Last updated June, 2024
At Universal CityWalk Orlando, there’s a bit of history that’s not on any map: A segment of the Berlin Wall is hidden away behind the Hard Rock Cafe. You’ll never find it if you’re not seeking it out:
The Urban Legend
Unlike most pieces of the Berlin Wall, this one has minimal graffiti art. And what’s there is almost gone, extremely faded.
Supposedly a well-meaning maintenance worker power-washed the graffiti off the wall, unaware of the historic value.
Or did it just fade in the Orlando weather?
I’m obsessed with this wall. It’s both historic and meaningless at the same time (segments of the wall are everywhere. My local coworking space even has one.). The power-washing story extends it almost into performance art, a perfect encapsulation of everything weird and wonderful about CityWalk.
To try and confirm or deny the legend, I’m looking for datestamped photos of the wall segment. If I can see that the paint disappeared quickly, it was probably power-washed. But if it’s a more gradual process, weather is probably the cause.
Can you help fill in the gap?
I need photos of the wall from between 1998 and 2009.
Ping me on Bluesky or email if you’ve got one. I’d also love to hear ideas of where I can look.
The Photographic Timeline So Far
(I’m linking to sources except when they have faces visible)
1994
The wall has vivid paint, seemingly outside, as represented in a 1994 Russian Pink Floyd fanzine. Thank you to redditor DanEngler for finding this.
1997
Spotted in a video, the wall has been moved inside the old Universal Hard Rock Cafe.
1998
After the old Hard Rock is torn down and rebuilt, the wall is outside. Paint is still looking pretty good. From DisneyFans.com
2009
The wall is still outside, paint is very faded. What happened since 1998?
2010
This partial photo, with a close-up on some of the faded paint:
2013
Full view, looking much like it does today. Looks like the plaque was replaced since 2010. From TouringPlans.com
2013 – Today
There’s lots of pictures available, with very little additional fading of paint.
2024