Butterbeer Season 2026 Is Here at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood

Butterbeer Season is officially back, and the Wizarding World just got a whole lot sweeter. Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood have kicked off Butterbeer Season 2026, running March 1 through May 31. If Butterbeer is already on your must-do list every time you visit — and let’s be honest, it should be — this year’s seasonal lineup gives you even more reason to plan a trip.

The 2026 edition brings new limited-time treats, returning fan favorites, and some exclusive items you can only find at specific parks. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Butterbeer Season 2026: What’s New This Year

• Butterbeer Season runs March 1 – May 31, 2026 at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood
• Classic Butterbeer drinks (cold, frozen, and hot) are all still available
• New 2026 items include the Butterbeer Waffle, Butterbeer Cupcake, and Butterbeer Shortbread Cookie Bar
• Universal Orlando exclusives: Butterbeer Candy Apple and Butterbeer Shortbread Bar at Honeydukes and Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop
• Epic Universe is joining the fun with a Biéraubeurre Crème Brûlée in the Ministry of Magic area
• New Butterbeer merchandise available including a Spirit Jersey, t-shirt, and bucket hat

The New Butterbeer Treats for 2026, Ranked

The classic drinks aren’t going anywhere — you can still get Butterbeer cold, frozen, or hot, and each one remains one of the best things you can eat or drink in any theme park anywhere. But the real story this year is the new food lineup. Here’s what’s new:

Butterbeer Waffle (Best of the New Items)

This is the standout addition of Butterbeer Season 2026. The Butterbeer Waffle is a thick, fluffy waffle topped with Butterbeer syrup, whipped topping, strawberries, and a Butterbeer keg-themed butter. Available at The Three Broomsticks (both Orlando and Hollywood locations) and The Leaky Cauldron, it’s a surprisingly well-balanced dish.

The key is that the Butterbeer syrup comes on the side, so you can control exactly how much butterscotch flavor you’re adding. That makes a huge difference — you get the iconic flavor without drowning in sweetness. The waffle itself is soft, spongy, and well-made with a solid vanilla base.

Pricing is $19.99 at Universal Orlando (which includes a drink, making the value solid) and $12.99 at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a good size for sharing, too. Pro tip: pair it with bacon if you want a savory contrast that actually works.

Butterbeer Cupcake

The Butterbeer Cupcake is moist, fluffy, and thoroughly sweet. Butterbeer flavor is baked into the cake itself, and the frosting is designed to mimic the drink’s foam top. It’s a fun concept and delivers on the indulgence factor. That said, it’s very sweet — this one is best shared between two people rather than tackled solo.

Butterbeer Shortbread Cookie Bar (Cookie Sandwich)

This one is a showstopper visually. The cookie sandwich is enormous — roughly the size of a McDonald’s burger — filled with Butterbeer-flavored cream and topped with a Butterbeer drizzle. The shortbread is dense and buttery, which is exactly what you want from shortbread. A few bites are outstanding. Finishing the whole thing yourself is a different challenge entirely.

If there’s a theme with the Butterbeer desserts, it’s this: they commit fully to sweetness. Butterbeer already leans heavily on butterscotch and sugar, and when that flavor gets baked into cookies, cakes, and candy treats, the sweetness level climbs fast. Come prepared, or come with friends to share.

Universal Orlando Exclusive Butterbeer Treats

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando specifically, there are a couple of items you won’t find anywhere else:

• Butterbeer Candy Apple — available at Honeydukes in Hogsmeade and Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley
• Butterbeer Shortbread Bar — also at Honeydukes and Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop

Both are exclusive to Universal Orlando, so if you’re splitting time between parks or only doing one visit, factor this into where you’re eating.

Epic Universe Gets In on Butterbeer Season Too

Here’s something new for 2026: Epic Universe is joining the Butterbeer Season fun. Guests visiting the Ministry of Magic area can find a Biéraubeurre (Butterbeer) Crème Brûlée at Café L’air de la Sirène. The French name is the Wizarding World’s version of Butterbeer, fitting the Parisian setting of the Ministry of Magic area.

This is a noticeably more refined take on the flavor compared to the sweeter desserts you’ll find in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. If you’re planning to combine Epic Universe with a Butterbeer Season visit, the crème brûlée is worth building into your day.

Butterbeer Cream Puff Returns to Universal Studios Hollywood

The fan-favorite Butterbeer Cream Puff is making its return to Universal Studios Hollywood for Butterbeer Season 2026. Hollywood fans have loved this item in past years, so it’s a welcome return. Note that it wasn’t available during early-season visits, so check with a team member when you arrive to confirm availability.

New Butterbeer Merchandise for 2026

You can also take the Butterbeer Season home with you. This year’s merchandise collection includes:

• Butterbeer Spirit Jersey
• Butterbeer t-shirt
• Butterbeer bucket hat

The full collection is available at Wizarding World retail locations at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, and you can also shop the lineup online at shopuniversal.com if you want to grab something before or after your trip.

Is Butterbeer Season 2026 Worth Planning Your Trip Around?

Here’s the thing — if you’re a Wizarding World fan and you’re planning a Universal trip anytime between now and May 31, you should absolutely time it to include Butterbeer Season. The core Butterbeer experience is already worth the stop. The seasonal items just add more reason to eat your way through Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

The Butterbeer Waffle in particular is genuinely good food, not just a gimmick. And the Epic Universe crème brûlée gives you a new reason to explore the newest park in the resort.

Butterbeer Season 2026 runs through May 31 at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. Stay close to DisMornings for more coverage as the season rolls on — we’ll keep you updated on everything in the Wizarding World and beyond.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!