Universal Epic Universe’s first anniversary on May 22 brings a clear message: the park isn’t just building worlds—it’s testing how people move through them. From a corporate-event access trial in Celestial Park to new Captain Cacao character appearances and op
On the morning of its first anniversary, Universal Epic Universe is already treating its opening year like a draft—not a finish.
The sprawling Orlando park, the first theme park to open in the area in 25 years, is entering year two with a familiar theme running through everything it’s doing: refine the experience, protect the flow, and then scale what works.
Universal Epic Universe opened with five immersive worlds. and its early focus has been on fine-tuning operations. enhancing popular experiences. and adding new character meet-and-greets. Now the company is experimenting with a different kind of visitor access—starting with a corporate-event test that will let some guests step into Celestial Park for free.
Universal Orlando is preparing for the park’s first major anniversary milestone on May 22. and on May 30 and June 1 the company will welcome attendees of the Premiere Orlando beauty convention to Celestial Park. its gateway world and main artery. The event organizer’s Instagram post says those attendees will be able to access part of the park for free.
The test follows speculation that Universal has been trying an “open-hub” concept: broadening access to Celestial Park to wider audiences while limiting access to the park’s other worlds.
“We will always be testing things to try to figure out what the best way is to leverage the experience for all guests,” Universal Orlando’s Executive Vice President and General Manager Jeff Polk said.
He added that Universal plans to run experiments over the next year and a half, looking at what works and what doesn’t.
“We’re not gonna do anything en masse, though, until we have a comfort level that what we’re doing is not upsetting the balance of the daytime guest experience and whatever these corporate or other activities might be,” Polk said.
That balancing act is shaping how the second year is likely to feel—less like a sudden makeover, more like careful adjustments that visitors may notice in the way the park moves.
Universal Epic Universe is built around five immersive worlds: Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe.
Celestial Park is the heart of Epic Universe, running along the middle of the park and serving as the gateway to the other four worlds. Its theme is exploration and discovery. At night, the original concept world comes alive with lights, especially during its fountain show.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk immerses guests in the DreamWorks Animation franchise world, with Toothless and a live show titled “The Untrainable Dragon.” Young kids get the multi-level Viking Training Camp play area.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is set in 1920s Wizarding Paris. the era of the “Fantastic Beasts” films. and features a live show called Le Cirque Arcanus. Guests can also ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. described as a life-size British Ministry of Magic based on Harry Potter’s timeline.
Super Nintendo World includes two smaller lands—Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country—designed to make visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into favorite video games with interactive challenges and rides.
Dark Universe includes monsters from Universal’s classic horror films. including Frankenstein. Dracula. and the Invisible Man. living on in the village of Darkmoor. The village is described as family-friendly, though its Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment attraction may scare some guests.
Polk framed the operational shifts as a continuous upgrade: “It’s a continuous layered experience of making things better. smoother. faster. more available.” Universal’s work has also included adjusting operating hours. since many guests enjoy the illuminated park after dark; ramping up production of high-demand mac-and-cheese cones; and leaning into live entertainment.
Visitors may not see dramatic visual changes in the park, but Universal is signaling that year two will show up in throughput and timing—how quickly things open, how frequently experiences run, and how smoothly guests are kept moving through the worlds.
Starting May 22, the park will also add a new character presence that’s designed to bring the story further into the physical space. Captain Cacao, an original Epic Universe character with a cult following, will begin making character appearances in the park.
Universal describes Captain Cacao as a chocolate bear brought to life by the cosmic energy of Celestial Park. He travels the universe with his best friend Maya of the Skies to search for treats for her shop. Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets. Until now, Captain Cacao has been available only as merchandise, such as plushies.
Polk said the change will let guests experience a “fully realized version” that they can interact with and hug.
For those watching Epic Universe for signs of what might come next, Universal is keeping expectations grounded. Polk acknowledged the team is thinking about “what’s the next best exciting story that we can tell,” but said it will take time.
“We’ve got a lot of space here, but a lot of time to grow into it,” Polk said.
The next major addition tied to Universal’s broader Orlando lineup, he said, will be the new “Fast & Furious” roller coaster opening at Universal Studios Florida next year.
Epic Universe itself is set around 11 rides, with a notable presence from Toothless tied to “How to Train Your Dragon.” Even so, Universal makes clear that the park is not built for a one-and-done visit.
PFColk said there’s “no way to experience everything at Epic” in one day. Many guests, he said, spend a day at Epic, then come back during the same trip after falling in love with the nighttime atmosphere.
Universal sees that as part of its larger bet on turning Orlando into a multi-day destination. Polk said that goal has been in the company’s mind since the early ’90s, and that “all that really has come together in the last year.”
Ticketing, meanwhile, suggests Epic Universe is positioned as a premium, in-demand draw rather than a low-cost add-on. A single-day adult ticket (ages 10 and up) starts at $139, while tickets for children ages 3 to 9 start at $134. Prices vary by date and demand. Annual passholders and Military Freedom Pass holders are eligible for specially priced tickets.
On whether Epic Universe will be included in annual passes, Polk said, “All in good time, all good things will come.” He acknowledged the pace may feel slow, while emphasizing the need to manage balance between passholders and the overall guest experience.
Knowing passholders are among Universal’s most important guests, Polk said Universal “always want[s] to give them as much as we can,” but is also being “mindful about the level of experience we could have,” adding that there are “lots of annual passholders.”
There is also a clear answer for guests wondering about accommodations inside the park. Epic Universe has no hotel inside it. However, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is adjacent to Epic Universe and has its own entrance at the back of Celestial Park.
Nearby are the twin resorts Universal Stella Nova and Terra Luna. Universal Orlando has 11 resort hotels in all, in partnership with Loews. Each offers perks like early park entry and free delivery of in-park purchases to hotels.
One detail matters for planning: Epic Universe is not included in the free Universal Express Unlimited passes given with stays at select Universal hotels.
The throughline here is practical and deliberate. Universal’s year-one momentum has been about building immersion—and then learning how to keep that immersion intact as more kinds of groups and more kinds of guests arrive. The question for the next stretch isn’t whether Epic Universe will grow; it’s whether Universal can expand access and capacity without letting the daytime experience fray.
Epic Universe Universal Orlando Celestial Park Jeff Polk Captain Cacao Orlando theme park annual pass tickets Premiere Orlando Fast & Furious roller coaster Universal Express Unlimited