Epic Universe’s $20 million event hall gets a hexagon foyer

New aerial photos show steel for a six-sided foyer at Epic Universe’s $20.6 million Celestial Park event building. Universal already announced a Celestial Park event venue for 2027 called Celestial Expo, though it hasn’t said this is the building.

Steel for a hexagon-shaped foyer is now up at the multipurpose event building rising off Celestial Park at Epic Universe, new aerial photos show.

Photographer bioreconstruct posted the shots on X on Nov. 6, and WDW News Today broke down the progress Sunday, Nov. 8. Since the last big update in August, scaffolding has gone up around both levels of the building’s office and kitchen section, plus its stairwell.

WDWNT’s update didn’t mention one detail. Universal announced a Celestial Park event venue in June. It’s called Celestial Expo, it opens in 2027, and it holds 700 to 1,000 guests, according to Universal’s release, which the Orange County Convention Center posted June 26.

Universal hasn’t publicly tied that name to this site. But the numbers fit. Celestial Expo is 17,500 square feet. Permits for this building show about 29,749 enclosed square feet, which by our math leaves roughly 12,000 for the kitchen, offices and back rooms.

Here’s bioreconstruct’s aerial video of the building from this summer:

What’s new at the Celestial Park event building?

Here’s what changed since August, per WDWNT and bioreconstruct:

• Hexagon foyer: A steel frame with a six-sided center and long, hallway-like framing on both sides. Bioreconstruct says it will be the event space’s foyer.

• Scaffolding: Up around both levels of the office and kitchen section and the stairwell.

• Inside walls: Steel framing now outlines interior walls, but the exterior walls are still open. A few interior beams are wrapped in a blue material.

• Roof deck: More short studs on the metal decking.

WDWNT noted that Universal hasn’t confirmed a phased opening or final operating plans for the building.

What is the Celestial Park building for?

Private events, not rides. Permits describe a “new event space facility building” with two levels and 53,886 gross square feet, BlogMickey reported.

Orlando ParkStop went through the plans in February. The main event hall fills the first floor and stands two stories tall inside, with a commercial kitchen behind it for catering. The upper level holds offices, meeting rooms, training rooms and break areas for park operations.

The plans even label the building “Sound Stage,” like Stage 33 at Universal Studios Florida, Orlando ParkStop said. Setups include banquet tables, a stage and a dance floor. Solar panels are planned for the roof.

WDWNT lists likely uses as private receptions, corporate gatherings, media events and limited-time experiences. So unless your company books a party, you’ll mostly see the outside.

What is Celestial Expo at Epic Universe?

It’s Universal Orlando’s newest meetings and events space. Universal’s June release lists:

• Size: 17,500 square feet, indoors

• Capacity: 700 to 1,000 guests, depending on the setup

• Tech: Built-in audio, lighting and video

• Access: Private motorcoach drop-off for event buses

• Food: The same culinary and event teams that work Universal’s other venues

Universal promised more details “later this year.” As of Sunday, we hadn’t found any.

One number doesn’t match. Permits put this building’s occupancy at 1,200 to 1,400, the Orlando Business Journal first reported. Universal hasn’t explained the gap.

How much does the Epic Universe event building cost?

About $20.6 million, according to permit records first reported by the Orlando Business Journal and cited by Orlando ParkStop and BlogMickey.

When will the Celestial Park event building open?

Universal’s only date is 2027, for Celestial Expo. Back in August, WDWNT said the office section looked further along and might open first as space for Universal team members. Here’s how construction has gone:

• February 2026: Permits surface for a two-level event space

• Spring 2026: Foundation concrete poured

• June 2026: Steel goes vertical, and Universal announces Celestial Expo

• July 2026: A second story goes up

• August 2026: Metal decking covers most of the office section

• November 2026: The hexagon foyer frame appears

Where is the event building at Epic Universe?

Between Other Worlds Mercantile and Super Nintendo World, across from Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, next to a backstage bus loop. Orlando ParkStop says it will connect to the courtyard across from Atlantic, Celestial Park’s sit-down restaurant.

What else is being built at Epic Universe?

A ride. We reported Nov. 5 that Universal confirmed a new indoor roller coaster for Dark Universe, going up behind Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. It has a Universal Monsters story and no opening date beyond “in the years ahead.” It’s the first new attraction announced since Epic Universe opened May 22, 2025.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

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Hat Tips:

• WDW News Today (Nov. 8, 2026), the new construction details, location and permit summary

• bioreconstruct on X and YouTube (Nov. 6, 2026), the aerial photos, the foyer detail and the aerial video

• Universal Orlando Resort via Orange County Convention Center (June 26, 2026), the Celestial Expo announcement, size, capacity, features and 2027 opening

• Orlando ParkStop (Feb. 17, 2026), the floor plan, “Sound Stage” label, solar panels and Atlantic courtyard link

• BlogMickey (June 21, 2026), the permit wording and $20.6 million value

• WDW News Today (Feb. 13, July 22 and Aug. 2, 2026), the 1,200 to 1,400 capacity, second story and team member facility reports

• Orlando Business Journal (Feb. 2026), the original permit value and capacity report

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