All posts by Lisa Melegari

Prepare for your WordCamp voyage!

Weekend WordCamp guests, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your stay at Resort WCORL!

Parking and Registration

When you arrive at the Rosen Campus for Hospitality Management you’ll pass through the security gates (just let them know you’re here for WordCamp Orlando) and head to the left. DO NOT PARK ON THE RIGHT – those spots are faculty only.

Weekend parking is free! No need to pay, just head up toward the fountain and through the glass doors to the right. You’ll receive your name tag and lanyard, and if you arrive before sessions start, you can head in to the sponsors in the courtyard or grab a cup of coffee in the atrium.

Making the Most of Your Day

There will be up to three sessions going on each hour, but you do not need to stay in the same track all day, nor should you feel obligated to go to a session every hour! Aside from the talks, we have:

The Happiness Bar – where you can get one-on-one help from WordPress pros. The folks in this room offer their time and knowledge FOR FREE, so we ask that you respect their time. If your question takes more than 15 minutes, the helpers may ask you to come back later if there are others waiting. Remember, most of the volunteers run WordPress businesses, so this is a great way to find a new source of support!

The Sponsor Deck – the folks and companies that help keep our camp running will be along the classroom perimeter, as well as in the atrium. Stop by to learn about their great services, useful products, and of course grab some awesome swag!

The Courtyard – the infamous “hallway track” where attendees take a moment to relax and chat outside of the structured sessions. There’s a lovely gazebo perfect for meeting new WordPress users and picking up great information you’ll find nowhere else!

Wi-fi and Devices

The wi-fi on campus is not the best, so please refrain from downloading any large files, streaming, or other bandwidth-eating tasks.

Wi-fi Network: UCFGuest
There is no password, but you must open a new browser window and accept the terms to connect. If you are not active, it may log you off after 20 minutes, after which you will have to agree to the terms again.

Laptops are NOT required for the weekend sessions. If you must bring a laptop or tablet, please make sure it is fully charged. We will have limited power strips in the session rooms and cannot guarantee you’ll have the ability to charge at all times.

Food and Amenities

We will have hot coffee, tea, and chilled water stations available all day in the atrium. There are also on-campus vending machines for sodas and snacks. Hot buffet lunch is provided both days, prepared and served by Rosen Hospitality students!

If you requested a gluten-free or vegan meal and do not see anything meeting your needs on the buffet tables ask a server! The majority of the special meals are kept in the back to make sure the people who need it get the right food.

NO PEANUTS ARE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS.

We have attendees with life-threatening peanut allergies and therefore all outside food must NOT contain peanuts. If an organizer or volunteer sees you with something containing peanuts we will ask you to please return it to your vehicle.

If you need additional food or beverage, there is a Publix grocery store in the plaza across the street, along with a Dunkin Donuts and a few small restaurants. However, the Rosen students are trained and overseen by professional caterers and their food is fantastic!

If you need any assistance to make your stay at Resort WCORL the best possible, please do not hesitate to ask a volunteer or organizer at the registration table. If an emergency occurs, please alert a volunteer or organizer and we or campus security will help resolve the situation.

Saturday After Party

We’re taking the resort theme to the next level – your all-inclusive weekend ticket also provides you access to the ON-SITE AFTER PARTY!

That’s right, no need to leave campus and try to navigate Orlando’s tourist district. The after party will take place in the dining hall and includes light appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages, games, and the chance to wind down and get to know your fellow attendees.

Sunday Networking Brunch

Our Sunday Networking Brunch is WordCamp Orlando’s most iconic event. Come out to the courtyard for a continental breakfast, mock-mosas, and chat about WordPress, trade Wapuu pins, or just enjoy the fresh air! This low-key time is designed to provide time to network and let the morning coffee and carbs rejuvenate your mind for more sessions!

Friday Workshops: What You Need to Know

Welcome aboard WordCamp Orlando! Here’s what you’ll need to know as you embark on our first day of workshops.

Parking and Registration

When you arrive at the Rosen Campus for Hospitality Management you’ll pass through the security gates (just let them know you’re here for WordCamp Orlando) and head to the left. DO NOT PARK ON THE RIGHT – those spots are faculty only.

Our parking volunteer will be standing right before the first row of spots to hand you a parking pass. YOU MUST DISPLAY A PASS ON YOUR DASH ALL DAY FRIDAY – if you missed the volunteer we’ll have extra passes at the sign-in table.

Once parked, proceed to the front gates where we’ll check you in and point you to coffee and your workshop room.

Attending your Workshop Excursion

We ask that you only attend the workshop you indicated with your ticket purchase. If you don’t remember what you picked, we will have the list at registration.

The workshops are very hands-on, so laptops are encouraged. Please bring your device fully charged, we will have extra power strips within the rooms, but we cannot guarantee you’ll be able to stay connected the entire time. Please be courteous and share plugs once you’re charged.

The wi-fi on campus is not the best, so please refrain from downloading any large files, streaming, or other bandwidth-eating tasks. If your workshop requires any pre-downloads or setup you will receive an email with those instructions or we will have the necessary files on USB drive.

Wi-fi Network: UCFGuest
There is no password, but you must open a new browser window and accept the terms to connect. If you are not active, it may log you off after 20 minutes, after which you will have to agree to the terms again.

Food and Safety

All day coffee and tea will be available in the atrium just before the workshop rooms and water stations will be set up around the campus. We will be providing lunch in the dining hall across the courtyard from the workshop rooms. There are vending machines on campus for sodas and snacks as well.

IF YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR OWN SNACKS PLEASE DO NOT BRING PEANUTS ON CAMPUS.

We have some attendees with life-threatening peanut allergies and if an organizer or volunteer identifies that you have something with peanuts we will kindly ask that you return it to your car.

If you need any assistance throughout the day please let us know at registration or if an emergency arises, please find one of the organizers or volunteers. Campus security as well as our organizing and volunteer teams are all here to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable voyage!