Universal CityWalk

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Universal CityWalk is the name shared by the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Destinations & Experiences. CityWalk began as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, and serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the theme parks. CityWalk can also be found at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan, and Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, China.

Contents

CityWalk Hollywood and CityWalk Orlando have some common tenants, but their respective architectural styles are quite different. Where CityWalk Hollywood incorporates a classic modern blend of Hollywood, CityWalk Orlando is almost entirely modern in appearance.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Universal CityWalk
Location Universal City, California
Coordinates 34°08′10″N118°21′18″W / 34.1359945°N 118.3551362°W / 34.1359945; -118.3551362
Address100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, California 91608
Opening date
  • May 1993;31 years ago (May 1993)
  • amphitheatre: June 28, 1972;52 years ago (June 28, 1972)
  • theater: July 4, 1987;37 years ago (July 4, 1987) [1]
  • expansion: April 7, 2000;24 years ago (April 7, 2000)
Closing dateamphitheatre: September 6, 2013;11 years ago (September 6, 2013)
Owner Universal Destinations & Experiences
Architect Jon Jerde
No. of stores and services29
Public transit access LAMetroLogo.svg Universal City/Studio City Station
Website Official website

CityWalk is separate from Universal Studios Hollywood although it does serve as an entrance from the parking lot to Universal Studios. [2] Inspiration came from the Horton Plaza according to Jon Jerde, the architecture of CityWalk Hollywood tries to capture the architecture found all over Los Angeles. [3]

Universal CityWalk Hollywood 5.JPG

Universal CityWalk Hollywood is a three-block entertainment, dining, shopping promenade. It has more than 30 eateries, a 19-screen movie theater featuring IMAX, 7 night spots, indoor skydiving and more than 30 stores.

History

Designed by Jon Jerde, CityWalk opened in May 1993 adjacent to the Cineplex Odeon cinema (operated by AMC Theatres since 2006). A $1 billion, 93,000 sq ft (8,600 m2) expansion opened in 2000, with planning also executed by Jerde Associates. Street performers (magicians and musicians) are a common sight.

CityWalk's central plaza is topped by a 170-foot radial trellis designed and built by Pearce Structures [4] (who also constructed Biosphere 2). The courtyard features a leaping fountain, created by WET. A huge television monitor brought in by Panasonic, is located above the multiplex, showing upcoming Universal movie releases, music videos, and NBCUniversal promotions stands next to the giant guitar towering over the Hard Rock Cafe.

In January 2010, the music video for Justin Bieber's song "Baby" was recorded here.

5 Towers

"5 Towers" is an interactive outdoor concert venue on Universal CityWalk, featuring a technologically advanced staging system. The stage is equipped with thousands of LED fixtures, motion capture sensors, five soaring 42-foot light tower sculptures, a massive video monitor, and a state-of-the-art audio system.

The new staging system serves as the structural artistic centerpiece for CityWalk. It features live music.

Dining

A Jamba Juice store located along the CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood. Jamba Juice Universal Hollywood.jpg
A Jamba Juice store located along the CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood.
Casual DiningQuick Service EateriesSnack & Refreshments
Antojito's Cocina Mexicana Firehouse Subs Ben and Jerry's
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Jamba Juice Cinnabon
Buca di Beppo KFC Express / Pizza Hut Express Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Panda Express Insomnia Cookies
Johnny Rockets Restaurant & Sports LoungePink's Famous Hot Dogs Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
NBC Sports Grill & Brew Taco Bell Starbucks
Slice House The Habit Burger Grill The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
The Toothsome Chocolate EmporiumUncle Sharkii Poke Voodoo Doughnut
Vivo Italian Kitchen Wetzel's Pretzels
Wasabi at CityWalk

Shopping

Raider Image, Universal CityWalk Hollywood Raider Image, Universal CityWalk Hollywood front 1.JPG
Raider Image, Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Apparel & AccessoriesCollectibles, Games & NoveltiesFood Specialities, Home, Health & Beauty
Lids Cartooniversal IT'SUGAR
Lids Locker RoomCelebrity AuthenticsKarma and Luck
Line Friends Square Dodgers Clubhouse StoreNectar Bath Treats
Shoe Palace Hot Topic Sephora
Sunsastions NBA Store
The Los Angeles Sock MarketProduction Central
Tilly's Super Nintendo World Store
Universal Studios Store Sanrio Smile Shop
Things From Another World

Entertainment

Night SpotsExperiencesCinemasGame Show Taping
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company EscapologyUniversal Cinema Family Feud (2010–2011)
Buca di Beppo iFly Hollywood (2006-2025)
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville

Universal CityWalk Orlando

Universal CityWalk Orlando
Universal CityWalk
Location Universal Orlando Resort
Coordinates 28°28′20″N81°27′56″W / 28.4722676°N 81.4656319°W / 28.4722676; -81.4656319
Address6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
Opening dateFebruary 4, 1999;26 years ago (February 4, 1999)
Owner Universal Destinations & Experiences
No. of stores and services13
Public transit accessAiga bus trans.svg LYNX transportation logo.svg 21, 37, & 40
Website Official website
The entrance plaza to CityWalk Orlando Universal CityWalk Orlando 2008.jpg
The entrance plaza to CityWalk Orlando
Cineplex movie theater at CityWalk Orlando Cineplex Universal.jpeg
Cineplex movie theater at CityWalk Orlando

The Universal CityWalk in Orlando opened in February 1999 as one component of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort. It was built over the former Universal Studios parking lot and entrance. Guests arriving at the resort park in one of two parking garages then travel via covered moving walkways over Universal Boulevard into CityWalk. From there, guests can proceed into either of the theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.

Dining

Current Hard Rock Cafe at CityWalk Orlando HardRockCafeOrlando.jpg
Current Hard Rock Café at CityWalk Orlando

Former Dining

Entertainment

Waterway in CityWalk, at the center of Universal Orlando Resort Universal Studios, Orlando - panoramio (11).jpg
Waterway in CityWalk, at the center of Universal Orlando Resort

Former Entertainment

Shopping

Former Shopping

Exhibition

Incident

On April 22, 2011, a 33-year-old man from Winter Haven, Florida, was found unconscious in front of the Universal Cineplex 20 theater after being tased by an off-duty police officer due to disorderly conduct. The man was taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and later died. [6] [7]

Universal CityWalk Osaka

Universal City Walk Osaka, Japan Universal CityWalk Osaka 2.JPG
Universal City Walk Osaka, Japan

The Universal CityWalk Osaka opened to public on March 31, 2001 as part of the Universal Studios Japan.

Dining

Shopping

Other

Takoyaki museum at Universal City Walk Osaka Universal CityWalk Osaka 8.JPG
Takoyaki museum at Universal City Walk Osaka

[8]

Universal CityWalk Beijing

Universal CityWalk Beijing from its south Overview of Universal CityWalk Beijing (20210907124718).jpg
Universal CityWalk Beijing from its south

The Universal CityWalk Beijing opened to public on September 2, 2021 [9] as part of the Universal Beijing Resort's first phase with no entrance fee. [10]

Dining

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at Universal CityWalk Beijing Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Universal Beijing (20210907112013).jpg
The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at Universal CityWalk Beijing

Shopping

Universal Studios Store, Beijing Universal Studios Store, Beijing (20210907112755).jpg
Universal Studios Store, Beijing

Entertainment

[11]

References

  1. ↑ Hayes, Dade; Bing, Jonathan (2004). Open Wide: How Hollywood Box Office Became a National Obsession. Miramax Books. pp. 315–7. ISBN   1401352006.
  2. ↑ SMITH, DOUG (1993-05-25). "Celebrating L.A. Icons : Universal CityWalk Is for Real--Almost". Los Angeles Times. ISSN   0458-3035 . Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  3. ↑ NELSON, JIM (2000-04-24). "The Real Mastermind Behind CityWalk". Los Angeles Times. ISSN   0458-3035 . Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  4. ↑ "Peter Jon Pearce site – Building Systems Developments – other projects".
  5. ↑ Kleinhenz, Marc N. (2020-06-07). "The long and surprising history of Hard Rock Café at Universal Studios Florida". Orlando Informer. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  6. ↑ "Fla. man dies after police Taser him at Universal Studios complex". USATODAY.COM.
  7. ↑ "Autopsy: Police restraints killed Winter Haven man". theledger.com.
  8. ↑ "English & Chinese Floor Map". Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  9. ↑ "环球城市大道 正式向公众开放". Beijing Youth Daily . 2021-09-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  10. ↑ "定了！北京环球度假区9月20日正式向公众开放". 北京日报客户端. 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  11. ↑ "Universal Beijing Resort Raises the Curtain on Universal CityWalk Beijing - Desitined to Become Beijing's One-Stop Dining and Entertainment Center".
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