Universal Orlando has confirmed that the Quiet Flight Surf Shop will be closing permanently starting April 15, 2024, and the current Cinnabon location within CityWalk will be closing on April 29. 2024.

Universal says details on what will be replacing these locations will be revealed soon, but rumors online suggest that we may be getting a Super Nintendo World-branded retail location as part of this renovation.

While work is happening on the nearby Universal Epic Universe Preview Center, which will replace the former Universal Legacy Store, new construction is expected on the shops near the front of CityWalk as well.

Rumored to be part of an upcoming expansion to the Universal Studios Store at CityWalk Orlando, the current spaces occupied by the Quiet Flight Surf Shop and Cinnabon locations will supposedly be gutted and combined with the Universal Studios Store.

The area that currently holds the Cinnabon location is rumored become a Super Nintendo World merchandise location. This would allow guests to purchase Super Nintendo World branded items ahead of the land’s official opening along with Epic Universe in 2025.

Cinnabon is rumored to be getting a new kiosk elsewhere in CityWalk, so it will not be leaving entirely, (plus it still has a window service location within Islands of Adventure).

According to rumored discussions on theme park fan sites and forums, the inside of this former Cinnabon is expected to be opened up to connect the left side to the existing Universal Studios Store, and the right will be opened up to connect to the former Surf Shop space.

We will likely lose the surfboard photo op from the front of this location as part of the changes, but we may be getting a Super Nintendo World photo op to replace it.

The next photo shows the wall near the front of the Studios Store where this new Super Nintendo World merch store can connect.

This possible connection to an expanded retail space could allow the CityWalk Orlando area to have a permanent spot to sell Super Nintendo World merch without it taking over existing store space.

When this new Universal Studios Store was under construction back in 2021, the company actually released official concept art which featured Nintendo-branded merchandise seen in the window of the drawing! So, selling these products here was likely always part of the plan.

As for the Quiet Flight Surf Shop retail space, it is expected to also be connected to the Universal Studios Store, creating a full loop of connected retail.

Initial rumors for this space had it transformed into a Universal-run candy shop and Butterbeer bar, but these are only rumors and have not been confirmed by the company.

This theoretically could be a space to sell packaged candy as well as dessert case items like fudge, cookies, and cupcakes.

The current candy section of the Universal Studios Store is quite small, (seen in next photo,) so if true, this gives would give them a chance to offer more sweets to guests on their way out after visiting the parks.

If this space is connected to the existing Studios Store, it would bring back the fan-favorite shortcut pass-through of the olden days.

The connection on this side would lead directly into the Harry Potter section of the Universal Studios Store, which may have something to do with the rumor that we may see a Butterbeer “bar” added within this section of the expanded store.

If all of these rumors come to fruition, it would mean that all of these shop locations will be connected, creating a full loop and becoming part of the same, now larger, Universal Studios Store.

We would have the existing Universal Studios Store main entrances facing the parks, and a new Super Nintendo World and possible candy store entrances facing the main CityWalk entrance area, along with a Butterbeer location hidden within the center.

Universal Orlando has not announced any of these rumored concepts, only that the surf shop and Cinnabon locations will be closing this month. All of the other ideas must be taken with a grain of salt until we get official word from the company.

Construction on this project may take several months as interior walls will need to be carefully removed to expand the retail spaces. It is rumored that this project could be completed by the end of this year at the soonest, or perhaps even early 2025.

The supposed Epic Universe preview center is expected to open this summer, and Super Nintendo World will have its Orlando location open with the Epic Universe theme park in 2025.

That’s all for this rumor update, but be sure to subscribe to the news feed to never miss an update. Photos: Alicia Stella

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