Next Stop Amelia Island

Hoping to return to the USA for this event with the Mrs. Looking forward to seeing the P4 of Napolis.

Hotels near the airport are plentiful and cheap, but you are looking at a 40 minute drive to the show, which you should arrive to by 8AM just to get close parking.

 

I'll be attending this event for the first time this year! Any tips and advice is appreciated.

 

Get there early. Bring plenty of cash. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

 

Been there many times as I live only a couple of hours away. Above advise is very good. The earlier the better as the crowds have gotten very big. Sometimes it's hard to get a decent picture of a favorite cars (and there are plenty of those). Depending on where you park you might have to line up to catch a shuttle to the event but it's worth it to us car guys and gals.

 

Thanks for all the wisdom. Probably my favorite part of Florida car shows aside from the show itself is all the valet/parked supercars that you can see all over the place. Is that something I will get to experience at this show as well? Or is there no real on-site parking? I have no problem getting there early.

 

Also a decent hotel recommendation would be appreciated, less than an hour away ideally!

 

Hey Josh, it's Nick from the Cavallino and FoS.

This will be my 5th year at Amelia. I highly recommend getting there early (before 8 am), because parking will cost you ~$25 a day if you don't. Definitely wear sunscreen and a hat is optional, but great to have for Sunday.

There are supercars in front of the Arita for Ride & Drives, as well as owner cars that are taken away by the valet, but besides that, there aren't many supercars around the Ritz. You used to be able to go into the garage, but they started being stricter with security last year and now you can't get in unless you have a media pass or a car parked down there.

There will be the Cars and Coffee Saturday morning at the Ritz which will be great for seeing super cars driving into. There's also the FoS event which is also a good event and good for spotting.

I go Wednesday-Sunday and arrive each day around 7 am. There's plenty of spotting, events to go to, and people to talk with to fill your time each day.

Either bring a lot of cash or bring snacks and water bottles because food/water is expensive and you will need it throughout the days.

There's also the locations of the trailers where you can go see some great cars being worked on or unloaded.

If you have any other questions, let me know

 

Nick thanks for the info. I bought tickets to both the FoS and the Concours so I plan on being at both events. I also see the C&C on Saturday morning so I'll try to go to that, just need to balance the timing with the FoS which is the same day and time. I work during the week, so I am driving up north Friday afternoon and plan on going to the weekend events.

Per the parking situation. Ideally I would like to park as close as I can, and better yet if I can park in the garage. Is the garage parking open to the public if I get there early enough? I don't care what it costs really, just want to get the best parking I can.

Send me a PM when you get a chance!

 

There is no way of getting into the garage. Parking on the swales on the streets to the north of the hotel is free. There is a paid lot (the driving range) two blocks south of the hotel. I doubt you'll need it but there is parking at the Fernandina airport with free shuttles. Check out the satellite views.

If you get there early (like day break) on Sunday, go see the cars drive onto the show field from the service drive just to the left of the front door.

If the couple of hotels just off the I95 exit to Amelia are full as the Fernandina hotels, do the JAX airport area. I tried staying in Kingsland, GA years ago for a change of pace. Not a bad choice for someone coming from the north.

 

C&C starts an hour or two before FoS opens up I believe, so you can balance the two. You can park about a 5 minute walk away from the Ritz on the side of the road for free if you get there early. Those spots go fast.

Now that I think about it, I believe you have to be a guest of the Ritz to have your car valeted to the garage. Maybe you can get in if you give a good tip to the valet or something.

 

I thinking about going for my first time.

Do I need to buy a ticket now or can I just walk up and get a ticket Sunday with no worry of a sellout?

 

wondering the same thing...want to go for Sunday only.

 

I don't think they well out, but I have always bought before hand. Didnt this year since I'm not sure what my work will have for me. But I do want to make it Sunday also.

 

I'm quite sure that they sell tickets the day of, but they cost significantly more than if you were to buy them today (Wed 26th) before midnight.

They sell tickets at the Ritz starting Thurs. or at any of these locations in Jax or Fernindina:

Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park- 7018 Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244

Brumos Motor Cars (Mercedes-Benz) – 10231 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225

Brumos Motor Cars (Porsche) 10100 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225

Lexus of Orange Park – 7040 Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244

Lexus of Jacksonville – 10259 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225

Claude Nolan Cadillac – 4700 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32216

Fernandina Beach Chamber of Commerce – 961687 Gateway Boulevard, #101, Amelia Island, FL 32034

Fernandina Beach Tourist Development Council – (Train Depot) 102 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

 

OK so I just ordered my ticket....and they don't mail them.

so I guess there's going to be a hell of a line at the will call desk at 9am Sunday morning?

 

Its quietest in the morning, but as the day goes on.. the thousands pour in lol

 

I have picked mine up at will call, Chas. The lines weren't too bad, we got there around 8.

 

Just ordered my ticket.

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

Ticket has been ordered. Looking forward to the show.

 

sweet!

 

I highly advise getting to the show between 7-8 am for parking as well as a short line. Also, by the time 11 comes around, the show is absolutely packed.mit's much more enjoyable in the early morning

 

I'll be driving up from the Swamp, my target is to get there by 8am. thanks for the heads up!

 

If you get there early enough, about an hour or so before the first gates open, you'll get to see many of the cars driving onto the lawn which is an amazing sight.

Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and some water if you plan on staying for a few hours. It's an incredible event, but you can leave VERY sunburnt