We spend a lot of time at Universal CityWalk and we want to be upfront about that. Yes we cover Disney food primarily, but we are theme park people at heart and CityWalk has some of the better dining options in Orlando if you know where to go.
Which is why we have been watching the changes happening there right now with genuine interest. Because something closes today, something is returning this month, something else is coming this summer, and a country music star is building a three-story waterfront venue for 2027. A lot is happening at once and some of it is time-sensitive. Let us get into it.
The Epic Universe Preview Center Closes Today
Today, April 13, 2026, is the last day to visit the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center at CityWalk. After today it is gone. Done. The space, which has housed a massive model of Epic Universe and previewed the park’s lands and attractions during the lead-up to its opening, is closing to make way for what is coming next.
Today is the last day to visit the Epic Universe Preview Center. The store is set to close to make way for the returning Universal Legacy Store. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/Wvb8LeJO8y
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) April 12, 2026
For context: Epic Universe has now been open for nearly a full year. The Preview Center existed to generate excitement for something that had not yet arrived. Now that the park is real and running and guests can just go there, the preview space has done its job. Today is the final day. If you were planning to visit and have not yet, you have until closing time.
The Universal Legacy Store Is Coming Back This Month
Here is why this matters and why fans are excited about it. The Legacy Store is a retro-focused retail experience built around the classic properties and history of Universal Studios Florida and Universal Pictures. Exclusive merchandise and immersive photo opportunities themed to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Back to the Future, and the Classic Universal Monsters. This is not the standard theme park gift shop. It is for guests who love the old stuff, the catalog properties, the Universal history that predates the current blockbuster IP era. The Legacy Store has a devoted following and it has been missed since the Preview Center took over the space. Its return is genuinely welcome news.
Five Guys Is Replacing the Whopper Bar
The Burger King Whopper Bar at CityWalk closes on April 21. Five Guys takes over the location later this summer.
We will be honest: we have no complaints about this. Five Guys is a reliable, made-to-order burger experience with extensive topping customization and very good fries. For guests who want a quick, filling meal at CityWalk without committing to a full sit-down restaurant, this is a solid addition to the lineup. We will report back with a full review when it opens because that is what we do.
Luke Combs Is Building a Three-Story Venue at CityWalk in 2027
This is the one that has us most interested from a food and entertainment standpoint. Country music artist Luke Combs is bringing Category 10, his live music and dining brand, to a new waterfront location at Universal CityWalk. Target opening is 2027. The venue will be approximately 33,000 square feet across three stories and will include live music, food and spirits, and experiential spaces inspired by Combs’ music and passions. Groundbreaking is targeted for summer 2026.
The name is a reference to Combs’ 8x platinum debut number one hit Hurricane. Combs commented on the project: “I have a line in my song ‘1, 2 Many,’ ‘there’s no stopping me once I get goin’. Well, I guess you can say the same about Cat 10 now. I know Orlando is a worldwide destination spot, so I’m super pumped and humbled that we’re getting to open a location there. My wife is from Florida, so we’re both super excited about this. I am glad to be bringing our brand of first-class service and awesome tunes to the Sunshine State.”
The Orlando location is the third Category 10. The Nashville flagship opened in 2024. A Las Vegas location debuts in fall 2026. Opry Entertainment Group operates the brand and also runs Blake Shelton’s Ole Red in Orlando. This is clearly a company that knows the Orlando market.
The Epic Universe Situation in Brief
Since the Preview Center closing is connected to Epic Universe, here is a quick snapshot of where that park stands. Nearly a full year in, Epic Universe has delivered on its ambitions as a theme park but has also navigated the expected first-year growing pains. Capacity management in certain areas and ride reliability on some headline attractions have been the most consistent topics of discussion. Universal has said publicly that the focus right now is on operational refinement rather than expansion announcements.
Expansion rumors have been loud. Visible land clearing near the park generated genuine speculation. Universal’s official response characterized it as routine land maintenance. Whether that means nothing is coming or simply that nothing is being announced yet is the question everyone is sitting with. History says theme parks do not move dirt without a purpose. But the official line is what it is for now.
What This Means for Your Universal Visit
If you are at CityWalk today and wanted to see the Preview Center, go now because it closes today. If you are visiting later in April, watch for the Legacy Store opening because it will be worth a stop. The Five Guys situation is a summer thing so that is not relevant to near-term visits yet.
For Epic Universe itself, the park is fully operational. The immersive lands and headline attractions are delivering and the park is worth visiting. Build flexibility into your day for any potential ride downtime and use the Universal app to monitor wait times and attraction status as your day goes on.
We will have a full CityWalk dining and shopping update once the Legacy Store opens and Five Guys gets its doors open. Our Universal Orlando guide is on the site in the meantime. Check it before your visit for current CityWalk hours and Epic Universe tips, and then come find us when you are ready to talk about what to order at Five Guys.
Are you excited about the Legacy Store returning? And more importantly, what is your Five Guys order? Drop it in the comments.
