If you’ve walked through Universal Orlando’s CityWalk recently, you’ve probably felt it—even if you couldn’t quite explain it. Something about the place is starting to change.
It’s not a massive overhaul. There’s no big grand opening or new land grabbing headlines. Instead, it’s happening in smaller ways, and the latest update is a perfect example.
Burger King is on its way out.
The Whopper Bar, which has been part of CityWalk for years, is set to close on April 21. Taking its place? Five Guys. The news first surfaced on X through Expedition Theme Park, and it immediately sparked reactions from fans who either love the upgrade or are already missing the convenience of what’s leaving.
CityWalk changes coming this summer with the closure of the Burger King Whopper Bar on April 21st at Universal Orlando Resort. It will be replaced with a Five Guys Burger Location @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/BqF0E4HJNn
— Expedition Theme Park (@ExpThemePark) April 10, 2026
But this isn’t just about burgers.
CityWalk has always played a specific role at Universal Orlando. It’s the place where guests transition between the outside world and the parks. It’s where you grab something quick, meet up with friends, or wind down after a long day. Because of that, the dining options have traditionally leaned toward speed and familiarity.
That approach worked for a long time.
Now, it feels like Universal is rethinking it.
Five Guys isn’t a luxury restaurant, but it does offer a different kind of experience. It’s more hands-on. More customizable. It feels less like grabbing fast food and more like choosing exactly what you want in the moment.
That shift lines up with everything else Universal has been doing lately.
With Epic Universe now part of the resort lineup, expectations have changed. Guests are spending their days in environments that are more immersive and more detailed than ever before. Naturally, that raises the bar for everything else—including where you eat.
CityWalk can’t stay stuck in the past if the rest of the resort is pushing forward.
That’s why this one change feels like it could lead to more.
Moe’s Southwest Grill and Panda Express are still there, but they fall into the same category as Burger King: quick, familiar, and a little dated compared to newer concepts. There’s no confirmation that they’re leaving anytime soon, but if Universal continues down this path, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more updates.
The goal seems pretty clear.
Burger King being replaced with Five Guys might not be the end of these changes—it might just be the beginning. And if you’re looking at what could be next, Moe’s Southwest Grill stands out almost immediately.
It checks all the same boxes. It’s quick, it’s familiar, and it hasn’t really changed in years. That’s exactly why it could be on the chopping block.
Universal is clearly trying to elevate the overall feel of CityWalk, and that usually means moving away from standard chain experiences in favor of something more modern or more engaging. Moe’s still gets traffic, but it doesn’t necessarily match the direction the resort is heading anymore.
There’s no confirmation yet, but if another announcement drops in the coming months, don’t be surprised if Moe’s is part of it.
Universal isn’t trying to turn CityWalk into fine dining. It’s trying to make every part of the guest experience feel intentional. Even the quick stops. Even the places you only spend 20 minutes in.
And that’s where this gets interesting.
Because once guests get used to that higher standard, it becomes the expectation. Not just in the parks, but everywhere.
CityWalk is changing. Slowly, but noticeably. And if this Five Guys replacement is any indication, this is just the beginning.
