You might have heard there’s a brand new theme park here in Orlando, the first new park in America in twenty five years. Even the Today show was at the grand opening this week.
Epic Universe at Universal does look quite impressive with five different parks accessed through portals. Harry Potter World draws me in the most, but I have to be honest, I’m not much of a theme park gal. Especially when the heat index is 100 degrees. You read that right: one hundred degrees!
However, something else sets Epic Universe apart from the rest: it has a hotel within the park. The Helios Grand Hotel is a Loews property within the actual park. Mind blown! When I had the chance to visit it was still in soft open and the park was not open to the public, only friends and family and annual pass holders.
Driving up on the hotel, it is immediately impressive, and the lobby is no different. With high ceilings, abundant windows and a notable chandelier, it feels on theme. Upon walking in, the store and coffee shop are on the right and all-day restaurant is on the left. There is also a rooftop bar that I will be checking out soon. I can’t wait to tell you about it!
We did dine at Flora Taverna, the all-day restaurant. The views are awesome and when it is nice out, the patio would be such a fun place to hang out. Inside, the restaurant is massive and the plant and tree installations really make it.
Our waiter was nice and knowledgeable, the plates are gorgeous, and there is a well-stocked bar. We didn’t try a ton of food, but the burger was the stand out. It was definitely above average. The fries probably would have been pretty good as well had they been hotter. The seasoning on them was full of warm spices and would be good on nearly everything.
The tomato salad was very pretty, but it had an herb or spice that I didn’t love. This is personal preference, and your thoughts might be different.
I do hope the restaurant and hotel continue to find their voice. In the middle of the parks with such specific, themed food and drink, it would be nice if there were a few items and activities that make the hotel a special destination. There is a great opportunity here for it to be a must visit place, and understandably, the hotel isn’t there quite yet.
My favorite part was walking just outside the lobby. There you can see the parks, and you do in fact feel immersed within the world of Universal. It’s a must visit phot spot! Of course I wore gold for the occasion. When in Rome … er Epic Universe.
Are you a theme park person? Do you want to visit Epic Universe?
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