Universal Orlando Resort
July 23 - 25, 2027
July 23 - 25, 2027
2026 We’re beyond excited to announce the GCX 2026 Cosplay Contest! Get ready to strut your stuff and show off your creativity at Universal Orlando Resort!
In your costume this year include a little something to add a summer vacation vibe to it! Could be anything big or small.
To participate, you’ll need at least a Saturday Pass for GCX 2026. Want the full weekend experience? Even better! Grab your tickets here. Remember, a Saturday Pass or above gets you into the contest.
Whether you’re entering the contest or just cosplaying at the event, make sure to add the FREE Cosplay Pass when purchasing your ticket. This ensures we can provide everything you need to cosplay safely and comfortably on Universal Orlando Resort property.
Our cosplay rules and tips remain the same as last year. Check out the Cosplay Guidelines to prepare for an epic experience.
When he’s not “ghouled up”, you know Max Rads as voice actor, cosplayer and D&D Games Master Mark Meer! Known best as the voice of the male Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect Series.
A creative powerhouse who combines her love for games, fashion, and fitness to inspire her vibrant Twitch community, Smashley‘s range of talents encompass competitive gaming, game development, voice acting, and of course — cosplay!
A self described cosplaying nerd and jack of all trades, Danica Rockwood has been bringing the characters you know and love to life through cosplay photography. Via her platform she’s transformed cosplay into a platform for charitable giving.
A self described “greek gal on a fitness journey”, BloodyFaster is a Twitch partner, St. Jude Ambassador and voice over artist with a passion for professional cosplay. She is highly regarded for her extensive philanthropic efforts for St. Jude.
Guests must be fully clothed at all times, including shirts and proper footwear.
Costumes that may be too revealing (meaning the upper body, groin area, and posterior) must be adequately covered.
Clothing that Universal determines is indecent, exposes excessive portions of the skin, or is inappropriate for a family environment (including, without limitation, gory or gruesome clothing or accessories) is prohibited.
Guests may not wear clothing or accessories (including uniforms, costumes, or props) that may create the false impression they work for Universal Orlando Resort or represent emergency personnel, including law enforcement, security, firefighters, emergency responders, or the military.
Service animals may not wear or be part of a costume.
No special or atmospheric effects are permitted, including (but not limited to) balloons, smoke, fog, powered effects, lasers, and sound effects.
No veils, long trains, stilts, or oversized costumes that could pose a safety hazard to guests or Team Members are permitted.
Costumes may not interfere with security screening. Costumes cannot exceed 28 inches wide by 80 inches high when passing through security and are subject to secondary X-ray screening if requested.
Makeup or body paint that is part of a costume must not transfer onto attractions or other guests.
Prosthetic makeup that conceals portions of the face (including the eyes, nose, or mouth) is not permitted outside the designated GCX cosplay area.
Use of makeup, body paint, and/or bodysocks with the intent to alter your skin or features to resemble a real human race different from your own is prohibited.
Cosplayers may not depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, specific sexual activities as defined in Florida Statute §847.001, lewd conduct, or the exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitalia or breasts.
NOTE: If you are bringing prop weapons, large armor pieces you MUST bring your enclosed prop to the Fun In The Sun Ballroom at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
The Prop Check station will be open during badge pickup:
If you’re staying at a Universal hotel, we recommend checking your prop in after you’ve checked into your room.
All props must be checked in by 5:00PM on Thursday.
Please review full guidelines on our concierge service that will handle transfers to GCX.
Guests may walk directly through Universal CityWalk while entering or leaving the event in costume, but may not loiter or congregate in open public areas.
Guests may dress as their favorite characters but may not pose for photographs with other guests, sign autographs, or otherwise present themselves as official performers.
Except as required by Universal or for religious or medical reasons, guests may not wear anything that fully or partially obscures the face, including masks, helmets, facial coverings, or prosthetic facial applications.
Face paint is permitted only when it covers no more than one-half of the face (applied vertically).
Costumes requiring full-face makeup, masks, helmets, or prosthetic facial applications may only be worn within the designated GCX event space. Guests must remove or modify these elements before exiting the event area.
Bartenders, security personnel, and Universal Team Members may request the removal of facial coverings or makeup at any time for identification purposes.
Loose costume accessories should be secured in a locker or left with a non-rider before boarding attractions.
Long hair, capes, flowing clothing, and accessories must be secured so they cannot extend outside ride vehicles.
All ride restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder restraints, and seat belts, must fit and fasten properly.
Some attractions may prohibit certain costumes or accessories. Costumes (including capes) must fit entirely within the ride vehicle and not interfere with ride restraints.
Lockers are available throughout Universal Orlando Resort for loose articles.
Universal reserves the right to prohibit costumes that could reasonably be mistaken for official Universal entertainment, Team Members, or operational personnel. Impersonating Universal characters or performers, soliciting photographs, signing autographs, frightening guests, or disrupting normal operations is prohibited and may result in removal from Universal property.
Universal Rider Safety
Final Authority
Start planning, sewing, and crafting now—July will be here before you know it!
Don’t forget to join our Discord and keep in touch with everything happening with the event PLUS our exclusive Cosplay channel where you can chat with others within the Cosplay Community!