The original CityWalk opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 1993, with the Orlando version following as part of the expansion of the Universal Orlando Resort in 1999. Both feature AMC movie theaters, with 19 screens in Hollywood and 20 in Orlando. You'll also find two mini-golf courses in Orlando, along with Blue Man Group, and the Hard Rock Live music venue. Hollywood has the 5 Towers stage, but lost its major live-music venue when the old Gibson Amphitheater closed to make way for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. So on entertainment, this match-up seems a bit lopsided.
So let's focus this match-up on the food. We will list the restaurants that you will find in both CityWalks, along with ones that have relatively similar counterparts on the other coast, and then finally the eateries that exist only on one coast or the other. As you look at these lists, think about which line-up you prefer, as we will put this match-up to a vote at the end of the post.
Same brand at both resorts:
Same cuisine at both resorts:
Also in Hollywood:
Also in Orlando:
As often as I've visited both resorts, I've not come close to eating at every available restaurant at each CityWalk. But thinking about the places where I have eaten, I'll give Hollywood Smashburger over Burger King and maybe even its abbreviated Pink's over Hot Dog Hall of Fame. Ben & Jerry's beats Coldstone, too. But Vivo just destroys Buca di Beppo, and I prefer Antojitos over Camacho's. Pretty much down the line, the Orlando options beat the Hollywood ones in my book, despite there being more locations on the west coast.
What do you think? Break it down in the comments, Theme Park Insiders.
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Hollywood is less enticing to visit and I just often skip it along the way to the theme park. If you park closer to the theme park, you might not ever pass the restaurants or stores on the east side. CityWalk is better as an evening stop for kids, teens, and young adults. I haven't visited at night for years. I remembered fondly visiting to see the premiere of a new movie.
Hollywood's CityWalk feels like a city and Orlando's does not. The AMC Theatres in Hollywood is superior to the one in Orlando and features a ground-up built IMAX, not a conversion of a regular theater.
Pink's Hot Dogs beats down, no crushes, the Hot Dog Hall of Fame.
I however miss the Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom in Hollywood.
Lastly, I don't think of the restaurants in Orlando as being unique. They may be, but they feel like chains by design and presentation.
I love In-N-Out, Habit, and Chick-Fil-A. They beat out every other burger or fried chicken restaurant.
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