Coming to see a game - Arena advice?

[Mapelgleaf]

Hi guys... Bulls fan here.

I plan on attending the Bulls - Magic game in a couple weeks. First time at the Arena, and I definitely wanted to see it and relive a little bit of the great rivalry we had in the 90's before you guys build the new one.

(I'm still shocked at how cheap the tickets are going for... I know we suck, but damn, $25 each for behind the basket on stubhub!).

Anyways, instead of asking about stuff to do on my trip, I won't since I would think that's a pretty dumb question to ask in Orlando, FL--- Really I'm interested if there is anything around the stadium (restaurants, parking, etc.) worth knowing about or going to before the game and if there is anything specific to check out in the stadium to get the Magic vibe. We're coming up from Disney that day (tourists, sorry) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I definitely dig your team lately. Thanks and good luck in the playoffs guys...

[DiplomaticMagic]

There isn't much around the arena area besides businesses. Your best bet is to go to International drive before the game. Which isn't far from the arena. And there's plenty there to do for tourist.

They open the arena an hour before tip-off..and you can go down by the court and watch players warm-up..and also get some autographs.

As far as parking goes..I'm not the best to ask for this..but the nearest one cost $8 but it fills up quickly.

[thepritz]

international drive is a solid 20 minutes from the arena. If youre looking for something more local and less touristy, I would go to Winter Park, especially Park Ave, great restaurants, shops, and bars.. its about 2 miles from the arena.

[Mapelgleaf]

thanks guys! yeah, less toursity is better; I'll be getting plenty of that for the rest of the trip.....

[Max Power]

I would agree with Pritz on Winter Park, maybe even Winter Park Village, which is a huge shopping area with lots of eats around it. Don't rule out East 50's Fashion Square Mall either, it's got a few places too, but more like chain stuff, Olive Garden and the like. All are fairly close to Amway.

[Dunkin On Ya]

If hookers are up your ally, just step outside of the arena and start walking for a few minutes, you'll find the action. Just make sure there is no adam's apple...unless you are in to that.

[CourtsideTV]

whats your budget on tickets? You dont want to sit behind the basket...try to get side view or center court for $40ish for lowerbowl..its possible.. keep looking on craigslist/ebay/stubhub. check out ticketmaster too.

how long are you planning to stay?

rockford illionois is nice area:)

[magicmamma]

I park at the Courthouse parking garage on the corner of Orange Avenue and Amelia Street. It's easy to get to and there is little traffic when you leave. There's a shuttle bus outside that that takes you right to the arena. Or you can walk the four blocks. I usually take the bus to the arena and walk back. It's safe even if you aren't in a crowd, and you are.

Park Avenue in Winter Park is a lovely "downtown" shopping area with real shops, excellent restaurants, and a nice park. It's worth a visit -- very pleasant just to walk there. There's a museum cluster just north of town on N. Mills. If you like live theater, there are dozens of little theaters scattered through the area.

I usually eat at the arena. The chicken tenders ($7) make a substantial meal and are pretty good. I like the pulled pork hogie from the Smokehouse. Soft drinks are $3.50 and a large beer (tap) is $5.50.

You won't be lonesome at the game. Lots of people decide to see their team play in Orlando when they come down for a vacation. You'll find the Magic fans are tolerant of well-behaved supporters of the enemy, and even friendly. After all, tourist taxes are building our new arena. The only fans we truly hate are Detroit's, and I'm sure you do too.

[Happyfoosball]

I remember when I finally got down to O-Town before the game, and realized how small the staidum was. It's amazing how big they make it look on tv.

[CourtsideTV]

You'll find the Magic fans are tolerant of well-behaved supporters of the enemy, and even friendly. After all, tourist taxes are building our new arena. The only fans we truly hate are Detroit's, and I'm sure you do too.

Do you think pepole are thinkng tourist tax when they see a person in an opposing teams jersey?

I think "Your team just got owned by the Magic suckerssss" hahah

[Mapelgleaf]

whats your budget on tickets? You dont want to sit behind the basket...try to get side view or center court for $40ish for lowerbowl..its possible.. keep looking on craigslist/ebay/stubhub. check out ticketmaster too.

how long are you planning to stay?

rockford illionois is nice area:)

I'll just be in for a week - flying directly from Rockford to Sanford airport. Both airports are basically tiny glorified bus stations which makes it super easy getting in and out.... anyone flying to Chicago from down here may want to check that route out since downtown (with no traffic) is only 90 miles away and you can't beat the convenience. Milwaukee is also 90 miles from here and the Bucks are an easy ticket to get too. You could easily show up 20 minutes before your flight, park for free and have no problems whatsoever.

But I did do some shopping around before getting the tix.... I got them right away (since the price was so damn low). They're not directly behind the basket so they shouldn't be obstructed (I think they are by the gate where the Bulls walk in which is good for me anyways)...... But yeah it's still a bit staggering how cheap even those were. Those same $25 tickets at Chicago would (still) be about $150 - $200 each on ebay/stubhub. That's the problem with a big city- even if your team stinks, there's plenty of non-NBA business douche bags to take the good seats to show off. I'm a NBA fan, and visiting different stadiums is a hobby of mine. Every team does things differently and it's cool to see all that.

But yeah, thanks for the advice guys! I wasn't sure how you guys felt about other team's fans either. Good to know it won't be like going to Detroit (blechhh).... and those chicken tenders sound pretty damn good magicmamma.

[MagicBasketba11]

Go to O'Boys BBQ , right across from the arena. I go there before every Magic game, and the food is great with large amount of servings.

[thepritz]

O' Boys is delicious