There has been a huge amount of news for theme park fans over the last year — like the new Villains land and “Monsters, Inc.” Monstropolis land at Walt Disney World, and new themed Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood — but none is more exciting than the impending opening of Epic Universe. Universal Orlando’s new theme park is the first to open in the area since Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998 and Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999.
Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe is based on a multiverse concept. Once guests pass underneath the Helios sculpture at the main gate, they can transport to five fantastical worlds beyond imagination.
The central Celestial Park is a spacey world between worlds. The other lands within the park are devoted to different Universal intellectual properties: “How to Train Your Dragon” — Isle of Berk is based on the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise, Super Nintendo World is based on the original Nintendo games and film; Dark Universe is based on classic Universal monsters; and The Wizarding World of “Harry Potter” — Ministry of Magic is based on “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films (and the books that inspired them).
Universal Stella Nova Resort
The park isn’t scheduled to open until May 22, but part of the experience is already open for business. Universal Stella Nova Resort, the first of three hotels opening around Epic Universe, hosted its first guests on Jan. 21, 2024. It’s the first real taste of what the new theme park will be like, and I was among the lucky few to stay in its first week.
Universal describes Stella Nova Resort as “inspired by the infinite vastness of the unexplored universe.” On the outside, the futuristic building gleams with multicolored, jewel-toned metal tiles that reflect the sunlight and sparkle from every angle. Once you’ve walked through the front doors, it’s as though you’ve gone through a portal into the outer reaches of the cosmos. The sleek white futuristic decor is accented by views of deep space, in large-scale recreations of real NASA images.
The 750-room property includes a restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool area with a hot tub and outdoor restaurant and bar, games and activities, a fitness room and an arcade. At Cosmos Cafe, I had a delicious Stella Burger (a double cheeseburger with Stella sauce) and Hot Honey Chicken Pizza. Later that evening, at Nova Bar, I had a Nebula, which was a mezcal cocktail with strawberry-rose syrup and lime, garnished with a real rosebud. I would have happily spent time in the pool and at Galaxy pool bar, but the weather never topped 50 degrees during my stay, and it wasn’t open.
All rooms have two queen beds (to sleep four people) and cost around $200 per night, although high-demand times will be more expensive. Universal sometimes offers discounts for longer stays. A four-night stay for late February 2025 cost $137 per night if booked just weeks before because of a Stay More, Save More discount.
On the highly coveted third floor, a starlit hallway has a night sky overhead, with moving, twinkling lights. I was lucky to get a room on that floor, and walking under the installation to get back and forth to my room was magical. Inside the rooms, the futuristic outer space theme continues. The decor, evocative of a luxury spaceship that doesn’t yet exist in real life, has a blue and white color palette and more interstellar artwork, with lights creatively hidden inside paneling that adds to the high-tech feel.
The pool-view rooms are considered more desirable, but I loved my standard view. Beyond the hotel’s parking lot, I could clearly see into the new park. On the left loomed Dark Universe’s Castle Frankenstein, which will hold Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a thrill ride with groundbreaking animatronics representing Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and other classic Universal monsters. In the distance, the dual tracks of Celestial Park’s Stardust Racers coaster rose above the show buildings for Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart and Donkey Kong rides. To the right, the rocky spire of the Isle of Berk’s Mead Hall rose into the sky, and just next to it, I saw ride tests happening for Dragon Racer’s Rally, a spinning aerial ride.
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In March, Universal will open Universal Terra Luna Resort, a sister property to Stella Nova with similar amenities but an earthly theme. In May, in tandem with Epic Universe, the area’s marquee hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, will open, featuring Mediterranean restaurants, including a rooftop lounge overlooking the park, a pool, club-level rooms and a direct entrance into Epic Universe. Stella Nova and Terra Luna, which are just across the street, will have walkways to the park, as well as bus shuttles.
One huge departure for this park is that Epic Universe isn’t on the main Universal Orlando property, but a 12-ish minute shuttle ride away. It seems far until you consider that it’s a comparable shuttle ride between most Walt Disney World hotels and theme parks, with some even farther away than that.
All Universal Orlando’s hotels, not just the ones close to Epic Universe, are owned and operated by Loews. While properties like the Hard Rock and Loews Portofino Bay are pricier options offering extensive amenities, Universal has distinguished itself from competing theme parks by offering similar amenities even at their most affordable level, including Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside by Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and Stella Nova and Terra Luna by Epic Universe. Those hotels, which at the most affordable times can be just around $100 a night, offer in-room pizza delivery at night and early park admission to ticketholders in the morning, giving on-property guests an extra hour’s access to some attractions. The value for the price is exceptional. And right now, the little taste of what’s to come at Epic Universe is an added bonus.
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