Two things made me a Jimmy Buffett fan: the song “Holiday” when I listened to Radio Margaritaville for the first time, and the Margaritaville Cafe at Universal Orlando. Over time, those two things would lead me to be fully engrossed in being a Parrothead. And it was Jimmy Buffett’s ties to theme parks and the tourism industry that would become my closest ties to him. 

By Dani Dennison Meyering

Although Jimmy Buffett expressed frustration and sarcastic amusement at tourist traps like theme parks and cruise ships during his younger days, his lifestyle led to the building of a leisure empire. A singer and songwriter with humble beginnings, he tried his hand at a few musical stylings before anchoring into a tropical style that became his own. 

Jimmy Buffett died on Sept. 1, 2023, the start of Labor Day Weekend. One of Jimmy’s breakout hits “Come Monday” references Labor Day Weekend at the start of the lyrics, and over the decades, Labor Day Weekend became a meaningful time to head to a Jimmy Buffett concert. How fitting he has taken his final bow this weekend. To honor the man I have adored for many years, let’s explore his interesting ties to the amusement park and tourism industry. Some things may surprise you.

The Jimmy Buffett Lifestyle

While the average person probably thinks of cheeseburgers, margaritas, and a soundtrack of tropical party songs when they hear the name Jimmy Buffett, there is so much more to the man than that. Of course, his love of travel and enjoying life certainly ties in with the amusement park industry. 

His first hospitality establishment started as a store in Key West. From there, Margaritaville Cafes were born and within a few short decades, a collection of hotels, resorts, retirement communities, campgrounds, and now a cruise ship have joined the Margaritaville legacy. 

Soon the Margaritaville Cafes became owned by a different entity and a new era of the Margaritaville hospitality brand began to emerge. The original Margaritaville Cafes preserve an era of Jimmy Buffett music and culture that has changed since that time. In recent years, the Margaritaville brand became less about Jimmy Buffett the person and more about the tropical daydreams it inspires. As a fan it’s been hard to watch the brand distance itself from the man himself – but in the end, it makes sense. The legacy needs to carry on without him.

We all knew Jimmy Buffett’s age meant his time sailing alongside us would be coming to a close at some point. Now that he’s sailed on elsewhere, his legacy can continue and the Margaritaville brand has positioned itself to remain relevant for years to come. 

Jimmy Buffett’s History with Universal Orlando Resort

Although Jimmy Buffett’s birthplace is Pascagoula, Miss. (he grew up in Mobile, Alabama), many people associate him with Florida in general and the Florida Keys. I feel quite lucky to be born and raised right here in Orlando, a place that is full of tropical fun and amusement, and a place Jimmy Buffett blessed with multiple establishments. 

Margaritaville Orlando Cafe

Not only is there a massive Margaritaville Cafe at Universal Orlando Resort, CityWalk to be specific, but his actual seaplane is docked there. The beautiful Hemisphere Dancer is  Jimmy Buffett’s very own seaplane, it is not a replica. 

Fun Fact: If you look closely, you can see bullet holes in the seaplane in CityWalk. Jimmy was apparently flying into Jamaica with Bono from U2 onboard with his family and others, and Jamaican authorities thought they were drug runners. Luckily no one was hurt. But from that experience, Jimmy wrote the song “Jamaica Mistaica”.

Many fans like myself have made countless memories under the shade of its wings, overlooking the dazzling CityWalk skyline. The Orlando Margaritaville Cafe is one of the largest ever built, with two floors, multiple bars, a stage, and an erupting volcano at the centerpiece. 

Although the days of JD Spradlin broadcasting live on Radio Margaritaville right here in this very cafe have come to an end, the spirit of fun and celebration is still there. Keen-eyed Jimmy Buffett fans would be wise to explore the many walls of this place. There is Jimmy Buffett memorabilia and important career moments displayed all over. 

You can see photos from when Jimmy Buffett performed at the Orlando Margaritaville Cafe for the grand opening party on March 4, 1999. You can also see when Jimmy Buffett helped establish the Save the Manatee Club here in Florida. 

Jimmy Buffett Performances at Universal Studios Florida

Not only did Jimmy put on an epic performance for the grand opening of the Margaritaville Cafe at Universal Orlando in 1999, but he also performed inside Universal Studios Florida theme park. The first such performance inside was not open to the public. His performance used the New York area of Universal Studios Florida as the backdrop for his music video for the song “Fruitcakes.” The music video serves as a fun time capsule for fans of Jimmy Buffett as well as fans of Universal Orlando. 

In 2014 another Jimmy came to Universal Studios Florida. Jimmy Fallon filmed a few shows at Universal Studios Florida as a celebration of summer (this was three years before the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon attraction opened). Jimmy Buffett came on as a guest and performed a few songs on the music plaza stage inside Universal Studios Florida. 

I was one of the lucky fans in the audience that evening. Dressed in proper Parrothead garb, including a plush parrot on my head, I felt so fortunate to be there. Naturally, he closed out his short performance by performing the song “Margaritaville” and I took a moment to absorb being inside one of my favorite places watching my favorite performer. 

More Theme Park Ties 

Jimmy Buffett and Universal Studios Hollywood

Fans like me often associate Universal CityWalk with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe. And in 2017, the west coast CityWalk got their own Margaritaville Cafe. For the grand opening of the Margaritaville Cafe at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, you guessed it, Jimmy Buffett to that stage as well!

Two years prior, Jimmy made an epic cameo in Universal Pictures “Jurrasic World”. You may recall the movie revolves around the fictional theme park Jurassic World, with a shopping and dining area that resembles CityWalk – complete with its own Margaritaville. 

Jimmy Buffett is seen grabbing two margaritas off the table as he joins the crowd running from the feracious escaped dinosaurs. 

Editors Note: We paid tribute to Jimmy’s appearance in Jurassic World on the cover of our Spring 2019 magazine. The cover features two of our reporters relaxing on the beach at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, and our former reporter Banks Lee can be seen in the background, dressed like Jimmy from the movie and carrying two drinks.

The Term “Parrothead” was Born in a Theme Park

The word “Parrothead” is used by Jimmy Buffett fans to describe themselves. We wear the word like a badge of honor. And it was during a concert inside Kings Island in Cincinnati that the term “Parrothead” was first used to describe the fun-loving fans dressed in tropical gear attending the concert. Watch the video interview to find out where “Parrot Heads” got its start.

More Margaritaville Destinations

After nearly 50 years of Margaritaville being a lifestyle that has grown to the empire it is today, there are destinations all around the world to escape to. The most recent venture is a cruise ship, something that Jimmy Buffett sang sarcastically about decades ago. 

When the first Margaritaville at Sea cruise set sail, Jimmy Buffett was there – and so was I. He played his guitar, barefoot of course, with his trusted pals Mac McAnally and Eric Darken. I stood a mere 15 feet away, having secured my spot at the very front. With Landshark in hand (Landshark beer is licensed from Margaritaville foods brand), I made it a point to capture the moment in my mind. I knew his age meant he would sail on sometime soon. 

Thankfully there are many places to enjoy the Margaritaville lifestyle and so many are near theme parks and attractions. Consider traveling to one of them soon and lift a glass to a singer, songwriter, performer, novelist, and lover of life, the one and only Jimmy Buffett.

• Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge
• Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
• Margaritaville New York City Times Square
• Margaritaville Resort Orlando