Universal is officially closing one CityWalk location in Orlando next week.
Opened in 1999 as part of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into the larger Universal Orlando Resort, CityWalk acts as the main gateway to the parks. Guests walk through the complex from the parking garages before entering Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.
The district is packed with recognizable restaurants and entertainment venues. Guests can dine at spots like 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.
Like the parks themselves, CityWalk has gradually evolved. Early venues such as NASCAR Café and NBA City disappeared over the years, replaced by newer restaurants like Bigfire and the steampunk-themed Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
Universal has also lined up new additions for the district. Country singer Luke Combs is partnering with Opry Entertainment Group to bring a new Category 10 venue to Universal CityWalk Orlando. Planned as a 33,000-square-foot, three-story restaurant, bar, and live music space inspired by Combs’ song Hurricane, the project will open in a purpose-built structure and is currently scheduled to debut in late 2027.
Another more recent addition includes the Epic Universe Preview Center, reflecting Universal’s broader push to keep the area fresh as the resort expands.
Recent Universal CityWalk Addition Closing Forever
Universal has now confirmed the latter’s permanent closure.
As per Ashley Carter, the Epic Universe Preview Center will close 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 was a temporary attraction at Universal CityWalk Orlando that gave guests an early look at Universal Epic Universe before the park opened in 2025. Located in CityWalk near the entrances to the resort’s theme parks, the space functioned as a small exhibition showcasing what Universal was building.
Inside, guests could explore a detailed scale model of the upcoming park, along with concept art, displays explaining the themed lands, and interactive features that revealed information about rides, restaurants, and entertainment planned for Epic Universe. An accompanying app even used augmented reality to bring parts of the model to life.
The preview center also doubled as a merchandise location, selling early products themed to Epic Universe and its lands. The exhibit allowed visitors to familiarize themselves with the park’s layout and attractions before the official debut, essentially serving as a marketing and preview experience for Universal’s largest theme park expansion in decades.
Now that Epic Universe is open to the public, the preview center has effectively served its purpose. What was once a way for guests to glimpse the park through models and concept art is no longer necessary now that visitors can experience the attractions, lands, and entertainment firsthand just a short distance from Universal Orlando Resort.
The park itself features five themed areas, including a central hub known as Celestial Park. Guests can explore immersive lands including Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic (which is already set to undergo some changes), and Dark Universe, each packed with new rides, restaurants, shops, and live entertainment designed to expand Universal Orlando Resort’s lineup beyond its original two parks.
Did you ever visit the Epic Universe Preview Center?
