Universal Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts

[Disneyhead]

Once it officially opens, Stella Nova will be Universal Orlando's ninth hotel and the first of three hotels opening this year in the new Epic Universe resort area.

SNEAK PEEK: Universal Stella Nova Resort at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando recently invited media members on-site to tour their newest hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, before it officially opens this week. Once it officially opens, Stella Nova will be Universal's ninth hotel and the first of three hotels opening this year in its new Epic Universe r

www.insideuniversal.net

Hard to believe that after a decade or so of watching this go from buying the Lockheed land back to it's happening...tomorrow.

 

[Mad Dog]

Hard to believe that after a decade or so of watching this go from buying the Lockheed land back to it's happening...tomorrow.

Yes. I remember you driving me and Alene out to see the plot of land back then, when you were working for the TV station . Time certainly flies.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Jake S]

this is my nightmare

 

[Evan]

this is my nightmare

Reminds me of when the Apple Store has a new release and one of the big stores cheers the first visitors on, and you’re like “I’m just trying to buy an iPhone”

 

[Mad Dog]

On the Universal AP page they stated that only guests with a hotel reservation are being permitted to use the hotel buses from CityWalk today.

 

[Squirlz]

Any word on the corner rooms with the curved windows?

 

[Brian G.]

Any word on the corner rooms with the curved windows?

The corner windows are the ends of hallways. All room views will either have the pool view or standard/Epic view.

 

[Squirlz]

The corner windows are the ends of hallways. All room views will either have the pool view or standard/Epic view.

Thanks! I was just curious.

 

[Scott W.]

Certainly seems like some people are having issues but the good news is that it doesn’t seem to be a consistent experience and any of the issues can be fixed easily enough.

Overall, I think it looks like a nice hotel. Everything you want and need out of this type of resort.

 

[Brian G.]

Certainly seems like some people are having issues but the good news is that it doesn’t seem to be a consistent experience and any of the issues can be fixed easily enough.

Overall, I think it looks like a nice hotel. Everything you want and need out of this type of resort.

I’ve talked to many of the other folks staying here and most of the issues are first day stuff. Overall - everyone seems to be enjoying their stay for the most part with a few gripes. The rain thing, though, I don’t get that one…

 

[UniversalRBLX]

One thing that will benefit this hotel over time is for the foliage to grow. Having the Courtney Apartments (and new Staybridge? hotel) right next door is a jarring experience lol

I think it's fine. I just really hope future hotels have an exciting theme. No more "futuristic" (Aventura/Stella/Luna) or beach/tropical (Cabana/Sapphire/Endless) themes.

 

[Scott W.]

I’ve talked to many of the other folks staying here and most of the issues are first day stuff. Overall - everyone seems to be enjoying their stay for the most part with a few gripes. The rain thing, though, I don’t get that one…

I thought it sounded pretty bad and that would annoy me but it rarely rains at night and it seems isolated to that room. It's fixable.

Other weird complaints is that the food doesn't look like the photos (when does it ever). I think the menus look fantastic and hopefully diverse enough to be different but also offer something for everybody that it won't be changed.

 

[Brian G.]

I thought it sounded pretty bad and that would annoy me but it rarely rains at night and it seems isolated to that room. It's fixable.

I also think the wind wasn’t helping either.

 

[HandsomePete]

I don't understand why they don't do test stays for like 5-7 days to surface small things to mitigate some of the online posts.

The rain noise.... there may be something to it in some rooms because the water is probably going to work its way down through the metal skin between the concrete and the tiles. Then maybe that water is streaming down onto the window frame or something. But no different really than being next to a metal gutter downspout.

I also think the wind wasn’t helping either.

True, it was a very swirly rain.

 

[Jake S]

I don't understand why they don't do test stays for like 5-7 days to surface small things to mitigate some of the online posts.

cynical answer: because there are hordes of lifestyle vloggers who will pay for the privilege

measured answer: you just can't replicate having honest-to-god paying guests as a systems test.

 

[HandsomePete]

cynical answer: because there are hordes of lifestyle vloggers who will pay for the privilege

measured answer: you just can't replicate having honest-to-god paying guests as a systems test.

Except vloggers aren't getting placed in every single room. And a test guest given a checklist is going to surface issues a lot faster than a normal paying guest. It's pretty typical that the tradeoff for a free night is taking 10-15 minutes to work through a punchlist like testing every power outlet with the hair dryer and reporting any problems.

You really can't trust contractors to report things right - once I saw a room punched as ready that was missing the vanity mirror in the bathroom.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Weather has this feeling like Endless Winter badumtisssh

It's nice. Honestly pretty small. Modern feeling, but also definitely budget. My room has some issues. Wall plugs not being powered, the automatic lights are a bit of a nuisance without a way to toggle them permanently off; wall "moon"-style lights are incredibly bright and harsh when turned on, little quirks like that.

The main area looks cool but is pretty tiny. Pool area is pretty sparse, but should have more life to it when people are out there, or are even allowed to be out there. It's been closed for most of the day. The chairs kept falling down from the wind and making a pretty horrible KA-THUNK with each one haha. There's a walking path around the pool area, but without access to the pool gates, it doesn't lap back around without going into staff areas, you just have to turn right around and go back where you came. It doesn't seem like Uni expected anyone to actually use that path today though, cause they parked a big bucket lift truck in the middle of the sidewalk. Thought that was kinda funny.

The game room has some Nintendo games which is pretty fun. The Star Roof hallway is a cute touch. A pretty solid gym. The main lobby honestly gives me the vibe of modern Epcot hub, and as someone who actually is a fan of the new Epcot hub, unfortunately there are a lot of elements that feel like the worst of the new hub; Communicore Hall-type bareness and cheapness. The photo-ops from Day 1 weren't left out, in fact by the time I entered last night they had already been removed. Without Epic, and without the pool deck, there was essentially nothing to actually do at the hotel. It was a little dull.

The view over to Epic is really wonderful. We were lucky enough to get top floor, park view. I can't wait to return when the park is open and to see every ride and lighting effect move more consistently in the distance. The main appeal besides the price is really it's proximity to Epic and the Convention Center. That's kinda the only reason to stay here over anywhere else.