Do you know what a true Knight does with his/her keys during a football game?* If you have a student ready to spend the next four years at UCF and plan to visit, you best get a good collection of keys in order. You can feel the school spirit by just getting near campus. Orlando is both, in character and appearance, generally known as one of the country’s most fun cities. Centrally located (consequently UCF’s appropriate name) in the heart of Florida, Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks. Chief among its claims to fame is Walt Disney World, comprised of parks like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, as well as water parks. Another major destination, Universal Orlando, offers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Remember, being Florida’s fun center and one of Florida’s largest cities (which could be why there are so many choices of airlines flying to and from Orlando) has some advantages for your four years.  Here, you will find almost every major box store; many chain restaurants from fast food to quick service to some pretty darn good full-service restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, grocery stores, and an abundance of amusement.

Did You Know?

The University of Central Florida is a public research university. It is the largest university in the United States by undergraduate enrollment, as well as one of the largest by total enrollment. UCF is home to 13 colleges that offer over 100 majors. Do not let this scare you though; there are plenty of ways to make UCF feel smaller. Perhaps start with some of our other blogs about Sororities, Fraternities, Getting Involved, and knowing your resources. And did you know…Forbes has named UCF one of the nation’s most affordable colleges, while both The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s rank it a best-value university? As a parent, this should make you feel pretty darn good. (I won’t elaborate on Playboy’s 2011 ranking UCF as the 9th best party school in the country.)

Champions Play Here…

Knights athletic teams have earned landmark victories on the state and national stages from AAC titles to BCS bowl wins. Some of the greatest triumphs our athletes have seen though have been in the classroom. Boasting a 93% graduation success rate – #1 in the nation, our athletes have achieved an average GPA of 3.0 or higher for 18 consecutive semesters. Every student gets free admission to sporting events on campus; as UCF wants everyone to be part of the action.

If you haven’t already, you may want to begin to collect clothes in black and gold, UCF’s official colors for your next four years. But do not wear black to a noon kick-off; it is way too hot. You should also probably know too that the mascot is Knightro and the logo, a Pegasus, symbolizes the university’s vision of limitless possibilities. The clean, modern campus was designed to be pedestrian-oriented, with a series of concentric circles and student housing along its perimeter. Lake Claire is an on-campus lake with canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats available for rent (free to UCF students), and a small beachfront, not a bad way to spend extra time during the four years of school. Newsweek has ranked UCF as having the 20th most beautiful university campus in the country.

In the fall, UCF’s tradition is to celebrate homecoming with Spirit Splash. This is the one time during the year that students are allowed into the Reflecting Pond. Spirit Splash, a giant, school-wide pep rally, occurs the Friday before the Homecoming game. If you plan to come to any football games, this is surely a fun time to be there. And if football is not your thing, then there is certainly plenty to do in the area.

Finally, HaveUHeard that UCF has an awesome Youtube channel with tons of info from summer school to sports to UCF traditions. Here is a wonderful link for students looking to organize their summer schedules and stay on track for graduation.

Welcome home!

*Knights jingle their keys whenever the football team kicks off. Did you think I’d leave you hanging?

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Everyone should get to at least one Knight football game. Or, perhaps you want to get season tickets. In the past few years, Knight games have proven to be pretty exciting. One of the keys to making it great, however; is knowing where to sit. For instance, the blazing sun can make a big difference in the fun factor of a game. Here are some thoughts about the best seats for football games.

UCF has an option to purchase Black and Gold Cabana seats in gate 13B. This section is available only for purchase and has a lot to offer including private bathrooms, TV monitors, food and drinks (including beer and wine) for purchase. It also comes with premium parking which can come in handy during the game days! This area is a lounge that will definitely keep you shady while you enjoy watching the game.

The Black and Gold Cabana is on the East Side of the stadium. For the entire season, you are able to purchase this for $600 a piece. $400 of this price is for your seats, and $200 is a donation, which also goes towards your premium parking. If you purchase two, then the total price would be $1200, however, the donation would equal $800 and this gives you even better parking! If interested, purchase soon!! They only have about 100 spots left for the upcoming season.

If fans are looking for a bit more then there is an option to purchase tickets for the Stadium Club. This is on the west side of the stadium at gate 18. They have TV monitors, tables, drink rails, food and beverage services (including beer and wine) and private restrooms. It also comes with premium parking and VIP will-call. This is more expensive than the Black and Gold Cabana, so if you would like to hear the best payment prices and options, call (407) 823-1000 or email premium@athletics.ucf.edu.

It gets incredibly hot during afternoon games so the sun typically hits all sides of the stadium. If anyone would like to have shade, but does not want to spend too much for one of these options, then they can sit at the very top sections on the WEST side of the field (opposite of the Black and Gold Cabana). There is a slight overhang towards the top of the stadium and that side of the stadium is not directly under the sun. However, for true shade, the best options are the Black and Gold Cabana or the Stadium Club.

Student sections are on the North and Southside of the stadium. On the north side, they are seat sections: 115-124 and 222-217. On the south side, they are seat sections: 101-105 and 134-138.

The band usually sits in sections 134-136. As of right now, it’s pretty sold out. Resale online can be sold around the seats like 233, 234, 235.

You may want to peruse a few of our other blogs pertaining to football, because, frankly, seating is just one part of it. Check out Are You Ready for Some Football or Where to Pre-Game. And if you choose not to buy seats that come with parking, you will definitely want to read our Parking blog.

FYI: Single-game tickets for our football season are officially available. Guests can call 407-823-1000 opt. 1 and purchase a single game ticket.

Sign up now to get your FREE UCF Football tickets straight to your phone. If you registered previously (last season) you do not need to register again.

Students can sign up through UCFStudentTix.com and will receive a text before every home game to claim your student pass. You can save your pass directly to your Apple Wallet or Android Pay apps as well. Admission into the stadium is first come first served. A limited number of student guest passes are also available for $28 through your account.

However, recently our intern told us this: I recently signed up for a UCF sports program called #SKC (Student Knights Club). It is a $30 yearly membership that gives you a “fast pass” to enter the football stadium. UCF football tickets are always free for students, but the lines have been quite long lately. There are only a few home games left, but I immediately walked through the gates by showing my fast pass. I highly recommend.

Note: For the first time in Spectrum Stadium history, season tickets for 2020 are officially sold out! Fans who are interested in UCF Football season tickets can register to be contacted if any seats become available next season by clicking here to join the 2020 waitlist. Current season ticket holders do not need to register for the waitlist. Seat add-on and seat relocation requests will be fulfilled prior to seating anyone on the 2020 season ticket waitlist. Go here for more information.

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The best feeling for any college student, particularly if you’re a Knight, is waking up knowing it’s game day! There is so much preparation that goes into game days: where to tailgate, who to squad up with, and what to wear. Showing up to tailgates and games is more than just rocking your school colors, it is showing your spirit and how much you love your school. It almost feels like a school-wide competition: who can get the most spirited? With this list, you’ll be sure to place in first!

It is important that whenever you are shopping for game day attire, you strictly look for your school colors. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb wearing the one color that doesn’t match with everyone else. As Game Day gets closer, UCF will announce what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “white-out” or a “black-out.” This means students should wear a black or white outfit! If you are on a budget, then definitely stick with the basics: plain colored tank tops and t-shirts that match your school colors. Denim is always the move for game days, especially ripped shorts or overalls from American Eagle. If you want to get a little more decked out in spirited gear, then you can choose from face stickers, headbands, and fun socks to add a bit more fun to your outfit. Wearing colorful, tinted sunglasses have been really popular, so get a pair that sports your school colors!

Your t-shirt is one of the things people notice the most, so it needs to make a statement. Most girls like to show off fun DIY cut up t-shirts. They can turn t-shirts into crop tops, tank tops, halters, and more! The options are endless and always make an outfit. If you want to test out your DIY skills, you can get awesome shirts from places like Target or Walmart for a great price. If you are confident in your DIY skills, try acid-washing your shirts! You can also leave it to the professionals and order your custom cut or dyed shirts here.  Some other favorites for tailgate outfits include Tailgate Tailor and Custom University.

Another great place to order game day apparel is Hype & Vice. They have some great crop tops, bodysuits, tube tops, gameday cheerleading skirts, and queen of gameday sunnies. We also like Gameday Couture Social House and By Gabby.

Of course, the best way to cheer on your team is to be the cheerleader! Not literally, but looking like one helps. Cheerleading skirts have been super popular lately. Match the skirt with a cute cut up top and you have yourself the perfect game day outfit. If you’re feeling more like a team player than a cheerleader, then we have something for you, too! Wearing your team’s jersey is one of the best ways to show off your love for the team. Girls usually wear an oversized jersey so it even looks like a dress! You can get a jersey with your favorite number or even get a personalized jersey with any name and number you like. To top off your look, accessorize with a clear bag from Score Gameday bags. Use the code HUH15 for a 15% discount. Most stadiums implement a clear bag policy, so why not have a clear bag that still has style?

Perhaps you are more about repping the school’s colors. We love Show Me Your Mumu’s line of cute and trendy gameday outfits. Wear your fandom proudly with a customizable Game Day Bracelet! Opt for your team’s colors and each bracelet comes with 8 chic gold letters for mixing and matching to create your favorite slogans and phrases that make it clear who you’re rooting for. Please note, this bracelet will arrive unassembled.

Guys have it a little easier and stick to a more simplified look. Dry fit and polo tops are the go-to for most as long as it has their school logo. You can check out a bunch of options on Fanatics. To protect from the hot sun, guys also love to sport a school baseball cap. Regardless of your style, don’t forget sunscreen and lots of water. Game days are long and often hot so be sure to stay safe and hydrated. When it starts to get a bit cooler in the season, a lot of fans wear school-spirited sweatshirts. Tailgate leggings are even better when you’re cold and need to cover up yet still want to show your team spirit!

There is always so much anticipation when it comes to football season, so enjoy it while it lasts! Deck yourself out in all things that represent you and your university. Show off your colors all day, every day! Your team will thank you!

Go Knights!

Shelly Massre, UCF Intern

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After the last football season’s remarkable performance, our UCF Knights are itching to get back out on the field to play more football. They will debut on April 13th, 2019 at 6 pm as Josh Heupel, the Knight’s football coach, lead the way at Spectrum Stadium at the 2019 UCF Spring Game. Knights football is one of the spectacular highlights of any student or alum’s fall, or spring season!

Kickoff is at 2:30 pm at the Spectrum Stadium! Memory Mall and Lake Claire tailgating will be closed by 1:30 for fans to head to the stadium.

The Better Man Event featuring Mckenzie Milton is from 6-9 pm on Saturday at the Additional Financial Arena. Tickets are $20 for students.

General admission tickets are free. Spring Game prices for premium areas are as follows: Tower Club – $20, Stadium Club – $10, Carl Black & Gold Cabana ($5). As usual, admission for students at Spectrum Stadium is free with a valid UCF student identification card. You can get tickets here. Don’t worry if you can’t make it; the game will be televised.

More information on activities surrounding the UCF Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks.  As always, admission for students at Spectrum Stadium is free with a valid UCF student identification card.

Without McKenzie Milton playing in the spring, his status for the 2019 season has not yet been determined.

We are all looking forward to the debut of the UCF Spring Football Game, it will be announced and then we can get back to cheering on the Knights, even if it is still early!

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We can’t wait for it! To start anticipating that our football team will end up nationally ranked and headed to a bowl game. Even after graduation, alumni go to football watch parties where they can hang with other alum. Hanging with other Knight fans is way more fun and it could lead to a job, a rekindled friendship, or just a feeling of being back at school. We’ve got the places to head to for football game madness.

Note: Homecoming is on October 24th, 2020. UCF recommends these places for watch parties.

Florida UCF Football Watch Locations

• Jacksonville – Buffalo Wild Wings, 10300 Southside Ave., Suite 2430A, Jacksonville, FL 32256
• Lake County (Clermont) – Gator’s Dockside, 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr., Clermont, FL 34711
• Lake County (Melbourne) – Mellow Mushroom, 18221 US-441, Mt Dora, FL 32757
• Miami- Buffalo Wild Wings, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite B-13A, South Miami, FL 33143
  Miami – Sports Grill 1559 Sunset Drive, South Miami, Florida 33143
• Ocala- The Lodge Brick City Craft Pub & Eatery, 36 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL 34471
• Orlando – hosted by the UCF Young Alumni Council, Hooch, 25 Wall St., Suite A, Orlando, FL 3280
• Palm Beach- Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., #232, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Panhandle – Harry T’s Lighthouse, 46 Harbor Blvd., Destin FL 32541
• Sarasota – Legends Sports Pub, 1816 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239
• Southeast Florida – Himmarshee Public House, 201 SW. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Southwest Florida – Marlin’s Brewhouse, 5611 Six Mile Commercial, Fort Myers, FL 33912
• Space Coast – Cocoa – Beef’O’Brady’s, 2301 SR-524, Cocoa, FL 32926
• Space Coast – Melbourne – Beef’O’Brady’s, 3030 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne, FL 32934
• Tallahassee – Hobbit Grill, 400 Capital Circle SE, #15, Tallahassee, FL 32301
• Tampa Bay (Clearwater)
  Big Storm Brewing, 12707 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762
• Tampa Bay (Palm Harbor) – Iron Oak New American BBQ, 917 11th St, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
• Tampa Bay (Tampa) – Bel Mar Tavern, 4328 W. El Prado Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629
• Volusia/Flagler – Fletcher’s Irish Pub, 393 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL 32174

 Out of State Locations

Atlanta

• The Bird – Dunwoody 4719 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
• Georgia Beer Garden – Atlanta 420 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Sport & Social – The Battery 825 Battery Ave SE #610, Atlanta, GA 30339

Austin

• Cover 3, 1717 W. 6th St., #210R, Austin, TX 78703

Boston

• The Red Hat, 9 Bowdoin St., Boston, MA 02114

Charlotte

• Pint Central, 1226 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
• Hampton Roads, Waterside District, 333 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Dallas/Fort Worth

• Abbey Road Eatery 1941 Preston Road Plano, Texas
• City Works Frisco, 3680 The Star Blvd., Suite 1300, Frisco, TX 75034

Denver

• Blake Street Tavern, 2301 Blake St., Denver, CO 80205

Kansas

• Talk of the Town Grill & Bar, 5201 W. 135th St., Leawood, Kansas 66224

Las Vegas

• Miller’s Ale House, 6683 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119

Los Angeles

• Elbow Room 1634 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028
• Michael’s Pub & Sports Bar 11506 Oxnard St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Nashville

• The Valentine, 312 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

New York

• Carragher’s Pub & Restaurant, 228 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018

Philadelphia

• Tavern on Broad, 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Portland

• Hobnob Grille, 3350 SE Morrison St, Portland, Oregon 97214

Raleigh/Durham

• Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery, 505 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Richmond

• Ponies & Pints, 110 N. 18th St., Richmond, VA 23223

Seattle

• Bill’s Off-Broadway – 725 E Pine St., Seattle, WA 98122

Washington, D.C.

• Penn Social 801 E St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20004
• City Tap Dupont 1250 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 105 Washington, District of Columbia
• Rocket Bar 714 7th St NW Washington, District of Columbia

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If I think back to touring UCF when it was down to decision time as to which college, one of the first things I realized was that I better learn a little something about sports. Don’t get me wrong; even when you don’t know what’s really going on the court/field; the enthusiasm and excitement can’t be beaten.  The important part is to know when to karate chop, cheer and jingle your keys (I’ll explain shortly). You also might benefit from a few other bits of information, like where to buy tickets or where to sit during a game. (Hint: The key is learning where to sit in the stadium based on time of game and shade.)

Student Tickets

Did U know…UCF students get in FREE to all Knight athletic events, including football? Football, basketball, and baseball are the most popular, but tickets are available to view golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track & field too. Getting tickets is fairly easy too.  All events are first-come-first-serve and seating is subject to availability. To boot, your student can purchase up to two student guest tickets to UCF Football games the week of the game by bringing a valid UCF ID to the Addition Financial Arena or Bright House Network Stadium’s east side box office on game day. These additional ticket prices are based on the lowest-priced individual game ticket for that specific game and are available while supplies last. Keep in mind though that some student tickets only allow entrance at some venues through specific doors, so if you want to sit with your student, their free ticket may not work well.

Students can also make a donation of $30 to be a part of the Student Knights Club. Students will receive a plastic SKC card to show to each UCF football game as a “fast pass.” They will be entering through a different gate so they do not need to wait in the long student line. They also receive a free t-shirt and weekly emails that update students on ALL sports. 

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to a game; you can always watch it on Knights TV. And if you can’t get to a football game next season, this is a great option. After the 2018 season, which was remarkable and spectacular, 2019 should be noteworthy as well. Here is the schedule.

UCF competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level primarily competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for all sports. The Knights field 16 varsity teams, 6 men, 9 women, and one co-ed sport, that have won numerous national and conference titles. The Knights football team won conference championships in 2007 and 2010, and the Knights women’s basketball team won two conference titles as well. The UCF cheerleading team has captured two national titles too. Athletics facilities on the campus include the world-class facilities like the 44,206 seat Spectrum Stadium, also known as the Bouncehouse, because of the way the stadium vibrates and shakes when fans jump and cheer, the 10,072 seat Addition Financial Arena, the 3,000 seat venue, John Euliano Park, the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium, and the UCF Softball Complex.

With a large and loyal alumni base and strong student support, the excitement of game days builds rapidly depending on the start time. All these sports fans are often referred to as the “UCF Nation” and are represented by their mascot Knightro. There are a few traditions you should probably get familiar with too. You can pretty much follow the crowds as to when to karate chop and cheer, but you should know that when they sing The Star-Spangled Banner the crowd ad-libs a bit by changing “gave proof through the night” to “gave proof through the Knights!” “Knights” needs to be screamed extra loudly. When the team charges out of the tunnel; stomp your feet and scream some more. Finally, when the Knights kick-off; jingle your keys. Oh, and don’t worry, when they sing the Alma Mater song at the end; the words will be displayed on the board.

Non-Student Sports Tickets

You can purchase additional tickets on the official website provided the game is not sold out. Other sources include Stub Hub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek.com or Ticketmaster. Try to map out which games are of interest to you now; the earlier you purchase tickets, the easier it can be. Depending on the opposing team ticket prices can vary.

Did you know UCF’s athletes have an average GPA of 3.0 or higher for 18 consecutive months and earned a 93% graduation success rate, which is number one in the nation? That’s impressive, don’t you think?

Comfort? Really?

Individual chairback seats are prohibited. However, they are available for rental on a season basis by calling 1-800-510-5614 or by visiting www.knightseats.com. A noon game can get dangerously hot if you are not in the shade. Get water. Sometimes you won’t find out the time of the game until a few weeks even just days before, plan ahead.  You may not carry anything except a tiny purse, wallet or clear bag into the stadium.

No alcoholic beverages are authorized in the stadium on game day (except in the stadium suites, club seats, the club lounge, and the East Side Club). But….check this out: Alcoholic beverages are permitted during the following authorized hours by anyone 21 years of age or older.

• For weekend games starting before 6 p.m., the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 8 a.m. until the game start.
• For weekend games starting at 6 p.m. or later, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 12 p.m. until the game start.
• For weekday games the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 4 p.m. until the game start.

I wrote a lot about football, but basketball is exciting at UCF as well. There are season ticket options available for that too. They play right in the CFE Arena and are a Division 1 team. Here is their schedule. Actually, once the UCF Nation gets going; it’s fantastic.

There is an ice hockey team and the games are actually pretty fun to go to! The arena is a little further, and they play at the RDV Sportsdex Ice Den in Maitland. Their schedule can be found here.

As well, UCF Baseball also is a lot of fun to go to and they play right on campus at Jon Euliano Park. Their game schedule can be found here.

Finally, the Orlando Apollos just had their launch game in at AAF division and they play at the Spectrum Stadium. Here is the link for their schedule and tickets.

Are you ready for UCF sports and to tailgate? I’ll see you there. Go, Knights!

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Keeping in mind that Orlando is not only a college town but also the fun capital, there is a vast selection of hotel options. There are all different things to take into consideration when booking. Some may want a suite type of room, free breakfast, or to be able to walk to campus, or perhaps, a trendier hotel with a Starbucks in the lobby. Some look for hotels that allow them to bring their pets. And others, but not many, don’t mind traveling a little bit and want to be more downtown, near Disney or even stay in the Winter Park, a quaint little town not far from UCF.

Hilton Hotels

My family is big on accruing hotel points so we always try to stay in a Hilton brand hotel. All these hotels have suites. Be sure to ask for the UCF rate.

Doubletree by Hilton Orlando East – 12125 High Tech Avenue. It couldn’t be more convenient to campus. They do have a restaurant (and comfy beds), but their delicious breakfast is only included if you are a gold member (or pay).

Hampton Inn and Suites Orlando East  – 3450 Quadrangle Blvd. Nearby campus and they have a restaurant (and bar) on the ground level and are next door to a Waffle House. There is also a Homewood Suites by Hilton -3028 N Alafaya Trail, minutes from campus. I’m told their breakfast is enjoyable and the rooms are large enough that if your kids want to stay with you there is room.

Hilton Garden Inn 1959 N Alafaya Trail, 1.5 miles from campus. They too serve breakfast; the cost will depend on your rate. (This hotel also has a washer and dryer, should you get there and find that it has been a while since your student has seen one of these and you are feeling kind.)

All these hotels have suites. Be sure to ask for the UCF rate.

Marriott

Now if you are a reward point collector and Marriott hotels are your choice, there are plenty of options as well.

Courtyard Orlando East 12000 Collegiate Way is near UCF and also has suites available. They serve breakfast for a nominal charge. They do not have a restaurant on the premises but will arrange delivery from local restaurants.

TownePlace Suites Orlando East  11801 High Tech Ave, is also an option with a free breakfast.

Residence Inn Orlando East 11651 University Blvd, are pretty roomy and breakfast is complimentary there as well.

Fairfield Inn and Suites, 3420 Lake Lynda Dr, with breakfast included, and I am told that if you can find this hotel at a better rate elsewhere online, they will match it, plus give you a 25% discount (Marriott rate price guarantee.)

La Quinta

La Quinta 11805 Research Pkwy in Research Park does not charge a fee and offers services like a free Bright Side Breakfast®, free Wi-Fi, and free parking, as well as an outdoor pool area and spacious, comfortable and well-equipped rooms and suites. Each one features a coffeemaker, hairdryer, data port phone, and Samsung flat-panel TV.

Best Western

 Best Western 8750 E Colonial Dr., nearby is generally less expensive than some of the others. Pets allowed based on the availability of pet-friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with an 80-pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel’s discretion. Pet rate is $20.00 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

IHG Hotels: Holiday Inn

If you are a Holiday Inn (Intercontinental Hotel Groups Brand) Rewards member, consider the following properties:

Holiday Inn 1724 N Alafaya Trail. Newly renovated and located just over a mile from UCF. Guests enjoy amenities including an outdoor pool, Fitness Center, 24-hour Business Center, and room service or dining at the Black & Gold Bar & Grill.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 12250 E Colonial Dr., minutes from UCF. Guest rooms and suites offer triple-sheeted bedding, a choice of soft or firm pillows, flat-panel HDTV, microwave & refrigerator, work desk, and free Wi-Fi. All guests receive a Free hot breakfast including their famous cinnamon rolls, fresh whole fruit, eggs & meat. Be sure to enjoy our spacious outdoor pool & state of the art fitness center.

Exciting News

The newest addition to hotels by UCF is The Celeste Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel located on the campus of the UCF in East Orlando. It is the first and only on-campus upscale hotel. Featuring function and event spaces with a private dining room, the full-service hotel has a lobby bar, restaurant, take-away pantry, and room service. It will be wonderful because of location, but it is also fabulous because they will be paying rent to UCF for the land, bringing in a fair amount of money for the university over the next few years. If your student is studying at the Rosen School of Hotel Management this is even better. We will update as more information becomes available.

Cha-Ching

Cost is obviously something most of us consider. Generally, the farther from campus one goes, the less the prices will be…unless you are getting closer to Disney/Universal and all that jazz. Of course, during football season; all bets are off. Prepare to pay as much as $375 a night during game weekends and be sure to book very far in advance. As for Parent’s Weekend (and graduation); the same story goes. Peak season can be tough, but keep calling back or opt to stay a bit farther from campus (and consider leaving your car at the hotel and taking an Uber, because the traffic and parking are unreal.) You might even contemplate staying in Winter Park; which is about forty minutes outside of Orlando, but a quaint little town with some great restaurants and shops. (Keep in mind if something is going on at Rollins College, this option may not work.)

Get Your Rewards

Since you will be doing this for at least four years, I recommend staying at the same brand hotel each time so you can accrue reward points. These points can earn you free nights and breakfasts. Also, compare prices online. Oddly, you can find various prices for the same hotel on different sites.

You can book directly through the different hotel brands listed below or book through a website like Reservations.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com.so you can accumulate points there as well. Perhaps by graduation, your stay will be free, but it is strongly recommended that you try to book that graduation hotel a year in advance. (Same goes for football games.) Some reservations require a two-night stay and/or allow for 48-hour cancellation, but for high demand weekends, you will generally need to cancel 30 days in advance. Be sure to check on this.

If you are coming in for a football game and want to stay at a hotel that is walking distance to the stadium, some of the options I listed above are possibilities, but there is much more. Seriously, the town has almost as many hotel options as students, but more seriously; they fill up very early.

Then there are the non-peak weekends, where the prices are practically slashed by half. That same deluxe room, which consists of two queen beds or one king, can run as little as $132 a night. I have even seen some listing for rooms, during offseason for as little as $85 a night, but not necessarily at the chain hotels, I try to stick with to earn those points. Choices?

Bed & Breakfast

I admit to never having tried out any Bed and Breakfasts in the area, but I have been tempted. The prices seem to be more reasonable (even in football season they appeared to be under $150 a night for double occupancy (and breakfast!) and are adorable; based on the photos. This may be a great alternative, although not walking distance from campus, but I still feel strongly about the abominable parking situation during peak weekends, therefore that Uber account will be very useful. You may want to check out FlipKey.com or AirBnb.com for a house rental nearby.

Pet-Friendly

For those who are traveling with pets, the hotels that are pet-friendly include:

• Avanti Palms Resort and Conference Center on I-drive
• Best Western Orlando East Inn & Suites
• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando/UCF Area Research
• DoubleTree Resort by Hilton at Seaworld
• Floridays Resort Orlando on I-drive
• Grand Bohemian Hotel
• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando.
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress near Disney on Lake Buena Vista
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center by Universal
• La Quinta Inn Universal Orlando Studios
• La Quinta Orlando Inn & Suites by UCF on Research Parkway
• Park Plaza Hotel in Winter Park
• Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
• TownePlace Suites Orlando East La Quinta Inn & Suites Orland UCF
• Woodspring Suites Orlando East

Be sure, when making reservations, you tell them you are traveling with a pet. Some have fees. You can book directly through the different hotel brands listed below or book through a website like Reservations.com or Hotels.com or Expedia.

One more option is to look into Airbnbs in the area. There are many. Talk about the comforts of home. While you are visiting, make sure to check out our recommendations for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner.

That about covers where to stay while visiting the University of Central Florida. I’m leaving you responsible for what black and gold attire to wear for game day.

Go, Knights!

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Note: Everything is a little different this year; even football. To better understand everything Knight’s football, check out their A-Z Guide.

After the Knight’s 2017 undefeated football season and 2018’s 12-1, placing them in 4th of 130, UCF fans have been stoked for each upcoming season. So much so, that for the first time in Spectrum Stadium history, season tickets for 2020 are officially sold out! Fans who are interested in UCF Football season tickets can register to be contacted if any seats become available next season, to join the 2020 waitlist. Current season ticket holders do not need to register for the waitlist. Seat add-on and seat relocation requests will be fulfilled prior to seating anyone on the 2020 season ticket waitlist.

That said, HaveUHeard UCF students get in FREE to all Knight athletic events? Sign up now to get your FREE UCF Football tickets straight to your phone. If you registered previously (last season) you do not need to register again. Student tickets are in high demand and now have to be pre-purchased via UCFStudentTix.com using an Android or iPhone. Learn about digital ticketing. Keep in mind though that some student tickets only allow entrance through specific doors, so if you want to sit with your student, their free ticket may not work out. So be ready. A limited number of student guest passes are also available for $28 through your account.

Non-Student tickets can be purchased on the Knight’s official website as well as through Stub Hub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek.com, or Ticketmaster. Season tickets are on sale now. Try to map out which games are of interest to you now; the earlier you purchase tickets, the easier it can be. Depending on the opposing team ticket prices vary, link to the new schedule.

Single-game tickets for our football season are officially available. Guests can call 407-823-1000 opt. 1 and purchase a single game ticket. Yeah, you’re ready! UCF competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level primarily competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).  Fans, which include many loyal alumni, are often referred to as the “UCF Nation” and are represented by their mascot Knightro. The first game for 2020 is Friday, September 4, 2020, at Spectrum Stadium against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Go here for a full season schedule or check our calendar of events.

Traditions, Get Ready!

There are a few traditions you should probably get familiar with too. First, right before the game, the marching band plays UCF’s war chant. You can pretty much follow the crowds as to when to karate chop and cheer, but you should know that when they sing The Star-Spangled Banner the crowd ad-libs a bit by changing the word night to Knights and screaming it extra loudly. When the team charges out of the tunnel; stomp your feet and scream some more. Finally, when the Knights kick-off; jingle your keys. Oh, and don’t worry, when they sing the Alma Mater song at the end; the words will be displayed on the board.

When it gets closer to game days, UCF announces a schedule of what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “whiteout” or a “blackout.” This means students should wear a black or white outfit and come fully spirited! Sometimes students forget and tend to wear gold or another color, but for the most part, students love following this color code!

And of course, you don’t want to miss where to pregame.

Individual chairback seats are prohibited in the stadium. However, they are available for rental on a season basis by calling 1-800-510-5614.  A noon game can get dangerously hot if you are not in the shade. Get water. Sometimes you won’t find out the time of the game until a few weeks even just days before. Plan ahead; you may not carry anything except a tiny purse, wallet, or clear bag into the stadium. You can find some cute ones here.

No alcoholic beverages are authorized in the stadium on game day (except in the stadium suites, club seats, the club lounge, and the East Side Club). But….check this out: Alcoholic beverages are permitted during the following authorized hours by anyone 21 years of age or older.

• For weekend games starting before 6 p.m., the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 8 a.m. until the game start.
• For weekend games starting at 6 p.m. or later, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 12 p.m. until the game start.
• For weekday games, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 4 p.m. until the game start.

Are you ready to tailgate (which, by the way, usually happens on Lake Claire or the Memory Mall)? Check out our GameDay attire blog for students. I’ll see you there.

Parking on game days can be tricky

• Beginning at 5 am on Saturday, all people in Parking Garage C, D, F or H will be subject to towing as well as B4, B6, B9 and H4 and the baseball lot
• Garage E and F lots are open to people with gold zone permits
• Traffic will be blocked from East Plaza to West Plaza on Gemini

Don’t forget your game day attire. We’ve got recommendations for students and parents.

Here is the 2020 schedule:

Go, Knights!

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Football season is upon us and other than making sure you will be properly attired in black and gold and have your keys ready to jingle (this a Knight tradition), you will need to know where to go to pre-game. Pre-gaming, according to Urban Dictionary, generally means drinking before going to an event where drinks that you will purchase are more expensive. I believe the term crazy fun was included in the description as well.

Pre-gaming at UCF mostly occurs by Lake Claire where fraternity houses set up tents with their big wooden letters out front and Memory Mall, the giant grass lawn (no cars allowed) between the Student Union and the Arena where you will find mostly donors and the official SGA setup. This is also where the Marching Knights and live bands perform and there will be lots of food and drink.

Students who participate in Greek life will probably pre-game, or tailgate as they prefer to call it, floating from tent to tent or whichever frat they feel a connection to. I have experienced a fraternity tailgate and yes, crazy fun is a perfect description, but so is hot, crowded, and loud. Fortunately, the crazy fun outweighs the others; therefore tailgating still comes highly recommended.

Here are a few things that are useful to know before you tailgate at UCF; There is an actual schedule:

• 2 hours before kick-off, the Marching Knights perform outside the Student Union.
• 1.5 hours before kickoff, the band marches down Memory Mall, stopping to play the school songs in front of the Addition Financial Arena.
• 1 hour before kickoff the March to Victory begins, with Knightro, Pegasus, the Spirit Squad, and the Marching Knights leading fans into the game.
• 20 minutes before kickoff, the band performs its pregame show from the field of the Bright House Networks Stadium.

We recommend getting to your tailgating destination early as traffic on campus will become a nightmare. Make note of these street closings:

• Gemini Blvd North (3 hours prior to the game)
• Gemini Blvd East (3 hours prior to the game unless you have a GOLD pass)
• Orion Blvd North (all day unless you have a GOLD pass)

Park your car (if you are coming from off-campus) in the following parking zones:

• Gold Zone: UCF Donor only
• Blue Zone: General Football Parking (free)
• Red Zone: General Football Parking (free)
• Green & Orange Lots: No football parking including Garage B

Frankly, skipping bringing a car to campus all together is probably the better way to go.

Tailgating at UCF is permitted on any surface lots or grass areas; it is not permitted in the garages. No kegs, glass containers, or beer funnels are permitted so be sure to bring your cups and cans. If the game starts before 6 pm you can start tailgating and drinking any time after 8 am (seriously, 8 am?). However; if the game starts at 6 pm or after, then you cannot drink alcohol until 12 pm. Drinks need to be in closed containers.

Also, unless you are in certain Gold lots, you can’t technically tailgate until 12 pm, but typically as long as you don’t raise your tent or drink alcohol, then you should be within the guidelines. Finally, if the heat is just too much, you may want to consider one of the restaurants in the Student Union, where there is usually a giant TV playing other college football games. Or, right across from campus, the Knight’s Library (a bar), often has “indoor tailgating” parties.

Looking to up your tailgate experience? Check out Tailgate Guys turn-key – all you have to do is show up- they provide all the equipment (think tent, tables, chairs, and a television package if you want.) They reserve your parking, meet you at your car to lug all your stuff, and clean up too. Just steps away from  Spectrum Stadium. Pricing starts at $250.00. It doesn’t get easier than this. I’ve been to my share of pre-games and football games and both are a lot of fun. Actually one might say they kind of go hand-in-hand. And after our Knight’s fabulous last season, this year will surely be amazing. Learn more about UCF football and to learn about proper game-day attire for parents and for students.

Here is the official UCF Tailgating guide. And if you can’t get to the game after tailgating, Island Wing Company has great food and TVs everywhere.

NOTE: UCF is going to the Gasparilla bowl! TICKETS AND FAQ- For the fourth time in history, the UCF football team is headed to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area for a postseason bowl game, this time to play in the Gasparilla Bowl. UCF will meet Conference USA representative Marshall at 2:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. It is important for UCF fans to purchase bowl game tickets from UCFKnights.com, as institutional ticket purchases can impact future bowl opportunities.

UCF ChargeOn Tailgate- Monday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Location TBD. UCF Alumni will host the official UCF ChargeOn Tailgate ahead of the bowl game. UCF will have a catered buffet, drink tickets, spirit swag, and appearances by UCF fan favorites.

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College life seems like a dream. It’s the first time living away from home and not by parents’ rules. College classes aren’t daily, like high school and, bonus: you don’t have to wake up before dawn if you don’t want to. So many great things come from being in college, but there are also some big pointers that you should be aware of now that you are a Knight. Let another Knight give you some advice!

One of the biggest differences between being in high school and college is that you have to buy your textbooks and scantrons. Where to buy or rent books is up to you, but maybe this will help you decide. Scantrons can be purchased at the bookstore and in vending machines in classroom buildings. But you can save yourself money by picking up a scantron at the Student Union. They give out one free pink or brown scantron per day. You’re also able to get 5 free blue books/green books per semester. Those are only needed for certain classes though.

• Sometimes your “easy” classes, the ones you take for fun, are the ones you have to worry the most about. These are your GPA boosters, so don’t neglect to study for them.
• If you didn’t bring a printer, don’t worry! The union has got you covered. At All Knight Study, located in Ferrell Commons, all Knight Study by the UCF Arena, and in the Student Union, you can print up to 100 pages per week for free! Don’t waste money on printing, paper, and ink when you don’t need to. It may not be as convenient as having a printer in your room, but if you leave yourself time, it is worth it.
• This may be one of the only times in your life that you can get free access to gyms and fitness classes. It’s included in your tuition, so all of the equipment is paid for. Take advantage of it, because once you graduate, you’ll have to start paying for gym memberships. UCF fitness facilities are pretty amazing.
• There are also such great places to eat around campus like Lazy Moon, Bento, Spoleto, and Burger U to name a few favorites, but try not to get carried away and always eat out. It adds up really fast and can lead to the freshman 15. Spend the extra money on a mini-fridge and do some grocery shopping, especially if you don’t have the meal plan. For more health tips, check out our blog here, but if you just want to know how to eat on a serious budget, check this out. By the way; if you also live on campus, specifically in Neptune, Nike, Hercules or Libra, the “POD” in Neptune is a great snack/mini grocery convenience store, but it can get a little pricey. They even have a smoothie machine there! The Health Center is another great snack/ mini food market. They even have vitamins, medicine, and sanitary products.
• There are a lot of fun things that you should do over the next four years here. Don’t wait until senior year to do them all; some you may even want to do more than once. Check out our bucket list here.
• There’s a myth that you won’t graduate on time if you step on the stamp in the middle of the Student Union. That’s why it’s guarded off. So… my advice is not to step on it! You’ll want to stay at UCF for more than 4 years, but why tempt fate.
• Try not to take classes every day. For instance, if you can leave your Mondays or Fridays as a study and catch up on workday; you will be grateful for that extra time.
• Use social media with caution. Perhaps this sounds like motherly advice, but I assure you that before you know it you will be looking for a job in the real world and cleaning it up is much more difficult than keeping it clean from the start.

If you lose your UCF ID, you can get it replaced for $15 at card services in John T. Washington Center on campus. You’re going to need to get a new one eventually because you need it to take exams, get into UCF events, to print on campus, and more.

Welcome fellow Knights!

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