{"id":3491,"date":"2020-01-06T05:44:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T05:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/downtown\/?p=3491"},"modified":"2026-01-08T20:31:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:31:54","slug":"a-guide-to-your-first-week-at-ucf-downtown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/downtown\/a-guide-to-your-first-week-at-ucf-downtown\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Your First Week at UCF Downtown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated: January 8, 2026
\nOriginally Published: August 2019<\/em><\/p>\n

By Stephanie Rodriguez, ’20<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to your new campus! Before you start this new chapter in your life, here are 7 key things you need to know about UCF Downtown to make your first week a breeze.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1\ufe0f\u20e3 Transportation<\/h2>\n

Parking<\/h3>\n

The Amelia I Parking Garage (PG3) is the primary parking garage for \u201cD\u201d (green) and \u201cR\u201d (orange) permits. The Parramore Garage (PG1) is the secondary parking lot for \u201cD\u201d (green) and \u201cR\u201d (orange) permits. Just like the main campus, virtual parking permits are required to park in UCF lots and garages.<\/p>\n

UCF Students<\/h3>\n

Purchase Parking Permit<\/a><\/p>\n

Valencia Students<\/h3>\n

In order to purchase a virtual parking permit, you will need your VC-DTC ID and Downtown Campus password.<\/p>\n

Valencia: How to purchase a parking permit\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Parking and Transportation Services is located in the Campus Store in Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 151. See Valencia downtown parking information.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Express Shuttles<\/h3>\n

If you are a UCF student and need to travel to or from main campus, there are 15 daily roundtrip express shuttles between the UCF main campus\u2019 Lynx Transit Center (between Garage A and Garage I) and UCF Downtown. The shuttles are open to UCF students as well as employees with a valid UCF ID.<\/p>\n

The shuttles operate Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM and Friday from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM, except on holidays or campus closures. All shuttles have WiFi and are ADA compliant.<\/p>\n

View the Shuttle Schedule <\/a><\/p>\n

Lymmo<\/h3>\n

Getting around downtown Orlando is easy with free Lymmo lines<\/a>, and all UCF students, faculty and staff also receive free rides anywhere in Orlando on LYNX, the rapid bus transit system. There are four Lymmo line stops at UCF Downtown and LYNX Central station is just a short, five-minute walk from the campus.<\/p>\n

The Lymmo lines operate on weekdays, with hours varying on the weekend. Check the Lymmo website<\/a> for the latest hours and see how you can ride all over the downtown footprint at no cost.<\/p>\n

SunRail<\/h3>\n

SunRail is a commuter rail system with 17 stations that run through Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. The closest station is at LYNX Central Station. SunRail trains feature free WiFi, power outlets, bike racks and more!<\/p>\n

2\ufe0f\u20e3 Dining<\/h2>\n

In addition to dozens of restaurants<\/a> within walking distance of the campus, Dunkin\u2019, Subway and Qdoba are open on the first floor of UnionWest at Creative Village.<\/p>\n

3\ufe0f\u20e3 Library<\/h2>\n

For help with research and a huge collection of books, visit the Addition Financial Downtown Campus Library<\/a> in suite 265 located on the 2nd floor East Wing of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons. Other services available at the Library are:<\/p>\n