“Big Yikes” as Epic Universe Opening Day Merch Snapped Up by Media Before Fans Could Buy
After years of anticipation and countless rumors, Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort finally opened its gates to the public. This brand-new theme park promised an immersive experience unlike any other, featuring incredible worlds like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Fans and first-time visitors alike eagerly lined up early, excited to explore every corner of this expansive new realm.
Related: Chaos Erupts on Epic Universe Opening Day, Forcing Major Ride Shutdown
The buzz wasn’t just about the attractions, though. As with any major theme park opening, guests were also keen to dive into the new culinary offerings and, naturally, snap up exclusive merchandise to commemorate the occasion. Theme park fans often view opening day collectibles as cherished keepsakes, making the new Epic Universe medallion one of the most sought-after items.
But while guests waited in long lines to enter and explore, a growing wave of frustration was bubbling online and throughout the park. It wasn’t because of ride closures or crowds—it was about merchandise.
More specifically, the Opening Day Medallion, a beautifully crafted collectible that quickly became a hot commodity.
Related: Disney’s Public Message About Epic Universe Leaves Fans Stunned
Many guests arriving on opening day were shocked to find that this coveted medallion had already sold out—even before they had the chance to step inside the park.
Ashley Carter, a frequent social media voice on theme park happenings, captured the mood perfectly on X:
So much disappointment from people I’ve talked to who were hoping to get the Epic Universe opening day medallion. Guests didn’t have a chance as the medallion reportedly sold out during the media preview. Yikes, Universal.
Big yikes.
— Jerry Houston (@radiohouston) May 22, 2025
Related: Epic Universe is Showing Disney World How It’s Done
The frustration stems largely from the timing of the sale. Universal had released all of its Opening Day Medallions during media preview events held before the park officially opened to the public. This meant that when the general guests arrived, the medallions were simply no longer available.
Another guest chimed in, saying:
I’m a broken record at this point, but I hate these media/influencer events. The real hardcore fans don’t get to experience this kind of stuff and then they get dibs on all this cool merch as well. No bueno.
I’m a broken record at this point, but I hate these media/influencer events. The real hardcore fans don’t get to experience this kind of stuff and then they get dibs on all this cool merch as well. No bueno.
— Nick Chappell (@NickChaps96) May 22, 2025
Related: Universal’s Epic Universe Launch Leaves Regular Guests in the Dust
This issue is not entirely new for Epic Universe or Universal Orlando. Earlier in April, Disney Dining reported on similar concerns when team members had to remove Captain Cacao plushes from shelves to prevent them from selling out before media previews began. When those previews did start, the rest of the plushes were quickly snapped up, leaving many regular guests empty-handed.
Universal representatives indicated that new plushes wouldn’t be available again until late summer or early fall.
It’s understandable that media previews and influencer events are designed to generate buzz and provide press coverage before a big opening. However, the fallout is clear: fans and regular guests who save and plan for this special day can feel sidelined when they miss out on limited-edition items that they see others flaunting online.
So far, Universal has not made an official statement regarding the Opening Day Medallion sellout situation. Hopefully, this feedback will encourage them to reconsider how exclusive merchandise is handled going forward, ensuring that all guests have a fair shot at these prized collectibles on the day they visit.
As always, we want to hear from you. What do you think about Epic Universe selling out of Opening Day merchandise before the park even opened? Are media and influencer previews becoming too much of a focus, leaving everyday guests behind? Should theme parks like Universal and Disney balance their priorities differently when it comes to exclusive items and experiences? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
