Jets & Panthers in Florida from WDW?

[BLBCB]

We can't get tickets for any of the home games for our Winnipeg Jets, sold out crowd everynight. It just happens that they are playing the Florida Panthers while we are at WDW. From what I can tell, it might be a 3 hour drive from Orlando to where the Panthers are located, which is closer than driving to Winnipeg for us anyway. Does anyone know anything about where their arena is and what it would be like to drive down there and back in one evening? Seems like a crazy idea for someone who isn't that into hockey, but my husband likes them and after a week on board the Magic and 12 days on land with his in-laws, it seems like a good idea to give him an evening away with just the two of us. We will have a rental car already so that isn't an issue, and I have a GPS so driving shouldn't be a problem, just wondering if anyone who follows hockey more than I do would have some ideas on what to expect or if it is even a good idea. Would love to surprise him with tickets for Christmas.

 

[tone.def]

Lots of tickets available for that game!

Go to Ticketmaster.com:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D004718EBD77CB2?artistid=805945&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9

Hope that link works. The tickets are much less expensive than what you would pay anywhere in Canada.

DO IT! Go and take lots of pictures!

 

[janabananas]

That sounds like a great idea. I took dbf down for a Panthers/Sabres game last year for his Christmas present and he loved it. (he is from the Buffalo area, but we live in Central Florida)

From WDW, it is pretty straight shot to Sunrise, right down the turnpike. There are signs everywhere and the arena is right off the turnpike. It is a really nice arena and never sold out. You can get some really great tickets. I would suggest looking at stub hub too. Many season ticket holders sell them there.

The drive back might be a pain if it gets out late.

If your Dh is as much of a hockey fan as my dbf, then he will be very happy.

Just to add: we decided to get a hotel room and stayed overnight because I am not a night driver, especially in areas I am not familiar, but if that is no problem for you, then you should be ok driving back.

 

[webworm]

We can't get tickets for any of the home games for our Winnipeg Jets, sold out crowd everynight. It just happens that they are playing the Florida Panthers while we are at WDW. From what I can tell, it might be a 3 hour drive from Orlando to where the Panthers are located, which is closer than driving to Winnipeg for us anyway. Does anyone know anything about where their arena is and what it would be like to drive down there and back in one evening? Seems like a crazy idea for someone who isn't that into hockey, but my husband likes them and after a week on board the Magic and 12 days on land with his in-laws, it seems like a good idea to give him an evening away with just the two of us. We will have a rental car already so that isn't an issue, and I have a GPS so driving shouldn't be a problem, just wondering if anyone who follows hockey more than I do would have some ideas on what to expect or if it is even a good idea. Would love to surprise him with tickets for Christmas.

We went to see the Panthers and Leafs a couple of years ago during March break and got last minute tickets through Travelzoo for $20. So for family of 5 we paid $100 to see the game and was full of Leaf fans due to March break. We were staying in Naples so drove across the everglades to the game but drive was 1.5hrs so was fine.

 

[BLBCB]

Any estimates on how long of a drive it would be? How early would we have to leave WDW to allow for driving, parking, finding our seats, etc?

 

[janabananas]

According to Google maps, it is about 3.5 hours drive time.

I would however suggest leaving WDW about 4.5 hours before the game, if you want to get there and be in your seat for face off. Traffic and construction are a bear on the turnpike in Orlando and south Florida.

I would rather be a bit early, then running behind and getting frustrated with traffic, etc. But I am a "rather be safe, then sorry" type person who tries to get everywhere early, so maybe my opinion is skewed.

 

[janabananas]

Just curious, have you also looked into the Jets vs Lightning game the day before? I am not sure of your dates that you are available due to your cruise, but the Ice Palace is only 1.5 hours away from WDW straight across via I-4.

 

[BLBCB]

I didn't know there was another option. How did I miss the other game! I'll check into that tonight. You may have saved me missing a big chunk of my park day! I knew the DISers would have the right info!

 

[janabananas]

Us DISers gotta stick together and help each other out.

I hope it works out for you, your hubby, and family. Have a great time!!

 

[photofreak]

The Bolts arena is at most only 1.5hrs from Disney. Our friend plays goal for them and we just went to the game last Friday to watch. I'd highly recommend going there. Especially since trying to catch a game at ours (either Toronto or buffalo) it's way more $ and harder to get a good seat.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

If you go wear your Jets gear and make us 'Peggers proud!

 

[BLBCB]

You can bet that we will be wearing something Jets. Looks like it will be the Tampa game but I tickets aren't for sale yet. I was hoping to have them for Christmas.

 

[janabananas]

You can bet that we will be wearing something Jets. Looks like it will be the Tampa game but I tickets aren't for sale yet. I was hoping to have them for Christmas.

That stinks! When I used StubHub, I was able to find tickets in advance and to print them off of the computer, no shipping involved. Our game was in February and I bought them in November and had them printed up and put away. When Christmas came, I was able to put the tickets in a box that had the other Sabres/Bills merchandise in. He thought he was only getting a shirt and he about flipped out when he saw the tickets.

 

[Kat&Dom]

You can bet that we will be wearing something Jets. Looks like it will be the Tampa game but I tickets aren't for sale yet. I was hoping to have them for Christmas.

I used Stubhub.com for our Lightening tickets - it was only $7 per ticket and I also booked the parking at $7.59 per car - I got 6 tickets, parking for 2 cars, paid for shipping for a total of $83 and I got the tickets via Purolator within a week. We will be there next Saturday night.

Good luck on your tickets. Tampa is a very easy drive. We have driven down to St Petersburg for ball games (across the bridge from Tampa) and it took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Very simple and easy. The hockey arena in Tampa is much closer.

Enjoy your game. Have fun!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Looks like it will be the Tampa game but I tickets aren't for sale yet. I was hoping to have them for Christmas.

In December 2007 I went to a Leafs/Lightning game in Tampa Bay and got my Tickets off Ticketmaster in September of that year. So if you look there they should have tickets available.

Also I was able to get two 2nd row seats next to the Lightning penalty box and with those seats I found out we could go into a lounge that servers free food and drinks. Plus that's the same area where the visiting team comes out of, so I got right up to the Leafs players and it was a lot closer compared to when they come out onto the ice at the Air Canada Center.