With Epic Universe’s start of the media previews, excitement is building as the photography and video policies loosen up, giving fans a peek at what’s to come.
Meet our new friend
Among the new attractions and characters, one in particular quickly grabs attention: Captain Cacao, Epic Universe’s latest star. While he’s not yet a full character you can meet at the park, his merchandise is already getting fans buzzing.
In fact, people are already comparing him to a very familiar Disney character: Duffy the Disney Bear.
Captain Cacao is described as “a chocolate bear who is Maya the Explorer’s navigator. Together, they are constantly scouring the cosmos for new candies and confections to share with Celestial Park.”
Celestial Park is the heart of Epic Universe, and its space theme offers a place for guests to connect with nature and celebrate creativity.
It’s still early days, but the buzz on social media has been nothing short of positive. Fans love Captain Cacao’s charm, and with his connection to candy and fun adventures, Universal seems to be setting him up to be a fan favorite.
✨✨✨ pic.twitter.com/GLZHCtDxVb
— Hallowed Out Horror (@Hallowed_Horror) March 21, 2025
A Bear That Recreates History Following Duffy’s Footsteps
While Captain Cacao is a new player in the theme park character game, Duffy has been around for a while, even if he hasn’t always been a mainstay in U.S. parks.
First introduced at Downtown Disney Orlando (now Disney Springs) in 2002, Duffy didn’t initially make a strong impression in the U.S. But he quickly became a massive hit in Japan, where he’s still extremely popular today, along with his six friends who had extended the offerings of this collection.
Since Duffy did get some attention in U.S. parks with meet-and-greet appearances at places like EPCOT and Disney California Adventure, he eventually retired from U.S. parks in 2014.
Captain Cacao to Become Universal’s Next Hit
The growing interest in themed characters and collectibles seems to be a perfect fit for Captain Cacao’s introduction. If the reaction on social media is any indication, he’s got the potential to fill the niche that Duffy doesn’t currently have.
It’s also worth considering that theme park guests’ demand for unique, character-driven merchandise has only increased over the years. Captain Cacao seems like a great candidate to be Celestial Park’s most significant success.
Duffy’s Return: Will Disney Bring Him Back?
On the other hand, Duffy hasn’t exactly disappeared. He’s been popping up here and there at Disney events like Jollywood Nights, where fans continue to line up for meet-and-greets.
Also, Duffy has been recently re-introduced at Disneyland. To celebrate the park’s 70th anniversary, he and his friend Shelly May are part of the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, and fans are thrilled.
Duffy merchandise has also been spotted at Downtown Disney, and it’s selling out fast. With the character’s success at Disneyland, we’re hopeful that Disney might reconsider and bring the lovable bear back to the East Coast.
It’s curious that Disney decided to add more Duffy to Disneyland instead of Walt Disney World in Orlando, where Captain Cacao is debuting.
What’s Next for Duffy and Captain Cacao?
Captain Cacao’s rise is exciting, and it’s possible he could help Duffy return to U.S. parks. With Epic Universe’s focus on immersive experiences and unique characters, Captain Cacao might find a permanent spot in people’s hearts.
So, what will Captain Cacao’s rise in popularity mean for Duffy? It’s still too early to say, but there’s a strong possibility that Epic Universe’s new character could help spark a trend in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the growing interest in Duffy’s return could signal that Disney is ready to bring him back in full force.
What do you think? Could Captain Cacao be the key to Duffy’s comeback?
