Which hotel to choose help

[MaxDrake79]

Guys, here I am again, asking for your advice. Next year I will return to Orlando, I will spend 7 nights at the Disney parks and this time 5 nights at the Universal parks. I am having difficulty choosing between Portofino Bay and Helios hotels, particularly I am worried about the distances between EPIC Universe, which I will be visiting for the first time, and the other parks. Keep in mind that I usually go back to the hotel a bit in the afternoon, I don't know what to do if it makes sense to stay at Helios and enter Epic whenever I want, but the other parks are farther away, or to stay at Portofino, but then Epic would be farther to reach by bus. What are the travel times by bus? Is it really worth staying at Helios? How many days do I need to visit Epic properly? I will be going in early August 2026, so there will be a lot of chaos, I imagine. Help me....

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Guys, here I am again, asking for your advice. Next year I will return to Orlando, I will spend 7 nights at the Disney parks and this time 5 nights at the Universal parks. I am having difficulty choosing between Portofino Bay and Helios hotels, particularly I am worried about the distances between EPIC Universe, which I will be visiting for the first time, and the other parks. Keep in mind that I usually go back to the hotel a bit in the afternoon, I don't know what to do if it makes sense to stay at Helios and enter Epic whenever I want, but the other parks are farther away, or to stay at Portofino, but then Epic would be farther to reach by bus. What are the travel times by bus? Is it really worth staying at Helios? How many days do I need to visit Epic properly? I will be going in early August 2026, so there will be a lot of chaos, I imagine. Help me....

What are your plans for the 5 days at Universal? Any idea on how you want to split up the days?

There might be multi-day including Epic at that point which would make things easier.

 

[GAcoaster]

IMO, the Express Passes from Portofino make it a better choice than Helios.

 

[Frank Drackman]

IMO, the Express Passes from Portofino make it a better choice than Helios.

I've never stayed at Helios but I feel the best thing it has going for it is that it has easy access to Epic. I assume in 2026 you will be able to travel amongst the three gates w/ a park to park (but this is an assumption).

Anyway, I am thinking two days to take Epic in which should allow one to visit in the AM take an afternoon break and return for the evening -- anyway, w/ Express from Portofino, the North campus attractions would be easy to get in so one could go to Epic in the AM, take the afternoon break and knock at a lot of north in the PM -- then the next day, do AM north, take a break and do Epic in the PM -- sort of get Epic and North in w/ shorter durations each day (so just travel to Epic and back once each day) sort of 4 hours North and 4 hours south each day.

So, to me, if 2026 makes Epic on equal footing w/ IOA and USF one could spend all five days seeing each, but only going to Epic and back once each day (so the travel does not impact all that much)-- the time saved at North w/ express would be worth more (to me) than easy access to Epic.

I do not know how long it takes via UNIs transport from Porto to Epic, but north is an easy walk/boat ride to City Walk.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

IMO, the Express Passes from Portofino make it a better choice than Helios.

At least for when they visit the two OG park. I love Portofino and find it has some of the best resort vibes in Orlando.

 

[Mad Dog]

At least for when they visit the two OG park. I love Portofino and find it has some of the best resort vibes in Orlando.

Yes !!! Portofino is fantastic, and a much better value than any of the WDW onsite deluxe hotels. And nothing can beat Hotel Express. We
enjoy Portofino, and its ambiance and amenities, so much that we sometimes have difficulty finding time to tour the parks.
The resort is that great, you don't want to leave.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I also find Portofino has the best bedding of all the hotels. I haven't stayed at Helios, but it does not scream luxury at all from the pictures I've seen?
The pool area is also much better than what Helios looks like, especially if you enjoy the hot tubs!

 

[Mad Dog]

and...Helios is very overpriced for what it offers...If being close to Epic is a priority, book Stella. It's only an apx. 7 minute walk to the Epic gate
and its inexpensive. Pool is comparable to Helios pool. And it's generally one half to one third the cost of Helios. Terra Luna is a difficult walk, so probably best to avoid that hotel.

 

[MrRoamer]

We were going to stay at Helios when we went to Epic and decided the price was too much so changed to Stella Nova, we did eat at Helios and have drinks at Bar Helios which both were fantastic. I definitely do want to stay there but if it was a longer stay I would definitely take Portofino.

Portofino is a gorgeous hotel with the best rooms of any of the standard Lowes hotels I've stayed at. Plus unlimited express pass for your whole party for each day of your stay (including check in and check out) puts it over the top for me.

I forget if the hotel express works for Epic yet or not.

As for the drive/bus ride, yeah its gonna be a bit longer to get to but still not as long as most the buses at Disney probably?

 

[MaxDrake79]

Thanks everyone, first of all. So, in your opinion, is it worth going to Portofino and doing the Epic, maybe for two days, even returning to the hotel in the afternoon? Is two days enough for the Epic? I wonder if they'll add the Express Unlimited for the Epic too... but I'm still drawn to Helios because it's practically inside the park.