Universal Epic Universe theme park is getting its first expansion, and it’s not a ride. Universal Orlando has revealed a first conceptual look inside a new 19,000 sq. ft. convention space opening inside the park’s Celestial Park in 2027. The space can host up to 700 guests, and smaller groups of 500 or less can also book special restaurant access inside the park.
The new room is part of a bigger push to sell Universal Epic Universe events and group dining to meeting planners, alongside private after-hours park buyouts and the convention space at the park’s on-site hotel, Universal Helios Grand. Special events and buyouts at Universal’s theme parks are common, you may have noticed Universal Team Members making a line of signs from the Universal CityWalk security checkpoint to the parks on a visit.
What’s inside the new Epic Universe convention space?
According to Universal Orlando Meetings & Events, the indoor event space is 19,000 sq. ft., holds up to 700 guests and sits “just steps away from the park’s attractions.” The Celestial Park events page lists it right next to Stardust Racers and Constellation Carousel, which is true, this new area will be within the theme park itself. Universal hasn’t officially named the room yet, though the image on its events page is labeled “Celestial Expo.”
Not bringing 700 people? Groups of up to 500 can take over in-park dining venues, including the Atlantic, The Oak & Star Tavern, Club Jupiter or The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant. Need tickets for the whole team instead? Group ticket options start at 20 people for visiting the Universal Orando Resort theme parks, though Universal Epic Universe group tickets aren’t discounted, yet…
Pairing Universal Epic Universe with the Universal Helios Grand Hotel
If you need a meeting room before 2027, look to Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. The Helios Grand Hotel meeting space capacity chart totals 4,648 sq. ft. of function space. The hotel has 500 guest rooms, including 35 suites, and a dedicated entrance into Epic Universe (park admission required). It’s also four miles from the Orange County Convention Center. For rooms-only programs, Universal also points planners to Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort which are also very close to Universal Epic Universe and the Orange Country Convention Center. For those looking to host a special event on top of one of Orlando’s newest theme park hotels (with a stunning view), here are the options:
| Space | Size | Max capacity |
|---|---|---|
| New Epic Universe event space (2027) | 19,000 sq. ft. | 700 guests |
| Helios Grand Hall + Foyer | 3,587 sq. ft. | 360 reception / 216 banquet |
| Helios Grand Hall 1–3 | 1,695 sq. ft. | 160 reception / 120 banquet |
| Helios Grand Hall 1 | 520 sq. ft. | 77 theater seating / 50 reception |
| Helios Grand Hall 2 | 637 sq. ft. | 110 theater seating / 60 reception |
| Helios Grand Hall 3 | 538 sq. ft. | 77 theater seating / 50 reception |
Put another way, the new convention space is about four times the size of all the functional space at Helios Grand combined, but both can offer theme park access easily. Universal says you can book now. Use the Universal Orlando Meetings & Events RFP form, or see the Meetings & Events contact page (1-888-331-9108).
