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Night Life in
Orlando: Universal and Disney Compete for the Entertainment
Audience
By Mark Whichard
Competition can
be a great thing for consumers because the competing
companies really have to work to get their share of the
market. In Orlando the two main players in the theme park
category are Disney World and Universal Studios, but their
competition is not confined to thrilling rides, both
companies offer a wide array of nighttime entertainment. If
you are visiting Orlando you will probably want to visit the
entertainment areas of both parks, and here is what you can
expect to find.
Let’s start with
Disney World. Disney’s nightlife area is called Pleasure
Island and it is located in the downtown area of Disney
World. Pleasure Island is a collection of restaurants and
night clubs. Each of the eight night clubs has a particular
theme, and the entertainment and performers are chosen
according to the theme of the clubs.
For example, The
Wildhorse Saloon features country music and no wonder, as it
is based on Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The club features
a big dance floor and performance area, and each night a
live country band is on hand to entertain guests. On the
culinary side, the Wildhorse Saloon has a barbecue
restaurant.
If country music
is not your thing, you can just go on to the other themed
clubs. For example lovers of classic rock will be happy with
the play list at the Rock n Roll Beach Club. This is a club
with a beach party theme, and each night a disc jockey or a
live band serves up a lively set of classic rock music.
Disney’s Pleasure
Island also has The Comedy Warehouse, devoted to stand up
comics and improvisational comedy, a club centered on the
hits of the 70s and 80s, and a club where you can watch and
dance to the latest music videos. Wander around the clubs
and restaurants of Pleasure Island and you will certainly
find something that meets your taste.
Not to be outdone
by its rival Disney, Universal also an area set aside for
night life activity. Universal’s night club and restaurant
area is called Universal CityWalk. If you are wondering
which came first, Disney or Universal, then the answer in
this case is Universal. The CityWalk area at it’s Florida
complex is modeled after its Universal Hollywood which
pioneered the idea of a restaurant-night club complex.
Like Disney’s
Pleasure Island, CityWalk features a varied set of clubs
each providing a different kind of entertainment.
If you are a fan
of reggae music then your first stop should be at the “Bob
Marley, a Tribute to Freedom” club. This is not only a night
club but also a museum based on the museum at Bob Marley’s
house in Jamaica. The club features live reggae music on a
nightly basis.
Do you prefer
jazz? Then the CityJazz club should be your destination on
any weekend. The club provides not only live music, but
also has lots of jazz memorabilia on its walls. During the
weekdays, the club’s entertainment is comedy.
CityWalk’s Latin
Quarter is both a top class restaurant during the day and a
lively night club at night. As its name suggests the music
is Latin and it is popular with the local Hispanic community
as well as tourists.
CityWalk has
several other clubs and restaurants. There is no admission
charge to CityWalk, though each venue has its own cover
charge. An economical way to visit the area is to get a
“key” to all the venues for $7.95. You can’t drive through
this area and will have to park your car in Universal’s
garages for about $7.00 per night.
Whether it is
CityWalk or Pleasure Island, you will certainly find a
restaurant or club where you can unwind and enjoy yourself
in Orlando.
Mark Whichard is
an Orlando tourism expert and writes frequently about
attractions in and around Orlando. He is the proprietor of
Quality Orlando Villa Rentals and you can get great deals on
Orlando Vacation Homes at this
website
http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
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