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Credit: Aditya Vyas on UnsplashThe Universal Orlando Resort says goodbye to a once-popular location.
Related: Major Magic Kingdom Closure Set for One Month’s Time, New Updates Surface
The Starbucks that once was featured inside Universal Orlando’s Portofino Bay Hotel has been replaced with a new coffee shop.
Portofino Bay’s Starbucks closed earlier this year, a move that surprised fans of the popular coffee chain. Universal did not announce the closure ahead of time, nor did it advertise it to guests. Some were hopeful the location would return, while others expressed disappointment over losing a quick option for their early morning caffeine fixes.
Coffee can be a crucial first step for many guests preparing for a long day at the parks and remains one of the most popular quick-service options for Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, both of which feature multiple Starbucks locations throughout their respective theme parks and hotels.
Universal Orlando is now down one Starbucks location, but coffee lovers shouldn’t panic. A new, generic shop named Cafe Espresso has taken its place. Inside Universal confirmed the opening of the new store on Twitter/X.
The old Starbucks in Portofino Bay Hotel has now become “Caffe Espresso” @UniversalORL
The old Starbucks in Portofino Bay Hotel has now become “Caffe Espresso” @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/IiuQiPbtFS
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) December 5, 2024
Portofino Bay is one of several hotels offered at Universal Orlando, and the resort’s options are set to expand soon with the grand opening of Epic Universe next year. Guests can already book their stays at Universal’s new Helios Grand Resort and Stella Nova Resort, both of which mark an exciting new chapter for the iconic Orlando vacation destination.
In 2025, Universal will finally complete its highly anticipated third gate, Epic Universe, which the resort has advertised as being unlike anything the company has ever developed.
Filled with immersive experiences and high-tech attractions, guests have been primed to expect nothing but the best out of Epic Universe. The park will join Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida as the resort’s third official theme park, opening its doors in May of 2025.
The new park will be divided into several highly detailed lands, anchored by franchises like Universal’s classic monsters, How to Train Your Dragon and more. Epic Universe will also be home to its own version of SUPER NINTENDO WOLRD, a video-game paradise inspired by Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and other iconic Nintendo characters.
Will you be visiting Epic Universe next summer?