Universal's Epic Universe Hotel Speculation

[ilovetotravel1977]

The rooms look blah. With the colourful tiles on the building, I was hoping for more inside.

 

[GAcoaster]

If you want high end there's a whole other hotel for that.

These hotels are supposed to be nice, mid range resorts. Not as basic as Endless Summer, not as fancy as some of the others. I'm starting to think people had unrealistic expectations about what a prefab concrete hotel with 750 rooms was going to be.

 

[HandsomePete]

I don't see how this will command the RevPAR that even Surfside/Dockside get (even just counting rooms and not suites). Riding a bus down to Epic one day beats staying out here and riding a bus three days up to the main property. No CityWalk, no I Drive options within a reasonable walk (at least Chick-fil-a will kill it)... this feels like something that should have been built once the demand actually manifested instead of just being forecasted.

 

[Loki]

But these will also be close to the Convention Center. Cheap rooms for being this close to that hub is a plus.

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't see how this will command the RevPAR that even Surfside/Dockside get (even just counting rooms and not suites). Riding a bus down to Epic one day beats staying out here and riding a bus three days up to the main property. No CityWalk, no I Drive options within a reasonable walk (at least Chick-fil-a will kill it)... this feels like something that should have been built once the demand actually manifested instead of just being forecasted.

Good points. Myself, I plan on staying at one of the main campus hotels, and just take the bus to Epic for a couple days. I wouldn't even attempt to drive. Can't beat the leisurely touring of staying at one of the present resorts. I really don't see any value in staying at either of these hotels. I'm guessing they'll get a lot of short term vacationers, that are only going to do Epic for a day or two, and maybe attend a convention across the street. . But they do look OK.

 

[GAcoaster]

I don't see how this will command the RevPAR that even Surfside/Dockside get (even just counting rooms and not suites). Riding a bus down to Epic one day beats staying out here and riding a bus three days up to the main property. No CityWalk, no I Drive options within a reasonable walk (at least Chick-fil-a will kill it)... this feels like something that should have been built once the demand actually manifested instead of just being forecasted.

The dining options are the hub area and in the hotels. The bus ride will be short and easy with the dedicated bus lanes and a fleet of small autonomous buses running between the north and south campus. I don't see any problems with location or amenities.

 

[OrlLover]

The interior looks like what I expect from this range of hotels from them lately. It looks decent and modern which is what the average person is looking for in a hotel.

 

[HandsomePete]

The dining options are the hub area and in the hotels. The bus ride will be short and easy with the dedicated bus lanes and a fleet of small autonomous buses running between the north and south campus. I don't see any problems with location or amenities.

There has yet to be any indication that the dedicated bus lanes will extend north of Carrier Drive... because they don’t. There’s three overpasses that cross I-4 - they’re not taking lanes from any of them. Over half the trip will be on existing surface roads.

 

[TheGamerOfKnowledge]

I’m having a hard time figuring out whether this will be a value resort or a prime value resort. It’s definitely nicer than the Endless Summer resorts, but it doesn’t have as many amenities as Cabana Bay or Aventura

 

[Ahmanet]

Looks way nicer than I expected, will try it for sure even before Epic opens.

A space hotel in Orlando will work after all ... just further up I-4

 

[Scott W.]

I’m having a hard time figuring out whether this will be a value resort or a prime value resort. It’s definitely nicer than the Endless Summer resorts, but it doesn’t have as many amenities as Cabana Bay or Aventura

I have a feeling that it will just be value.

However, the eastern resort is about half a mile walk to the EU entrance which is closer than Endless Summer, CBBR and Aventura are to the current parks.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If you want high end there's a whole other hotel for that.

These hotels are supposed to be nice, mid range resorts. Not as basic as Endless Summer, not as fancy as some of the others. I'm starting to think people had unrealistic expectations about what a prefab concrete hotel with 750 rooms was going to be.

I don't see how this will command the RevPAR that even Surfside/Dockside get (even just counting rooms and not suites). Riding a bus down to Epic one day beats staying out here and riding a bus three days up to the main property. No CityWalk, no I Drive options within a reasonable walk (at least Chick-fil-a will kill it)... this feels like something that should have been built once the demand actually manifested instead of just being forecasted.

I’m having a hard time figuring out whether this will be a value resort or a prime value resort. It’s definitely nicer than the Endless Summer resorts, but it doesn’t have as many amenities as Cabana Bay or Aventura

The demand is there for value rooms even without Epic, Universal hotels have been operating at ridiculous occupancy rates over the past few years. if it weren't for the road construction required, they would have loved to open it in time for HHN next year lol.

It's reminiscent of Endless Summer with a "prime value" exterior on it. I'm just hoping, as they expand, they become a bit more unique in theming.

There has yet to be any indication that the dedicated bus lanes will extend north of Carrier Drive... because they don’t. There’s three overpasses that cross I-4 - they’re not taking lanes from any of them. Over half the trip will be on existing surface roads.

After HHN this year, I think they'll abandon the idea of going through Universal BLVD and just go north through Kirkman and enter over by the Tom Williams entrance. Traffic on Universal BLVD was a nightmare this year because of HHN. Not to mention all of the apartments being built by Carrier/Universal BLVD are increasing traffic in the area. Universal BLVD is currently way too small to accommodate all of that traffic plus the buses for Endless. Can't imagine it'll handle 3x the buses.

 

[Casper Gutman]

It does strike me as quite odd that, with three large new hotels (and a convention center), Uni didn’t build at least some form of CityWalk at the new campus. I know the hub is supposed to be the replacement, but the density of options is much lower, and I believe it only has 2 sit-down restaurants (maybe 3?), the only ones for EU, which is the standard number for Uni parks and not really a CityWalk substitute.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It does strike me as quite odd that, with three large new hotels (and a convention center), Uni didn’t build at least some form of CityWalk at the new campus. I know the hub is supposed to be the replacement, but the density of options is much lower, and I believe it only has 2 sit-down restaurants (maybe 3?), the only ones for EU, which is the standard number for Uni parks and not really a CityWalk substitute.

I still think CityWalk has room to improve before they build a 2.0, especially their quick service options. That Moe's would be closed down by now if it wasn't franchised by Universal lol

 

[SkiBum]

Looks way nicer than I expected, will try it for sure even before Epic opens.

A space hotel in Orlando will work after all ... just further up I-4

That was what I was thinking. It's actually a better space hotel than Starcruiser, while also acknowledging that Starcruiser's focus was the LARP piece as opposed to staying at a nice hotel.

 

[Jerroddragon]

This is why It's hard for me to get excited about Universal building Hotels.....to me these feel like anyone could own them when I would like unique hotels next to theme park

Like attractions in their own right

The hotels don't look bad...just like a Generic hotel

 

[Crypt Keeper]

This is why It's hard for me to get excited about Universal building Hotels.....to me these feel like anyone could own them when I would like unique hotels next to theme park

Like attractions in their own right

The hotels don't look bad...just like a Generic hotel

I disagree. While I can't explain it, Universal's budget-friendly hotels have always felt like Universal hotels to me. They have this edge to them that, doesn't make them fancy, but makes them feel way above a "generic", run-of-the-mill hotel.

I don't quite understand the problem with these new hotels being "generic" when there's a hotel like Helios Grand being built nearby and is literally attached to EU.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I disagree. While I can't explain it, Universal's budget-friendly hotels have always felt like Universal hotels to me. They have this edge to them that, doesn't make them fancy, but makes them feel way above a "generic", run-of-the-mill hotel.

I don't quite understand the problem with these new hotels being "generic" when there's a hotel like Helios Grand being built nearby and is literally attached to EU.

I don't have issues with hotels....but when your Universal and could build a Hotel based on your films to me it feels cheap and boring

If they want a hotel or two to be cheap then great but would like an option of a truly Universal Movies themed hotel, which I have never seen.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal hotels have usually been themed to a resort theme rather than a character, or film, IP. But sometimes they'll have individual rooms themed to IP's. Seems like that's their MO.

 

[Grabnar]

Universal hotels have usually been themed to a resort theme rather than a character, or film, IP. But sometimes they'll have individual rooms themed to IP's. Seems like that's their MO.

It saves them from having to update or from falling out of style as their IPs fade or trends shift. It’s pretty smart imo.

Probably a side effect of the Loews deal more than anything, though.