A beach-themed hotel - Universal’s latest - is opening soon near International Drive, and it’s the first of its kind because of its affordability, the theme park touted.

Universal gave the media a tour Tuesday of Surfside Inn and Suites for the first time before the 750-bed hotel opens June 27.

For a seven-day stay, a standard room with two queen beds runs $73 a night while a two-bedroom suite is $111. Entrees at the hotel don’t rise above $12 and cocktails don’t stray over $10, executives said on the tour.

Universal executive Russ Dagon talked about how Universal balanced the challenges of building an attractive hotel while also being mindful of keeping costs low for guests.

“You have to chose where you’re going to spend the money,” said Dagon, a senior vice president, pointing to one of the hotel’s highlights: The pool.

Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel A surfboard-shaped pool is shown during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. A surfboard-shaped pool is shown during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel)

The surf board-shaped pool is surrounded by umbrellas and chairs, while the nearby outside bar will serve up cocktails and beers on tap.

In the lobby, a wall of windows faces the pool - a tease when guests first arrive, Dagon said.

Universal developed the hotel in the former Wet ’n Wild water park, which is part of the first phase of the Endless Summer Resort. Its sister property, Dockside Inn, opens in March.

Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel A surfboard-shaped pool is seen from the sixth floor during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. A surfboard-shaped pool is seen from the sixth floor during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel)

Surfside has been fast-tracked, moving from concept to near competition in three years and requiring about 5,000 construction workers throughout the process, Dagon said, who declined to say how much the nine-story hotel cost to build.

“This has been a labor of love from the very beginning,” Dagon said.

About 300 employees have been hired to run the hotel, said general manager John Power.

Visitors can take shuttles to the Universal theme parks, which are located about two miles away. They can also gain early admission into the parks for staying there.

Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel Two queen beds are shown in part of a two-bedroom suite room during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. Two queen beds are shown in part of a two-bedroom suite room during a preview of Surfside Inn at Universal's Endless Summer Resorts in Orlando on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel)

The hotel keeps a beach-themed surfer vibe from the white and pale blue decorated rooms to surfing live streamed at beaches in different time zones at the Beach Break Cafe, which sells pizza, sandwiches and food to-go.

The airy hotel lobby fits into it, too, with decorative wooden waves shooting out where guests check in and light fixtures meant to look like sea foam bubbles.

No FastPasses at Star Wars

Both of the rides at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge won’t immediately offer FastPasses at Walt Disney World.

The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where six people at a time fly the famous ship, will be the only attraction ready at the Aug. 29 grand opening at Orlando’s Hollywood Studios.

The Rise of the Resistance, where passengers supporting the rebels are captured by the First Order and must escape from a Star Destroyer, is further behind in construction. When it opens later this year - no official date has been announced - the ride also won’t have FastPasses, according to Disney.

Disney could re-evaluate its decision about issuing the passes later depending on how everything fares operationally.

The Disneyland version of Star Wars opened late last month, and the first visitors snagged free four-hour reservations to get into Galaxy’s Edge to limit crowds.

There were no online reservation required to ride Smugglers Run, however.

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