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.
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.
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Location | Universal Studios Hollywood |
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Coordinates | 34°08′10″N118°21′18″W / 34.1359945°N 118.3551362°W |
Address | 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, California 91608 |
Opening date |
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Closing date | amphitheatre: September 6, 2013 |
Owner | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
Architect | Jon Jerde |
No. of stores and services | 29 |
Public transit access | ![]() |
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 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.
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. Planning done 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" 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.
Casual Dining | Quick Service Eateries | Snack & Refreshments |
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Antojito's Cocina Mexicana | Chick Chick Chicken | Ben and Jerry's |
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company | Cinnabon | Menchie's Frozen Yogurt |
Buca di Beppo | Firehouse Subs | Mini Monster |
Dongpo Kitchen | Jamba Juice | Popcornopolis |
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville | KFC Express / Pizza Hut Express | Sparky's Mini Doughnuts and Chocolates |
Johnny Rockets Restaurant & Sports Lounge | Panda Express | Starbucks |
NBC Sports Grill & Brew | Pink's Famous Hot Dogs | Voodoo Doughnut |
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium | Taco Bell | Wetzel's Pretzels |
Vivo Italian Kitchen | The Crêpe Café | |
Wasabi at CityWalk | The Habit Burger Grill |
Apparel & Accessories | Collectibles, Games & Novelties | Food Specialities, Home, Health & Beauty |
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Abercrombie & Fitch | Cartooniversal | IT'SUGAR |
Billabong | Celebrity Authentics | Karma and Luck |
Francesca's Collection | Dodgers Clubhouse Store | Nectar Bath Treats |
Lids | Hot Topic | Sephora |
Lids Locker Room | Production Central | Zen Zone |
Shoe Palace | Super Nintendo World Store | |
Sunsastions | The Raider Image | |
The Los Angeles Sock Market | Things From Another World | |
Tilly's | Universal Studios Store | |
Universal UNIVRS | ||
Night Spots | Experiences | Cinemas | Game Show Taping |
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Bubba Gump Shrimp Company | iFly Hollywood | Universal Cinema | Family Feud (2010–2011) |
Buca di Beppo | |||
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville | |||
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Location | Universal Orlando Resort |
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Coordinates | 28°28′20″N81°27′56″W / 28.4722676°N 81.4656319°W |
Address | 6000 Universal Boulevard Orlando, Florida 32819 |
Opening date | February 4, 1999 |
Owner | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
No. of stores and services | 13 |
Public transit access | ![]() ![]() |
Website | Official website |
Universal Orlando |
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Theme parks |
Water parks |
Resort hotels |
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Entertainment district |
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.
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]
The Universal CityWalk Osaka opened to public on March 31, 2001 as part of the Universal Studios Japan.
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]
Hard Rock Cafe, Inc. is a chain of theme bar-restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos and museums founded in 1971 by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton in London. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2007, Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and was headquartered in Orlando, Florida, until April 2018, when the corporate offices were relocated to Davie, Florida. As of July 2018, Hard Rock International has venues in 74 countries, including 172 bar or cafe-restaurants, 37 hotels, and 11 casinos.
Universal Orlando Resort, often shortened to Universal Orlando, is a 541-acre (219 ha) theme park and entertainment resort complex located in Orlando, Florida. Following the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, MCA moved forward with plans to expand from a single park into a large resort hoping to compete with Walt Disney World. In 1999, a second theme park called Universal Islands of Adventure opened in addition to Universal CityWalk, a shopping promenade and nightlife district that incorporates a variety of themed hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. A third park, 30-acre (12 ha) water park Universal Volcano Bay, was added in 2017, and a fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, is scheduled to open in 2025.
Planet Hollywood International Inc. is a themed restaurant chain inspired by the popular portrayal of Hollywood. The company is owned by Earl Enterprises corporation. Earl Enterprises was founded by Robert Earl.
Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX), formerly Universal Parks & Resorts, is the theme park unit of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast.
Universal Islands of Adventure, originally called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and later Universal's Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The resort's slogan Vacation Like You Mean It was introduced in 2013.
Disney's Beach Club Resort is a beach-themed resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on November 19, 1990. The resort is owned and operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is a United States-based hospitality company that manages and franchises a casual dining American restaurant chain, retail stores selling Jimmy Buffett-themed merchandise, and hotels.
A family entertainment center (FEC) in the entertainment industry, also known as an indoor amusement park, family amusement center, family fun center, soft play, or simply fun center, is a small amusement park marketed towards families with small children to teenagers, often entirely indoors. They usually cater to "sub-regional markets of larger metropolitan areas." FECs are generally small compared to full-scale amusement parks, with fewer attractions, a lower per-person per-hour cost to consumers than a traditional amusement park, and not usually major tourist attractions, but sustained by an area customer base. Many are locally owned and operated, although there are a number of chains and franchises in the field. Some, operated by non-profit organizations as children's museums or science museums, tend to be geared toward edutainment experiences rather than simply amusement.
Disney's BoardWalk Resort is a unique hotel and entertainment complex situated in the Epcot Resort Area at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. Opened in 1996, this resort is nestled along Crescent Lake, conveniently positioned between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Managed by Disney Experiences, the resort features a common lobby that connects the Inn and the villas, creating a seamless guest experience.
Blue Man Group was a live residency show by the performance art company of the same name at Universal Orlando Resort that ran from June 6, 2007 until February 1, 2021. The residency featured the group's unique musical and humorous performances and routines, housed in a new theater in the former Nickelodeon Studios, which was re-zoned into Universal CityWalk Orlando as a stand-alone experience within CityWalk, that required separate admission from the theme parks.
Universal Creative is the division of Universal Destinations & Experiences responsible for designing, developing, engineering, and producing themed attractions, rides, and, resorts. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company operates at Universal Parks & Resorts locations around the world in the United States, Singapore, Japan, and China.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas at Universal Destinations & Experiences based on the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the Warner Bros.' film series and original novels by J. K. Rowling. The areas were designed by Universal Creative from an exclusive license with Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Universal Studios Beijing is a Universal theme park in Beijing that opened on September 20, 2021 as part of Universal Beijing Resort. Invited-only test operation started on September 1, 2021. The park would become the fifth Universal Studios-branded theme park in the world, the seventh Universal-built park overall, and the third in Asia, after Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore.
The Universal Beijing Resort, commonly known as Universal Beijing, is a theme park and entertainment resort complex based in Beijing, China. Invite-only test operation started on September 1, 2021, and the full operation started from September 20, 2021.
Kirby Café is a restaurant chain in Japan, themed around Kirby, the Nintendo video game character and franchise. The chain currently comprises two permanent locations—one within the special ward of Sumida City in the Solamachi entertainment complex, the other within Hakata-ku in the Canal City Hakata entertainment complex—and a number of temporary locations which have run continuously since August 2016.