general

F.A.Q.s

everything you need to know to attend GC23

Learn about the National Prayer Summit

Learn about the GC23 children & teen ministry

General
Information

Who can attend GC23?

GC23 is open to everyone who wants to attend. More information about kids and youth programming will be released at a later date.

Where is General Conference Being Held?

The location is the “Hilton Orlando Destination Parkway” located at 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819.

Read More About the Location

When is General Conference 2023?

Tuesday morning, July 25, through Friday evening, July 28. You’ll want to arrive on Monday, July 24.

When is the National Prayer Summit?

Monday, July 24, starting at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the same day. You’ll want to arrive on Sunday, July 23.

Helpful information about registration

Registration FAQs

Is there an additional registration fee for the Prayer Summit?

No. There is no cost to attend the Prayer Summit other than meals on your own and your additional night hotel stay. 

When does registration open?

January 1, 2023 

What does registration cost?

This covers your attendance at GC23. Registration is required for attending plenary sessions, focus groups, next generation programming and exhibit hall attendance. It is not required to attend evening worship. Note that there is a cap of four registrations for nuclear families of more than four people.

Type of Registration

Registration Dates

Price Per Person

Super Early Bird Registration Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2023 $229
Early Bird Registration Mar. 1 – May 31, 2023 $259
Regular Registration June 1, 2023 and beyond $289
Where do I register?
How and when do I pay?

Payment for your registration is due at the time you register. Payment for your hotel rooms can take place over time leading up to GC23. If your conference is paying directly for your registration or sleeping room, please use the discount code provided by your conference as you register. 

Is there a family registration rate?

Yes. Nuclear families (parents and children only) with more than four family members will register all family members for the price of four. Programming is available for all age groups, morning and afternoon sessions; parents take children during 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. lunch break:

  • Nursery for age 2 and under
  • Toilet trained – entering kindergarten (fall 2023)
  • Entering first grade – fifth grade (fall 2023)
  • Entering sixth grade – twelfth grade (fall 2023)

Accommodations FAQs

How do I reserve my hotel rooms?

Hotel rooms are reserved with your GC23 registration starting January 1. Do NOT contact the hotel to reserve rooms apart from your GC23 registration.

What do the hotel rooms cost?

Single King or Double Queen rooms Price Per Room Per Night (up to family of 4): $159 which includes in-room Wi-Fi and applicable taxes but does not include optional resort fee of $10 per day. Payment will be made directly to Free Methodist Church USA prior to the event and not to the hotel at check-in.

The optional “$10 Resort Fee” – what it covers and what you need to know.

The resort fee is an optional fee that gives you certain additional benefits. To take advantage of the discounts the outlet (restaurant or service where you use the discount) will need to know which group you are part of to calculate the bill correctly. The resort fee can be charged to your room if you’ve swiped a credit card or must be paid directly if no card is on file. Here are the benefits you get with the resort fee:

  1. 24-hour access to the fitness center
  2. 10% discount on eforea spa services and merchandise
  3. 25% discount on poolside cabana rentals
  4. Unlimited local, toll free and domestic calls
  5. Two I-Ride Trolley tickets daily

You select if you want to pay the resort fee or not, and for how many days you want it to apply. It is not required for every day and can be started mid-stay but must be paid for every day after beginning the fee. It can be paid in one transaction or charged to the room as an incidental if a credit card was swiped for this purpose.

What you need to know about check in and your credit card for incidentals.

When you check in, if you drove your vehicle, you will be requested to scan a credit card for incidentals. The hotel will place a $100 hold per day of your stay on your card. The hold will be released if you did not charge any incidentals to your room. Or you may pre-pay for the number of days you’ll be parking a car at check in if you are not swiping a credit card for incidental charges.

If you did not drive your vehicle (i.e. flew in) you are not required to scan your credit card for incidentals. You may pay with cash or a credit or debit card at any of the hotel restaurants or for other hotel services not covered by your room fee and you must tell the outlet (restaurant or service) which group you are part of in order to have the discounts apply.

Learn about the GC23 Focus Groups

Schedule FAQs

What is the daily schedule?

The basic schedule for each day of the conference (Tuesday through Friday) is:

  • 8:30 a.m. – Morning Worship
  • 9:45 a.m. – Break (in the exhibit hall)
  • 10:00 a.m. – Breakouts 
  • 11:30 a.m. – Lunch Break (with options in the exhibit hall)
  • 1:00 p.m. – Plenary Session #1
  • 2:30 p.m. – Break (in the exhibit hall)
  • 2:45 p.m. – Plenary Session #2
  • 4:00 p.m. – Dinner Break
  • 7:00 p.m. – Evening Worship
  • 8:30 p.m. – Receptions/Gatherings

Transportation FAQs

I’m driving – what about parking? Is there a parking fee?

When driving to Orlando, you will want to park in the parking garage behind the hotel. The daily rate for our conference is a 50% discount to the posted rate, or around $30 (unknown until close to event) per day and must be paid using your credit card assigned to your room for incidentals or prepaid at check in. You will use your room key to go in and out.

I’m flying in – what about a shuttle from the airport?

Travelers who are flying should use Orlando International Airport (MCO). There will be NO shuttle service from the Orlando airport. You will be responsible for taking one of several different options to be transported to the hotel. Current options include:

  1. Go to the ground transportation level and arrange for a taxi at any one of the taxi stands. The average taxi fare ranges from $45 to $60 one way to and from the airport.
  2. The city of Orlando has a robust public transportation system that busses people to and from the airport. For information on pricing and schedules, click here.
  3. Arrange for an Uber or Lyft. Prices vary.

We’ll provide more information about available transportation and discounts closer to the event.

Helpful information about meals

Meals FAQs

GC23-Sponsored Meal Options

The following options are available at the hotel for food during GC23 and the costs you can expect to pay.

 

  1. The GC23 Community Dining Hall
    One portion of the Orlando Ballroom will be set up as a community dining hall during GC23 for dinner time meals. Each evening there will be meals offered buffet style for those who register for meals in advance (arranged as you register). Each evening meal will be sponsored by an FM ministry with presentations and programs offered. The cost per plate is $28 with a children’s option for $19 and will be billed at the time of your registration when you select them in the GC23 registration system. Here is the lineup for the week:
    • Monday, July 24 – The National Prayer Ministry
    • Tuesday, July 25 – FM Financial with special guest Babbie Mason in concert
    • Wednesday, July 26 – International Child Care Ministries
    • Thursday, July 27 – Free Methodist World Missions
    • Friday, July 28 –FM World Ministries Center featuring Comedy Magician Matt Fore
  1. Sponsored Events 
    Colleges, universities and ministries are holding luncheons, dinners, or receptions that you’ll perhaps consider attending. Register for those in the same way as you register or modify your existing registration.
  1. Lunch Options in the Exhibit Hall 
    As in previous GCs there will be lunch options available in the exhibit hall. Lunch options will range in price from $9 to $19. Tables and chairs will be set up for you to share lunch with friends as well as peruse the offerings of our exhibitors in the hall.
  1. Coffee Breaks – Morning and Afternoon
    Two coffee breaks sponsored by the Set Free Movement will be held each day of the conference (Tuesday through Friday) and are offered at no cost to registered attendees. One break will be mid-morning and the other in the afternoon.
Hilton Orlando Restaurants

The Scratch Market (15% discount for all attendees, must identify group to use) 
Our 24-hour gourmet marketplace that specializes in all things comforting and freshly made. Sip on the finest freshly ground Espressos and Coffees and gourmet, whole-leaf teas. Snack on pastries, sandwiches, pizzas, and sides made from scratch in our kitchen daily with the freshest ingredients from local purveyors, cage-free eggs, and responsibly sourced products. Shop our carefully curated selection of gifts and treasures. Open 24 hours daily.

FastBreak (Applicable resort fee discount applies if purchased)
FastBreak has seating indoors and outdoors. When the game is on every seat has a view, so you’ll never miss any of the action. Fastbreak serves up all-American eats.
Open daily: Breakfast 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Lunch 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.; Dinner 4 p.m. – Late

Spencers for Steaks and Chops (Applicable resort fee discount applies if purchased) 
Sophisticated and approachable, this New American steakhouse redefines the classic steakhouse with innovative preparations and contemporary twists. Spencer’s features a signature raw bar, the Prime Spencer’s Cut, natural grass-fed beef dry-aged 21 to 28 days, local seafood, and local organic produce. As part of our sustainable initiatives, Spencer’s for Steak and Chops is now an Ocean Friendly Restaurant! Dress Code: No swimsuits/cover ups, no hats or open toe shoes for men.
Open Tuesday to Saturday: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Tropics Pool Bar & Grill (no resort fee discount applies) 
Seasonal, island-inspired poolside fare will make you feel like you’re in the tropics. Enjoy attentive service from Tropics poolside or in your private cabana. *Hours subject to change based on business demands.
Open daily: Food service at 12 p.m.

Express Bistro
Lunch in The Bistro: $15 plus tax and gratuity. Bistro is currently being remodeled and is not shown on the website. It should be open when we get there in July.

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