Universal may have accidentally created its next HUGE original theme park character.
Universal Orlando has officially announced that Captain Cacao (the fan-favorite cosmic bear from Celestial Park) will begin meeting guests at Epic Universe starting May 22, just in time for the park’s one-year anniversary celebration. And Epic Universe fans are already losing their minds over this announcement.
According to Universal Orlando, Captain Cacao will officially debut as a walk-around meet-and-greet character beginning May 22 inside Celestial Park at Epic Universe. Guests will be able to find him near The Oak & Star Tavern.
Universal shared new images of the character wearing his signature oversized blue captain’s hat, shoulder sash, and white chocolate star marking around one eye.
Who looks EXACTLY like what fans imagined!
Since Epic Universe first opened in 2025, Captain Cacao has become one of the park’s most unexpectedly beloved original characters despite never physically appearing in the park before now.
The character is heavily tied to Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets inside Celestial Park, where guests can learn about his backstory through themed displays, artwork, and storytelling details woven throughout the shop.
According to Universal Creative lore, Captain Cacao travels the cosmos alongside Maya of the Skies aboard a moonship searching for rare sweets and ingredients to bring back to Celestial Park. The ship itself is supposedly powered by star-shaped marshmallows.
And it’s EXACTLY the kind of weird original theme park storytelling fans have been begging for.
The Meet and Greet Arrives for Epic Universe’s First Anniversary
The timing of the announcement is especially notable because May 22 also marks the official one-year anniversary of Epic Universe’s opening to the public.
Many fans online had spent months wondering why Universal waited so long to introduce Captain Cacao as a physical character, considering how quickly guests embraced him after the park opened.
Social media reactions immediately exploded following the announcement, with many guests joking that Captain Cacao has essentially become the unofficial “mascot” of Celestial Park.
Universal Seems To Be Leaning Hard Into Original Epic Universe Characters
One of the most interesting parts of Captain Cacao’s popularity is that he’s completely original to Epic Universe — not tied to Harry Potter, Nintendo, Universal Monsters, or any existing film franchise.
For many longtime theme park fans, that originality has made the character even more exciting.
Universal has not yet confirmed whether additional original Celestial Park characters like Maya of the Skies or Major Lolli could eventually receive meet-and-greet appearances as well, but fans are already hoping this is only the beginning.
We’ll continue following Epic Universe anniversary celebrations, character debuts, entertainment additions, and Universal Orlando updates, so be sure to check back soon for more theme park news and coverage.
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