If you have never enjoyed a meal at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville in Universal Studios CityWalk you are missing out on good food and good times. This is one of my favorite places to dine in at CityWalk because it brings about the feeling of a tropical vacation right in the middle of Central Florida. While I’m not necessarily a Parrothead myself, I can appreciate Jimmy Buffet’s carefree tunes and attitude and don’t mind mixing that in with a great burger. CityWalk is a nice little establishment of nightclubs, shops and restaurants situated right before you enter Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Orlando.

Every October, when Halloween Horror Nights rolls around, I make sure I schedule a visit to Margaritaville in before I hit the Universal parks for the annual horror event and Golden Ticket winner. The original Margaritaville opened up in Key West, Florida back in 1988 and has since expanded across the globe. The restaurant, named after Buffet’s popular song, features a number of great extras like the Lone Palm Airport tiki bar, where Buffet’s own sea plane is parked, a kids area and the volcano bar. Now, the volcano bar is inside the actual restaurant but you’ll know when it’s ready to blow. You hear the sounds of thunder and the restaurant goes dark and flashes as if a storm was coming. It’s then the volcano erupts as “margarita” flows into the gigantic blender near the appropriately named Volcano Bar.

As for the meal, well, you really can’t go wrong with the Cheeseburger in Paradise. If you know the lyrics to the song, you’ll know how this burger comes prepared: lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57 ketchup, french fries and a big kosher pickle. You can order the meat cooked to your liking and the food is always fresh. As for what to wash down that great cheeseburger with, the choice is up to you. There are a number of margarita cocktails that are great frozen or on the rocks. It may sound stereotypical to have a margarita at Margaritaville, but you really can’t miss out—they’re awesome. The best part is Jimmy Buffet’s own line of tequila and drink mixes are available next door in case you want to have your own Buffet-style party back home.

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.

When the University of Florida Gators football team won the BCS National Championship Game on January 8th, making them the 2009 National Champions, you can be sure that all of Florida united in celebration. And in fact, the party still hasn’t finished! Gator fans who are still reliving every moment of glory from last Thursday’s game can unite at Universal Studios Orlando, when the Orlando theme park hosts Gators National Championship Celebration Day on January 17th. Fans can enjoy special savings and entertainment throughout the day in honor of their favorite sports team.

This Saturday, Universal Orlando will become Gator country with unique entertainment specially catered to Gator fans. There’ll be appearances from special Gator guests Chris Leak, James Bates, Elijah Williams, Chris Doering, Errict Rhett, Jeff Chandler, Earnest Graham Jr., and Fred Weary. The Florida Gator Cheerleaders will also make a special appearance, as well as the Florida Gator mascots Albert and Alberta!

The fun starts at 10 am, when guests can enjoy free Gator Face Painting until 12 pm at Port of Entry, the gateway to the five areas at Islands of Adventure. Also at Port of Entry from 11 am to 12 pm, fans will be able to line up for a photograph with the Gator Cheerleaders and the team mascots. Then, at 12 pm, head over to Finnegan’s Bar and Grill for lunch while you watch the re-airing of that momentous national championship game. At 2 pm, stick around to watch the Florida Gators face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in basketball.

Then at 3 pm, gather up your team spirit for a special Gator Celebration Parade featuring the special Gator guests, the cheerleaders, mascots, Universal Studios characters, and members of the University of Florida Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band. Right after the parade, head to Hollywood Boulevard at 3:30 for the Gator Celebration Pep Rally, and get ready to cheer your loudest.

Gators National Championship Celebration Day will wrap up at Universal's CityWalk from 4 to 7 pm, when fans will really let loose at the After Party at Pat O’Brien’s. Anyone who bleeds orange and blue will enjoy drink specials and 10% off total food purchases.

So come be a part of the excitement, and don’t forget to wear your orange and blue this Saturday at Universal Studios, when the park will be swarming with Gators. Be a smart Gator and score discount Universal Studios tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll really be able to make the most of Gator celebration weekend.