A white frame now outlines the future facade of the expanded Universal Studios Store in Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Universal Studios Store Construction
The expansion is under construction between the current store and Universal Cinemark. The space previously housed Cinnabon and Quiet Flight Surf Shop, which closed in April. Construction walls surround the storefronts and a Cinnabon cart is in front of the Cinemark.
The stores were completely gutted soon after their closures. In the months following, we didn’t see much obvious construction progress. Universal Orlando Resort announced last month that the Universal Studios Store would be expanded to include a new “Harry Potter” section offering Butterbeer and a new Super Nintendo World section.
Universal has not confirmed the expansion is going in this space but it seems more and more likely. The new white framework creates an entryway with rounded corners, similar to archways inside the current store. There are grids of steel behind some of the frame where there will be walls, while other sections will likely get glass windows.
We saw crew members working inside. A sign instructs them to wear P.P.E. on site. A lift is parked near the entrance with a tarp over it. Some vents stick down from the ceiling.
Caution tape runs across the front of the building, behind the new framework.
On the other side of the CityWalk elevator are more lifts, staged construction, and a dumpster.
The expanded store will sell Epic Universe merchandise. Guests can currently find Epic Universe merch at the preview center also in CityWalk. The new park opens next year.
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