Access to all five event spaces (pending availability)
At no additional charge, pending availability and accessibility, any of our five event spaces can be reserved for your event.
Furnishings and Set-Up
At no additional charge, Manatee Lagoon can provide and set-up the following for your event:
1. (22) 60” round tables
2. (176) chairs
3. (10) 6’ silver-topped banquet tables
4. (20) Adirondack chairs
5. Easels
6. Power strips
Audio Visual Equipment
At no additional charge, in our Main Room, we offer a full suite of audio visual equipment including a podium/lectern, microphone (lavalier and hand-held; 2 sets), automated projector screens, and HDMI, VGA, and audio outputs.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available inside the Manatee Lagoon building.
Manatee Lagoon Tours
At no additional charge during Manatee Lagoon’s normal business hours (Tuesday-Sunday; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.), event organizers can request a private tour for event guests on Tuesdays through Sundays, during the following times: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., pending availability.
Gift Shop Access
Pending availability, at no additional charge, event organizers can request that Manatee Lagoon’s Gift Shop remain open if an event is scheduled outside of normal business hours. Requests must be made 60 days prior to your event date.
No. No outside food or beverage is permitted at Manatee Lagoon. All catering and event production elements must be coordinated through an FPL-approved authorized caterer of your choice, and at your expense. Manatee Lagoon’s list of pre-approved authorized caterers can be found on our website’s “Venue Rentals” page.
We only provide and charge for the space, and do not handle the catering/rentals/vendors/décor aspects of the event. We supply a list of authorized caterers who also act as your event producer and can be contacted directly to best assess the total cost of your event. We require that all event production– food, drink, third parties and rentals (i.e.- linens, high-tops, etc.) be coordinated through one of our authorized caterers.
Unfortunately, at this time, we do not accept venue reservations for children’s birthday parties.
Yes. Venue rental rates are different for weddings. Also, additional hours can be purchased for $200 per hour if you would like to reserve the venue for a longer period than our daily rental hours. Our daily rental hours are:
Weekend Daytime: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekend Evening: Friday – Sunday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Weekend Daytime into Evening: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Venue rental rates are based on the day and time of your event, and not on the space. At no additional charge, pending availability and accessibility, any of our five event spaces can be reserved for your event.
For meetings or events (parties or receptions), at no additional charge, event organizers can access the event space 1 hour before the meeting or event begins for set-up. For weddings, at no additional charge, organizers can access the event space 2 hours before the wedding begins. If additional setup time is required, the $200 additional hourly rate will apply.
If a meeting or event is scheduled to begin earlier than 8 a.m., organizers can access the space 30 minutes before the meeting or event begins for set-up. If additional time is required before 7:30 a.m., the $200 additional hourly rate will apply.
Manatee Lagoon’s has two gated, paved-surface parking lots on-site that can accommodate up to 175 cars.
The main parking lot can accommodate up to 50 cars, 3 buses, 2 electric vehicles and 7 handicap vehicles. The overflow parking lot can accommodate up to 125 cars and is located directly west and across the street from the facility and runs east to west along 59th Street.
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Manatee Lagoon requires that parking services (valet, attendant, etc.) be secured at your expense for the following types of events:
1. Events anticipating 50 cars or more that occur Nov. 15 – March 31 during Manatee Lagoon’s normal operating hours (Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
2. Events anticipating 50 cars or more that occur at nighttime.
Parking services or other special transportation services may only be provided by one of FPL’s approved suppliers. Parking supplier information and special transportation service supplier information will be provided upon request.
No. Weddings may only be booked on weekends. Weekend rentals are:
Weekend Daytime: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekend Evening: Friday – Sunday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Weekend Daytime into Evening: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
In our second floor Main Room, we offer a full suite of audio visual equipment including a podium/lectern, microphone (lavalier and hand-held; 2 sets), automated screens, and HDMI, VGA and audio outputs. You should bring your own computer device to connect any content that you may want to present.
In our first floor Interactive Exhibit, we have 3 monitors that can project content. In advance of your event, you will need to supply your content to Manatee Lagoon’s Special Events Manager to load.
Any enhanced A/V outside of the scope of Manatee Lagoon’s offerings above must be secured through your authorized caterer, at your expense. Authorized caterers should recommend, vet, approve and coordinate all third party vendors providing enhanced production.
Enhanced production elements must be secured through your authorized caterer, at your expense. Authorized caterers should recommend, vet, approve and coordinate all third party vendors providing enhanced production.
Types of enhanced production:
Rentals (e.g. high-tops), décor, florals, cakes, entertainment (e.g. DJs, bands), lighting, photo booths, enhanced A/V (e.g. live streams).
You can layout your event space using our in-house furnishings, or you can rent other furniture and décor through Manatee Lagoon’s authorized caterers of your choice. We can provide the following furnishings for your event space layout at no additional charge:
1. (22) 60” round tables
2. (176) chairs
3. (10) 6’ silver-topped banquet tables
4. (20) Adirondack chairs
