City Walk for teen group?

[KCMiller]

Hi, all,

My teen's marching band will be going to Florida to march at the Magic Kingdom the week between Christmas and New Years, and this year, they're including a one day trip to Universal. Trips in the past, they've been taken to Medieval Times, but there is discussion about giving them a choice between taking in Blue Man Group or just going to City Walk one night. I'm a bit concerned about this - apart from restaurants and shopping, is there anything for high school aged kids to do at City Walk in the evening? Will is be terribly crowded during this week? Isn't there quite a bit of drinking, like the old days at Pleasure Island (back when there was a cover charge)? And how about crime?

I'm going to a planning meeting next week, and would love some input to bring to this meeting from people who have experience at night at City Walk.

Thanks in advance,

KC

 

[Metro West]

Hi, all,

My teen's marching band will be going to Florida to march at the Magic Kingdom the week between Christmas and New Years, and this year, they're including a one day trip to Universal. Trips in the past, they've been taken to Medieval Times, but there is discussion about giving them a choice between taking in Blue Man Group or just going to City Walk one night. I'm a bit concerned about this - apart from restaurants and shopping, is there anything for high school aged kids to do at City Walk in the evening? Will is be terribly crowded during this week? Isn't there quite a bit of drinking, like the old days at Pleasure Island (back when there was a cover charge)? And how about crime?

I'm going to a planning meeting next week, and would love some input to bring to this meeting from people who have experience at night at City Walk.

Thanks in advance,

KC

The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest of the year so the crowds will be huge! CityWalk has the theatre but also has a club called "the groove" that caters to teens on certain nights.

I have a booklet from December 2008 and it states the groove offered teen nights (ages 15-19 only) on three of the nights you would be there. The cover charges were either $12.00 or $15.00 depending on the night. The hours were either 7pm-11pm or 8pm-midnight.

I would imagine CityWalk will do the same thing this year.

 

[KCMiller]

Thanks for your reply! I'm right in thinking that to go to City Walk, you have to exit the main park, yes? And is there a lot of rowdy behavior in the evening there?

I appreciate your help, and anyone elses input!

KC

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for your reply! I'm right in thinking that to go to City Walk, you have to exit the main park, yes? And is there a lot of rowdy behavior in the evening there?

I appreciate your help, and anyone elses input!

KC

CityWalk is between the parks and the parking garage so yes...you would have to exit the main parks. I haven't heard about a lot of rowdy behavior at CityWalk although I'm sure there are incidents. There are enough people around to stop anything wild before it goes too far.

 

[minniejack]

we were there with 2 teens 13 1/2 and 15 1/2 this past Christmas through New Years. We went to Citiwalk every night. Several nights,we caught really good bands playing right outside for anyone to hear.Orange Crush was one and we bought their CD.

Never any rowdiness--not even new year's eve--just a huge crowd that night.

Band members might really like the Blue Man Group. For some kids that never get to go anywhere with their parents for a vaca, this might be their only chance to see something like that.

 

[macraven]

this is the city walk site.
click on entertainment for more details.


http://www.universalorlando.com/citywalk.html


the ones listed state 21 + except for Rising Star on Thursdays 18+ are allowed.

 

[minniejack]

Just asked DD15 about Citiwalk. She said better off to stay in the parks until they close and then go back to your room. "Citiwalk is for grown-ups" was what she said.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Exactly how late are you planning on being there? The night clubs dont' get really started until after 10 PM and there are so many other things to see and watch at Citiwalk. There is also a cineplex. I have chaperoned middle school and high school age children in the past on different trips and I would not have any trouble letting them roam around and enjoy CW. I have seen high school band students at CW and DTD in the past roaming around. They can't get into the clubs if under 21. Yes, there is a chance they may encounter intoxicated people later at night but I run into intoxicated people in the Epcot world showcase all the time. NBA has a game zone like ESPN that some students will enjoy, also. Blue Man Group would also be great but I know these type of trips are usually on tight budgets.

 

[Metro West]

Just asked DD15 about Citiwalk. She said better off to stay in the parks until they close and then go back to your room. "Citiwalk is for grown-ups" was what she said.

That's why there is teen night at the groove so the kids have somewhere to go. From what I understand, the DJs are pretty good.

 

[KCMiller]

Well, this is great info! Thanks so much - the only time I went to City Walk was several years ago, with my sister, and only to go to dinner at Emerils - it was almost deserted that night, but there were a number of shady looking characters there, and so I was left with a not very positive impression.

Have a great day, everyone!

KC

 

[subtchr]

I just returned from escorting a high school band to Orlando, and the night we gave the kids time to shop and eat at Citywalk was one of their favorites! There was a live band playing outside that they spent a long time dancing to and just enjoying themselves. And the shopping is very good, as are the restaurants, both table and counter service.

I have also twice chaperoned bands during the same week you are there. Even though the crowds were larger, it was still a great time for them. You know band kids, they just love having time to hang out, shop, eat, and people-watch.

Even though Citywalk is outside of the parks and open to the public, it is still a "contained" area, if that makes any sense. To leave they have to take the walkway to the parking garage/bus areas. So if you are worried, post some chaperones near that walkway to monitor things.

Besides, I kind of assume you are from Ohio (go Bucks! I am from Ohio also!), and just to be able to be OUTSIDE in late December is a treat!

Have fun, it's a crazy week, but a great time.

 

[princessgirl2238]

you could sort of do both blue man and city walk. depending on your schedule. you have to walk through city walk to get to blueman group, so what you could do if you're not going to one of the parks or if you want to leave a little early, you could go have dinner at city walk (hard rock cafe, margrittaville, bubba gumps or something) and then go to the later showing of blueman (sometimes there are two shows a night) or you could go to blueman first and then go get dinner and hangout at city walk. even as the night goes on and the clubs open up, there's a lot of security to make sure that things don't get crazy.