Universal has started testing photo validation at individual Epic Universe portals, indicating they could potentially sell tickets just for Celestial Park in the future.
Photo Validation at Epic Universe Portals 
@Florida_Coasters_1
X user @Bentleys_Enigma reshared photos originally posted by Instagram user @Florida_Coasters_1. However, @Florida_Coasters_1 appears to have deleted their account.
The photos show a trio of stanchions at the entrance portal to Dark Universe in Epic Universe. Several team members are in the area for testing.
Photo validation testing has started at Epic Universe for each portal. We may be one step closer to having an open hub in Celestial Park soon. Just look at those stanchions!
🤩🤩🤩
📸 Photo Credit: Florida_Coasters_1 on IG pic.twitter.com/N8ivA2TqIq
— YoBentley (@Bentleys_Enigma) April 14, 2026
With specific entrances and exits for each world within Epic Universe, it’s easy to restrict access to one particular area. This means Universal could eventually change their ticket system, allowing guests to potentially purchase a cheaper ticket just for the land’s central hub of Celestial Park (or even enter it for free) but requiring another ticket for each individual land.
@Florida_Coasters_1
Such a ticket system could be implemented all the time or just in the evenings, opening up Celestial Park when fewer guests are entering Epic Universe after a certain time at night.
The photo validation stanchions could also be used for private events when a company or organization buys out an individual world.
Or Universal could use photo validation for early park entry, making it easier to confirm who is a hotel guest or annual passholder allowed into the land versus a regular guest only allowed in Celestial Park.
What do you think of individual portal entry potentially coming to Epic Universe? Let us know on social media.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.