Last updated October, 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 or significantly cleaned since 2010. From TouringPlans.com
2013 – 2024
There’s lots of pictures available, with very little additional fading of paint.
Fall, 2024
To my eye, it looks like slight weathering has taken place since 2013. It’s hard to see in this picture, due to the overgrown vegetation.
Comment from Hard Rock
In October 2024 I received this reply from Hard Rock Cafe’s General Manager. They don’t completely confirm or deny the story, but it seems like they view it as a legend too.
So, as I know it, we acquired this piece several years back. The legend goes that a cleaning crew member pressure washed the wall when they legitimately thought it was graffiti (insert eye roll!). Everyone asks why we have this piece since we are a music themed restuarant. The music component to this piece is that Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, played directly in front of this piece of the wall. The graffiti had a hammer and sickle (as you can see in the attached) which was the same logo that was on the ‘The Wall – Live in Berlin’ album.
We proudly display this piece of history and it serves as a reminder of our ‘Love All, Serve All’ motto. Everyone and anyone is welcomed into our building – always.
The pictures they included don’t add any new information to the timeline.
I wasn’t previously aware that the original graffiti matched the Live in Berlin album:
To me, this implies that at least some of the graffiti was added after the wall came down – or during planning for the concert. I haven’t been able to find a picture or video of Roger Waters with this wall segment yet.
Bonus Discoveries
Google Maps Removal
Between 8/19/24 and 10/7/24, the wall was removed from Google Maps. It used to be listed as “Berlin Wall Segment”
Awning Removal
Sometime between 9/10/24 and 9/13/24, the nearby awning (“Room 315 – A Tribute to CBGB”) was removed. This is my only proof that an official employee has ever been back to this space.
9/10/24:
9/13/24:
