CityWalk Orlando Updates & Changes General Thread

[Galaxy Defender]

No surprised by this. From time to time I have considered eating there and looked at the menu. Nothing appealed to me. This is in part because my tastes are rather simple.

 

[Nick]

I’ve still never been there for a meal. Was there an official close date given?

Also, wonder if they will turn this into a new Universal Restaurant concept or if it turns into something like a store.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

I’ve still never been there for a meal. Was there an official close date given?

Also, wonder if they will turn this into a new Universal Restaurant concept or if it turns into something like a store.

July 7th.

EDIT: My bad, originally got the date wrong.

 

[Legacy]

Hmmmm...

That’s fascinating...

 

[graspthesun]

I never made it there, but I also have the original here, that I've also never been to, so not a huge loss.

 

[Mad Dog]

I never made it there, but I also have the original here, that I've also never been to, so not a huge loss.

You get all the good stuff. The original Pat O'Brien's too. Although the one in Orlando is decent, dueling piano player wise.....Foods not as good though.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I’ve still never been there for a meal. Was there an official close date given?

Also, wonder if they will turn this into a new Universal Restaurant concept or if it turns into something like a store.

Orlando Sentinel reports restaurant staff were told July 7th would be the closing date.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

It's interesting to me that there's been no buzz whatsoever about new restaurants or shops that are obviously coming. I feel like we were hearing rumblings of a chocolate factory restaurant well before NBA City even closed, we heard about Voodoo before Element closed. But there's ZIP about what's replacing either Emeril's location, and the talk of freshening up the shops has gone totally cold, and there's been the occasional talk of Bubba Gump's leaving but nothing about what would move in there.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I've never eaten here. That probably won't change before it closes.

 

[Happytycho]

It's interesting to me that there's been no buzz whatsoever about new restaurants or shops that are obviously coming. I feel like we were hearing rumblings of a chocolate factory restaurant well before NBA City even closed, we heard about Voodoo before Element closed. But there's ZIP about what's replacing either Emeril's location, and the talk of freshening up the shops has gone totally cold, and there's been the occasional talk of Bubba Gump's leaving but nothing about what would move in there.

Perhaps needing these replacements wasn't in Universal's plans and they are primarily focused on planning for the south resort?

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

Perhaps needing these replacements wasn't in Universal's plans and they are primarily focused on planning for the south resort?

Could be. But unless this has been some kind of a contentious separation (which I haven't really been getting that vibe), I'd think Universal wouldn't exactly be blindsided by this.

 

[JungleSkip]

Perhaps needing these replacements wasn't in Universal's plans and they are primarily focused on planning for the south resort?

Considering this and Tchoup Chop we’re both Emirl’s, I’d be willing to bet they knew this was coming

 

[tielo]

I don't think there is a surprise. There are contracts in place en negotiations prior before they end. I hope new original concepts (store, restaurant or otherwise) will emerge.

 

[Bulldog45]

Margaritaville better not go anywhere. I'm a huge Parrot Head and frequent the restaurant and the bar every time we go to Universal. Fins Up!!

 

[Happytycho]

I agree that this closure was not particularly surprising.

I think that what I meant is that in the past they may have been sitting around with restaurant concepts that they really liked, waiting for a space to become available, whereas right now they are likely focused on coming up with all the restaurant ideas and concepts they possibly can to fill out the 50+ eateries that will be needed in the first phase of the south resort.

The list of restaurants they need to plan could be quite long, and these ones may not be the highest priority to make a decision on first.

 

[Nick]

Margaritaville better not go anywhere. I'm a huge Parrot Head and frequent the restaurant and the bar every time we go to Universal. Fins Up!!

I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s incredibly popular.

Emerill’s didnt have near the appeal and I think things like Vivo, Cowfish and Toothsome probably were what killed it.

 

[Porkchop]

I ate there for “restaurant week” when we went to Orlando in 2016. It was good. Not fantastic. Steak was fine and the service was grandiose compared to normal sit down restaurants. But it wasn’t worth going back to IMO. Interested to see what the replacement is.

 

[JoeCamel]

Emeril's happy hour is the best kept secret on CW. Half price drinks and $5 small plates that are very tasty. White linen service at the bar - what's not to like?

 

[Viator]

Throwing this out, with the location and proximity, along with the past slew of investments being primarily dining focus, perhaps Emrils could be a space that could be used for something more akin to a shop or little experience to get people away from the parks, while also spending money on something made by universal?

Just thinking out loud, as I could see that.

 

[ChrisFL]

Emeril really hasn't been popular for a long time as a TV personality, so this doesn't really surprise me either.