Epic Universe is finally open, and Universal Orlando’s boldest expansion yet is already drawing massive crowds. With immersive themed lands like the Ministry of Magic, Celestial Park, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, it’s clear Universal set out to compete head-to-head with Disney in a major way—and many would say they’re succeeding.
The theming? Jaw-dropping. The rides? Instant hits. But not everything is going smoothly inside this new mega-park. In fact, a surprising food policy is catching guests off guard—and it’s not going over well.
You Can Buy the Pizza, But You Can’t Take It With You
According to UPNT, Pizza Moon—the quick-service pizza spot located in Celestial Park—has implemented a dine-in-only rule that has guests scratching their heads. If you order a pizza there, you’re expected to finish it at the table. If you try to leave with leftovers? You’ll be told no. No takeout boxes. No doggie bags. Nothing.
Guests who’ve attempted to bring their slices over to nearby Meteor Astropub or pack up extra food for the road were flat-out denied. Even more surprising, Pizza Moon staff are reportedly standing firm on the rule, with no exceptions—though some guests have been offered refunds.
As you might expect, this has caused quite a stir, especially among families who paid $15–$20 for a pizza and assumed they could save what they didn’t finish. With no mobile ordering and a suddenly limited menu that’s missing several favorites, the whole experience has left many wondering: why?
Fans Are Frustrated, and They’re Not Quiet About It
The blowback hasn’t been subtle. On social media and in theme park forums, guests are venting about food waste, inconvenience, and confusion. For a park that’s meant to be a dream destination, many feel this kind of policy just doesn’t make sense—especially when other Universal eateries allow takeout and mobile order options.
There’s been no clear statement from Universal about why Pizza Moon is enforcing such a strict dine-in policy. Could it be an experiment? A cleanliness concern? Or is it about crowd control? For now, guests are left guessing.
Other Epic Universe Challenges Aren’t Helping
And this isn’t the only hiccup at Epic Universe. One of the park’s most anticipated attractions—Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry—has had a rough start. The Virtual Queue system that was supposed to help manage demand has already been scrapped, and the ride consistently posts some of the longest wait times in the park. Add in the frequent breakdowns and you’ve got a perfect storm of guest frustration.
Still, despite the bumps, Epic Universe is a breathtaking park with a ton of potential. Hopefully, Universal can quickly fine-tune these early-day headaches—because if they don’t, even something as small as a slice of pizza might become a much bigger problem.
We ate at Pizza moon and we wrapped our pizza up in plastic, from a poncho we had and left with it, it was so embarrassing but honestly they should state that before paying. We did a full refund.