{"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":"2026-08-21T13:10:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:10:50","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 “Student Commuter”<\/span> (green) and \u201cR\u201d (orange) permits. The Parramore Garage (PG1) is the secondary parking lot for “Student Commuter”<\/span>\u00a0(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

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<\/h2>\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<\/h2>\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

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

IT & Tech Lending<\/span><\/h2>\n

Downtown students have IT support and tech lending<\/a> available on the 2nd floor East Wing of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons. Here, students can get help troubleshooting issues with their computers and borrow technology like cameras, MacBooks, laptops, cables and more! Be sure to bring your ID to check out a device.<\/p>\n

Printing<\/h2>\n

Downtown students have access to both free and paid printing options on campus. Students may print for free<\/strong> on the 2nd floor of UnionWest with their UCF or Valencia card. Use your NID or VC-DTC ID<\/span> to log in.<\/em><\/p>\n

Free and paid printing stations<\/strong> are available in the east wing of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons on the 2nd floor. To use these stations, use your NID or VC-DTC ID<\/span> to log in. Costs are $0.08 for black and white and $0.30 for color prints or copies. Scanning is also available for free at the paid printing stations.<\/em><\/p>\n

ID Cards<\/h2>\n

Planning to ride the shuttle? Need access to buildings after hours? Make sure you carry your ID card with you at all times! Downtown students can submit a convenient\u00a0pickup or mailing request<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Well-Being<\/h2>\n

Whether you’re feeling stressed out or have a cold, we’re here to help! Located on the 2nd floor of UnionWest is the well-being area<\/a> with staff to help you feel your best. Services include the Recreation and Wellness Center (with daily fitness and yoga classes), primary healthcare, mental health counseling provided by UCF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), nutrition, stress reduction and sexual health services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Updated: January 8, 2026 Originally Published: August 2019 By Stephanie Rodriguez, ’20 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. 1\ufe0f\u20e3 Transportation Parking The Amelia I Parking Garage (PG3) is…","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nA Guide to Your First Week at UCF Downtown | UCF Downtown<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Updated: January 8, 2026 Originally Published: August 2019 By Stephanie Rodriguez, '20 Welcome to your new campus! 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