Among the facilities available at the OCCC is the 2,643-seat Chapin Theater. This full-service venue hosts theatrical performances, award presentations, and corporate events. Guests enter the Chapin Theater through an atrium lobby large enough to host pre-theater events.
For general meetings or banquets, the Valencia Room offers more than 62,000 square feet. That's larger than a football field, including the end zones. The Valencia can accommodate up to 6,000 attendees, but the area can be sub-divided into two or three smaller spaces.
The Lecture Hall seats 200, and up to 160 of those places may be at fixed work surfaces that also offer electrical, data, and phone service. There is also one microphone for every two chairs, in order to facilitate discussion and questions.
Every year, the OCCC hosts more than 1 million visitors and adds $1.9 billion to the economy of Central Florida. Groups holding conventions in Orange County include medical and professional associations, trade shows, scientific and religious organizations, and educational associations.
In return, the Center offers a number of services to attendees. The Center's food service operations offer everything from a cup of coffee to sit-down service at seven food courts, three full-service restaurants, and carts located throughout the buildings. Two business centers offer services such as faxing, shipping, and photocopying, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. The Center also is equipped with eight first-aid stations to cover any emergencies.
Attractions
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is the crown jewel of attractions near the Orange County Convention Center, and started the rapid growth in Orange County many years ago. Walt Disney World is comprised of four different major theme parks and two water parks. Magic Kingdom is the main theme park with Epcot Center, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Disney Animal Kingdom being available for visitors as well. All of the parks are centered on characters from Disney movies, and include rides and attractions for all ages.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios is another one of the main attractions that you'll find close to the Orange County Convention Center. At Universal Studios, you'll find many different attractions that are based around popular movies and children's characters. Your kids will love the opportunity to meet Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Diego, and many other characters. Universal recently opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which capitalizes on the phenomenon of the books and movies.
Sea World
Sea World is another classic attraction situated in the heart of Orlando. At Sea World, you'll get to see many of the marine creatures that you wouldn't get a chance to interact with otherwise. They give you the opportunity to feed dolphins, stingrays, killer whales, and many other marine animals. They also have some amazing shows with trained animals that can do many different tricks and routines.
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is an attraction that is connected to Sea World, and is unlike anything else that you'll find. At Discovery Cove, guests get the chance to interact with many different animals. You can swim with dolphins, stingrays, otters, and tropical fish. You can walk through an open-air aviary and hold some colorful birds. They even offer an all-inclusive resort atmosphere as you get the opportunity to eat and drink as much as you want throughout the day. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that your family will never forget.
Gator Land
Gator Land is an attraction that has been thrilling families for over 50 years. At Gator Land, the main attraction is the alligators, but they also have a lot of other interesting animals and things to check out. You can get your picture taken with a baby alligator in your hands and a large snake wrapped around your neck. They also recently installed a zip line that lets you soar over the top of the park.
Getting Around
The Orange County Convention Center with its distinguished scooped roof is the second largest convention center in the United States. Its proximity to the popular Orlando resort area keeps the center quite busy. Travelers to the center have several modes of transportation they can choose to use to arrive at their destination. The center has two tradeshow areas: the North-South Building and the West Building.
Driving
Driving is easy to do and the routes to the parking areas are well marked with signs. Some of the signs are LCD signs that are updated regularly. The convention center has three parking lots for attendees. These are filled on a first come, first served basis. All lots are reached by taking State Road 528 or Interstate Highway 4.
The parking lot for the North/South Building is accessed from Universal Boulevard or Tradeshow Boulevard. The parking lot for the West Building is reached by taking Exhibition Road. The third parking area is a garage and is reached by taking Destination Parkway. This area is not immediately located near the convention buildings, so a tram is provided for passengers to reach the building of their choice. For some events, valet parking is available for guests to use. Parking starts at $13 for most vehicles.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available to passengers arriving or leaving the convention center. Passengers are picked up and dropped off at the three cab locations. One is out front of the WA and WB Halls, another is out front of the WE and WF halls, and the third is out front of the SA and SB Halls. The fair varies with the distance traveled by the visitor. Most fares range in the $8 to $30 range.
Pedicabs
Rickshaws are available at the center for passengers needing to travel short distances or from one building to another. Rickshaws can carry up to two people and charge about $10 per ride.
Trolleys
The I Ride Trolley offers guests several stops along International Boulevard including two stops at the Convention Center. Both the red line and the green line have several stops at the Convention Center. Stops 26, 27 and 28 bring visitors to the center. Passengers are dropped off at E/F Halls at the North/South Building and at C Hall at the West Building. The trolley runs from 8 AM to 10:30 PM daily.
By Bus
The local Lynx Bus Line takes passengers to the Convention Center along the 38 line. The bus line drops passengers off in front of the North/South Buildings. Local buses 03, 13, and 51 have transfer stops to reach the 38 line. The bus line is one of the cheapest ways to reach the Convention Center. Passengers are picked up at the drop off point. After 4:30 pm the closest bus to the Convention Center is the 08 line.
Shopping
Fashion Island
The Fashion Island Mall is Orange County's finest waterfront shopping center. Shop till you drop in this open-air mall providing sweeping Pacific Ocean views. The Fashion Island Mall is home to a variety of upscale casual and elegant eveningwear clothing stores carrying the top designer labels and international brands. Designer stores, such as Juicy Couture, Kenneth Cole, Victoria's Secrets and more are integrated with department store convenience at Macy's and Bloomingdale's for a fabulous fashion shopping experience at the beach. Dining at The Fashion Mall ranges from budget-friendly take-out favorites to elegant service at the Neiman Marcus Restaurant.
The Market Place
The California Market Place is located on the free side of Knott's Berry Farm. This impressive Old West-style shopping plaza began with just the Knott's Chicken House restaurant and unique boutique shopping at Virginia's Gift Shop in 1934. Today, the Market Place has grown into a stylish theme park mall with low-cost shopping and dining options and a wealth of cowboy character added to the decor. Guests at The Market Place enjoy three hours of free parking with a validated parking stub from one of the plaza's premier shops or restaurants.
The Outlets Of Orange County
The Outlets of Orange County is destination number one for deep daily discounts and impressive savings. Find the best bargain deals at Banana Republic clothing, Bose electronics, Aeropostale sportswear and more. The AMC Theaters provide six screens equipped with state-of-the-art sound and the Outlets of Orange County is the only venue in the area to host a 3D experience at the IMAX Theater.
The Irvine Spectrum
The Irvine Spectrum is one of the region's most interactive shopping experiences. The mall holds regularly scheduled fashion shows, star-studded live entertainment, famous designer appearances and more. Sharpen your computer skills at the Irvine Spectrum's Apple Store with a computer genius at your side to explain the latest and greatest computer technologies. Get in line for the next celebrity book signing at Barnes and Noble or walk the mall to find the perfect place for lunch.
South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza ranks high on the list as one of the most elegant and opulent malls in America. This mega shopping and entertainment plaza is situated among cascading water fountains, luxury hotels, a variety of banks, and acres of lush landscaping cultivated around the magnificent shopping complex. Premier shops and restaurants at South Coast Plaza include Channel, Georgio Armani, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bvlgari, Cartier, and fine dining at Planet Hollywood and the Wolfgang Puck Cafe.
Dining
The Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida, is well served by both local and national chain restaurants located on the city's International Drive thoroughfare. Convention attendees will find plenty of appetizing options for all rates, ranging from desserts to barbecue and all-American dishes to Italian faire. When attending a convention in Orlando, these five restaurants are the "must-dine" options along International Drive, which are closest to the convention site itself.
Maggiano's Little Italy
One of the hallmarks of the modern convention is that they can truly last from sunrise until sunset. There are often very few meal breaks, and attendees can find themselves interrupting keynote speeches and product demonstrations with an intrusive rumbling stomach. One of the best cures for such an inconvenience is Italian food. Loaded with heavy sauces, carbohydrates, and plenty of meat, a hearty Italian meal can go a long way toward making a long convention more bearable, at least in terms of hunger. Maggiano's Little Italy is one of the leading national Italian restaurant chains, and it prides itself on providing a more authentic and low-key dining atmosphere than many of its competitors in this market niche.
Johnny Rockets
There's something to be said about nostalgia, especially in terms of hearty American cuisine. There's also something to be said for the single best milkshake in Orlando and servers who will dance to "Saturday Night Fever" disco songs after they serve that milkshake in a retro-style sundae glass. Johnny Rockets remains one of the leading all-American dining options in Orlando and wherever the company maintains a location.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Florida's location makes it a prime target for those diners who love to have a great seafood meal. The Oceanaire Seafood Room combines excellent seafood dishes with high-class service and top-notch atmospherics to transport diners right to the Florida Gulf shores where all the seafood-catching action is.
Fat Fish Blue
Orlando benefits from being relatively close to so-called "Cajun Country" just to its north and west, and Fat Fish Blue provides an excellent menu full of Cajun-inspired classics which will delight the tastebuds and spice up any convention-going day in the greater central Florida region.
Funky Monkey Wine Company
After a long day of keynote speeches, product demonstrations, and business networking opportunities, there's nothing more satisfying than a great glass of wine. In addition to its light faire and healthy menu options, Funky Monkey Wine Company offers a number of affordable and high-end wines that will take the edge off a long day at the Orange County Convention Center.
Plenty of Great Options for Dining
The Orange County Convention Center is one of the best-served such facilities in the United States when it comes to dining options, and that makes it an overall great place to travel for such events. Attendees will love the wide variety and upper class options provided in the nearby area.
FAQs about hotels near Orange County Convention Center
How much does a cheap hotel near Orange County Convention Center cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel near Orange County Convention Center can be as cheap as $76.68 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel near Orange County Convention Center cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel near Orange County Convention Center has been $104.73 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a luxury hotel near Orange County Convention Center cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel near Orange County Convention Center has been $139.46 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)