Universal CityWalk has a big milestone to celebrate this month, but that milestone will pass by rather quietly for the thousands of visitors who enjoy the shopping and entertainment center each year. Believe it or not, it’s been ten years since CityWalk opened in February 1999. Part of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios into Universal Orlando as we know it today, the 30-acre entertainment complex was built over the former Universal Studios parking lot and entrance after five years of planning and construction.

Today, CityWalk is still going strong as one of the most popular attractions in Orlando, with ample shopping, dining, and entertainment options for both tourists and locals. Everything a person might need to pass an afternoon or evening is there; from the musical shenanigans of Blue Man Group to the Jimmy Buffet-inspired margaritas and cuisine of Margaritaville to the latest apparel and souvenirs of Fossil and Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company. CityWalk even has a 20-theater AMC Theaters Cineplex playing the hottest movies in state-of-the-art projection and digital sound.

With the closing of Pleasure Island last year at Downtown Disney, CityWalk can also look forward to a strong future. While Walt Disney World rethinks its plans for the nightclub area, CityWalk is now the only nightclub district owned by a theme park and quite possibly the busiest nightclub area in Orlando. Currently, the nightclub offerings include the groove, Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Red Coconut Club, and the newest offering, CityWalk’s Rising Star, a Karaoke Club featuring a live band and backup performers.

However, CityWalk thrives on a winning combination that attracts not only club-goers, but also several different kinds of customers throughout the day. In the morning and afternoon, the shops and restaurants attract theme park visitors passing through on their way to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. During the evening, diners who may or may not be headed to the parks come to enjoy unique restaurants such as Emeril’s and Latin Quarter. And later on into the night, club-goers flood in to enjoy reggae grooves at Bob Marley and dance hits at the groove, among other things. CityWalk also attracts sports lovers during big game days to restaurants and bars such as NBA City and the NASCAR Sports Grille.

Going into 2009, CityWalk plans to add more dining options, including a Burger King Whopper Bar, Panda Express, and a Moe’s Southwest Grill. A new surf and skateboard equipment and fashion shop, Element by Billabong will also open. And guests will be able to enjoy the fruits of recent improvements like a new outdoor stage and several renovated shops.

However, the recipe will stay mostly the same for the entertainment district – after all, why fix what isn’t broken? If CityWalk stays on the successful path it’s on now, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this mega-entertainment complex celebrating its 20th anniversary ten years from now.

If you haven’t paid Universal CityWalk a visit lately, drop by to see what you’re missing next time you score your discount Universal Studios tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com. A great place to hang out at night or to take a break while you’re visiting the parks, there’s lots of fun and many ways to have it at Universal CityWalk.