Campus Visits and Tours

Weather in Central Florida can be unpredictable, so plan accordingly. For your safety, and that of our Student Ambassadors, the campus tour portion of your visit may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Don’t worry, though — you’ll still receive the same valuable information from our Student Ambassadors through a virtual tour and Q&A panel.

You will choose your own sessions based upon the times they are offered. Many of our sessions do not repeat, and some even overlap, so you’ll have to decide which sessions best suit your interests. While activities are scheduled through 3:00 p.m., we advise that you arrive early and stay for the entire event to make the most of your visit.

Yes! A limited number of campus tours are offered during each “Knight for a Day” Open House. Because there are so many activities from which to choose, your tour may be shorter than a weekday campus visit, but we’ll squeeze as much information in as possible. Housing tours are self-guided, giving you the flexibility to view the communities that interest you most. We’ll post signs on campus directing you to our housing areas. Once you get there, a member of our housing staff will be on hand to answer questions and show you around. Not every housing community is open, but you’ll be able to view a broad selection.

And finally, our tours do not include the library or our bookstore, but we encourage you to stop in during your free time.

UCF is a Smoke-Free Campus.

Yes, each student must register to attend a campus event, though parents and other family members can register as guests under one student’s name. We want to make certain that everyone gets the attention they need, and fewer people means more one-on-one attention for you, so we limit space.

If you need to cancel, please let us know so we can allow others to attend. A cancellation link appears in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you signed up.

Yes, each prospective student must register to attend, though parents can register as guests under one student’s name. We want to make sure everyone gets the attention they need — fewer people means more one-on-one attention for you. For that reason, we limit space. So, if you need to cancel, please let us know so we can allow others to attend. A cancellation link appears in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you signed up.

Attending an open house is optional for all prospective UCF students. It’s true that most of the information at our open house events will be geared toward freshmen, but there are still many presentations beneficial to transfer students. One of the presentations is specifically about transferring to UCF, for example.

There is an optional housing tour offered at the end of the campus tour. The housing tours are offered at noon and 4 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

It’s not part of the program, but UCF does have several options on and near the campus. There are plenty of places to get a drink and eat on campus too. It gets warm in Florida, so be sure to bring some water with you.

Knight for a Day Open House events give you more information about UCF’s campus, programs, housing, student life and more. The Campus Visit Experience is a tour of the campus — it’s included in the Open House event, but may be condensed due to time constraints. In addition, you will also learn about admissions, financial aid and academics. You don’t have to take the tour during an Open House event, but we highly recommend you attend.

During your campus visit, Student Ambassadors will lead you on a 90-minute walking tour around campus, making 10 stops. You’ll take a walk through Memory Mall, stroll by the Reflecting Pond, and visit the Student Union in the center of campus.

The best time to experience UCF is when classes are in session.

Consider visiting our campus:

• On Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays
• In January, February, May, June or November

Avoid Holidays & University Breaks

Avoid visiting the campus on holidays or during special campus events — you’ll miss out on important features.

UCF is closed on the following holidays:

• • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day (and the day after)
  • Christmas

Tours may also be canceled or limited during university breaks when classes are not in session:

• • Winter Break (3rd week of December – 2nd week of January)
  • Spring Break (varies, but typically 2nd week of March)
  • Fall, Spring & Summer Intersession (period between semesters)

Pet Policy

Pets are not permitted on campus except as authorized by the university or when a disability requires the presence of a service or support animal that is both necessary and reasonable under the circumstances.

UCF is a Smoke-Free Campus.

You can grab a sandwich on the go from Subway, Jimmy John’s, Chick-fil-A or one of the numerous other convenient eateries on campus. Knightro’s and The Marketplace ’63 South offer all-you-can-eat dining, or you can catch a game and a burger at Chili’s or Huey Magoo’s. There is also a wide selection of area restaurants off campus, many of which are located within 1 mile of campus.

Once you get to the main campus, park in Garage A (free of charge), then walk to the Student Union — there will be signs in place to help you find your way. Once inside, go to the Pegasus Ballroom. Our campus is a walking campus, so there is no transportation between the garage and the Student Union. Consult your confirmation for the event’s start time and arrive early to avoid waiting in line.

The Campus Visit Experience is offered Monday – Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. year-round, except on holidays. During university breaks and periods where classes are not in session (e.g. intersession, spring break, etc.), we may cancel or reduce the availability of tours.  The Campus Visit Experience includes a 15-minute information session led by an admissions representative.  A 90-minute walking tour of campus follows.  Optional tours of select UCF housing communities are offered at 12-noon at 4 p.m. for interested parties.

“Knight For A Day” Open House events are held on select Saturdays throughout the year and are daylong programs intended to provide more in-depth information about UCF.  Activities and sessions are subject to variation, but typically include presentations by academic colleges, campus tours, housing tours and housing information sessions.  Representatives from support services and student activities exhibit in an expo-style setting at each event.  Special programs, such as LEAD Scholars, the Burnett Honors College, EXCEL and COMPASS, and others may provide opportunities to engage with program administrators or peers.  Sessions on transferring, student financial assistance, scholarships and admission are also offered.

It’s usually hot in Florida. Dress in layers to adjust to the changes in temperature from the heat outside to the air-conditioned buildings. There will be a lot of walking and Florida is sometimes rainy, so wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella — just in case. Shuttle service is not offered during Open House events.

There are three convenient options for visitor parking: Daily Permit ($8), Pay by Space, and Pay by Plate. Visit the UCF Parking Services website to learn about these options or stop by the Visitor and Parking Information Center for maps, permits and directions.

All vehicles parking on campus, including those utilizing spaces for guests with disabilities, must have a parking permit. The ParkMobile App must be downloaded onto your smart device to select the Pay by Space option.

Lots B-4, B-5 and B-6 are closest in proximity to the Duke Energy University Welcome Center and the Visitor and Parking Information Center.

A hotline with directions to campus is available 24/7 by calling 407-882-0909.

Pets are not permitted on campus except as authorized by the university or when a disability requires the presence of a service or support animal that is both necessary and reasonable under the circumstances.