Pass by the moon on your way to the stars.
At Stella Nova and Terra Luna resorts – two of Universal Orlando’s newest hotels – guests can step (and sleep) off planet, while gazing at the stars (or at Epic Universe). These two hotels are in many ways twins – offering similar theming, style, and most of the same amenities. But there are a few differences between these two resorts.
Let’s explore all these two otherworldly hotels have to offer.
Sleek Celestial Theming
Cosmic chic is in style at these two resorts. Stella Nova is inspired by the “infinite vastness of the unexplored universe,” boasting a strikingly clean looking white interior with contrasting bold blues and purples. Stella Luna channels “the thrill of exploring the unknown and pushing the limits of discovery,” presenting an ivory and brown contrasting interior with more earth-toned accents. The lobbies of each hotel offer a smooth selection of seating in the lounging and eating areas – the type of spaces the Fantastic Four or the Jetsons would love to call home.
Simple Spaces: Guest Rooms
Some hotels in the Universal Orlando collection offer a wide range of room sizes and configurations. But Stella Nova and Terra Luna keep things simple. All rooms in both hotels offer the same basic configuration – two queen beds. Within this framework, the rooms come with standard view, pool view, and mobility and hearing accessible options. All rooms offer roughly 315 square feet of guest space, which includes a dresser, small seating area with table, and nightstand between the beds.
Being brand new, all rooms are finished with the most modern of amenities, including 52″ flat screen televisions, USB charging ports, plenty of power outlets, mini-fridge, and coffee maker.
Room views vary by resort, and within each resort. Some of the rooms in each resort offer great views of Epic Universe, with Stella Nova offering the closest views.
Cosmic Cuisine: Eating and Drinking
Stella Nova and Terra Luna both feature a food marketplace, offering grab-and-go items and quick-service food served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At Stella Nova, food is offered at Cosmos Cafe and Market. Over at Terra Luna, food is served at Omega Cafe. Both offer fairly standard popular food choices like sandwiches, salad, pizza, etc.
Both hotels also offer a fun open air lobby bar – perfect for hanging out on your check-in day or winding down after a day in the parks. Stella Nova offers the Nova Bar, featuring cosmic-themed craft cocktails (named after the famous stars and constellations), as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Stella Luna boasts Luna Bar, featuring lunar-themed craft drinks (named after famous moons in our solar system), as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Each resort also offers poolside food and drinks. Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill at Stella Nova serve up classic fare like burgers, quesadillas and salads, plus wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. At Terra Luna, Moonrise Bar and Moonrise Grill keep pool guests well fed and hydrated with classic American fare plus wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Room Service food is also available at both resorts. While primarily billed as a “pizza delivery menu,” food options also include a few standard sandwiches, as well as a host of sweets and bottled beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Entertainment
Indoor and outdoor spaces in each resort offer guests the chance to unwind.
Poolside Under the Sun and Stars
Stella Nova and Terra Luna both offer 10,000 square foot pools, along with accompanying hot tubs. There are a few differences between the pool areas. Stella Nova’s pool is an oblong shape, and the pool deck also features a kids splash pad area. Terra Luna’s pool is appropriately crescent-shaped, and features a zero-entry area catered to kids, but does not have a splash pad area. Both pool areas offer a few outside games and show evening films under the stars when the weather permits.
Exercise, Game Time, and Shopping
Complimentary fitness centers in each hotel offer a variety of strength and cardio exercise equipment, including treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and weight training machines.
If a day full of theme parks is not enough to quench that thirst for fun and games, both hotels also feature a game room. An assortment of the latest arcade games are available to play by purchasing a game card (bye bye, quarters).
Everyone loves a good Universal Studios Store, and there is one located in the lobby of each hotel. An assortment of Universal merch (including a selection of Wizarding World wands and Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands) can be found here, as well as some general sundries.
Transportation
Like all other Universal Orlando resort hotels, both Stella Nova and Terra Luna offer free shuttle bus service to all Universal destinations, including Universal CityWalk, Volcano Bay water park, and Epic Universe. Both Stella Nova and Terra Luna are close enough to Epic Universe to walk there, but Stella Nova is closer, and only requires one major road crossing, so I give this hotel the edge when it comes to location.
Early Park Admission
When it comes to touring Universal theme parks (or Disney theme parks for that matter), it can feel like survival of the fittest. Guests from every direction are angling to hustle from one attraction to another, trying their best to avoid waiting in lines. Guests at all Universal Orlando Hotels receive the perk of Early Park Admission. This perk currently allows guests to visit select areas of Universal Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay up to one hour before the posted park opening time.
Attractions and experiences at Islands of Adventure open to guests at this time currently include the following:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Ollivanders
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
With Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure still the most popular attraction in the park, the early opening scene turns into a mad dash to Hogsmeade to get in line for the attraction. Early access is critical for guests wanting to enjoy this Wizarding World roller coaster without waiting upwards of two hours in line.
Epic Universe also offers up to one hour early admission, with the following experiences available:
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure)
- Celestial Park (Stardust Racers and Constellation Carousel)
- Dark Universe (Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf)
At Volcano Bay, with the following experiences are available:
- Honu of the Honu ika Moana
- ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Waturi Wave Pool
- Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
- Puka Uli Lagoon
It really pays for on-site guests to rope drop Universal theme parks, so take advantage of this opportunity (you can always make up for the early morning fire drill with a quick early afternoon catnap back at your hotel).
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At Universal Stella Nova and Terra Luna resorts, guests can feel like they are staying in another universe (even before they visit Epic Universe). With sharp decor, simple arrangements, and affordable rates, this pair of resorts are just the right space for many Universal guests.
Check out our full list of Universal and Disney Resort Guides here.
Are you thinking about your next trip to Universal Orlando? Please reach out to Facts and Figment Vacation Planning to get started planning your Epic adventure! My travel planning services are absolutely FREE to you, and I can help you score the best, hardest-to-get deals to make your Universal (or Disney) vacation more affordable and enjoyable! Plus – I will stay involved at every step, giving you dining reservation support, touring strategies, and answering any questions you have along the way.
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