Universal Epic Universe marked one of the biggest expansions in the history of Universal Orlando Resort.
The new theme park officially opened in 2025, introducing an entirely new gate alongside Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Built as Universal’s most ambitious project yet, the park dramatically expanded the resort’s lineup of rides, lands, and entertainment.
Epic Universe centers around a lush hub called Celestial Park, which connects several highly immersive themed areas. Each land introduces new attractions, restaurants, shops, and large-scale storytelling environments designed to rival the resort’s existing parks.
Guests can explore SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic — which is already set to undergo some changes — and Dark Universe, alongside Celestial Park itself.
Before the park opened, however, Universal gave visitors a way to preview the project months in advance.
The Epic Universe Preview Center
Universal created the Epic Universe Preview Center as a temporary attraction at Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Located near the entrances to the resort’s theme parks, the space offered guests an early look at Epic Universe before its official debut. The exhibit functioned as a small showcase explaining what Universal was building for its largest theme park expansion in decades.
Inside the preview center, guests could explore a detailed scale model of Epic Universe. Concept art and displays explained the different themed lands, along with the rides, restaurants, and entertainment experiences planned for the park.
Interactive elements also revealed additional information about the project. Visitors could learn about the design of each land and explore the park’s layout through displays placed throughout the exhibit.
The preview center also served as a retail location. Guests could purchase early merchandise themed to Epic Universe and its lands, allowing fans to buy souvenirs tied to the upcoming park long before it officially opened.
The attraction effectively functioned as a marketing and preview experience, helping familiarize guests with Epic Universe before they could visit the park itself.
Now that the park has opened, however, the preview space is no longer necessary.
Universal Confirms Permanent Closure
Universal has now confirmed the permanent closure of the Epic Universe Preview Center.
As per Ashley Carter, the Epic Universe Preview Center will close on April 13.
The Epic Universe Preview Center at Universal CityWalk will close April 13 to make way for the return of the Universal Legacy Store. The store will open later this month with retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters. pic.twitter.com/eKJ5vihUgz
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 10, 2026
In its place, Universal plans to bring back the Universal Legacy Store. This will open later in April, complete with “retro merchandise and photo ops inspired by E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters.”
The preview center was always intended to be temporary. Its main purpose was to showcase Epic Universe before guests could step inside the real park.
With Epic Universe now welcoming visitors, the concept art, models, and displays inside the preview center have effectively been replaced by the attractions themselves.
Universal CityWalk Orlando — which opened in 1999 as part of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into the larger Universal Orlando Resort — continues to evolve as the resort grows.
Guests still pass through CityWalk from the parking garages before entering Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. The district remains packed with restaurants and entertainment venues.
Dining locations include The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe — designed with a Roman Coliseum theme.
Over the years, CityWalk has replaced several earlier venues, such as NASCAR Café and NBA City, with newer concepts.
Universal also continues expanding the district. Country singer Luke Combs is partnering with Opry Entertainment Group to bring Category 10 — a 33,000-square-foot, three-story restaurant, bar, and live music venue inspired by his song “Hurricane” — to CityWalk in late 2027.
For now, though, one piece of the Epic Universe rollout is quietly disappearing from the district.
Did you ever drop by the Epic Universe Preview Center?
