UniversalParksBlog News for December 17th, 2023
Universal Orlando Resort just announced its plans for two upcoming resorts. And you can already book them!
We’ve got joyous news that hints at an even better tomorrow for Universal’s theme parks. This is a fun week for UniversalParksBlog News!
Universal Studios Plots Its Future
Photo: Universal
During a recent corporate gathering, Mike Cavanagh, the President of Comcast, spoke about the impending future of his company.
As a reminder, Comcast owns NBCUniversal as one its primary revenue-generating subsidiaries.
That’s a fancy corporate way of saying that Cavanagh ultimately calls the shots for NBCUniversal, including its theme parks.
Wall Street took note when Cavanagh listed half a dozen businesses across the entire Comcast umbrella that he views as the ones with the most future growth potential.
One of the first businesses Comcast’s President mentioned was Universal Studios, the theme park division of NBCUniversal.
What makes Cavanagh so optimistic? He has seen all the plans and projections for the upcoming Universal Epic Universe.
Photo: NBCUniversal
This theme park will open in 2025, and Comcast officials believe it will increase Universal Studios’ already impressive momentum.
This past week, we found out why. Not that long ago, the officials Loews website accidentally leaked images and information about a new resort.
As the owner of said resort, Loews shouldn’t get in trouble for doing that, but they did.
Image: Loews
Specifically, NBCUniversal quickly contacted Loews and asked them to hide the pages that showed details about two upcoming resorts.
Yes, I’m talking about the luxury hotels that will host guests at Universal Epic Universe!
Image: Loews
Loews mistakenly posted all the artist’s renderings of these twin properties, thereby triggering an avalanche of information requests.
Even though Loews took down the pages at Universal’s request, everyone deduced that an announcement must be in the offing. And now we have it!
Meet Stella Nova and Terra Luna
Image: Loews
On January 21st, 2025, Universal Stella Nova Resort will open to the public.
This luxury hotel comes with a twin, Universal Terra Luna Resort. However, only Stella Nova will open on January 21st.
Terra Luna won’t debut until a few weeks later, on February 25th, 2025.
Image: Loews
As I said here, I recognize that these two dates sound far away, but they’re not.
We’re only 13 and 14 months away from their grand openings. Even better, Loews is already booking reservations for their debuts!
Our Whitney Littlejohn has posted the details here. The gist is that Stella Nova rooms start at $134 per night plus tax.
Image: Loews
The first listings for Terra Luna cost a bit more in February, but analysts have suggested that the two hotels will share similar rates.
The current pricing difference likely stems from the fact that Terra Luna opens soon after President’s Day, which is a more popular travel period.
Overall, the $134 nightly rate appears to be the baseline, but as is typical in the industry, rates will fluctuate throughout the annual calendar.
When Will Epic Universe Open?
Image: Bioreconstruct on Twitter
Still, the story here isn’t the price as much as the date. Universal officials have cautioned not to read too much into this timeline.
I promptly ignored them and did just that, instantly speculating about the opening month for Universal Epic Universe.
Park officials knew this was coming, which is why they originally asked Loews to take down the pages initially.
Image: Bioreconstruct on Twitter
Alas, there’s no putting the genie back in the bottle now. Fans are acutely aware of the locations of these two resorts.
People won’t need to use these 1,500 hotel rooms, 750 per resort, unless there’s a big draw in the area…like, say, a cutting-edge theme park.
So, the openings do hint at a timeline, even as Universal executives try to splash cold water on the thought.
Universal is currently claiming an opening later in 2025. Until then, the hotels will shuttle guests to the other Universal Orlando Resort parks.
That’s a suboptimal approach, though. The existing theme parks already have sufficient hotel space.
Universal needs the new 750 rooms at Stella Nova in January and then 750 more at Terra Luna in late February for…something.
Image: Loews
For this reason, I expect at least some part of Universal Epic Universe to open during the first half of 2025…and possibly the first quarter.
As an essential point of clarification, that’s my speculation, not fact, but it fits the timeline here.
Universal Miscellaneous Park News
Photo: Instagram/Universalvolcabobay
Theoretically, the other biggest story of the past days involves a name.
Universal has confirmed the title of its upcoming theme park, and if you like bland and straightforward, you’re gonna love it!
I’d like to introduce you to Universal Kids Resort. It’s the official name of the upcoming child-friendly theme park in Frisco, Texas.
Photo: Universal
I hope Universal didn’t spend lots of money debating that one.
Anyway, I do want to alert you to one other impending park concern.
Universal’s Volcano Bay has really struggled with Central Florida weather lately.
Vanessaboy.com
Now, the water park will close for a time in January. This isn’t a consistent closure, either.
Universal executives have chosen not to operate Volcano Bay during a few dates in January.
Those are January 9th, 10th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, and 31st. So, the only Wednesday Volcano Bay will be open is January 3rd.
Photo: Universal Orlando/Volcano Bay
Universal also won’t operate on a pair of Tuesdays, a pair of Thursdays, and one Friday.
Also, please remember to check the weather if you want to join the Polar Bear Club at Volcano Bay.
The park could close at any point due to inclement weather.
Finally, Universal fans can finally show their adoration in credit card form.
The Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature Card is now available.
Friendly suggestion: offer a card with a Halloween Horror Nights design. It’ll drive soooo many sign-ups.
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Main image: Universal Studios
