Universal Legacy Store closing in CityWalk, will an Epic Universe preview center replace it?
The retro-themed Universal Legacy Store will close Jan. 7, 2024 at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, and rumors indicate the space may transform into a preview center for Universal Epic Universe, the resort’s upcoming theme park.
The Universal Legacy Store opened in spring 2021 as a celebration of the history of the company’s classic theme park attractions and movies. Merchandise focused on “Jaws,” “Back to the Future,” and “E.T.,” among others, as well as the studio at large.
Movie props and theme park paraphernalia adorned the store. For example, relics on display included a Beetlejuice mask from the Horror Makeup Show, a scale model of the E.T. Adventure ride vehicle, and a concept model for the defunct Enchanted Oak Tavern (a restaurant that closed in preparation for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade).
Many props are already gone ahead of the Legacy Store’s official closure. The shelves in the photo below were previously filled with additional props.
“Exciting New Experience” Coming
The Universal Legacy Store is all about reflecting on the past, but its home may soon adjust its focus toward the future.
Universal Orlando Resort shared a statement reading: “The Universal Legacy Store is closing effective January 7 to make way for an exciting new experience for our guests. Stay tuned – more details will be revealed soon.”
If built, an Epic Universe preview center in this venue would provide CityWalk guests with a detailed look at what to expect when the new park opens in 2025. Based on similar exhibitions from the past, the building might house scale models, concept artwork, or behind-the-scenes videos of the under-construction theme park.
Theme Park Preview Centers, An Orlando Tradition
Preview centers for upcoming attractions date back to the first building open to the public on Walt Disney World property in the ’70s. Inside, future guests got a sneak peek of Disney’s transformation of the acres of swampland into a vacation kingdom. The building, still standing on Hotel Plaza Blvd. near Disney Springs, is now office space for the Amateur Athletic Union.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Similarly, guests at Universal Studios Florida in the late ’90s could visit the Islands of Adventure Preview Center to check out details about the theme park being built next door. More recently, The Epcot Experience provided guests with a glimpse into Epcot’s ongoing transformation, which is nearly complete now.
Before the Universal Legacy Store, the space was home to the Universal Studios Store, the resort’s flagship merchandise location, which relocated elsewhere in CityWalk.
Stay tuned for more ongoing coverage as Epic Universe progress continues.
For a full tour of the Universal Legacy Store, check out our walkthrough from when the location first opened in 2021:
