Universal Orlando announces further expansion plans
Universal Orlando will open eight new venues in its CityWalk complex in 2014.
The expansion will take place in the same year that Universal will open its largest hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Universal described the new venues as "part of a bold growth strategy designed to complement the entertainment complex’s already popular collection of national brands".
CityWalk is a two-tiered, 30-acre complex, featuring nightclubs, restaurants and shops themed after some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, including Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
The new venues include Hot Dog Hall of Fame, featuring iconic hot dog creations from some of the U.S.’s most famous ball parks.
Universal partnered with Steven Schussler, the global culinary concept creator behind popular restaurants like Rain Forest Café and Backfire Barbecue, to bring his Hot Dog Hall of Fame concept to CityWalk.
Other new outlets include CowFish, an innovative and trend-setting concept out of Charlotte, North Carolina with a signature dish called ‘burgushi’, and popular frozen treat venues Cold Stone Creamery and Menchie’s.
Original concepts include Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, a unique tapas-style restaurant, Bread Box, a home-style sandwich shop; A new modern Italian kitchen concept, where guests can watch as the culinary team handcrafts their pasta from scratch; and Red Oven Pizza Bakery – Universal’s first-ever Neopolitan-style pizza bakery, which is now open.
Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations at Universal Orlando, said: "We want Universal CityWalk to grow along with the rest of our destination."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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