Oh, and we would be driving to the venue

I've not been to the Lightning. My NHL experience being in Chicago and Toronto. Looking at the schedule they are playing Dallas with the face off at 7.30pm local time. It is the first 'preseason' game (a friendly). If they operate the same as the other clubs I have been to then you can walk up and buy tickets from the rink. Ticketmaster's site is down at the moment but http://www.coasttocoasttickets.com/buy/lightning_tickets.htm?pid=643131 (which I have used in the past) is showing plenty of tickets in all areas. They will FEDEX your tickets to your home address within 48 hours. Advice. Take a look at the arena plan before buying. Some tickets may have restricted views. The best tickets are nearest the ice but the arenas are designed to give great views from almost anywhere. If you are going to sit high (300 blocks) then try and get as close to the centre ice (the half way line) as possible as these will give the best views.

There will be plenty to see (and buy) at the rink so try and give yourself time before face off to have a look round at the merchandise. Replica shirts are great souvenirs but they will have loads of other memorabilia as well.

It's not like football. The crowds will be very polite and possible very quiet as well (Americans tend to be quieter than Canadians at hockey games in my experience). If you have kids you will be able to let them wander about inside the rink in perfect safety. There is no crowd segregation as there is never any trouble so you may find yourself sitting in a mixture of Lightning and Stars fans. Don't forget to stand and face the flag when they sing the National Anthem.

I don't have any info on how far from Disney to the rink. Google maps can give you a route and timesif you have the addresses of the start and finish.

http://www.nhl.com/ has loads of links to all the teams and other info.

I really envy you. Please post when you return and let me know how you got on.

I have a friend who is a Tampa fan and visits them regularly when he holidays in Florida. I have mailed him to try and get more info about getting to the rink.

Wow, thanks for the brilliant advice Hi De Hi!
Ok, first of all i was really worried about the crowds etc, but thats good if they are polite! Im actually quite excited about it now
I noticed they are playing the Washington Capitals on the 22nd September - we could go then if you think it would be better than seeing the Stars? What do you think? I have no idea lol
Im just going for the experience. Do you know of any other sport stuff on from 12 till 27th September? My boyfriend loves everything to do with sport. We wouldve loved to see Baseball or American Football but couldnt find anything online thats nearby Orlando.

Thanks for reminding us to stand during the National Anthem - dont want to offend anyone and we would've looked really dumb just sitting there wondering what was going on!

I will definitely let you know how i get on - im really excited now :D:D Thanks a million
Glitter x

Theyre also playing Detroit Red Wings on 24th!

Well if it was me I would go to both! LOL. I can't really say which will be the better game as I'm not sure of the rivalry between those teams. However Washington are in the same division as Tampa and so there may be a little more at stake regarding bragging rights. It is another 'preseason' game so nothing at stake regarding competitions. Dallas are in a different division to Tampa. In Hockey you play the teams in your division more often in the regular season that you do the teams in other divisions.

The coast to coast site is showing plenty of tickets for the Caps game as well.

Looking at the prices they are asking for tickets close to the ice I would assume they are not expecting a big demand. $50 for centre ice tickets low down is really cheap (not even face value). When I went to Toronto at Easter tickets in that location were $400 each if you could get them and over $1000 each on the black market! But the games were sellouts and demand was through the roof.

I'm sure you will enjoy whichever game you choose.

The NFL (American Football) and MLB (baseball) both have websites that should give you info on games in that area.

I have looked at the schedule for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Football) and they have home games on the 8th, 16th and 23rd Sept. Again Coast to Coast has details and tickets. Games kick off at lunchtimes. The tickets look a bit more expensive than the hockey but these are regular season games where there may be something at stake. Miami Dolphins also have home games on the 8th, 16th and 30th Sept.

As for Baseball the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (What a great name) have home games on the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th and 27th Sept. The Florida Marlins who play in Miami have home games on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th and 27th Sept.

I have not watched football or baseball live but have seen both on TV. Football is OK in my opinion especially if watched on a big screen in an American bar with a friendly local to explain what is happening. Baseball on the other hand makes cricket look dynamic (in my opinion).

I should add that if you really enjoy the hockey then it is played in the UK and if you have a rink close by they are almost certain to have a team there.

Yes i think there might be a team in Edinburgh as they have an ice rink at Murrayfield Stadium. Probably worth checking out when we get back!

I'd probably be more interested in the baseball - from what ive seen on tv it looks to be a better experience? My bf plays Rugby here though so he's quite into american football and all other contact sports lol
Ill be sure to show him your replies when he gets home from work tonight - im sure he'll find them very helpful aswell!
You have been brilliant - thanks again And i will probably pop back on here to let you know what we're doing etc

Edinburgh do have a team in the Elite league (which is equivalent to the Premiership in soccer). The season starts next weekend and my team, Coventry, is in the same league.

Have just read your Redwings post. As a hockey fan if I could only choose one game then it would be the Wings as they are one of the 'original six' and therefor more history and kudos.

Ok, after much thought and discussion, we have booked tickets to go and see a Baseball Game - Tampa Bay Devil Rays Vs Boston Red Sox on 23rd September
We will make a day of it since it is in St Petersburg - will be nice to see somewhere other than Orlando for the day.

Im quite excited now! Baseball looks much more fun than Hockey. We were torn between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees games but the NYY are playing on our last day, and it would be too much of a risk getting home late for the flight the next morning etc.

Just hope this all works out - luckily my partner drove in Orlando last year so he's not as nervous - but im just scared of getting lost!

Thanks for the tips again Hi De Hi - we didnt even know the Tampa Bay Devil Rays existed until you mentioned them!
GlitterGirl x

Hope you have a good time. However I have to disagree with the Baseball being more exciting than Hockey! You won't see any fights in the Baseball!

Aaaa thats true! Hadnt thought of that haha!

The way we thought of it - we can go and see Hockey here if we wanted to, whereas i dont think much baseball is played here.

Im just happy that my other half finally made a decision - when i first showed him your post i thought i'd have to "endure" Baseball, Hockey AND American Football!

We had a fantastic time in St Petersburg for the Baseball game - im now hooked!! Loved it! Thanks for the advice

Glad to hear you had a great time. I'm off the the Hockey tonight (wednesday) as my team (Coventry Blaze) are playing your local boys (Edinburgh Capitals) in a league game.

Ooooh how did the Edinburgh lads get on?

They lost 4-2