My wife is a Hokie grad, and we are going to the Camping World Bowl (Virginia Tech vs Oklahoma State) on the 28th.

I didn't realize that Camping World Stadium was just a re-named Citrus Bowl. I thought they demolished the Citrus Bowl, but I guess I was mistaken.

I know next to nothing about the area of Orlando where the stadium is... the surrounding area (at least per GoogleMaps) looks pretty sketchy. (But I could be wrong.)

Any suggestions/tips on the area? Places to see? Places to avoid? We are driving (4 hours) in the morning and getting there around 10 AM. We will be parking/ailgating after lunch... best spot nearby for lunch that maybe only the locals know about? (The proximity to Disney makes me think there will be nothing but chains and whatnot.)

(12-11-2017 12:06 PM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  My wife is a Hokie grad, and we are going to the Camping World Bowl (Virginia Tech vs Oklahoma State) on the 28th.

I didn't realize that Camping World Stadium was just a re-named Citrus Bowl. I thought they demolished the Citrus Bowl, but I guess I was mistaken.

I know next to nothing about the area of Orlando where the stadium is... the surrounding area (at least per GoogleMaps) looks pretty sketchy. (But I could be wrong.)

Any suggestions/tips on the area? Places to see? Places to avoid? We are driving (4 hours) in the morning and getting there around 10 AM. We will be parking/ailgating after lunch... best spot nearby for lunch that maybe only the locals know about? (The proximity to Disney makes me think there will be nothing but chains and whatnot.)

People who live in Orlando can probably give you better details, but I've stayed on the north side of downtown (Doubletree) that was really nice. Whenever I've gone to things at the Amway Center (the Magic's arena downtown), I've found Church Street Station to be OK (if a bit touristy), and there's plenty of places to eat/drink there. The Citrus Bowl's a short Lyft ride from there (maybe a bit long for one of the bicycle taxi things they have, too).

USFFan

Try to find a hotel near lake Eola. That part of downtown is nice and you can walk over to Wall Street for drinks which if fun. Winter Park is also nice if you don’t stay downtown. Whatever you do, avoid International Drive and the attractions. That area is a tourist trap.

It’s been a while since I lived down there so I’ll let others chime in

They did demolish the lower bowl of the Citrus Bowl (parts were from the 1930s) and only kept the highest upper deck, which was built in the late '80s. The main part of the stadium, including nice clubs are brand new.

The area immediately surrounding Camping World stadium isn't the best. You're usually ok if you park in one of the monitored lots right near the stadium. I think they also run shuttles to the stadium from downtown lots. You might want to check on that and then park in a downtown garage and shuttle over.

As for places to eat/drink, there is a nice microbrewery near the stadium called Broken Cauldron. Otherwise, you'll want to eat/drink/stay in other places downtown. There is another a craft brewery right on Orange Ave (the main street in downtown) called Orange County Brewers. They also serve wood-fired pizzas. It all depends on what you are looking for. Most of downtown east of I4 is plenty safe.

Avoid the area around Camping World Stadium at all times except for game time. It was called Citrus Dump for a reason. Winter Park, Lake Eola, East Orlando/UCF area are all your best bet. Unless you’re going to the theme parks, then staying near Universals/International drive would be fine.

Are you staying the night after the game? What type of foods do you guys like? There's a pretty good local foodie scene within a 5 mi radius of the stadium but that's everything from trendy brunch spots to sandwich shops like Beefy King and Asian quick bites.

Give some more details and I'll try to give some spots.

The area near the citrus dump is sketchy. Stay away from that area all but while you’re at the game.

How old are you guys? If you don't want to do the theme park stuff, stay downtown at the Embassy suites by Lake Eola. It's nice, in a safe area with plenty to do and the best affordable hotel closest to all the good stuff downtown. Grand Bohemian is nice too if you want to spend more money. I actually live a block away if you want to grab a beer. On game day, you can take a free bus that will take you to/from the stadium with no problems. I'm sure that there will be a designated Hokie bar downtown.

(12-11-2017 12:06 PM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  My wife is a Hokie grad, and we are going to the Camping World Bowl (Virginia Tech vs Oklahoma State) on the 28th.

I didn't realize that Camping World Stadium was just a re-named Citrus Bowl. I thought they demolished the Citrus Bowl, but I guess I was mistaken.

I know next to nothing about the area of Orlando where the stadium is... the surrounding area (at least per GoogleMaps) looks pretty sketchy. (But I could be wrong.)

Any suggestions/tips on the area? Places to see? Places to avoid? We are driving (4 hours) in the morning and getting there around 10 AM. We will be parking/ailgating after lunch... best spot nearby for lunch that maybe only the locals know about? (The proximity to Disney makes me think there will be nothing but chains and whatnot.)

Sounds like you're not staying for any length of time, just driving in for the game and then driving out, right? So no need for sightseeing recommendations.

And if you're tailgating before the game, why do you need lunch recommendations? Just eat amongst the tailgaters at the stadium.

Not really sure what exactly you want to know, except for a hot local lunch tip, which itself seems redundant given the tailgating.

Depends on your age and what you're into.

1) If you're younger, staying downtown and hitting the bars might be fun. There are a few restaurants/bars around lake eola. If you have money stay at the Grand Bohemian.

2) If you like the upscale stuff, Park Ave in Winter Park has a ton of restaurants/bars. You want walk around and see what you want.

3) There is always the attractions area only if you're going to attend one of the theme parks. There is no reason to stay down in that area unless you're going to the parks.

4) If you want just easy access to get to anything stay at the Sheraton in Maitland. You just right on I4 and get to whatever you want in 15 mins (Not counting the theme parks).

(12-13-2017 08:47 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  How old are you guys? If you don't want to do the theme park stuff, stay downtown at the Embassy suites by Lake Eola. It's nice, in a safe area with plenty to do and the best affordable hotel closest to all the good stuff downtown. Grand Bohemian is nice too if you want to spend more money. I actually live a block away if you want to grab a beer. On game day, you can take a free bus that will take you to/from the stadium with no problems. I'm sure that there will be a designated Hokie bar downtown.

that would be my top choice Downtown as well.

(12-13-2017 01:20 PM)knightastic Wrote:  

(12-13-2017 08:47 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  How old are you guys? If you don't want to do the theme park stuff, stay downtown at the Embassy suites by Lake Eola. It's nice, in a safe area with plenty to do and the best affordable hotel closest to all the good stuff downtown. Grand Bohemian is nice too if you want to spend more money. I actually live a block away if you want to grab a beer. On game day, you can take a free bus that will take you to/from the stadium with no problems. I'm sure that there will be a designated Hokie bar downtown.

that would be my top choice Downtown as well.

+1

Agreed about Embassy. Parking isn't free but the breakfast makes up for it. Next best is probably Grand Bohemian and aLoft. EO Inn if you are ok with the quirks of bed and breakfasts is actually the best deal.

Avoid: TravelLodge (location and a dump) Crowne Plaza (location), Doubletree (freight trains) and Courtyard (just a smidge too far to be walkable.

Because of Christmas Week, many of the best hotels at Disney/near Disney are probably booked (or are charging a leg and an arm for remaining rooms...as this is usually Disney's busiest week of the year...along with Universal and Sea World too).

Downtown Hotels like the Double Tree, Aloft, Embassy Suites are in a good location...(Grand Bohemian is a great hotel...but prices are easily the highest downtown).

Once you get near the old Citrus Dump you will see why UCF Fans were sooooooo happy to get the heck out of there to finally enjoy games on-campus in our own stadium.