Universal Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts

[DrStarlander]

I'm on the west coast so our trips are to Disneyland and we have always stayed at the Marriott Courtyard or more lately the Candy Cane Inn. They are pleasant, clean, have decent food you can grab as you rush out for rope drop, and a decent pool if we ever are back mid-day for a break (something we did when the kids were young but not so much anymore). But we're mostly leaving urgently in the morning and dragging ourselves back late at night, and we don't need much from our hotel. This place looks very much perfect for our needs.

I'd love to stay at Helios, that would be special. But when staying at Helios, we'd miss that whole entering through the Chronos and the "reveal" of the park the way it was designed to be experienced.

 

[HandsomePete]

I'm not sure what I missed.. what is the rain thing? lol

A vlogger posted a video from his room with the sound of the rain coming down through the building that was quite loud - it sounded to me like it wasn't just water --> window but it's also just one room of 750 and it's not clear how water gets channeled off the roof, he could have had a room near where there's a gutter of sorts between the tiles and concrete exterior.

I had a house once where my bed was right by the gutter downspout outside. Was a little annoying. I survived.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I'll say, the view of Epic was so nice outside my room window that I honestly didn't want to go to sleep. I knew as soon as I did, I would relinquish my right to that beautiful nighttime skyline, and that was such a hard thing to say goodbye to. Even if it is more like "So long for now". Maybe as I get more used to the park, that feeling will fade. But especially after avoiding most Bio pics and land reveal videos wherever possible, finally getting to see Helios, Mount Beanpole, Donkey Kong Country, Stardust Racers, Frankenstein's Lab, all in person and up-close and operating, it was a truly incredible thing.

 

[devinp267]

Yikes…

 

[Jake S]

i recognize that the artist currently known as mr. beast is largely to blame for this, but youtube thumbnails with some dude making a face makes me want to claw my eyes out with a soup spoon

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Yikes…

Actually a fantastic video, unexpected after his twitter was… overdoing it.

The lighting fixtures above the pull up bar cracked me up.

 

[devinp267]

Actually a fantastic video, unexpected after his twitter was… overdoing it.

The lighting fixtures above the pull up bar cracked me up.

Yeah they can work around that, but a leak in the roof, No hot water for some, unacceptable Oh hell no this is a brand new hotel, I don’t care how much it costs.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Yeah they can work around that, but a leak in the roof, No hot water for some, unacceptable Oh hell no this is a brand new hotel, I don’t care how much it costs.

It’s strange because it’s all very fixable and none of it will be an issue for future guests — but still, it’s bad show.

Seems very likely that the opening was rushed. Which is weird because it absolutely didn’t need to be, but maybe that’s why Terra Luna’s opening was delayed.

 

[devinp267]

It’s strange because it’s all very fixable and none of it will be an issue for future guests — but still, it’s bad show.

Seems very likely that the opening was rushed. Which is weird because it absolutely didn’t need to be, but maybe that’s why Terra Luna’s opening was delayed.

Everything feels rushed, and I pray to god this doesn’t translate over to the park where we have another volcano bay opening situation.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Everything feels rushed, and I pray to god this doesn’t translate over to the park where we have another volcano bay opening situation.

I think we should be ok! It does seem like a lot of these responsibilities were on Loews, and the last major attraction openings by Uni were decently well-tested. Will just have to wait and c.

 

[Brian G.]

Allegedly, a pipe issue arose last week, which may have impacted the final checks. However, they should have still spend additional time on previews and final run-throughs.

Kev's video was much more fair than I thought it would be considering his Twitter. Still, much of his schtick is actively looking for a problem.

The rain on the window and the Google Maps complaints aren't the faults of Loews or Universal.

 

[UNIrd]

Reviews for this are better than I expected considering... it looks just like Aventura? And people called that bland as bland can be upon opening.

 

[Brian G.]

I’m currently working on the review, so figured I’d extend an AMA in the meantime about my stay and general hotel questions.

 

[Jake S]

I’m currently working on the review, so figured I’d extend an AMA in the meantime about my stay and general hotel questions.

How do you think it compares to the other, similarly priced resorts?

 

[Brian G.]

How do you think it compares to the other, similarly priced resorts?

I’ve heard it’s a blend of Aventura and Endless Summer from others and tend to agree with that assessment. I’d put it ahead of Endless and maybe even OG Cabana but behind Aventura. If the goal is Epic, and your budget is in the Value category - it’s go with Stella.

 

[Evan]

Yikes…

The food certainly looks rough - that smashburger?!

 

[Alicia]

I’m currently working on the review, so figured I’d extend an AMA in the meantime about my stay and general hotel questions.

I’ve heard complaints the walls are thin at Endless Summer, and since this was fabricated similarly, does it have a similar problem? Personally I don’t think it’s an issue for me, but I’m sure people will ask.

 

[devinp267]

The food certainly looks rough - that smashburger?!

No they need their A$$ whipped for those banana pancakes lol

 

[Evan]

No they need their A$$ whipped for those banana pancakes lol

Yes, got to that part of the video after I sent that comment haha. Atrocious.

 

[Brian G.]

I’ve heard complaints the walls are thin at Endless Summer, and since this was fabricated similarly, does it have a similar problem? Personally I don’t think it’s an issue for me, but I’m sure people will ask.

Full disclosure: We slept with a noise machine.

We didn't hear much outside noise save for some doors closing around our room and a couple of kids yelling down the hallway. I had my wife kinda talk loudly near our room, and I started to hear her as she got close (I'd guess 8 feetish from the door). I always anticipate some noise in hotels, but nothing stuck out to me during our 2-night stay as problematic.

The food certainly looks rough - that smashburger?!

No they need their A$$ whipped for those banana pancakes lol

It's weird. Some burgers had a smashed appearance while others were puck-shaped. I’m not sure what happened, but despite that - I thought they were decently good. I spoke to others who tried it, and they were satisfied as well. Might just be Opening Day kinks. There were big crowds around lunchtime and dinnertime, so I'm wondering if they just weren't prepared for the rushes. I wouldn't anticipate the same kinda crowds going forward since the "being first" deal is done.

The bananas did look rough AF though.