Universal Orlando just took a small step towards the grand opening of Epic Universe, and when the theme park opens, Universal will have made a GIANT leap for mankind. OK, so what’s with the space allusion? Well, that “small step” we were talking about was actually the grand opening of the new Stella Nova Resort near Epic Universe. That’s right — there’s a new Universal hotel open now, and it’s steps from Epic Universe. As the name implies, this resort has a GALAXY theme — far out!

Stella Nova Resort

As with most Universal hotels, this one comes with quite a few perks, like free transportation to the Universal parks, a gorgeous pool, fitness center, restaurant, and (this one is popular) an exclusive refillable mug! We’ve got a NEW refillable mug to show off — YAY!

Take a look at the brand-new Stella Nova Resort Refillable Mug! Cute, eh? Unlike Disney’s refillable mugs, the price changes depending on the length of your stay. If you only plan to use the mug for one to three days, the mug is $19. It’s $25 for four to seven days and $30 for eight or more days.

NEW REFILLABLE MUG ALERT!

Here’s something important to keep in mind. These mugs are ONLY valid at the resort. They will not work in the theme parks or the water park. If you want to refill your mug, look for a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine around the hotel. You can also refill it with coffee and tea.

Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines

The mugs come with a flip-top cap and plastic handle. These are NOT stainless steel — just plastic — so your drinks won’t be insulated like a Stanley or Owala water bottle. But, hey, they still hold a lot of liquid and do their job!

Here’s a closer look!

Universal’s theme parks tend to close relatively early, so if you plan to eat dinner or a late-night snack at your hotel each day, a refillable mug might help you save a little money on soft drinks. The good news is that there are plenty of places to eat at Stella Nova, like the Galaxy Grill and Cosmos Cafe and Market.

Cosmos Cafe

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Universal news, so stay tuned for more.

We Tried the NEW Galaxy Bar and Grill at Universal’s Stella Nova Hotel

Have you ever used a refillable mug on vacation? Let us know in the comments!