CityWalk Orlando Updates & Changes General Thread

[HHN Maddux]

Just to clarify (this always confuses me), is today or tomorrow last day to eat at BK?

 

[Brian G.]

Just to clarify (this always confuses me), is today or tomorrow last day to eat at BK?

Today

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Wonder what the new set up will be.

 

[Disneyhead]

Wonder what the new set up will be.

This would pair well with a Mega Movie Summer celebration like they have in Hollywood.

 

[Jwhee]

New “Legacy” store doesn’t feature a single vintage Universal prop/memorabilia., etc

 

[Parkscope Joe]

New “Legacy” store doesn’t feature a single vintage Universal prop/memorabilia., etc

There’s a touring exhibit with a lot of it.

 

[Amity6]

Only real disappointment is the entire center of the store is mystery mania

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Robert Niles over at Theme Park Insider posed an interesting question: Can y'all think of a really good theme park burger, whether it's in the park or at an adjoining shopping district? Burgers are on my list of foods that I can cook much more cost effectively (and often, much better) at home so I couldn't even tell you the last time I bought a burger at a theme park.

Late to the party but i actually think Meteor Astropub has an awesome burger on their menu. Toothsome and Cowfish are better, but for IN the park Meteor isn't bad. I went in with low expectations and came out pleasantly surprised. My buddy wasn't feeling good after Stardust and wanted something to eat to take meds with real quick and it was like the closest considerable option with basic food that wouldn't upset his stomach. We split the burger and fries and i ordered several drinks while he pounded water. We were both surprised at how juicy and tasty the burger was. We did the BIG BANG which came with a sweet whiskey bacon jam drizzle on it and it was noticeable enough for me to come back 8 months later and post about it in this thread. Of course, i think it ranks lower in the park simply because EPIC has so many other (better) food options already available in the park. Oak & Star and Pizza Moon have people lining up for a reason; To walk into Astropub, sit down, and be given food and drinks in less than 10 minutes was WILD to me. We sat at the bar and got all the attention from the bartender who gave me drinks whenever i was empty. She was great.
Service, food, and drink was all recommendable by my simple passing experience at Meteor Astropub.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

BIG BANG

Finally, Big Bang Burger in my Persona land.

 

[belloq87]

New “Legacy” store doesn’t feature a single vintage Universal prop/memorabilia., etc

Extremely underwhelming after the terrific first "Legacy" store.

Bummer!

ETA: I appreciate seeing a smattering of Hitchcock stuff in there, as well as the effort made to commission new artwork for the merchandise lines. But it's "just" a retail venue now, whereas the original basically doubled as a UOR museum (and a pretty cool one).

 

[Casper Gutman]

Extremely underwhelming after the terrific first "Legacy" store.

Bummer!

ETA: I appreciate seeing a smattering of Hitchcock stuff in there, as well as the effort made to commission new artwork for the merchandise lines. But it's "just" a retail venue now, whereas the original basically doubled as a UOR museum (and a pretty cool one).

One of the tremendous highlights of Uni was the distinctive, often seasonally decorated retail. Sadly, the IOA HHN store has been relocated to a less advantageous venue, the Tribute Store is struggling, and there’s nothing special at all about this “Legacy Store.” A huge strength has just largely disappeared.

And I still miss the changing mold machines. The little things matter a lot.

 

[mccgavin]

the Tribute Store is struggling

I thought the most recent Holiday and Mardi Gras tribute stores were quite strong. The HHN tribute store is facing issues with its location, but that largely seems to be out of their control because of Hollywood Drift construction.

The new All Hallows location in IOA isn't as ideal as the previous one, but they still managed to pull off some cool theming with the space they had.

 

[belloq87]

One of the tremendous highlights of Uni was the distinctive, often seasonally decorated retail. Sadly, the IOA HHN store has been relocated to a less advantageous venue, the Tribute Store is struggling, and there’s nothing special at all about this “Legacy Store.” A huge strength has just largely disappeared.

And I still miss the changing mold machines. The little things matter a lot.

I don't want to overreact, because I do appreciate having a dedicated venue for several IPs that are personally resonant to me (in the absence of actual theme park representation). But we've seen what they could do with the concept when applying maximum effort, and this looks like a decided step back to the more conventional and sterile.

 

[Mad Dog]

Could be supply issues also. That happens with merchandise quite often. I'll give it some time.

 

[OrlLover]

I don't want to overreact, because I do appreciate having a dedicated venue for several IPs that are personally resonant to me (in the absence of actual theme park representation). But we've seen what they could do with the concept when applying maximum effort, and this looks like a decided step back to the more conventional and sterile.

It was extremely fast turnaround time for this store right?

They are probably gonna be adding and tweaking later on.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It was extremely fast turnaround time for this store right?

They are probably gonna be adding and tweaking later on.

Or hopefully it's not long lived and we get a new, permanent addition. I think folks forget a lot of the props from the old store are in the Franklyn Institite exhibit.

 

[belloq87]

It was extremely fast turnaround time for this store right?

I mean, very evidently, yes. I don't remember how much time the original Legacy store took once work really started on it, but this was only a few days.

But we have seen Universal do excellent work on highly-themed merch venues on relatively quick turnarounds before, and this one just seems like it's missing some things. Feels like lots of dead space (not enough things to fill the space they have).

I think folks forget a lot of the props from the old store are in the Franklyn Institute exhibit.

We can't forget something we didn't know in the first place! That would certainly explain the lack of historical elements, but in that case, I don't think they should have called this new installation the Legacy store, because -- ironically -- it doesn't live up to the legacy of the previous iteration.

Call it something else, and my expectations for it would have been much different.

 

[Brian G.]

I mean, very evidently, yes. I don't remember how much time the original Legacy store took once work really started on it, but this was only a few days.

But we have seen Universal do excellent work on highly-themed merch venues on relatively quick turnarounds before, and this one just seems like it's missing some things. Feels like lots of dead space (not enough things to fill the space they have).


We can't forget something we didn't know in the first place! That would certainly explain the lack of historical elements, but in that case, I don't think they should have called this new installation the Legacy store, because -- ironically -- it doesn't live up to the legacy of the previous iteration.

Call it something else, and my expectations for it would have been much different.

You guys gotta pay attention to our main site, too!

The Franklin Institute and Comcast NBCUniversal announce "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" opening Feb 2026 in Philadelphia

Comcast NBCUniversal and The Franklin Institute have announced Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, a first-of-its-kind immersive and interactive experience that explores the creativity and storytelling behind Universal Destinations & Experiences’ themed entertainment; set to open on February

www.insideuniversal.net

But yeah - I think calling it the same name set up expectations which obviously were not met.

The original Legacy just sort of happened. It was the normal US Store but they just added props, pics, and placards to the shelves and around it.

 

[Disneyhead]

It will all make sense soon.

 

[belloq87]

You guys gotta pay attention to our main site, too!

The Franklin Institute and Comcast NBCUniversal announce "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" opening Feb 2026 in Philadelphia

Comcast NBCUniversal and The Franklin Institute have announced Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, a first-of-its-kind immersive and interactive experience that explores the creativity and storytelling behind Universal Destinations & Experiences’ themed entertainment; set to open on February

www.insideuniversal.net

But yeah - I think calling it the same name set up expectations which obviously were not met.

The original Legacy just sort of happened. It was the normal US Store but they just added props, pics, and placards to the shelves and around it.

I knew about the exhibit, and I'm sure I saw that post about it! I just missed that Legacy store stuff, in particular, got sent there.