If you’re gearing up to attend the 2024 Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Orlando for the first time, you’re in for a memorable experience. EDC Orlando is one of the most electrifying music festivals in the world, featuring top-tier DJs, mesmerizing light shows, and a vibrant atmosphere. It’s one EDM festival that you can’t miss, so we’ve put together the best EDC Orlando guide!
However, if you’ve never been before, it can be an intimidating experience. Fortunately, we’ve put together the best EDC Orlando guide for music festival first-timers. These tips will help you prepare for your first EDC.
EDC Orlando, One of the Best US Music Festivals
EDC Orlando is a vibrant and world-renowned music festival that takes place in the heart of Florida. Located in Tinker Field, Orlando, this annual event is part of the larger EDC franchise organized by Insomniac Events.
Every year EDC Orlando features an impressive lineup of electronic dance music (EDM) artists, breathtaking stage designs and productions, and a captivating atmosphere that draws thousands of music enthusiasts from across the United States and beyond. With its origins dating back to the early 1990s in Los Angeles, EDC has grown to become a global phenomenon, celebrating the power of music, art, and unity.
Each November EDC Orlando continues this tradition, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of festival-goers with its elaborate stage designs, immersive light displays, and a diverse array of electronic music genres, making it a must-visit destination for EDM fans.
Best EDC Orlando Guide for First Timers
If you are attending EDC for the first time you might have some questions or just be looking for general tips on the music festival. To ensure you have an unforgettable and safe time, we’ve put together a the best EDC Orlando guide for first-time attendees.
1. Stay Hydrated – Pack a Water Backpack
It wouldn’t be the best EDC Orlando guide if we did not stress the importance of hydrating yourself. Hydration is key when attending an all-day music festival. Florida’s sunny climate can be quite demanding, and dancing for hours can deplete your energy. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring a hydration backpack to keep yourself well-hydrated. Just keep in mind that if you bring a hydration backpack to EDC it must be empty on arrival. Once inside the festival you can fill it at one of the water stations located throughout the festival grounds. The free water refill stations ensure you won’t have to worry about running out of water.
Can You Bring Water Bottles to EDC Orlando?
While you can bring empty hydration backpacks into the EDC festival, you cannot bring in regular water bottles from the outside. However, festival goers can also buy Insomniac’s official EDC water bottle and fill it up at the water refill stations. If you don’t want to carry a hydration backpack, or spend $25 on the official EDC water bottle, then you can always just buy a regular water bottle from one of the vendors and refill at the stations. Carry it around with ease using the water bottle pockets on this LED phone holder chest bag, all while keeping your phone safe and secure!
2. Is EDC Orlando Hot?
Central Florida’s weather can be unpredictable. While it’s usually warm, it can get chilly at night. It’s best to dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes for dancing, and don’t forget an LED bucket hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Create a colorful, fun festival outfit to match the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Does EDC Orlando Get Muddy?
Yes, EDC can be very muddy some years. Tinker Field can quickly turn into a mud field if it is raining in the days leading up to EDC Orlando or during the event itself. Pack your footwear accordingly or bring all weather shoe covers to avoid a muddy mess.
3. How to Get to EDC – Best Transportation for EDCo
We want to provide you with the best EDC Orlando guide, so we’ve got some transportation tips. Whether you’re driving or using public transportation, plan your transportation to and from the festival ahead of time. Getting to EDC can be a struggle if you don’t plan ahead. Luckily, EDC Orlando offers shuttle services, so look into their options for a convenient and safe ride. They’ve partnered with a number of local Orlando hotels.
Many festival goers use ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft. While useful for going to the festival, they can be extremely expensive once the festival ends for the day since all the attendees are trying to leave. If you want to avoid the pricing surge, try leaving early or finding alternative means of transportation.
Does EDC Orlando Have Parking?
Yes, there are parking options for EDC Orlando. If you’re driving, designate a sober driver and arrive early to find the best parking location near the festival. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 – $50 dollars for a spot. However, make sure that the parking area is official and that you aren’t getting conned. If you park in undesignated areas you can risk being towed or worse.
4. Don’t Skip Meals
With the excitement of the festival, it’s easy to forget to eat. However, it’s essential to maintain your energy levels. If your body is starving you are more susceptible to heat stroke, fatigue, or even passing out. If you are drinking or using other substances, the risk is increased if you have not eaten enough.
EDC offers a variety of food vendors that cater to all dietary preferences. They may not be cheap, but it is not worth starving yourself and risking injury. Take breaks to refuel and your body will thank you. Try the festival’s unique food options, but you can also bring some small snacks just in case. Lollipops can be a quick burst of sugar that can help you if you start to feel dizzy.
5. Pace Yourself
EDC Orlando is a marathon, not a sprint. The festival can last over 12 hours each day, so it’s crucial to pace yourself. Take breaks, sit down when needed, and listen to your body. Dancing for hours can be exhausting, so be mindful of your energy levels. Don’t go hard or early in the day and then crash before the best sets come on.
6. Secure Your Phone with a Phone Holder Chest Bag
This wouldn’t be the best EDC Orlando guide if we did not stress the dangers of losing your phone at EDC. Your phone is a lifeline at a music festival. Make sure it’s fully charged and consider bringing a portable charger. Consider turning on “Find My iPhone” or a similar tracking app in case it does go missing. Make sure your BT and wifi cannot be turned off from the lock screen.
While it is important to keep your phone secure in a zippered pocket or a fanny pack to help prevent loss or theft, phone thieves could still get your device. Phone tethers have become more popular but they are not criminal proof. Overconfidence in their effectiveness could result in phone thieves unhooking the tether or cutting it when you are distracted. There are more secure bags that can help deter device thieves because they keep your phone in view, like the patch festival chest pack or the LED phone holder chest bag.
7. Make an Emergency Meet-Up Plan with Friends
With large crowds and booming music, it’s easy to get separated from your friends. Or your phone may unfortunately get stolen. It’s a good idea before the festival to establish a meeting point and time to regroup in case you get separated. Additionally, share your live location with friends using apps like WhatsApp or Apple’s Find My Friends to make finding each other easier.
8. Choosing a Festival Outfit for EDC
Your festival outfit is a crucial part of the festival experience. EDC Orlando encourages creative, expressive rave attire. Consider bright, colorful clothing, rave accessories, and even costumes. Light up rave gear like the LED chest harness and LED armbands can create a unique festival outfit that makes you easy to find at the event.
Be sure that you don’t forget comfortable shoes for dancing, and think about bringing a lightweight cover up for the cooler evening hours if you get cold easy.
9. Plan a Group Festival Outfit With Your Friends
If you are going with a group, consider planning a group festival outfit or theme for each day! This is a fun way to get everyone in the festival spirit and to take memorable pictures. It can also make it easier to find your group if you get separated. While over the top group festival outfits are great, they do not have to be crazy.
Choosing a simple group theme like LED bucket hats is an easy way to coordinate the looks and stand out. Or choose to go a step further and add more LED rave accessories to really up the level of your group festival outfit.
10. Be Mindful of Substance Use
No EDC Orlando guide would be complete if we did not address illegal substances. At EDC and other music festivals there is likely to be illegal substance use even though security will check you before entering the festival. We’ve even seen K-9 units onsite near the festival gates.
It’s important to stay safe and make informed choices. If you choose to participate, do so responsibly, and never accept substances from strangers. Stay with your group and be aware of your limits. Make sure you are aware of what substances interact with each other to avoid a hazardous interaction.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the location of the medical tent and do NOT be afraid to seek medical assistance if necessary. A delay can result in serious medical complications and even death, that could be avoided.
What To Do if a Friend ODs at a Music Festival
Unfortunately, many popular festival drugs can have dangerous amounts of opiates like Fentanyl. An opiate or Fentanyl overdose can be lethal and it has become more common as rising fentanyl deaths are reported each year. However, use of Narcan spray can prevent an opiate overdose from causing death. The medical tent will have these medicines on hand and a quick decision to seek medical aid can save a life. It is also important to keep in mind that mixing substances is incredibly dangerous, and you want to be familiar with common-party drug interactions, or at least save the grid image of known drug interactions to your phone.
There are also many community health organizations that offer free Narcan spray that you can carry yourself. Research your local options to see where you can get some.
11. Familiarize Yourself with the EDC Orlando Map
Before you attend, take a good look at the EDC festival map and download it to your device. This will be your EDC Orlando guide during the festival! Familiarizing yourself with the layout can help you navigate the venue more easily and locate stages, food vendors, restrooms, and other essential facilities.
It’s also important to remember where you parked if you drove so in the chaos of leaving the festival you can easily find your vehicle. Remember what entrance you used and if you have a phone leave a pin where your parked car is.
12. Respect the Environment
As a festival-goer, it’s important to respect the environment and your fellow attendees. Dispose of your trash properly in designated bins, avoid single-use plastics if possible, and follow the festival’s sustainability guidelines.
13. Be Open to New Music
EDC Orlando features an incredible lineup of unique artists from various electronic music genres. Be open to discovering new music and artists you haven’t heard of before. Explore different stages and embrace the diversity of sounds.
14. Capture the Moments – But Don’t Miss the Moment
Don’t forget to capture the unforgettable moments of EDC Orlando. Take photos and videos, but remember to live in the moment too. Too often at music festivals we see people being absorbed into their phone and forgetting to actually enjoy the event. Get your content and then put your phone away. Focus on enjoying the music and the people around you while creating lasting memories.
15. Practice PLUR
Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect, or PLUR. These are the core principles of the EDM scene and they should be practiced at every music festival. Music festivals are accepting of everyone from all walks of life, everyone is welcome there! There are very few events where you will find such a happy upbeat vibe.
Make Some EDC Kandi Bracelets
We’d be missing out a key part of our EDC Orlando guide if we did not mention Kandis. Part of the culture of PLUR is the exchange of Kandi bracelets, often used as a mark of friendship. Festival goers will buy or make their own bracelets and wear them to events. There they often exchange them with other festival goers. At EDC you will see a ton of Kandi bracelets, and you might just be lucky enough to get one! It is a great way to meet new ravers so we definitely recommend making your own before attending.
Now You’ve Read the Best EDC Orlando Guide, Enjoy Your Festival!
By following this best EDC Orlando guide, you’ll be well-prepared for your first EDCo experience. Get ready to dance, connect with fellow music lovers, and immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of this extraordinary music festival.
If you haven’t already picked out an outfit, be sure to check out the awesome festival gear and rave accessories from House of Rave.
2024 EDC Orlando Guide – Most Common EDC FAQs
It wouldn’t be a complete 2024 EDC Orlando guide without including some of the most common EDC Orlando FAQs. Below our expert EDC Orlando guide answers most of the questions we would have wished we had the answer to.
Does EDC Orlando Have Parking?
Yes, EDC Orlando offers parking for attendees. There are multiple parking lots available near the festival grounds, but it’s important to arrive early as spots can fill up quickly.
Where Can I Get an EDC Orlando Parking Map?
EDC Orlando provides a parking map that is usually available on the official festival website or app closer to the event date. The map will show the locations of all available parking lots and entrances.
Does EDC Orlando Have Camping?
No, EDC Orlando does not offer on-site camping. Unlike some other festivals, attendees will need to find accommodation off-site in hotels or other lodging options. EDC does offer partner hotels that host pre-after parties.
Does EDC Orlando Have Shuttles?
Yes, EDC Orlando provides shuttle services to and from various locations around the city. These shuttles are a convenient option for those staying off-site and wanting to avoid driving to the venue.
Is There Phone Service at EDC?
Phone service at EDC Orlando can be spotty due to the large number of people attending the festival. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and establish meeting points with your group in case of service disruptions.
Does EDC Orlando Have Water Refill Stations?
Yes, EDC Orlando has multiple free water refill stations located throughout the festival grounds. It’s highly recommended to bring a refillable water bottle or hydration pack to stay hydrated throughout the event.
Are Totems Allowed at EDC Orlando?
Yes, totems are allowed at EDC Orlando, but they must adhere to specific guidelines regarding size and materials. Check the festival’s official guidelines to ensure your totem meets the requirements.
Are There Phone Thieves at EDC Orlando?
Unfortunately, phone theft can be an issue at large festivals like EDC Orlando. It’s important to stay vigilant, keep your phone secure, and consider using anti-theft gear like a tether or secure pocket.
Do People Dress Up for EDC Orlando?
Absolutely! Dressing up is a big part of the EDC experience. Attendees often wear vibrant, creative outfits, including rave gear, costumes, and accessories like LED hats, rave fans, and fun festival bags.
Are There Vegan or Vegetarian Options at EDC Orlando?
Yes, EDC Orlando offers a variety of food options, including vegan and vegetarian choices. You’ll find food vendors throughout the festival grounds catering to different dietary preferences.
Is Security Tough at EDC Orlando?
While more relaxed than other festivals like Ultra, security at EDC Orlando is thorough to ensure the safety of all attendees. Expect detailed bag checks, pat-downs, and metal detectors at the entrance. While the security process can be rigorous, it’s in place to maintain a secure environment for everyone at the festival. Being prepared and cooperative will help speed up the process.
Is EDC Orlando VIP Worth It?
Many attendees find that the VIP experience at EDC Orlando is worth the extra cost, especially if you value-added comfort and convenience. VIP perks often include expedited entry, access to exclusive viewing areas, dedicated VIP lounges, special food and drink options, and premium restroom facilities. The most valuable of these in our opinion are the viewing areas (since EDC Orlando gets crowded, and the premium restrooms since EDC only has porta-potties and they DO NOT stay clean. If these amenities are important to you, investing in a VIP ticket can be a great choice.