Universal

Loose Lips Sink Ships: Universal Gives Employees Final Warning About Epic Universe

What Did the Warning Say?

A buzz has been building among Universal Orlando Resort enthusiasts, and it’s not the typical excitement surrounding the new Epic Universe theme park.

Imagine this: you’ve managed to get a coveted spot at one of the exclusive previews for Universal’s highly anticipated new park, only to find that your fellow guests are snapping photos, posting spoilers, and sharing leaks that could ruin the magic of the experience.

And it’s happening more than you might think. So, what’s Universal doing about it? The answer: sending out an email to team members, laying down some strict guidelines for the previews—and it has some serious implications for the future of park experiences. But why the sudden crackdown?

A group of animated characters stand together against a backdrop of mountains and a blue sky with flying dragons. The characters include a young man in armor, a small boy with a horned helmet, a black dragon, and a young woman with a braid at Universal Epic Universe.
Credit: Inside The Magic

A Growing Concern for Spoilers and Leaks at Universal Epic Universe

In a post that recently went viral across multiple social media platforms, word spread quickly that Universal Orlando Resort had reached out to their team members who were attending the early previews of Epic Universe, warning them about the kinds of guests they could bring along. The email allegedly emphasizes that team members should only bring “close family” to these exclusive preview events, with a special focus on avoiding influencers who may be looking to bypass the rules and share the secrets of the park ahead of its official opening in May.

BREAKING: Universal sends out email to team members attending previews, that the types of people they can bring are restricted to people close to them. The clear implication being, they don’t like how many influencers are getting in to previews. – @wallin_ballin on X

https://twitter.com/wallin_ballin/status/1903463567560417402

The message was clear: Universal doesn’t want influencers, or anyone else, posting leaks or spoilers before the park has a chance to officially open its gates to the public. But what does this mean for the future of sneak peeks at new attractions?

For weeks now, Universal Orlando Resort has been under the microscope as they prepare for the grand opening of Epic Universe. From the moment details started surfacing about the massive new park, fans have been hungry for any tidbit of information, whether it’s about new rides, themed lands, or insider glimpses.

Beneath a clear blue sky, the large rotating globe with "Universal" partially visible stands majestically amidst palm trees. This iconic structure is the gateway to the thrilling Universal Epic Universe theme park, inviting adventurers from all walks of life.
Credit: Universal

The Underlying Impact: Protecting the Guest Experience

Social media influencers, travel bloggers, and even fans who manage to secure tickets for the previews have been sharing photos, videos, and reviews at an alarming rate. While some of this content is welcomed, there’s a growing concern that it’s ruining the surprise for those who want to experience the park firsthand when it opens.

So…vloggers and influencers are going to the Epic Universe “family” previews and are ruining it for everyone else by revealing info about the park that shouldn’t be known to the public yet? – @Spaceysoka on X

https://twitter.com/Spaceysoka/status/1903257085833306187

Influencers are known for creating engaging content that draws attention, but in doing so, many have been accused of crossing the line by posting spoiler-filled previews, behind-the-scenes shots, and unauthorized leaks. For Universal, this presents a challenge: how can they build excitement for the new park without allowing the narrative to be shaped by outside content creators? By implementing tighter controls on who can attend previews and who they bring along, Universal is taking a proactive step toward protecting the magic—and the surprises—that fans have been eagerly anticipating for months.

All the super fans, influencers and bloggers ignoring the TM’s NDA to post videos on their thoughts and reviews of Epic. – @SheppytheVolus on X

https://twitter.com/SheppytheVolus/status/1903257327534223557

It’s clear that Universal is aiming to strike a balance between sharing excitement and maintaining the integrity of the guest experience. For theme park fans, there’s something inherently special about discovering the newest attractions, lands, and rides without having already seen everything on Instagram or YouTube. By restricting the access of influencers and focusing on close family members, Universal is attempting to safeguard the authenticity of the experience for those who are attending the previews for the first time.

An animated scene of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong riding a thrilling roller coaster through a jungle theme park with ancient ruins. Characters are seen enjoying the ride, with vibrant colors, palm trees, and dynamic motion filling the background, reminiscent of Disney and Universal's magical settings.
Credit: Universal

Why It Matters: A New Era for Universal Theme Park Previews?

But this move is not just about preventing spoilers. It’s also about controlling the narrative and managing expectations. If influencers—who are often given early access—share overly positive or negative reviews before the public even steps foot in the park, it can set the tone for how the attraction is perceived. In some cases, it can even lead to misconceptions or skewed expectations, especially when early footage is taken out of context.

Universal’s decision to limit access for influencers could mark the beginning of a new era for how theme parks handle previews and early access events. It’s not just about protecting surprises—although that’s a big part of it. It’s also about shaping the guest experience in a way that feels fresh, untainted, and true to the vision that the park creators had in mind. After all, these parks are designed to tell a story, and spoilers can disrupt that narrative.

While this move might disappoint some influencers who thrive on early access, it could be a win for park-goers who value the thrill of discovering something new on their own terms. With Epic Universe set to open in May 2025, the park is poised to be one of Universal’s biggest attractions yet. And for many fans, the thrill of discovering it for themselves—without having every detail spoiled—is a part of what makes the experience so exciting.

What do you think about restricting influencers during team member previews? Let us know in the comments below!

Emmanuel Detres

Since first stepping inside the Magic Kingdom at nine years old, I knew I was destined to be a theme Park enthusiast. Although I consider myself a theme Park junkie, I still have much to learn and discover about Disney. Universal Orlando Resort has my heart; being an Annual Passholder means visiting my favorite places on Earth when possible! When I’m not writing about Disney, Universal, or entertainment news, you’ll find me cruising on my motorcycle, hiking throughout my local metro parks, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family, or friends.

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