CityWalk takeover coincides with TV season premiere
Universal Orlando on Sept. 12 unveiled a limited-time experience at Universal CityWalk that transforms both bar areas inside the Great Movie Escape into spaces themed to NBC’s reality competition, The Traitors: New Blood.
The seasonal activation runs through the broadcast season for the new series, which premieres Sept. 17 on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock the next day. Universal’s takeover includes themed decor, specialty cocktail menus and the costumes used by series host Alan Cumming.
"The Traitors is a hit reality competition built around deception, with contestants divided between the Faithful and secret Traitors as they compete for a cash prize while trying to uncover who is working against them."
The takeover alters both of the Great Movie Escape bars — The Library and The Roundtable — each offering distinct menus and atmosphere inspired by the series’ tone of intrigue and betrayal. Universal describes the menus as complementary but unique, giving guests options whether they prefer darker, spirit-forward drinks or brighter, party-forward concoctions.
Menus, signature drinks and mocktail
Highlights from The Library menu include cocktails built around scotch, espresso and bourbon, plus a mocktail. The Roundtable list leans on rum, gin and whiskey variations intended to reflect the program’s characters and themes.
- The Library: The Raven; A Murder in Plain Sight; The Castle at Midnight; The Secret Passage; The Shield (mocktail)
- The Roundtable: The Faithful; The New Blood; The Traitor (and additional offerings)
To present the drink offerings more clearly, below is a brief table of selected menu items and primary flavor profiles:
| Bar | Drink | Primary flavors / spirits |
|---|---|---|
| The Library | The Raven | Scotch, blackberry, cassis, ginger beer |
| The Library | The Castle at Midnight | Vodka espresso martini, chocolate liqueur |
| The Roundtable | The New Blood | Cherry rum, dark rum, cassis |
| The Roundtable | The Faithful | Gin, blue curaçao, elderflower |
Local impact and timing
For residents and visitors, the takeover adds a fresh entertainment option on CityWalk — the dining-and-entertainment district that serves guests of Universal Orlando Resort and local patrons alike. The activation is timed to the show’s initial episodes, a programming strategy frequently used by theme-park operators to tie on-site experiences to current media properties.
CityWalk’s bar areas are popular evening destinations for both tourists and Orlando residents without theme-park tickets; a temporary theme that includes recognizable costumes from the series could draw additional visitors to the district on weeknights and weekends while the series is airing.
Universal’s announcement emphasized themed decor and specialty drinks rather than other tie-in programming such as costumed character appearances or interactive games. The presence of the host’s costumes — noted by Universal as part of the decor — offers an additional visual draw for fans of the show.
What to expect when visiting
Guests planning to visit CityWalk for the takeover should expect the bars to feature new menus and altered ambiance consistent with the program’s mood. Universal has positioned the activation as seasonal and limited to the run of the television season; no extension or permanent change has been announced.
As with other CityWalk offerings, standard venue rules and age restrictions for alcohol service apply. Patrons seeking the mocktail option can order the Library’s "The Shield," which Universal listed alongside its cocktail selections.
Themed dining and bar takeovers continue to be a tool for Orlando attractions to refresh offerings for local patrons and tourists; this latest example ties a national television property directly into the visitor experience at one of the city’s most frequented entertainment corridors.
