Howdy! It’s Universal Orlando Day! The weather is a bit dreary but the overcast sky is nice sometimes. I spent my day milling about the Universal Orlando parks and even snuck over to the new Stella Nova Resort to find some more EPIC Universe merchandise.
Good Morning from Universal Orlando
I started my day with a trip to Stella Nova Resort, Universal’s newest resort in preparation for Universal EPIC Universe. I haven’t been to the resort yet so I felt like it was time to check it out. It’s a wild resort, the inside is super trippy with curved walls and white sterile paint throughout.
There is a small Universal Store in the resort where I found a few more new pieces of EPIC Universe merchandise. The Niffler slippers were adorable and available for $40.00. I love that the Nifflers are holding a gold coin. The Niffler is from the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ wizarding world.
There is also an EPIC Universe tumbler available for $49.99. The price may seem steep but this insulated Stanley look-a-like is a Coca-Cola Freestyle Drink All Day cup. You can take this cup in the park and refill it all day long for that price. There is also an EPIC Universe bottle holder. The front pocket features a few pockets for cards and slimmer items. This bag is available for $42.00.
For now, these items are only available at Stella Nova Resort.
Park Time!
The Universal globe is still not spinning, but part of me wonders if this is to help with crowd control. Everyone wants this shot for their family photos anyway so instead of waiting for the perfect moment, it’s just ready.
The Brown Derby Sale is Back
For Team Members and Annual Passholders the Brown Derby doors have reopened for yet another super sale with items marked down 50%. At this time there is no official end date but stay tuned to our website for more details.
The Mummy Hat – $35.00
In 5&10, across the street from the Mardi Gras Tribute Store, I found a new hat celebrating ‘The Mummy’ an iconic Universal movie as well as one of my favorite rollercoasters and I don’t do rides like I did as a kid. Last week I found the two shirts as well.
Gorilla Bench
You will have to bear with me for a moment on this one. I fell down a rabbit hole on the internet this past weekend when I discovered AI Gorilla couches. Apparently per one of my favorite YouTubers, it’s real. It’s inflatable but real. Then I come to the Tribute Store to find a Gorilla Bench! In real life!
Seriously look up AI Gorilla Couch, it’s wild. Let me know in the comments below if you did.
Dog Man Food Pulled
Only a few weeks ago I was eating and reviewing dog food at this restaurant. I was told today that the Dog Man items had been pulled from the menu because it was only used as marketing for the movie and was only ever intended to be for a limited time.
Good.
WeeWooWeeWoo
Excuse the Spongebob pun of a headline. When I went into Spongebob Storepants this morning I saw Patrick and Squidward from the Nickelodeon show Spongebob Squarepants.
They hadn’t quite started meeting with guests and it just made me giggle because per the show Patrick just looks happy to be there and Squidward looks ready to get this going so he can go home.
Guy Diamond Meeting Fans
I love Trolls, honestly, I relate to them. I feel like my hair looks like that after a day in the parks and in the summer my sweat totally glistens like Guy Diamond. Maybe not. Guy had a long line of adults waiting so I moved along, but I totally get it my fellow adult children.
The Film Vault Sign is Missing
When I was leaving Universal to walk to Islands of Adventure I noticed that The Film Vault sign was missing. When I spot things like this I have a moment of pause where I realize how often I am in these parks to notice such a small detail. To be fair though I worked here at one point as a Universal Halloween Horror Nights Coordinator many moons ago.
Islands of Adventure
I love the Islands of Adventure bridge at the entrance of the park. I love the details at the front of the park. I have been told by a few park experts that this area was designed by a similar team to those that worked on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which once you hear it, you can’t unsee it. The details are endless.
EPIC Universe Cooling Towel – $24.00
Even more EPIC Universe merchandise has landed in Islands of Adventure. This time it’s a small item, but a very important item in a few weeks when the heat kicks off, a cooling towel. The simple cooling towel is available in the Universal Store at the entrance of Islands of Adventure.
Seuss Topiaries
I noticed today that the topiaries in Seuss Landing were looking very fresh, except one. There was one topiary missing and replaced by a simple star topiary for the time being. These topiaries are such a fun detail in the land.
Dragon Head – $200
In Historic Families – Heraldry there is a dragon head sculpture at the check-out counter with a tag for $200.00. I always thought this was just a prop, especially since the tag has no bar code or SKU, but the Team Member told me this afternoon that it is available for purchase. $200.00 feels like a steal for such a large piece of art.
Rocket and Groot Scholastic Books – $5.99 each
In the Comic Book Shop in Marvel Super Hero Island, there are two Scholastic books available for $5.99 featuring the Guardians of the Galaxy. The small Groot experiences what family means and coping skills in both of these children’s appropriate reads. I’m a sucker for a Scholastic book, have been since I was little and they would come to the school. These are precious.
Group Sales Building
I know the bird in the cage isn’t real, but I always feel bad at the thought of a caged bird outside so close to being free. Especially such a large bird in a small cage. I dream that someone sets the fake bird free just as a joke to affix him atop the cage.
I hope you enjoyed our day at Universal Orlando. I had a lot of fun today. I think my favorite find other than the Niffler slippers was seeing the wooden Gorilla bench that reminds me of the AI Gorilla couch. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite moment was from today.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.