These travel packages...anybody know anything about them generally? Good deal? Should I look into or just purchase on my own?
PSU Rose Bowl Packages
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They are created to make someone a lot of money. But it can be tough to get in otherwise. Interestingly, a number of the tours expect you to get tickets on your own, from my quick look-see yesterday. I thought about it until I saw it was a grand each minimum without a game ticket and without air (I'd not be buying air from a tour provider anyway, as I do not live near PSU).
I did go with a bowl package in 1994/5--but not through PSU--and we did use Centre for Travel once for a Nebraska game (prior to Nebraska joining the conference). Both were fine.
I did go with a bowl package in 1994/5--but not through PSU--and we did use Centre for Travel once for a Nebraska game (prior to Nebraska joining the conference). Both were fine.
Correct. I just booked thru Travelocity and paid half of what I'd pay for the Alumni Assoc package.
A package can be useful for the Rose Bowl if you want to go to the Rose Parade too (which I recommend--it's different in person). The issue is transportation, and the package tours set you up with a bus to the parade, reserved seating, and then (importantly) a bus to the game afterward. But you can book those tours elsewhere.
What did your package include? That's the big question. Checking for airfare, tickets, and hotel room, etc... no mater how I do it... it's going to be costly. Airfare alone is going to be tricky as I am finding very high fares and not much availability of seats left... at least for direct flights out of State College or any of the airports within a reasonable driving distance.
bwifan
Well-Known Member
This is the best option from everyone I know who has gone... The package deal is a great deal if you want to see the parade, which most do. You get the bus to the parade with reserved seating and then bus over to the stadium afterwards for the game. Makes it soooooo much easier. Others I know followed the parade after it passed to the stadium by foot. Long walk but doable they said. No idea if this was true. But everyone I know of who had a great time said do the package, with reserved seating and bus rides. The streets are blocked off and it's a pain to get around if you don't know the area.
I live in Pasadena (I know something I've begun with in the past 3-4 posts in the last few days but feel like I've lived here long enough to get a lay of the land) and think you don't need a package if transportation and the parade are concerns. If you rent a car and are comfortable driving in SoCal or with Uber, you would be fine getting to the PSU related activites and not depend on the package's group transportation.
As for the parade, there is limited parking around Pasadena so yes, having coach buses get you in and out are great but it is a parade route so there are lots of areas to watch the parade. We lived 2 blocks away from the parade route (right near Caltech) and one could have parked near there, and walked up to watch the parade. Would you have to stand for the parade? Pasadena allows people to camp out along the parade route to stake their spot which is kinda cool because it becomes one great big party. Most of those people bring chairs or sit on the ground so you can still see if you stand behind them. The further down you are on the parade route, the less crowded it is and the easier to park near there. We bough a house right new the high school where the floats stay for people to walk around and see them up close. We plan to walk down from our house and see the parade.
As for transportation to the game, yes, I guess the coach bus transportation after the parade is good but again, there are alternatives. For example, if I've parked my car or Uber'd into Pasadena for the parade, I would uber down to Old Town Pasadena, grab a beer or some thing to eat and either take the shuttle from Parsons (look at "[URL='http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/visitor-center/parking-information-1#']Parsons’ Lot Parking and Shuttle Buses" section) which is free and is very fast to get to the Rose Bowl and out. But I've also walked from Old Town to the Rose Bowl and it is a walk but not bad at all. It would remind me of walking from Pugh Street to Beaver Stadium, as you walk you see more and more people walking. [/URL]
That's just my 2 cents but I'm happy to answer any other questions via email (djmccaslin@gmail.com).
bwifan
Well-Known Member
Living that close to the parade you will be hosting all PSU alumni and fans correct?
We expect Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's with some nice fresh fruit and danish/muffins maybe a tray of eggs and bacon and some fresh brewed coffee... Really appreciate you sharing your info. Family wants to do the parade in the morning and we were debating whether to buy seats to watch. We still might, but I'm glad to hear that there is still some opportunity to follow normal parade protocols (i.e., walk around until you find a place to watch from.)
The packages that I've seen don't really fit the itinerary that I'm after. Don't really want to see the parade and would much rather stay at one of the beach resorts for a few days (I'd be coming with my 13 year old son and 23 year old daughter) and then drive up to Pasadena on game day.
I've been to LA and driven around the area a few times, so I know how crazy traffic is there, but have no idea how bad that drive would be on Rose Bowl day. I'd guess it's probably a one hour drive normally, but it would probably be more like 2 on the day of the game.
Any southern Californians advice would be welcomed.
I've been to LA and driven around the area a few times, so I know how crazy traffic is there, but have no idea how bad that drive would be on Rose Bowl day. I'd guess it's probably a one hour drive normally, but it would probably be more like 2 on the day of the game.
Any southern Californians advice would be welcomed.
Living that close to the parade you will be hosting all PSU alumni and fans correct?
We aren't opposed to having people over. We have a decent size back patio area with plenty of room for something like that. But we don't live 2 blocks away from the route anymore--the house we bought is about three-quarters of a mile away (still not very far). It will have a Penn State flag out front.
Just got it. I'll respond back.
Yes, I don't want to demean watching from a seat. I'm sure for the full parade experience, it is a very valid way to watch. A raised view can be nice to see some of the really large floats but one can go to the high school where all of the floats stay for a few weeks and walk around them and see them upclose to appreciate the detail that goes into them.
For me personally, I just don't want to be in those seats at 6-6:30am and waiting. I like to walk up and watch with very little waiting. Basically, we watch the parade start and then we time when to walk up to our location since it takes some time to do the full 5.5 parade route.
You can book on your own cheaper. The advantages are chartered flights, traveling with a group of Penn State fans, everything is including and there is a tour guide along to help if issue arises. The only down side is they are pricey. If you can afford it it a great way to go. Book and done. If you on a budget then book something yourself.
You are probably right about the 1 hour drive depending on what beach resort you are considering. Given Jan 2nd will be a holiday, traffic shouldnt be terrible though if you go through LA by way of the 110, you will have traffic but that always the case. When you get close to Pasadena, you may encounter very bad traffic if you are going straight to the Rose Bowl. I don't know what type of tickets you get through NLC (or other outlets) When we buy our tickets during the residents' sale, we get the large tickets and a little booklet. In the booklet, it is pretty clear that they discourage people from driving to and parking at the Rose Bowl. Trust me, the Rose Bowl isn't ideal for large numbers of cars/buses to get in and out. They encourage people to park elsewhere and use the shuttles which are free at Parsons in Old Town Pasadena which is what i would encourage you to do. Park someplace in Pasadena and Uber down to Old Town and take the shuttle (you won't find a space in Old Town to park). Heck, once you get to Old Town, you could just walk to the stadium. Its not short but its a nice walk.
Got the flight from Philly to John Wayne Airport, 4 nights at the Doubletree a mile away and a rental car. Ordered game tickets and a parking pass separately. Have seen the parade and will pass on that. In '09 we attended a PSU sponsored New Year's Eve party at Universal Studios. If there's something organized this year I'll get tickets for that, too.
We went to Universal Studios for NYE in 2010 and saw TCU having a similar sponsored party. I'd be interested in that as well though since we aren't in the Alumni Association, I fear I'd not hear about it (except for word of mouth).
It was really nice. A section of the park was limited to just PSU people. Music and a cash bar. Can't remember if food was included. I'm old. I'd say just periodically check the Alumni Assoc website and try to see if you can get tickets.
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