CityWalk Orlando Updates & Changes General Thread

[SeventyOne]

Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice at Universal CityWalk: Founded by *NSYNC member Joey Fatone and his manager Joe Mulvihill, Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice is coming to Universal CityWalk, featuring a variety of creative, flavor-packed hot dogs, Italian ices and more for guests to enjoy. It will take the place of Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which will close in July to make way for the new venue.

I assume Richard Blaise has nothing to do with this and will have his own project? Curious if it ends up in CItyWalk or a hotel.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I assume Richard Blaise has nothing to do with this and will have his own project? Curious if it ends up in CItyWalk or a hotel.

Tchoup Chop RETVRN

 

[srbmarc]

I assume Richard Blaise has nothing to do with this and will have his own project? Curious if it ends up in CItyWalk or a hotel.

I'm sure it's unrelated but the press release also mentions Thunder Falls Terrace closing this Summer and transforming into "an all-new dining concept that will become the new signature full-service restaurant in Universal Islands of Adventure".

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I can't imagine the switch over from Hot Dog HOF to Fat One's taking very long. Think this opens by HHN?

 

[HandsomePete]

Hopefully the preopening testing goes better than at the Florida Mall.

 

[ssirin88]

RIP to the HOF. I’ll miss pretending I’m at a baseball game

 

[Brian G.]

Universal Orlando has announced Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice is coming to CityWalk Orlando, replacing Hot Dog Hall of Fame later this year.

Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice replacing Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk Orlando

Universal Orlando has announced Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice is coming to CityWalk Orlando, replacing Hot Dog Hall of Fame later this year. Founded by *NSYNC member Joey Fatone and his manager Joe Mulvihill, Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice will "feature a menu of creative, flavor-packe

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[MAC]

Take care, Hot Dog Hall of Fame. You'll be missed.

I'd be surprised if this isn't open by HHN, if not sooner. How much really needs to change?

 

[Brian G.]

Universal Orlando will celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a summer-long fan experience at Universal CityWalk, featuring Telemundo watch parties, specialty food and beverage offerings, interactive activations, and exclusive merchandise from June 11 through July 19.

Universal Orlando's CityWalk to celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026 with Watch Parties, Specialty Food, and Fan Experiences

Universal Orlando will celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a summer-long fan experience at Universal CityWalk, featuring Telemundo watch parties, specialty food and beverage offerings, interactive activations, and exclusive merchandise from June 11 through July 19. Created in partnership with Te

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[HHN Maddux]

 

[Grabnar]

I’d say crazy to close this before HHN but I never see anyone in here either way

 

[MAC]

I’d say crazy to close this before HHN but I never see anyone in here either way

I would assume this should allow it to open up during HHN season?

 

[Jwhee]

Just spent the evening at CityWalk. It was Jamaican Independence Day. Never seen the place so slammed!

Every club was packed to the brim. Would’ve been nice to have Red Coconut Club open, even if it had no theme.

Overall a successful night for the entertainment team at CityWalk. People singing in Pat O’s, dancing at Rising Star and Marley’s. The streets packed with a DJ and stilt walkers. Busy all the way up until the 1am close

 

[Mad Dog]

Just spent the evening at CityWalk. It was Jamaican Independence Day. Never seen the place so slammed!

Every club was packed to the brim. Would’ve been nice to have Red Coconut Club open, even if it had no theme.

Overall a successful night for the entertainment team at CityWalk. People singing in Pat O’s, dancing at Rising Star and Marley’s. The streets packed with a DJ and stilt walkers. Busy all the way up until the 1am close

We absolutely love CityWalk, entertainment and restaurants. Sounds like that was a fun day, just like all times are at Marleys. Kind of a MarleyWalk.

 

[Lucky Planet]

Just spent the evening at CityWalk. It was Jamaican Independence Day. Never seen the place so slammed!

Every club was packed to the brim. Would’ve been nice to have Red Coconut Club open, even if it had no theme.

Overall a successful night for the entertainment team at CityWalk. People singing in Pat O’s, dancing at Rising Star and Marley’s. The streets packed with a DJ and stilt walkers. Busy all the way up until the 1am close

View attachment 30582

I was there too at that same night but I decided to watch the concert by the lagoon.
it was super nice.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Please, please let Bob Marley's stay forever

 

[Carah]

Is there any update as to when Five Guys is opening; is it due to open before HHN?

 

[Jwhee]

Is there any update as to when Five Guys is opening; is it due to open before HHN?

I looked through the windows the other day and the space looked gutted. Seems like a few more months

 

[Carah]

I looked through the windows the other day and the space looked gutted. Seems like a few more months

Aw no that's a pity, was hoping it would be open when get there on Sept 20th! Oh well

 

[Jwhee]

Just left Saturday night, and I feel that CityWalk has an identity crisis

What are we doing here? There’s no clear vision

They close The Groove and replace it with the Movie Escape, which is critically a flop. Then they reopen Red Coconut Club with seasonal overlays, and it’s obviously a hit. So what do they do? Remove references to “clubs” and nightlife around CityWalk and on the website/app

Now we’re here at HHN 2026. CityWalk Entertainment hires one of Orlando’s best DJs, DJ Chino, for Dead Coconut. They put DJ Michael from Atlantic Dance on the promenade. Then UO upper management changes the parking rules and charges $35 on HHN nights, putting CityWalk nightlife behind a paywall

For the first time, Bob Marley’s, Rising Star and Pat O’s are all closing at 1AM while ONLY Dead Coconut stays open until 2AM.

What?

Are we a nightlife district? do we just not care about the other three nightlife venues?

Adding to that, the longtime house band at Marley’s is apparently playing its final show around September 11 or 17; still yet to be clearly confirmed. Leaving only the weekend band on Fridays and Saturdays.

They just need to decide what CityWalk is supposed to be

Laser tag and mini golf? Or unique entertainment venues, live music, bars and clubs? Both?

Because right now they are making decisions that actively work against each other. CityWalk entertainment is putting so much effort into their projects and upper management isn’t giving their full support

And unfortunately, adding the third-party Category 10, a restaurant and nightlife venue, into the mix is only going to make the identity crisis even more confusing