe. So if your visit is mostly focused on the new park, that perk won’t help you there. It’s still a great benefit if your itinerary includes the original two parks; just don’t expect it to carry over to Epic Universe. You’ll need a separate Express Pass here. 

These hotels also have water taxi and walking access to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk, but you’d still need to take a bus to reach Epic Universe. You can learn more about the types of Universal transportation here: Universal Orlando Transportation Options.

Which Epic Universe hotel is best for your family?

If you want to be as close as possible to Epic Universe and don’t mind paying for a Signature Resort experience, Helios Grand is your best bet.

If you want that same easy walk-or-bus access to Epic Universe at a more moderate price point, Terra Luna and Stella Nova are both solid Prime Value choices.

If your trip is more focused on Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and you want free Express Pass access, one of the Signature hotels that include Express Passes (Hard Rock, Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific) may be the better fit; just keep in mind that perk won’t extend to Epic Universe.

Ready to Plan Your Epic Universe Trip?

Choosing where to stay for Epic Universe really comes down to how close you want to be to the new park and what kind of budget you’re working with. All three new hotels offer that walk-or-bus convenience to Epic Universe and Early Park Admission, while the Premier hotels still have a place if your trip includes the original parks.

If you’re ready to plan your family’s trip to Universal Orlando and Epic Universe, contact me today! I’d love to help you find the right hotel and the best rate for your family.

We have lots more Universal Orlando and Epic Universe tips on the blog. Check them out!

• The Visa Cardholder Lounge at Universal Studios
• Everything you need to know about Dinosaurs at Universal Orlando
• The Legend of Zelda at Universal Orlando (what we know so far)
• The Ultimate Guide to Epic Universe

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