If you’ve seen any social media posts from Epic Universe, you’ve probably seen a little, dark-furred bear with a grand captain’s hat and sash. In addition to delivering us five new lands of entertainment and countless new menu offerings, Universal Orlando Resort also debuted a new original character — Captain Cacao.
Who is this adventurous bear?
According to the celestial legends, the captain is a small chocolate bear who roams the galaxy with his friend, Maya, in search of the best sweets. They then return to Celestial Park with their Moonship, a crescent-shaped vessel with a star-filled balloon reminiscent of a hot-air balloon, so residents and visitors alike can sample their discoveries. If a world-traveling theme park bear sounds familiar, rest assured this chocolate-loving navigator brings his own distinct personality to Universal. The Moonship story also features a sugar glider named Major Lolli, though very little is known about M.L. at this time.
Shop the Moonship
When you visit Epic Universe, Captain Cacao has an entire dedicated store near the park’s main entrance in Celestial Park. There, you can find dozens of Captain Cacao-branded items, including plushies and apparel, in addition to the expected confectionery case. My favorite of the celestial sweets is the dark chocolate Captain Cacao-shaped cookie; it is equally adorable and delicious. When the bear-shaped treat is unavailable, you might find a Moonship sugar cookie or bear head candy apple in its place.
Get ready to meet Celestial Park’s sweetest resident
If you fell in love with this charming adventurer as I have, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can now meet Captain Cacao! When Epic Universe first opened, Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets was only a store, and despite tons of Easter eggs within its four walls, very few references to its founders were made elsewhere throughout the park. Now, however, if you take just a few steps deeper into the park, right near The Oak & Star Tavern, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and take a photo with this fan-favorite navigator.
The Captain’s meet and greet is staged in front of a floral arrangement, and when you first approach him, he’ll be sure to salute you (don’t forget to salute back!). In addition to being a dignified commander, he is also quite playful. When I had the opportunity to meet him this summer, he wanted to play a quick follow-the-leader-style mirroring game before taking a photo, especially since there was no one else in his line yet. When I visited, he was meeting guests once an hour, seven to eight times a day, though his exact time slot shifted.
If a quick hello and photo op isn’t enough chocolate-y energy, you can now bring home a standard plush with soft hat or sparkly hat, a shoulder buddy, or a Lug-branded coin purse in the image of our favorite bear’s smiling face.
There’s certainly a lot of new and original lore to enjoy in Epic Universe, but it’s hard not to fall in love with our new friend Captain Cacao. Perhaps we’ll be able to meet his friends Maya and Major Lolli in the coming years, and learn more about their adventures! Until then, you’ll find me starry-eyed and dreaming of a return to the Moonship.
