Universal Epic Universe is celebrating its first anniversary in a big way. On May 22, 2026, the park will welcome a Captain Cacao meet and greet character experience, giving guests the chance to come face-to-face with the beloved bear from Celestial Park’s Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets.
Captain Cacao Meet and Greet Coming to Universal Epic Universe for Park’s 1-Year Anniversary
In This Article
- What is the Captain Cacao meet and greet at Universal Epic Universe?
- Who is Captain Cacao and what is the character’s backstory?
- Where is Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets located at Epic Universe?
- What Captain Cacao merchandise is available at Universal Epic Universe?
- When does the Captain Cacao meet and greet begin at Epic Universe?
Captain Cacao Meet and Greet at Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe’s 1-year anniversary, on May 22nd, will mark the debut of a Captain Cacao meet and greet character experience at the park.
UPDATE: Universal has announced that guests can meet this adventurous bear near The Oak & Star Tavern in Celestial Park.
Who Is Captain Cacao?
Captain Cacao is one of Universal Epic Universe’s original characters, created entirely from scratch by Universal’s Creative Design team as part of the park’s broader storytelling ambitions in Celestial Park. Unlike lands built around existing IP, Celestial Park and all of its characters, including Captain Cacao, were invented specifically for Epic Universe.
The character is described as an adorable dark chocolate teddy bear, featuring a white chocolate star over one eye, an orange and gold shoulder sash, and a blue hat. The look was developed collaboratively between Universal’s Creative Design team and its Products and Experiences team, with the goal of creating a character that would feel at home in a candy store setting while appealing to guests of all ages.
Captain Cacao’s Story and Lore
Captain Cacao’s origin is rooted in the lore of Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets, the confectionery shop anchoring his corner of Celestial Park. The backstory centers on Maya of the Skies, a young explorer born in Celestial Park with a serious sweet tooth. Unable to find sweets she loved, Maya began crafting her own, then set off across the universe aboard her moonship, the Marshmallow Airship Joei de Ganache, to source the best ingredients and recipes the cosmos had to offer. Captain Cacao, trained as a navigator, joined Maya on her travels so he could accompany her on the journey.
When guests step inside Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets, they can spot Maya’s airship, with floating marshmallow stars ascending toward the ceiling. A map displayed inside the shop shows where Maya and Captain Cacao have sourced ingredients, including locations like the Navis Bananas Nebula and the Seven-Layer Belt. Team members at the shop greet guests as “explorers” and are trained to share the lore of Maya and Captain Cacao as part of the experience.
Captain Cacao Merchandise
The character’s popularity among guests has translated into a full merchandise line. The collection includes a Captain Cacao plush, backpack, and bucket hat, along with broader packaging and product lines tied to the store’s confectionery offerings. The plush in particular has become a social media staple, frequently spotted being carried through Epic Universe.
OUR TAKE: As a big fan of Captain Cacao, I’ll absolutely wait to see him the next time I’m in Epic Universe, but that’s the problem: I’m not sure when I’ll go back. I had a wonderful time during the grand opening a year ago, but without an Annual Pass, there really isn’t enough to draw me back in when a 1-day ticket price competes with Magic Kingdom.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com for not only the latest Disney Parks news, but also news, photos, and info from great offerings Outside the Bubble!