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This is episode 696 of the unofficial Universal Orlando podcast for January 7th, 2026.

Hey everyone, welcome to the show.

It is the first one of another new year.

So I'm Lee, and I am here with my co-host, Michelle and Tracy.

Chris is meant to be here.

He may be joining us at some point.

Hey, guys.

Hello.

Hi.

So this is an episode that I wanted to record ages ago and it just never happened.

And Michelle's like, it was nine months ago. I have no idea at this point. So I'm going to have to

reach into the depths of my addled brain to try and remember how crappy my stare at Helios was.

Spoilers, by the way. You're supposed to biggers up, not throws under the bus. Poor Michelle. It's true, though. I'll be honest, my brain. Look, we're going to find out exactly how good your brains are next week for the big fat quiz of the year. Because spoilers, Josh is not hosting it. I am. Oh, crap.

So, yeah, it won't be as easy as it was last year, guys.

I was going to, Michelle, I was going to say we'd better born up,

but the teenage boy in my head started to giggle at that one.

Anyway, as I said, it is time to turn our focus back onto Universal's newest edition and head down to Epic Universe, but not quite.

Michelle, you got to spend three nights at the Helios Grand Hotel.

Should have been the opening three nights of the Helios Grand Hotel, but wasn't, because,

as we all know, it opened it early.

So you were there, what, the Thursday night of grand opening,

...