For regulars at Universal Orlando Resort, the morning Starbucks stop is as much a ritual as the Hulk launch or rope-drop at Hogsmeade. But if you’ve tried to grab your usual order at CityWalk over the past few months, you’ve likely been met with construction walls and disappointment.
After a nearly three-month closure, the main Starbucks location at Universal CityWalk has officially reopened — and it’s not just a cosmetic update. The real news? Mobile ordering is finally live.
That’s right: the long lines and elbow-to-elbow crowds in the morning rush just became optional.
Theme park news account @ParkTwister broke the update earlier this week, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“Huge win! The recently remodeled Starbucks in CityWalk Orlando now offers mobile ordering.”
Huge win! The recently remodeled Starbucks in CityWalk Orlando now offers mobile ordering. pic.twitter.com/MS80vnQFMr
— ParkTwisted😈 (@ParkTwister) September 28, 2025
It’s the kind of low-key but high-impact upgrade that’s easy to miss in the flood of Halloween Horror Nights speculation and Epic Universe construction chatter — but for anyone who starts their park day with a flat white or caramel macchiato, this is a legit game-changer.
Out with the Brick, In with the Beachy Vibes
Let’s back it up.
The CityWalk Starbucks shut down in mid-June 2025 for a top-to-bottom refurbishment. The location — one of the busiest Starbucks spots in Orlando outside of Disney Springs — was completely wrapped in tarps while work was underway. During that time, guests were redirected to the much smaller Starbucks inside Universal’s Great Movie Escape, which did the job, but only barely.
The remodeled café reopened to the public on September 10, and while the location remains the same, nearly everything else has changed.
Outside, the makeover is subtle. The familiar covered seating area is still in place, though the previous brown patio furniture has been swapped for sleek black tables and gray chairs. The branding over the entrance has been simplified too — where the sign used to say “Starbucks Coffee,” it now just reads “Starbucks” in modern font. A minor detail, but one that reflects the brand’s current minimalist trend.
Inside is where things really got shaken up.
Brighter, Cleaner, and Less Warehouse Chic
The previous interior leaned into the classic Starbucks “industrial-chic” formula: dark wood, black steel hardware, low lighting, and the usual brick-patterned walls. It worked, but it wasn’t exactly fresh.
The new design flips the script.
Gone are the moody tones and faux-rustic finishes. Instead, the space now features pale wood furniture, light green upholstery, and bright, open lighting. The entire vibe feels more coastal than coffeehouse — think SoCal brunch spot meets Orlando vacation energy.
All the tables and chairs have been replaced, with the new look favoring tall-backed, armless wood chairs and soft green benches. The previous red bench cushions? Retired. Every surface now feels brighter and more inviting.
Even the condiment station got a refresh, with cleaner counter design and better flow for those mid-morning self-serve traffic jams.
The Mermaid Mural That Everyone’s Talking About
The biggest design shift is the massive wall mural along the bench seating area. Where there was once a faux brick world map done in chalkboard style, there’s now a colorful underwater scene featuring coral, fish, and a striking green mermaid that gives a nod to Starbucks’ iconic logo.
The piece is credited to Mike Willcox, the same artist behind the recent Art Deco-themed Starbucks drinkware linethat dropped earlier this year. It’s a bold, modern touch — all ocean blues, sandy oranges, seafoam greens, and soft movement. In a resort that leans heavy on immersive theming, it fits right in without trying too hard.
Now Taking Mobile Orders — Finally
But aesthetic updates aside, the most practical change is the one fans have been begging for: you can now order aheadusing the Starbucks mobile app.
Previously, this location didn’t support mobile orders — a head-scratcher, considering the volume of guests passing through each morning. For locals, hotel guests, and day visitors trying to caffeinate before hitting the gates, the wait was often the longest of the day.
As of this reopening, that’s over.
The Starbucks at Universal Orlando CityWalk is now fully integrated with the mobile ordering system. Pull it up in the Starbucks app, select the CityWalk – Universal Orlando location, place your order, and skip the line. You’ll still have to walk to pick it up — teleportation not included — but it’s a huge time-saver if you’re on a schedule.
The interior setup supports the new system well, with a redesigned pickup counter and plenty of space to navigate, even when the café is busy. You can now get your cold brew or breakfast sandwich without wading through a 15-person queue.
Timing: Starbucks Adds While Others Close
The CityWalk upgrade comes during a curious time for the Starbucks brand.
Just last week, the company announced it would be closing around 1% of its North American stores by the end of the fiscal year — amounting to 434 closures in Q4 alone. That sounds dramatic, but when you factor in about 200 new stores that opened over the same period, the net reduction for the year ends up at 227 stores, or roughly 1.2% of its footprint.
Notably, many of the closures seem to be concentrated in California, New York, and Oregon — states with higher minimum wages and a large share of unionized locations. Starbucks hasn’t confirmed which stores were closed or affected by union activity, but Starbucks Workers United has already issued a statement calling for transparency and bargaining rights.
By contrast, the decision to invest in a full refurbishment and mobile integration at Universal Orlando signals that high-volume, tourist-driven sites are still very much a priority for the brand.
The newly reopened Starbucks at CityWalk isn’t just a prettier face — it’s now far more functional, faster, and more in step with what theme park visitors actually need. Whether you’re rolling in early for a full day at the parks or grabbing one last drink before heading out, mobile ordering finally makes this location worth the hype — and far less of a time commitment.
It may not be the flashiest update in the world of theme park dining, but for many, this is a long-overdue upgrade that delivers real convenience where it counts.
So if you’re planning a Universal Orlando visit soon, fire up that app — and maybe swing by just to check out that mermaid mural while you wait.
