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Big Ten Bowl Trip: Champs Sports Bowl
Nov. 27, 2007
BIG TEN BOWL TRIP: Rose | Capital One | Outback | Alamo | Champs Sports | Insight | Motor City by Jeff Smith
By population, the city of Orlando is the sixth largest in the state of Florida. By number of the hotel rooms, Orlando ranks second in the nation behind Las Vegas. That is what makes Orlando such a destination for fans longing for a little "fun and sun" during the college football bowl season. And that is why Orlando plays host to two - Champs Sports Bowl and Capital One Bowl - of the seven Big Ten bowl games. Orlando offers three distinctly different regions that are often common stops for visitors. The majority of the tourism is located around International Drive and many of the city's theme parks, while the other region is located downtown near Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium and trendy Winter Park. This feature will highlight the downtown area, while International Drive will be the focus of the Capital One Bowl preview in the coming weeks. Located 20 miles away from International Drive, downtown Orlando is known for its nightlife just as much as the tall buildings that dot the landscape. The renovated area is home to several parks as well, including Lake Eola, which is known as the centerpiece of downtown. For fans looking for a more laid-back and inexpensive trip to Orlando, downtown is your destination. "Downtown has really come of age," said Danielle Courtenay, spokesperson for the Orlando Travel & Visitors Bureau. "That whole area has really changed a lot and it's still going through that renaissance."
Lake Eola Park offers 43 acres of sidewalks and trails that encompass a 0.9-mile loop around the water. Relax while piloting swan-shaped paddleboats around the lake or just kick back on the shore and feed the real things. The park also offers a playground and small outdoor café and is open throughout the week from dawn until midnight. The scenic fountain located in the center of Lake Eola is illuminated nightly with green lighting within the fountain dome. Still in the mood for a walk? Orlando offers a self-guided tour of the Downtown Orlando Historic District. The area made up of eight square blocks, consists of close to 30 historic buildings that date back to the 1880s. Church Street Station, which was once the state's fourth-largest tourist attraction, has since closed down, but the roadway for which it was named still boasts a number of nightclubs, including Chillers. If you are in the mood for a little bit of everything, Chillers' 3-in-1 nightclub is the spot to be downtown. Dance the night away on the first level, or take the stairs to the Big Belly on the second level for sports and country music. Still not content? Head to the third floor and Latitudes, an outside party deck, where tiki torches, space heaters, and the Orlando skyline surround you. For more of an upscale nightclub, check out the new Dolce Nightclub, an Italian-themed venue inspired after the designer. Located down Orange Avenue in the Wall Street Plaza, you can find various restaurants to reward an appetite, such as the Beacon, Shari's Sushi Lounge, and Sam Snead's Restaurant. Sports fans can stay at the Orlando Marriott Downtown right across the street from the Orlando Centroplex, a sports and entertainment complex which also houses the Amway Arena - home of the Orlando Magic. Visitors looking to spend a little extra cash to live in elegance can check out the Grand Bohemian Hotel or the EO Inn. Don't want the luxury, but still want the attention? Stay at one of two popular bed and breakfast locations at Veranda Bed & Breakfast or The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. And while there are several downtown eateries to choose from, might we suggest hopping in the car or taxi for a short ride to Gargi's Lakeside Italian Ristorante. The family-owned restaurant offers an intimate setting on the shore of Lake Ivanhoe and its tough to find a bad item on the menu. Courtenay also notes that north of downtown is Winter Park, home of shopping and boutiques. As stated, Winter Park is Orlando's "Rodeo Drive."
But enough of the food, hotel, nightlife and shopping tips. Where's the good stuff, right? Amber Mundinger of the Florida Citrus Sports, the organization that hosts both the Champs Sports Bowl and Capital One Bowl, says it's the Bowl-a-Palooza Fan Fest. In an effort to combine both of its bowl games, Florida Citrus Sports has created a six-day event that is patterned after the NFL Experience and MLB FanFest. The event will feature several fun activities for football fans of all ages. The event begins on December 26 and runs through New Year's Eve. The event, which can be learned more about at www.bowlapalooza.com, will turn the Orange County Convention Center into a virtual "College Football Midway" with interactive games, live music and sports-related entertainment, pep rallies and a food court. The event is focused on bringing together each team's fan base, primarily for the Champs Sports Bowl, which pits the Big Ten against the ACC. "I think the Big Ten partnership is hugely important," said Mundinger, who serves as the FCSports Events Manager and Parade Director. "(The Big Ten) is a portion of both bowl games and we highly value the partnership. We think the teams travel well and we are exited for Big Ten fans to come in twice. Both bowl games are completely different." But one thing that is the same between the two bowl games is the patch. Mundinger describes the Bowl Patch as an "all-access credential" in addition to being the official souvenir of both games. The colorful patch is the same emblem that is stitched on the teams' jerseys and costs $10 to each fan, although the money is virtually returned from all the discounts it offers. "The bowl patch is your ticket into the weeklong Bowl-a-Palooza and keeps you from paying $5 per day," Mundinger said. "On game day, it gets you into the Best Buy FanZone at the Champs Sports Bowl, an event where you can go in and party before the game." That event takes place on Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m. ET - three hours prior to kickoff at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The pregame tailgate party will feature live music, food, interactive games, face painters and more. On Thursday the 27th, each school's band will perform in the first Champs Sports Bowl Parade of Bands from 2-4 p.m. The event will take place down Park Avenue in nearby Winter Park and provide both fans and the two bands to enjoy fight songs and more. Following the parade will be a pep rally at the Orange County Convention Center, site of Bowl-a-Palooza. With as many events and attractions Orlando has to offer, it's no wonder that Big Ten fans enjoy hibernating to the sunny and warm city. Orlando is so inviting that it wouldn't be a surprise if Big Ten fans traveled for the Champs Sports Bowl and stayed through the Capital One Bowl. The long list of fun-filled activities and attractions are endless, but they are all here waiting for you! Welcome to Orlando! The place, where according to Courtenay, "you can do everything but snowski." |
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