Morgana

Hi
We are an English family holidaying in Orlando this summer. My husband is a HUGE Grateful Dead fan and I have managed to get 3 tickets to see The Dead and Dylan at the Times Forum, Tampa (yes, I am going along too, plus our 19 year old son!). Please could anyone advise us how long will it take for us to drive from Orlando to Tampa. I assume there's loads of parking at the Stadium? Can we take drinks/food in, or purchase them close by? Any tips we need to make this a really exciting afternoon and evening for my husband? And anywhere in the Orlando area where I can buy him any Grateful Dead merchanise (and solve my Christmas present problems!). Is the Stadium likely to sell merchandise?
I would appreciate any help!

Jibboo

From what I remember it's about a 2 hour drive. Parking at the stadium will be no problem but you will probrobly have to pay to park. I highly suggest you eat before you go inside the stadium, they have food inside but is often expensive and not too good. We always like to get some sandwiches and chips and eat them in the parking lot before the show. They will most likely let you in with one bottle of sealed water each, but that is about it. And finally, YES they will be selling merchandise like t-shirts posters and cd's inside the stadium. Enjoy sounds like a great day!!!!

Morgana

Thanks so much for your reply! I quite like their music but my real pleasure will be seeing how much my husband enjoys this. May I ask one more question - is the Stadium air-conditioned or is it open air and therefore hot?

Jibboo

hmmm I honestly do not know as I have never been to that stadium and I'm going by general concert experience. Look on your tickets if they are rain or shine that usually means that it's not an open air stadium, which in FL I'd highly doubt they even have open air stadiums. So although they may have some air conditioning I'd plan on it being warm no matter what, because of the amount of people.

coach4448

The St.Pete Times Forum isn't open air, it's enclosed.
Here is a link to their site, I think that you will find it helpful.
http://www.icepalace.com/

It should take you about 2 hours from Orlando. Alot of that will depend on what time this event is and what time you are leaving Orlando.

The Forum is very nice. Plenty of parking.

Some quick directions from Orlando:
ORLANDO/LAKELAND/PLANT CITY/DAYTONA/JACKSONVILLE/POLK COUNTY:
- Take I-4 West to I-275 South
- Take Exit 45A (Downtown East)
- Go south on Jefferson to Whiting Street
- Right on Whiting Street to Morgan
- Left on Morgan to Channelside Drive

gatorlover

There are several "sports bar" type restaurants within walking distance of the Forum - Hattricks, Beef O'Brady's and Newk's Cafe. Food inside the Forum is very expensive. Enjoy!

joan

I've been to several concerts there, and there's a sort of patio area just outside the gates, where they often set up food and merchandise stands, and (in the case of Jimmy Buffett) some local sound-alike bands play about two hours ahead of show. Hopefully this will be the case for the dead, and you can get some awesome tye-dye shirts before heading inside! Have fun!

cassidy2002

I don't know what the scene is like anymore, having not gone to a show since Jerry passed, but there used to be all kinds of vendors in the parking lots, selling veggie burritos, grilled cheeses, etc. I know that it's not fine cuisine or anything, but he might enjoy the ambiance of munching on a deadhead-made veggie burrito and wandering around to soak the atmosphere in. I was just at Jimmy Buffetts show on Tuesday and the scene there (while a bit different than a Dead parking lot) made me miss the days of following the Dead (or were they following me?!?!?) Have a great time!