Hard Rock vs Stella Nova

[hllb]

For a 16th birthday trip I’m taking my son to Universal and Disney. We’re going the last week of January. I currently have a reservation at both Hard Rock and Stella Nova. I added the regular express pass to the SN reservation (unlimited wasn’t an option?). Hard Rock is $900 more for the 4 nights. I didn’t realize the unlimited express didn’t apply to Epic, so I’d have to spend more to get express for that park.

I have park to park tickets on both reservations. Can I use the regular express pass at two different parks on one day, or only one?

I see conflicting info on the website about early entry at SN - one place says it’s only to the Harry Potter area and another spot says it includes Epic for early entry.

I’ve always wanted to stay at Hard Rock due to its central location, but SN is better for Epic and we’ll likely go to Epic two days and the other parks one day each.

Tell me the pluses and minuses of both resorts (we’ve stayed at Royal Pacific and portofino before). The $900 savings could pay for the premium LL for our Disney portion which may be nice

 

[titojackson84]

Stella nova is an easy walk to epic (though after a day in the heat and sun, I waited for the bus going back). It is considerably cheaper, but it takes longer to get to city walk (you won’t be the first at the turnstiles, but I got there early enough). I would say it is similar to Surfside for the room, size, dining, etc.

I have not stayed at hard rock but from the research I did when I was looking into it they do not have any quick service options other than things like premade sandwiches or fruit cups, etc. The room key is the express pass for the other 2 parks. While hard rock is much more expensive, depending on party size, it may be cheaper than getting express passes for everyone for each day.

I personally don’t see the value in staying at the premier hotels and I personally don’t need a fancy room. I would rather use the savings for something else, like souvenirs or an experience.

 

[Philsfan77]

I'd probably do 1 day at Hard Rock (your first day) and do the 2 OG parks with the unlimited express as you get it on check-in and check-out day. Then go to Stella Nova for the remainder of the trip. I personally wouldn't pay for Premium LL at disney that time of year. You will do perfectly fine with the regular multi pass and Single pass options at the end of January, when the parks are typically very, very slow.

 

[hllb]

Thanks. I actually will save $1000 staying at SN the entire time. I tried looking at the split stay, but on the SN portion, I couldn't add the ticket type I wanted. It was weird. So I've canceled my Hard Rock stay, and have SN booked with regular Express Passes. I might take the savings and book a VIP tour of EPIC, but those aren't out yet for January. I'm thinking it may not be necessary. Even with regular express passes, we can do everything in the first two parks at least twice since we have park to park tickets, and we're going to be focusing on the big rides and skipping a lot of the smaller stuff. We went to Universal Hollywood and Disneyland this summer and my son finally decided he likes roller coasters. So he wants to do ALLLLL of them LOL.

 

[Philsfan77]

Curious which ticket type it was on the split stay option that wouldn't pull in. I think you'll be good no matter what. End of January is a great time to be there, and should be low crowds all around. I did Helios and Stella Nova in June, and have stayed at all the other properties except Dockside at this point. Honestly, really enjoyed my stay at Stella Nova. You're not missing much staying there versus Hard Rock other than the pool at Hard Rock is better (which you may not even get to use end of January anyways).

 

[hllb]

Curious which ticket type it was on the split stay option that wouldn't pull in. I think you'll be good no matter what. End of January is a great time to be there, and should be low crowds all around. I did Helios and Stella Nova in June, and have stayed at all the other properties except Dockside at this point. Honestly, really enjoyed my stay at Stella Nova. You're not missing much staying there versus Hard Rock other than the pool at Hard Rock is better (which you may not even get to use end of January anyways).

I think it wouldn't give me a 2 day park to park that would let me do both days at Epic. I think it only offered me a 1 day park to park plus one day epic. Which didn't make sense, but it would have cost more anyway and probably not necessary to split the stay.

And yeah, we won't use the pool at either place. HR is much more convenient to food at City Walk, but we won't starve....

 

[Philsfan77]

I think it wouldn't give me a 2 day park to park that would let me do both days at Epic. I think it only offered me a 1 day park to park plus one day epic. Which didn't make sense, but it would have cost more anyway and probably not necessary to split the stay.

And yeah, we won't use the pool at either place. HR is much more convenient to food at City Walk, but we won't starve....

ahhh that makes ense...there is no 2 day standalone ticket for epic only single days or you have to do the 1+1 or 3 day park to park that includes all the parks. Your best bet is probably the 4 day park to park ticket pricing wise which includes Epic (probably comes out to like $120 a day that way). The Epic ticket structure still stinks, but I get why they are doing it that way to try and force people to the other parks as well and not just Epic every day. I found the food court at Stella to be decent (typical to the other Universal Food court areas). If strictly doing Stella and with the 4 day park to park, you could in theory walk over to Epic (probably the same distance from Hard Rock to City Walk) and eat there at times as well or go all the way through to Helios. The food at Epic honestly was better than any food I've had anywhere else at Universal.

 

[hllb]

ahhh that makes ense...there is no 2 day standalone ticket for epic only single days or you have to do the 1+1 or 3 day park to park that includes all the parks. Your best bet is probably the 4 day park to park ticket pricing wise which includes Epic (probably comes out to like $120 a day that way). The Epic ticket structure still stinks, but I get why they are doing it that way to try and force people to the other parks as well and not just Epic every day.

Yes, I did a package for 4 nights at SN and was able to do the 4 day park to park ticket that doesn't restrict Epic to one day. I might have been able to finagle it another way on a split stay, but it was too complicated and Epic is my son's focus.

 

[Philsfan77]

Yes, I did a package for 4 nights at SN and was able to do the 4 day park to park ticket that doesn't restrict Epic to one day. I might have been able to finagle it another way on a split stay, but it was too complicated and Epic is my son's focus.

I think it will be great! Popping into Epic every night if you want is a nice bonus!

 

[hllb]

I'd probably do 1 day at Hard Rock (your first day) and do the 2 OG parks with the unlimited express as you get it on check-in and check-out day. Then go to Stella Nova for the remainder of the trip. I personally wouldn't pay for Premium LL at disney that time of year. You will do perfectly fine with the regular multi pass and Single pass options at the end of January, when the parks are typically very, very slow.

The premium pass is stupid expensive, so we won't be getting that at Disney!