Florida Trip

Nov 18 – Nov 22, 2026

Florida Spafford Run

Gainesville · Orlando · Epic Universe

 

  • 5 days
  • 4 nights
  • 2 Spafford shows
  • 1 theme park

Before we go

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  1. 18 Wed Nov
    Show night Day 1

    Drive to Gainesville

    Gainesville, FL

    Road day down I-75, then Spafford outdoors at Heartwood Soundstage.

    Knoxville → Gainesville ~7 hrs drive · Directions ↗
    • Morning

      Hit the road

      Leave early enough to check in and grab dinner before doors at 6:00.

    • Afternoon

      Check in

      Gainesville lodging is still TBD — update it below once booked.

    • 6:00 PM

      Doors — Heartwood Soundstage

      Arrive early and eat at South Main Station (spots listed in the venue card).

      Map ↗
    • 7:00 PM

      Spafford w/ Aisle 14

      Outdoor show. All ages.

    Staying
    Not booked yet

    Somewhere in Gainesville. Fill this in once it's booked.

    Venue

    Heartwood Soundstage

    619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601
    No clear bag policy
    Doors
    6:00 PM
    Show
    7:00 PM
    Ages
    All ages (12 & under free)
    Setting
    Outdoor

    Food & drink

    • No food menu listed for the venue itself — the venue suggests arriving early to eat at its South Main Station neighbors:
    • Bingo Deli · Humble Wood Fire (pizza) · Afternoon Coffee · Grand Scheme Brewing
    • Outside drinks are not allowed.

    Bags

    • Small bags OK: purses, totes, fanny packs, drawstring bags — about 8.5" × 11" or smaller.
    • No backpacks or anything larger than 8.5" × 11".
    • All bags are searched at the gate.

    Good to know

    • Lawn chairs allowed for this show, as space allows. No tents, canopies or shade structures.
    • Parking in the South Main Station lots; rideshare is encouraged.
    • Re-entry is allowed at most shows.
    • No smoking; no vaping in the indoor stage area.
    • Can't find your ticket? The box office can look it up by name with photo ID.
  2. 19 Thu Nov
    Show night Day 2

    On to Orlando

    Kissimmee / Orlando, FL

    Short drive to the resort, check in, then Spafford downtown at The Social.

    Gainesville → Silver Lake Resort ~2 hrs drive · Directions ↗
    • Late morning

      Drive to Kissimmee

      No rush — resort check-in starts at 4:00 PM.

    • 4:00 PM

      Check in — Silver Lake Resort

      Free self-parking. Staying Thu–Sun.

      Map ↗
    • Evening

      Eat, then head downtown

      The Social doesn't serve food — eat first, or grab Planet Pizza around the corner (you can bring it in). About 25–30 min from the resort; park in a downtown garage.

    • 7:00 PM

      Spafford at The Social

      Ticket sites list 7:00 PM — confirm doors time and age rating on your ticket. Small room (~450), so get there early.

      Map ↗
    Staying
    Silver Lake Resort 7751 Black Lake Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34747

    Thu 11/19 – Sun 11/22 · Check-in 4:00 PM · Check-out 10:00 AM · 3 outdoor pools · Free parking

    No clear bag policy
    Show
    7:00 PM (per ticket sites)
    Ages
    Varies — 12+, 18+ or 21+; check ticket
    Capacity
    ~450, general admission
    Phone
    (407) 839-1847

    Food & drink

    • The Social does not sell food and has no kitchen.
    • Planet Pizza is around the corner, and you're allowed to bring it inside.
    • Bar is 21+ with a valid, scannable ID.

    Bags

    • Small bags and purses OK.
    • No backpacks, large bags, or oversized purses/totes.
    • Everyone and every bag is searched at the door.

    Good to know

    • Parking: downtown garages and metered street parking.
    • Earplugs are $2 a pair at the door.
    • Box office is at The Beacham entrance next door (46 N Orange Ave), weekdays 10–4.
    • Under 12? Email info@foundation-presents.com for approval first.
  3. 20 Fri Nov
    Park day Day 3

    Epic Universe

    Orlando, FL

    Full day at Universal's newest park.

    Silver Lake Resort → Epic Universe ~25 min drive · Directions ↗
    • Before

      Check park hours

      Look up Friday's hours in the Universal app and aim to be there at opening.

    • All day

      Epic Universe

      Worlds: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe.

      Map ↗

    Bags & lockers

    • Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained and Hiccup's Wing Gliders require loose items (bags, phones, sunglasses, hats, wallets) to go in a free ride locker first.
    • Lockers open with facial recognition tied to your ticket — no code to remember.
    • Stardust Racers has a metal detector: nothing in your pockets, not even a phone or keys.
    • A secured fanny pack is OK on Monsters Unchained and Hiccup's Wing Gliders, but not Stardust Racers.
    • All-day rental lockers (about $15 medium / $20 large last we checked) if you bring a bigger bag.
  4. 21 Sat Nov
    Free day Day 4

    Free day in Florida

    Kissimmee / Orlando, FL

    Nothing planned yet. A few ideas:

    • Option

      Pool day at the resort

      Silver Lake has three outdoor pools — easy recovery after a park day.

    • Option

      Disney Springs

      Free to get in; shopping, food and drinks, about 10–15 minutes from the resort.

      Map ↗
    • Option

      Bonus show: Spafford at Jannus Live

      Spafford plays Jannus Live in St. Petersburg this same night — about 1.5–2 hrs from the resort if you want a third show.

      Map ↗
  5. 22 Sun Nov
    Travel Day 5

    Drive home

    Back to Tennessee

    Check out by 10:00 AM and head north.

    Silver Lake Resort → Knoxville ~9–10 hrs drive · Directions ↗
    • 10:00 AM

      Check out

      Late check-out may be available for a fee — ask the front desk.

    • All day

      Long haul home

      It's the Sunday before Thanksgiving week, so expect heavier traffic on I-75 — especially around Atlanta.