Percy Jackson Takes Over the Empire State Building: ‘Olympus Awaits’ Opens November 16

The short answer: Disney+ is turning the Empire State Building into Mount Olympus for the Season 3 premiere of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”: a Throne Room on the “600th Floor,” a free photo moment in the lobby, a skyline lighting on premiere night and blue treats across the country.

In this article

1. From the lobby to Olympus: the visitor’s journey
2. Blue food, from coast to coast
3. The season behind the takeover

For a few weeks this fall, the way up to Mount Olympus runs through Midtown Manhattan. Disney+ is celebrating the Season 3 premiere of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” arriving Friday, Nov. 20 on Disney+ and Hulu, with “Olympus Awaits,” an immersive takeover of the Empire State Building Observation Deck that turns the landmark into the mythical home of the Greek gods.

The building matches the scale of the story: 1,454 feet from base to antenna, with an Observation Deck Experience that welcomes millions of visitors each year and was reimagined with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries and a redesigned 102nd Floor with floor-to-ceiling windows. In what is billed as a first-of-its-kind activation, the 80th Floor will host an immersive entertainment takeover of this scale for the first time.

From the lobby to Olympus: the visitor’s journey

The adventure starts on the ground floor, and it starts free. In the ticketing office, a “Hand of Talos” installation offers a photo opportunity open to the public at no cost—no Observation Deck ticket required—for anyone who wants a mythic snapshot without making the climb.

From there, ticketed guests ascend beyond the clouds to the “600th Floor,” the mythical address where Olympus awaits. The 80th Floor becomes an epic Throne Room with towering thrones inspired by the Greek gods, and the route is filled with hidden references to the series, interactive elements and immersive photo moments. Throughout the week, lucky demigods may also run into surprise-and-delight moments: select visitors will receive keepsakes inspired by the world of Percy Jackson, including a key to Olympus and other godly treasures.

Higher still, on the 86th Floor Observation Deck—the only 360-degree, open-air observatory, with views of New York and beyond—fans will find exclusive “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” | Empire State Building merchandise on sale for a limited time, plus an Eataly pop-up serving a Percy-inspired blue treat.

The celebration also spills onto the skyline. On Friday, Nov. 20—premiere night—the building is scheduled to light up with “The Glow from Olympus,” an exterior lighting display that turns the landmark into a radiant beacon inspired by the home of the gods. The date is subject to change, so it’s worth checking before planning an evening around it.

Practical details: “Olympus Awaits” runs from Monday, Nov. 16, through Friday, Dec. 4, and is included with admission to the Empire State Building Observation Deck. Note the exceptions—the immersive experience will be closed on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, so plan your visit accordingly.

Blue food, from coast to coast

Not in New York? The gods are spreading the favors more widely. “Offerings from Olympus” is a nationwide partnership campaign with more than ten brand partners bringing Percy-inspired perks—including his favorite blue foods—to fans during premiere week. Most offers run Nov. 16–20, with a few exceptions noted below.

In New York City, the blue-treat list runs from bagels to cheesecake:

• Utopia Bagels (four locations): a blue-and-white bagel
• Zabar’s (one location): the iconic Black & White Cookie reimagined in shades of blue and light blue
• Eileen’s Special Cheesecake (one location): a box of four mini cheesecakes, blueberry and classic, topped with blue sprinkles—plus a buy-three-get-one-free offer on minis
• Sunday Morning NYC (two locations): the signature cream cheese-frosted cinnamon roll with a vibrant blue twist
• The Dotcakes: a teal-and-blue funfetti cake with vanilla frosting and the shop’s signature dot sprinkles

Elsewhere in the country, the offerings spread across several cities:

• Boston: Lakon Paris (four locations) serves a blue croissant filled with vanilla white chocolate cheesecake cream and blue lemon jelly, topped with cotton candy, plus a Tiramisu Latte finished with blue mascarpone cream; J.P. Licks (sixteen locations) scoops a blue cake batter ice cream with marshmallow swirl through Nov. 22
• Los Angeles: Apollonia’s Pizzeria (two locations) takes $3 off a slice and an ice-cold blue lemonade from Nov. 18 to 22; Happy Ice (two locations) offers blue raspberry water ice
• Los Angeles and San Francisco: Mel’s Drive-In stacks golden blueberry pancakes loaded with fresh blueberries
• Dallas, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Washington, D.C.: The Salty Donut pours a limited-edition blue latte alongside a Blue Vanilla Cookie Chunk Donut
• Washington, D.C. (and online): Georgetown Cupcake bakes a Blue Velvet cupcake in-store, with a themed dozen available online with nationwide shipping
• Online only: Tiff’s Treats takes $5 off your next cookie order with code DEMIGOD, valid once per person on orders of $10 or more

The season behind the takeover

Season 3 adapts “The Titan’s Curse,” the third book in Rick Riordan’s bestselling Disney Hyperion series—a continuation rather than a fresh start. When Annabeth Chase is captured by the forces of Kronos, Percy sets out on a perilous journey to rescue her, one that will require freeing a goddess in chains, confronting the Titan’s curse and avoiding the fall of Olympus itself, with Grover at his side and some unlikely questmates answering a prophecy with dire consequences.

The season stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava’ Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Tamara Smart and Levi Chrisopulos. The series was created by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg, with executive producers including Steinberg, Dan Shotz, Craig Silverstein, Riordan and Rebecca Riordan; Jet Wilkinson executive produces the season’s final two episodes. If you need to catch up before the premiere, the first two seasons are streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu.

So the plan writes itself: grab a free photo with the Hand of Talos, head up to the Throne Room, watch the tower glow on premiere night—and go home with a blue treat while the new season begins.