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Universal Orlando Resort is making another quiet change at CityWalk — the sprawling entertainment complex that serves as the gateway to its theme parks.
Opened in 1999 as part of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into the larger Universal Orlando Resort, CityWalk acts as the main entrance corridor for guests heading to the parks. Visitors pass through the district from the parking garages before reaching Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.
Credit: Universal
Over the years, the area has evolved alongside the parks themselves. What began as a nightlife-heavy dining and entertainment hub has gradually shifted toward a broader mix of restaurants, shops, and family-friendly experiences tied closely to Universal’s growing theme park footprint.
Today, CityWalk is packed with recognizable dining locations and entertainment venues. Guests can dine at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe — designed with a Roman Coliseum theme.
Many of these offerings replaced earlier CityWalk staples. Venues such as NASCAR Café and NBA City once dominated the district before closing and making way for newer additions like Bigfire and the steampunk-inspired Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the Magic
Universal has continued refreshing the district with future additions already in development. Country singer Luke Combs is partnering with Opry Entertainment Group to open Category 10 — a 33,000-square-foot, three-story restaurant, bar, and live music venue inspired by his hit song “Hurricane,” currently scheduled to debut in late 2027.
Another recent addition to CityWalk reflected a much larger shift taking place across Universal Orlando Resort — one tied to the company’s most ambitious expansion yet.
A Temporary Window Into Epic Universe
In the lead-up to the opening of Universal Epic Universe, Universal introduced a special exhibit at CityWalk designed to preview the massive new park before guests could experience it firsthand.
The Epic Universe Preview Center functioned as a small exhibition space where visitors could explore what Universal was building across town. Located near the entrances to the resort’s theme parks, the attraction allowed guests to step inside a detailed presentation of Epic Universe months before its debut.
Inside the space, guests could view a large-scale model of the upcoming park, accompanied by concept art and displays explaining the new themed lands. Interactive elements revealed information about rides, restaurants, and entertainment planned for the expansion.
Credit: Andrew Boardwine, Inside the Magic
An accompanying mobile app even used augmented reality technology to animate parts of the display, bringing the park’s design to life through digital overlays layered onto the physical model.
The preview center also operated as a retail location. Guests could purchase early merchandise themed to Epic Universe and its lands — products that arrived well before the park itself opened to the public.
The exhibit effectively acted as a marketing hub for what Universal described as its most ambitious theme park expansion in decades.
Universal Confirms CityWalk Closure
Now, however, the space is preparing to shut its doors on April 13.
In its place, Universal plans to bring back the Universal Legacy Store. This will open later in April, complete with “retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters.”
The Epic Universe Preview Center at Universal CityWalk will close April 13 to make way for the return of the Universal Legacy Store. The store will open later this month with retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters.
The Epic Universe Preview Center at Universal CityWalk will close April 13 to make way for the return of the Universal Legacy Store. The store will open later this month with retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters. pic.twitter.com/eKJ5vihUgz
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 10, 2026
The Epic Universe Preview Center at Universal CityWalk will close on April 13 to make way for the return of the Universal Legacy Store. The store will open later this month with retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters.
The closure marks the end of what was always intended to be a temporary attraction. The preview center existed primarily to introduce guests to Universal Epic Universe before the park officially opened in 2025.
Now that Epic Universe is operating as Universal Orlando Resort’s third theme park, the preview experience has largely outlived its purpose. Visitors no longer need scale models or concept art to understand the park — they can simply visit the real thing.
Credit: Universal
Epic Universe features five themed areas centered around a hub called Celestial Park. From there, guests can explore lands including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and Dark Universe.
Each area adds new rides, restaurants, entertainment, and immersive environments designed to expand Universal Orlando Resort beyond its original two parks.
For CityWalk, the change represents another small but symbolic shift. As Universal Orlando continues growing, even temporary pieces of its expansion story are beginning to disappear.
Did you ever visit the Epic Universe Preview Center?
