Universal CityWalk vs Pleasure Island

If you are visiting either the Walt Disney World Resort or the Universal Orlando Resort in Central Florida on your next vacation you already know that you wont have to go far to find fun and entertainment. But, did you know that nighttime entertainment is also right around the corner at both theme park complexes? While you can always head to downtown Orlando to check out the nightlife, you don’t have to take the drive up Interstate 4 to access some of the best bars and clubs in the area, as Universal’s CityWalk and Disney’s Pleasure Island both feature nightly entertainment that will get you in the mood to party any time!

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island and CityWalk may sound very similar, and while it’s true that the two do have a lot in common, it is also important to point out the differences between them. First of all, Pleasure Island may have opened first, but rumor has it that CityWalk was actually in development about five years prior to either of the two nighttime developments’ arrival in Central Florida. Another major factor to point out is that Pleasure Island is just a small component of the family-friendly Downtown Disney complex while CityWalk caters more to adults with more hip and contemporary club and bar options than its Disney counterpart.

Among the establishments you will encounter at CityWalk are the Red Coconut Club, the newest venture that sits atop CityWalk, the groove – a dance club with a different theme each night – or Pat O’Brien’s, a re-creation of New Orleans’ favorite watering hole. Or, if you are looking to ‘waste away in Margaritaville,’ head on over to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, one of more than 10 restaurants situated at CityWalk. While some, like Jimmy Buffet’s, are themed restaurants, you also have upscale choices like Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando to choose from at CityWalk.

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, on the other hand, features clubs and bars that each have a distinct theme. So, if it’s 80’s music you are into or the top 40 hits of today, there is a club to suit your fancy. With a new Irish pub, Pleasure Island’s first watering hole of its kind, PI (as it is commonly referred to) really does have something for everyone, from live music to even a comedy warehouse for a more low-key evening on the town. Pleasure Island sits in the midst of the Downtown Disney West Side, which is home to more trendy restaurants (House of Blues Orlando) and shops, and the Downtown Disney Marketplace, which is where you will find most families doing their souvenir shopping.

As we discussed earlier, however, there are many similarities between the two nighttime districts. Both have deals where you can purchase admission into all of the clubs for one price, although CityWalk’s is cheaper than Pleasure Island by almost $10. Universal also offers the CityWalk Party Pass and a Movie, which gives you admission into everything with the addition of a movie that evening as well. Both places also have a big-name show on their premises, as the world-famous Blue Man Group (CityWalk) and Cirque du Soleil (Downtown Disney) have chosen Central Florida as a permanent home.

Whether you are planning on visiting Universal’s CityWalk or Disney’s Pleasure Island, however, it is important to remember DWTickets.com in your vacation planning. Not only do we offer discounted theme park tickets, but we also have discounted ticket prices to Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil and Pleasure Island. So no matter what kind of entertainment you are looking for, day or night, DWTickets.com can help you enjoy it for less!