Imagine leaving a brand-new Universal theme park at closing time, only to find out others got to stay behind in its most beautiful area—without paying extra or signing up for a VIP event.
That’s exactly what’s happening at Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s long-anticipated fourth gate. And it’s creating a mix of delight and frustration among theme park fans, with Universal offering no official explanation. So, is this a sneak peek at future extended hours—or just a happy accident?
Universal Epic Universe: A Theme Park Designed to Shine at Night
Epic Universe opened its gates less than a month ago, and guests are already calling it Universal’s greatest achievement yet. With five uniquely themed lands and next-generation attractions, the park blends thrill with storytelling like never before.
But beyond the rides and food, one aspect is stealing the spotlight: Celestial Park, the open-air hub of the park, filled with futuristic landscaping, shimmering fountains, interactive elements, and breathtaking nighttime illumination.
CELESTIAL PARK IS NOW OPEN BEYOND PARK HOURS! Stardust is open till 10pm despite the rest of the park closing at 9pm. Wow! – @DrewTheDude123 on X
CELESTIAL PARK IS NOW OPEN BEYOND PARK HOURS! Stardust is open till 10pm despite the rest of the park closing at 9pm. Wow! pic.twitter.com/MXKqqlf9Lw
— Drew TheThemeParkDude (@DrewTheDude123) June 18, 2025
In fact, the entire park was engineered with nighttime in mind. Millions of LED lights were installed throughout the park to enhance the after-dark experience—raising expectations that Epic Universe would keep its gates open well into the evening.
So when Universal posted a 9 p.m. closing time for June, many fans were left confused—and more than a little disappointed.
Social Media Blows the Lid Off a Quiet Secret
What started as a few scattered TikToks and Instagram Reels has turned into a steady stream of guest revelations: Celestial Park is staying open past the official closing time.
Multiple guests report being able to remain in the park, sometimes for 30 minutes or more after 9 p.m., basking in the ethereal glow of the lights, walking through quiet pathways, and soaking in the ambiance with little to no crowd. In some cases, even the portals to other lands have remained open—though the rides themselves shut down promptly.
The kicker? Universal hasn’t publicly acknowledged any of this. The official app and website still list 9 p.m. as the closing time. No signs indicate extended hours. There are no announcements. It’s all been discovered organically.
Some Guests Get Lucky. Others Feel Left Out.
The response online has been mixed. Those who stumbled upon the extra time describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment—an unexpected dose of magic that made their visit unforgettable.
There’s a whole lot of park operations not being communicated with Epic Universe right now.
There’s a whole lot of park operations not being communicated with Epic Universe right now.
— Jonathan Cooper (@dxwwf3) June 18, 2025
But others are feeling burned. Several guests who obeyed the 9 p.m. closing time and exited promptly say they’re angry they missed out—especially after seeing others post about it. Some even suggest Universal is creating an unintentional “tiered” guest experience by allowing some to benefit while others are left in the dark, literally and figuratively.
Could This Be a Soft Launch for Late-Night Hours at Universal Epic Universe?
Here’s where it gets interesting: Universal has a track record of quietly testing operations before making announcements. It’s possible this mysterious late-night access is part of a trial to see how guests move through Celestial Park after hours, how much staff is needed, and whether extending operations would be logistically sound.
Found that out the hard way the other night when I visited. Spent 8:30-9:00 riding stardust for the night ride to find out it was open till 10, which is nice but I was PISSED I wasted nighttime around Darkmore because I could’ve had both. Zero warning about this
Found that out the hard way the other night when I visited. Spent 8:30-9:00 riding stardust for the night ride to find out it was open till 10, which is nice but I was PISSED I wasted nighttime around Darkmore because I could’ve had both. Zero warning about this
— ThemeParkScout (@ThemeParkScout) June 18, 2025
If true, this would position Celestial Park as a standalone nighttime destination, a glowing garden retreat similar to Epcot’s World Showcase or Magic Kingdom’s post-show lingering. It could open the door to future late-night offerings, exclusive events, or even new operating schedules come peak season.
But until Universal makes a move, guests will have to decide whether to roll the dice, stay late, and hope to catch a glimpse of the hidden magic.
Bottom Line:
Universal’s silence is speaking volumes—and while some guests are catching on to the park’s mysterious after-hours glow, others are left in the dark. If you visit Epic Universe this summer, you might want to hang back… just in case.
