Margita’s Epic Universe & Disney World Trip Report

This week, Wendy Fox steps in as special guest host to interview Margita about our May trip that started with one very Disney Geek reason — expiring Southwest airfare credits — and turned into a fun split stay between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.

Margita shares what it was like staying at Universal’s brand-new Stella Nova Resort, walking into Epic Universe for the first time, and comparing Universal’s easy-flowing park experience with the planning-heavy world of Disney. From Dark Universe and How to Train Your Dragon to Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic and Celestial Park, this episode has plenty of fresh reactions from a Disney travel planner seeing Universal’s newest park up close.

Then we head back “home” to Disney with a stay at Port Orleans Riverside in one of the newly refreshed royal rooms, some Flower and Garden Festival time, Magic Kingdom favorites, Big Thunder fun, and a little experimenting with Wait Magic to grab hard-to-find Lightning Lane times.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How a short-notice trip came together from expiring airfare credits
• Margita’s first impressions of Stella Nova Resort
• The excitement of walking into Epic Universe for the first time
• Universal Express Pass vs. Disney Lightning Lane
• Dark Universe, Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon, and Celestial Park
• What Universal is doing really well — and where Disney still shines
• Port Orleans Riverside and the refreshed royal rooms
• Flower and Garden Festival topiaries and a slower Disney pace
• Using Wait Magic to help modify Lightning Lane times
• Looking ahead to future Disney and Universal trips

At the heart of this episode is that fun Disney Geek question we all wrestle with now: how does Universal’s newest park change the way we think about Orlando vacations? Margita still loves the Disney bubble, the cast members, the nostalgia, and the feeling of coming home — but Epic Universe definitely made an impression.

Travelin’ Tiaras

If you’re thinking about planning your next Disney vacation and some Epic Universe, my wife Margita and our good friend Auntie Judy are the Travelin’ Tiaras — your trusted Disney travel planners.

They can help with Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, Epic Universe, and beyond.

Already booked? You can transfer your reservation to us and still get expert tips, strategy, and support — and it’s a great way to support the show.

📧 TravelinTiaras@gmail.com

Or reach out on Facebook Messenger.

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Thanks for listening, Geeks — and thanks for going Geekin’ on Walt Disney World with us!