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Credit: Universal Orlando ResortUniversal Orlando Resort might be reviving a location that has been down for the count since 1999.
Universal Revamping Dead Location From 1999?
The Cat in the Hat might still be tipping his hat with glee, but not everything in Seuss Landing has been sunshine and marshmallow pops. For a land built on colorful chaos and rhyming delight, something peculiar is happening—and it may finally breathe new life into a space that’s been more of a ghost than a guest favorite.
Tucked near the whimsical archway leading guests into the world of Dr. Seuss, a long-ignored location is suddenly getting some attention. Construction walls, adorned with signs politely requesting guests “pardon our dust,” have appeared around a familiar yet long-dormant site. What could Universal Orlando Resort be planning… and why now?
A Long-Awaited Return or Just Another Seasonal Cover-Up?
The vibrant structure in question? Honk Honkers, a candy store concept that opened alongside Islands of Adventure back in 1999 but never quite found its footing. Though it briefly attempted a return in 2017, it quietly shuttered again in 2020—resurfacing only during the holidays as a Grinch meet-and-greet spot.
Honk Honkers in Seuss Landing is behind construction walls. – @UniversalORL on X
Honk Honkers in Seuss Landing is behind construction walls. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/rOEocVgCip
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) June 19, 2025
Now, nearly five years later, guests have spotted fresh construction surrounding the storefront, stretching from the Lost Continent archway to the track of The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. Is this just a facelift—or something far sweeter?
Honk Honkers: A Look Back
For the uninitiated, Honk Honkers was a whimsical candy haven straight out of a Seussian dream. Guests could customize cotton candy with zany flavors like Birthday Cake, Pink Vanilla, and Grape, or opt for oversized unicorn pops and marshmallow delights. It was an idea born from the book Happy Birthday to You!, where the Honk Honker treks up Mt. Zorn to celebrate a child’s big day.
Despite its charm, the store never quite became the crowd magnet Universal hoped for. A revamped, slimmed-down menu couldn’t save it in 2019, and by early 2020, it was shuttered once more.
So why would Universal suddenly take interest now?
Reading Between the Construction Walls
The new construction might seem minor at first glance, but the context is key. Over the past few years, Seuss Landing has seen its fair share of wear and tear. The entrance arch was partially torn down in 2022 and never restored to its original glory. Water features were blocked off in 2023. Even signage like the “Green Eggs and Ham” diner sign vanished—only to briefly return before disappearing again in January 2025.
These slow changes tell a bigger story: Universal may be quietly investing in the future of Seuss Landing.
With the Epic Universe theme park expected to open in 2025, Universal is likely re-evaluating every square inch of its current parks. Bringing back forgotten gems like Honk Honkers—especially with a more engaging concept—could help re-energize family-friendly corners of the park and spread out crowds.
Why Universal Working on This Site Matters Now
In an age where IP is king, Universal’s subtle attention to original Islands of Adventure lands shows a deeper strategy. While new lands like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and Dark Universe are grabbing headlines, Universal isn’t forgetting its roots. Revitalizing Seuss Landing could signal a broader plan to balance nostalgia with innovation—and maintain family appeal as more thrill-based lands open next door.
Of course, Universal has yet to make an official announcement. But fans, especially longtime visitors who’ve watched the land evolve (and slowly crumble), are cautiously optimistic.
Is this the comeback Honk Honkers deserves—or another temporary change before being shelved again?
Only time—and perhaps a puff of birthday cake-scented cotton candy—will tell.