We are planning a one day add on to go to Epic Universe after our trip elsewhere in FL. We have been before. Please help me with pros and cons of staying on/off site. We always stay onsite, but this time we will have a car. There is a new Staybridge Suites next to Stella Nova and for the nights that we would be there it’s nearly half the price for twice the space. 2 beds at Stella Nova is not really enough for us. But, we could make it work. We would be giving up EPA and bus transportation by staying offsite. EPA is a tough one for me. I truly hate the chaos of rope drop. But, we also won’t have express and need to take advantage of our time. Thoughts? What is it like to park at Epic? I’m also thinking it might be more peaceful to be offsite during HHN.
EPA is pretty huge at Epic. Without Express Passes, you will not have an opportunity to ride anything with a super short line.
That said, since lines are still relatively shorter in the late afternoon / evening, you can still probably experience most if not all the attractions, and maybe even a show or two.
From what I hear, parking at Epic is fine. The one thing I’d be aware of is I believe parking at CityWalk is an additional charge–it’s not like Disney where one parking fee pays for all lots on property.
I do feel like you need one or the other - EPA or express passes. With EPA you can take a great mid day break. You could make reservations for both places and then check the rates daily. You have a certain number of days to cancel with no fee. I checked the rates daily and modified at least 5 times.
I think this is true. I started branching out a bit because I found a few negative reviews about the A/C at the hotel.. A/C is very important to us! It looks like I may be able to find a partner hotel that meets our budgetary needs and has early entry. Working on that. We have always been AP or had a great rate through some sort of package. So the rack rate is a bit shocking for the onsite hotels this go. I don’t think HHN helps.
You’re so right! I will try tis and see if they go down. This is more of a last minute trip compared to my usual planning. I forgot about this. Thank you!
Psssst… book the AP rate anyway!
Yeah. Also, I’m finding that the current hotel promotion prices are the same as the AP rates.
Do you have any old hotel keys from previous trips? I’ve kept most of mine as souviners.
Slap those keys into landyard and free instant EPA! Just stroll on by waving your landyard / hotel key! 
They never truly look at anything other than IF you have a hotel key.