News

Guests Are Rushing to Universal Orlando to See These Two Rare Characters

There’s something magical in the air at Universal Studios Florida, and no—it’s not just the wand waving at Diagon Alley. Two of the most iconic characters from Broadway’s Wicked, Elphaba and Glinda, are making a limited-time appearance in the parks—and fans are absolutely here for it.

Universal Orlando Resort guests in front of the globe near Islands of Adventure
Credit: Universal

Available through August 10, this character meet and greet takes place at Wicked: The Experience, which is located right at the front of the park. The attraction debuted last fall, and it’s become a favorite for photo seekers and Wicked superfans alike. Now, Universal is upping the ante by bringing back the actual stars of the show—or at least their character counterparts.

Elphaba, known for her dark aesthetic and powerful personality, will be meeting guests alongside the ever-glamorous Glinda, who floats in with a dazzling pink dress and sparkly wand. The pair look just as if they stepped out of Oz, and the setting gives fans a chance to pose for pictures, exchange a few magical lines, and feel like they’re part of the story.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in the 2024 movie adaptation of 'Wicked'
Credit: Universal Pictures

There’s no official meet-and-greet time posted, so guests are encouraged to swing by early in the day to see when they’re making their appearances. With a short run and high demand, this experience is likely to draw a steady stream of guests looking to catch the witches before they fly off again.

This character experience is part of Universal’s broader celebration of the Wicked franchise, which is ramping up big-time ahead of the November 2025 release of Wicked: For Good, the second part of the movie adaptation. With massive names like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles, buzz around the films has been nonstop—and Universal knows it.

Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) look in the mirror
Credit: Universal Pictures

This isn’t the first time the witches have been seen at Universal’s parks. They popped up in Orlando last year and have also appeared in Japan and Hollywood during fan-focused events. But it’s not often you’ll find them hanging around for regular park guests, which makes this meet and greet even more of a big deal.

It also shows Universal’s growing interest in character-driven experiences that go beyond the usual franchises like Despicable Me or Jurassic World. Bringing in Glinda and Elphaba taps into a different fanbase—one that loves musical theater, high fantasy, and strong female leads.

So if you’ve got a soft spot for Wicked or you just want a unique addition to your photo album, make sure to visit Wicked: The Experience before this magical moment vanishes. Because just like in Oz, wonderful things tend to disappear before you know it.

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles