Universal Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts

[Evan]

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.





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.

Perhaps they ran out and switched over to a different patty product?

 

[Alicia]

The food pics have looked considerably better in recent days, so seems like they’re finding their footing.

 

[Brian G.]

The food pics have looked considerably better in recent days, so seems like they’re finding their footing.

Yeah. Looks like the fries already changed.

 

[Tyc00n96]

Sorry to slightly change topics but I am staying at Terra Luna for Epic's opening weekend and I was always wondering if I could walk from the hotel to Epic the same way you can at Stella and for the life of me I can't find a way from any of Bio's pics. It could be because the roads are not done.

I know the site says the walking path is just at Stella but I was curious regardless.

 

[Magic-Man]

Sorry to slightly change topics but I am staying at Terra Luna for Epic's opening weekend and I was always wondering if I could walk from the hotel to Epic the same way you can at Stella and for the life of me I can't find a way from any of Bio's pics. It could be because the roads are not done.

I know the site says the walking path is just at Stella but I was curious regardless.

Probably, but it won't be optimal. You'll have to cross multiple busy roads. I'd recommend the shuttle.

 

[Eckert]

Sorry to slightly change topics but I am staying at Terra Luna for Epic's opening weekend and I was always wondering if I could walk from the hotel to Epic the same way you can at Stella and for the life of me I can't find a way from any of Bio's pics. It could be because the roads are not done.

I know the site says the walking path is just at Stella but I was curious regardless.

Looking at Google Maps, it appears to be a very similar (but longer) walking path. Just walk up out of the resort and take a left, Terra Luna is one light over.

 

[Alicia]

Looking at Google Maps, it appears to be a very similar (but longer) walking path. Just walk up out of the resort and take a left, Terra Luna is one light over.

I’ve assumed there isn’t a crosswalk under the traffic circle, meaning you’d have to walk to universal blvd to cross Kirkman, but haven’t checked since construction has progressed.

 

[Skold]

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

Did you walk the path to Epic at all? I'm counting on this being a true walkable path for our rope-drop day opening week.

 

[Brian G.]

Did you walk the path to Epic at all? I'm counting on this being a true walkable path for our rope-drop day opening week.

I did! Took about 10 or so minutes. The only thing is I am not 100% on where the crosswalk entrance would be.

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.

I would like to add that, in addition to the initial rush, there was some isolation because the pool area closed at 6 PM on Opening Day and remained closed through Thursday due to the cold weather. Essentially, there were only two options: dine at Cosmos or venture out into the cold to CityWalk.

 

[fryoj]

Sorry to slightly change topics but I am staying at Terra Luna for Epic's opening weekend and I was always wondering if I could walk from the hotel to Epic the same way you can at Stella and for the life of me I can't find a way from any of Bio's pics. It could be because the roads are not done.

I know the site says the walking path is just at Stella but I was curious regardless.

It looks like there will be a sidewalk and crossing on the South side of the hotel to cross Kirkman at Universal Blvd. Then the sidewalk follows kirkman between the hotels to the roundabout in the sky then will go east from there to meet the sidewalk from Stella where'd you'd cross to the park. Kinda out of the way. I'd say ~3/4 of a mile.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Yikes…

I didn't have to show a room key when I went from CityWalk to the hotel.

 

[Tyc00n96]

My two cents after my stay:

Hotel lobby is nice and spacious. The seating is a huge plus, especially around the bar (which was also nice)

Rooms are about what you expect from Aventura or the standard Dock/Surf rooms. Nothing crazy but the look and feel of the furniture was cool. Shower pressure was nice but the water didnt get very hot even on the highest setting. Not sure why but it wasnt a deal breaker.

Food was good too. I am considering eating dinner here the night before going to Epic just to chill out. Resonably proced too (2 entrees, a side, and two freestyle cups was 36$ with the AP discount)

Busses took a while to arrive (def more than 15 between busses) but i figure thats opening week issues. Walking to Epic is like a 6 min trek.

Overall I really liked it. Not my fav Uni hotel (Portofino is mine) but for this side of campus you cant beat the price and location.

 

[Brian G.]

I didn't have to show a room key when I went from CityWalk to the hotel.

IDK if that was just an 11am Opening Moment thing, but it was the same for us - we were never asked for our room key on Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Busses took a while to arrive (def more than 15 between busses) but i figure thats opening week issues. Walking to Epic is like a 6 min trek.

This might be the "new normal" for Universal's south campus resorts. We've been blessed until now with UOR resorts having quick and speedy service with minimal wait times... that's going to change now with the distance between campuses. 15 minutes ain't bad for a resort, sometimes you have to wait 25 minutes at WDW.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

This might be the "new normal" for Universal's south campus resorts. We've been blessed until now with UOR resorts having quick and speedy service with minimal wait times... that's going to change now with the distance between campuses. 15 minutes ain't bad for a resort, sometimes you have to wait 25 minutes at WDW.

Yeah, at a certain point if I'm in a hurry I'll just pay the $10 for an Uber lol

 

[Bobharlem]

Yeah, at a certain point if I'm in a hurry I'll just pay the $10 for an Uber lol

Current bus route is over Universal Blvd, turns left at I Drive, right onto Kirkman, then down the new bus lanes. (The rest of the Kirkman extension is still closed at the raised roundabound) and back. That bus lane itself may make it a lot faster in general to take as long as it isn't too slammed. When the Carrier dr. work is complete it'll avoid going on I-Drive entirely.

You do get decent views of the Windmill, Frankensteins Castle and the back of Donkey Kong on the bus ride to Stella Nova.

 

[Mad Dog]

During busy traffic times...The Universal buses will have the dedicated bus lanes to travel on....Uber will be on those busy auto lanes of traffic.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Disney Dish has a good review of the room. Soundproofing using their Patented Method reduced noise well.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Current bus route is over Universal Blvd, turns left at I Drive, right onto Kirkman, then down the new bus lanes. (The rest of the Kirkman extension is still closed at the raised roundabound) and back. That bus lane itself may make it a lot faster in general to take as long as it isn't too slammed. When the Carrier dr. work is complete it'll avoid going on I-Drive entirely.

You do get decent views of the Windmill, Frankensteins Castle and the back of Donkey Kong on the bus ride to Stella Nova.

During busy traffic times...The Universal buses will have the dedicated bus lanes to travel on....Uber will be on those busy auto lanes of traffic.

Yeah, I just meant if there's a LOT of people waiting for buses and the buses are 15 minutes apart.. it may still save time to grab an Uber

 

[Brian G.]

We returned today to get some photos of the hotel with the sun actually out and decided to have lunch there. The Chicken Sandwich was MUCH better than our first go-round. The fries were different and better (not that they were a problem before), and the plating was different, too - so it shows feedback is working.