If You Build It, They Will Come
Written: Jan 26 '05 (Updated Mar 20 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots of food choices, huge movie theater, lots of nightlife opportunities.
Cons: Long walk from parking lot to City Walk; $8 parking.
The Bottom Line: Food, entertainment, and nightlife all in one location.
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| xyzwyatt's Full Review: Universal Citywalk - Orlando |
CityWalk is located just outside of Universal Studios theme park. There is no admission to visit CityWalk however the parking garage is $8.00 for the day, free after 6PM. Many people look at this as a tourist trap that you have to go through to get to the theme park but I strongly disagree with that. There’s really no trap here, there’s nothing to buy except some shades or necessities you might need for the day plus there are many restaurants and cafes to fit anyone’s tastes. Once it becomes dark and the theme parks close this becomes one major party location!
CityWalk is the gateway to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so some of the shops that serve breakfast and coffee are open and are mostly located at the parking entrance of CityWalk. The restaurants start opening for lunch around 11AM and most things remain open until the 2AM closing of CityWalk. CityWalk is technically free because you can walk through at no cost. Once the night crowd arrives some of the locations will charge a cover charge for entry. I have listed the ones that have a cover charge below.
Nightlife
One of the beauties of CityWalk is that it is walking distance to many of the hotels around the theme park. This means less less driving and more partying. I don’t party any more but if I did this definitely would be the place I would go. It’s a great environment to bar hop, mingle with friends, take a date, and stay out late. You could go to a movie then you’re right there to have a nice dinner before the nightlife kicks in. The place is really rocking on Friday and Saturday nights as you might expect. You can hear music from all the bars and the CityWalk stage might have a live band playing or tall men on stilts walking around.
For those of you who are staying in the surrounding hotels you’ll find that there are babysitting services so you can easily enjoy yourself and have nice dinner and movie, maybe even a drink or two.
What CityWalk Has To Offer
There are really four different things to do at CityWalk; general entertainment, restaurants, souvenir shopping, and night clubs. I will list everything that they have and go into detail where I can.
Universal Cineplex 20 Screen Movie Theatre
The first thing that you see when you enter CityWalk from the parking garage is the very large Loews Movie Theater. It has a huge board with movie lights and a list of all the movies which are playing that day listed large enough to read when you walk by. This is a newer style movie theater with top of the line projection and high-back rocking stadium style seating. It is well maintained and always clean. I have used the box office, the courtesy desk, and the snack bar and have always found the employees to be helpful. The temperature of the building has always been comfortable which is unusual for me. There are many concession stands an in conjunction with the traditional movie foods they also sell yogurt and ice cream, pizzas, and gourmet coffee. Outside food is not permitted. There are 20 screens with and show time begins at 11:30AM each day. Evening shows start at 6PM with the last show starting around 10PM. There are also midnight shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Prices are $7.75 for each adult, 12 and under is $4.75, 62 years of age and older is $5.50, and Students pay $5.50. Matinee prices before 6PM are $5.50 a person, no other discounts apply. For show times call 407-354-5998.
Restaurants
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
This is a Caribbean style restaurant representing Jimmy Buffet in both style and music. It offers Caribbean cuisine such as seafood, hamburgers, jerk chicken or shrimp. Sandwiches are around $9, platters are around $15. Cover charge is $5 after 10PM but is waived if you attended the park or dined at Margaritaville that day. Reservations are recommended. 407-224-2155. Hours are 11AM-2AM.
Motown Cafe
This is a 2-story restaurant with a rather expensive game room on the bottom floor to lure onlooker in and also has an ice cream parlor downstairs. The restaurant upstairs serves things such as steaks and BBQ. It features some Motown memorabilia on the walls. The staff is very friendly. They are open at lunch (and not busy at that time) but I feel that their menu is more of a dinner place. They do have some sandwiches such as NY cheese steak, BBQ pork, cheeseburger, and a mushroom sandwich. Sunday through Tuesday is Karaoke from 7-11PM; Wednesday – Saturday there is a DJ from 7PM till close. Cover is $5 aft 9PM.
Hard Rock Cafe
This particular Hard Rock Caf� is the largest in the world with over 1,000 pieces of Rock Memorabilia. They have meals ranging from $10 for sandwiches and platters a little more. They have American cuisine such as stacked roast beef, turkey club, BLT, etc. Reservations are recommended and should be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 407-351-ROCK.
NASCAR Cafe
This is the only restaurant in the World designated as an Official NASCAR Restaurant. There’s a stock car in front and racing memorabilia inside as well as a game room. American Fare such as hamburgers, chicken and spaghetti. No Cover Charge. 407-224-7223
Emeril's Restaurant Orlando
You may recognize the name, Chef Emeril Lagasse from the TV Food Network. This is a very prestigious restaurant that everyone in town has been raving about since it opened. This is an American and Louisiana Creole gourmet restaurant with main courses like Rib eye steak, Prime Rib, quail, and duck, pork chops, shrimp, and much more. The menu is different for lunch and dinner. They have an open kitchen so the guests can watch, the inside is immaculate. Reservations are recommended. Finer dining so business attire is recommended but casual dress is accepted due to the location. This would be a very nice place to go for perhaps an anniversary. Lunch 11:30AM-2PM; Dinner Sunday-Thursday is 5:30PM-10PM, till 11PM on Friday and Saturday. Phone 407-224-2424
NBA City
Another highly recommended restaurant is the popular NBA City. It was voted best themed restaurant twice in Orlando. The environment is based off of the NBA theme. There is a large projection screen that plays highlights from some of the best athletes in the world. There is an area to practice shooting your own hoops and there is a NBA store attached that you can buy exclusive NBA merchandise. The SkyBox Lounge is upstairs and has 20 different TV’s. It’s an upscale lounge serving cocktails and fine cigars.
They serve American foods such as Bayou onion strings, crab ragoons, coconut shrimp, pecan chicken tenders for appetizers. Sandwiches include things such as hamburger, cheese steak, chicken club, Reuben, and prime rib. Some dinner choices are salmon, ribs, chops, NY strip steak, and jambalaya. The prices range from $5-$20 with the majority under $10. Hours are 12PM-2AM; Phone: 407-363-5919.
Pastamore Ristorante & Market
Pastamore has a market in front for drinks, pizza, and sandwiches. This is one of my favorites because we are served quickly and is quite tasty. I love the Italian sandwich with a side pasta salad. You can get pizza by the slice, or a whole pizza. It is also one of the few restaurants that also serve breakfast. The dinning facility opens at 5PM where they serve a variety of Italian food. There is sometimes a wait so reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling 407-224-FOOD. No cover charge.
Cinnabon
Cinnabon sells breakfast rolls and beverages and opens early for breakfast and stays open all day.
Starbucks
Starbucks is up stairs and offers coffee, drinks, and bakery items. It's also opens early for breakfast and remains open during the day.
Night Clubs with Food and/or Entertainment
Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom
This restaurant is closed for lunch but in the evening features Jamaican and Caribbean food with live Reggae music. The cover charge is $5.00. The hours of operation are from 4PM-2AM.
Pat O'Brien's
Another restaurant that is closed at lunch. This bar is themed after the famous Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. They are open from 4PM-2AM. Cover charge is $5.00.
City Jazz
This is a nightclub open for those over 18 years of age. They are open from 8PM-2AM. Cover charge is $5.00. On Thursday – Saturday this is Bonkerz Comedy Club and cover is $8.00. and show starts as 8PM.
The Groove
This is a very popular dance club that plays 70’s and 80’s music. Must be 21 years or older to enter. It is open 9:00PM-2AM. Cover is $5.00
Hard Rock Live
This is a concert hall. The calendar of events can be found at: http://www.hardrock.com/live2/live.asp
Small Shops
The small shops are truly really small. Mostly they are unique souvenirs such as All Star Collectibles which sells sports gifts, Cartooniversal which sells cartoon related souveniers, Dapy which is a novelty shop with gifts, The Endangered Species Store which only sells items that are related to endangered species. Glow is an interesting shop that only sells things that glow or illuminate in some way.
There are a couple of stores there that you might find something that is needed for the day such as Fossil if you need to buy a watch or sunglasses, Fresh Produce for an outfit in case you get yours wet on a water ride. There's Quiet Flight for your surf and beach needs. There's also a Universal Studios Store in CittyWalk just in case you didn't have time to get a souvenir while at the park.
Overall
I think CityWalk is a great place to spend a few hours for lunch or for dinner. There are a lot of different choices of cuisine and atmospheres to choose from. What I like best is that none of these places are fast food joints and in general you could get a really nice somewhat healthy meal at CityWalk for the same price as the junk food inside the theme parks or even traditional fast food restaurants for that matter. If you are staying near Orlando as a vacation package this is ideal because you have everything that you need, food, lodging, and entertainment. You wouldn't have to worry about renting a car if you came by plane, and wouldn't have to worry about getting lost around town if you did drive. If you are from Orlando nothing beats a great meal and a movie and a night cap. I prefer this theater to my local one and the restaurants are unique to this location. CityWalk makes sense to me.
Other Things around Orlando:
Amusements
Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Orlando Sea World, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
Indoor Entertainment
Orlando Science Museum, The Florida Aquarium
Malls/Shopping Areas
The Mall at Millenia, The Florida Mall
State Parks
Lake Louisa State Park
Best Food
Universal Margaritaville at CityWalk, Hard Rock Cafe at Citywalk, NBA City at Citywalk, Pastamore at Citywalk, Seasons 52, New York Pizza Deli, Jungle Jim's, Bajama Breeze
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
xyzwyatt
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Location: Nashville, TN
Reviews written: 542
Trusted by: 171 members
About Me:
Be a coffee-drinking individual - espresso yourself!
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