This Electronic Daisy Carnival in Orlando (EDCO) festival guide will give you some useful tips and tricks to improve your trip. Previously my festival experiences were camping events such as Tomorrowland and Imagine Music Festival), so this was a little different for me.
EDCO is big and getting bigger. In 2019 it moved to a three-day event and they doubled their attendance to around 225,000 attendees and 160 artists. 2020 will be their 10-year anniversary so I suspect it will be bigger still. Here are some ideas to make your life easier.
Preparing for EDC Orlando
EDCO happens at Tiker field, less than a half-hour from the Orlando International Airport. If you buy your festival tickets early enough you can save some money.
For lodging, many younger people stayed at Home Bass Orlando which provided shuttles, lodging, and after-parties. International Drive is also close, but tends to be an expensive option because it’s near the theme-parks.
Make sure you read the EDCO website for things to bring and not to bring. Hydration packs are strongly encouraged, for example, but backpacks are not allowed. Definitely bring a hydration pack: it’s hot during the day and there isn’t a lot of shade.
Unlike some other big festivals that have gone cashless (you use your bracelet for everything), you need to bring cash or credit cards to EDCO. If you don’t have a hydration pack, have a running belt/fanny pack for this sort of thing.
Check the weather. It rained pretty hard on Friday which ruined a lot of the fun for us. You can pick up cheap, clear ponchos at Wal-mart for $.99 if you think it’s going to rain. On the other hand, if you’re fair-skinned don’t forget to put sunscreen on before you go.
The festival typically starts at 1pm, so eat lunch before you go as it costs $10-$15/meal at the festival.
I live in Orlando most of the time, so for me Uber was a great way to get to and from the festival. Uber was $10-20 each way depending on the time of day. If you chose to drive get a designated driver and plan on paying $20 – $40 depending on how much you’re willing to walk. As soon as you get off the highway you’ll see people advertising spots to park. Don’t leave valuables in the car.
What to do at EDC Orlando
Talk to people! The people and costumes are half the fun (with the other half are the DJs and shows). Stop regularly for water. If you didn’t bring a hydration pack, buy one $4 water bottle and just keep refilling it at the water stations. There are not water fountains.
Watch amazing shows! I enjoyed taking lot of pictures and video, which ultimately made it into my aftermovie above.
Eat and drink. This was the only disappointing part of the festival. Food and drinks were overpriced (expected) but of mediocre quality. EDCO took a very standardized approach with the same booths appearing over-and-over with little variety. The same Pixel Punch was served at every bar along with about eight other offerings… and that was it. I was FAR more impressed with the food and drink vendors at Imagine and Tomorrowland.
Watch your phone and wallet. At this year’s festival, a guy was caught with over 30 stolen phones. I keep my phone in my hand most of the time, but at a minimum your front pocket is safer than your back pocket.
Getting Home from EDC Orlando
If you’re going to Home Bass, the shuttles wait just outside for you. If you’re planning on using Uber or Lyft, you have to walk 3-4 blocks outside the festival before the app will allow you to hail a ride. As the festival was letting out this year people were waiting 90 minutes for a ride, so consider leaving before the last act unless you’re willing to wait.
EDCO 2020 is the 10-year anniversary. Will you be going?
