But, will 10,000 die hards make the trip anyway?
What role does the economy play?
I think bowl attendance across the nation is going to get destroyed. Many people put these games on credit cards and pay it off in 2-3 months. That might not be feasible now.
Share your thoughts here if you would like or through jsilver@journalinquirer.com. I want to get a pulse of the excitement, if there is any. If the blog readers are not enthused, then no one is going.
For those who are going, here are some tips.
Passports:
Air Travel:
All Persons are required to present a U.S. passport
Land/Sea Travel:
Citizens ages 19 and over: U.S. Citizens need to present (a) either a passport OR a passport card OR government-issued photo identification (i.e., driver’s license) ALONG WITH (b) proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
For more information on these requirements, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov
Tickets are $40 American. Buy them through UConnbowl.com.
If you are looking for hotel,flight and other travel, the best website on the internet is hands down www.kayak.com. The beauty of Kayak is that they aggregate different websites instead of trying to sell you preferred deals. Also, on a rental car, if you definitely are going try "pricelining" (new word: Verb -- to use the negotiator tool on priceline.com). You will get a good deal there.
Plenty of hotels in Toronto of course. Try using discount programs such as AAA rates etc. Also, flying into buffalo and then driving isn't a bad idea if you don't have a passport, or can't get the right flight.
As far as driving the entire way, in the summer this is an easy drive from what I understand. It's easy to get to. It's just the New York Thruway to Buffalo. But, in the winter how could you take the risk of a storm near Buffalo? That makes driving somewhat of a gamble. If there is snow in Buffalo in January (I know, rare) you could get stuck in Canada. I would check the weather carefully. I am likely headed up the 30th or 31st, but not sure yet. Game is indoors of course, but dress warmly.
I will update with sights and places to see, eat, drink and visit.
8 comments:
John:
Yes my wife and I are driving up (thanks for the reality check on the snow)and we are putting it on a credit card (though it's the one you need to pay in full come Feb).
While I'm the fan in the household we both thought it would be a great way to celebrate the New Year. It'll cost $65 for gas and $600 for a room plus probably $400 for food and fun.
For around $1000 we get 4 nights and 5 days in a world class city supporting our team. Call me crazy but that's a good deal.
I haven't decided if I'm driving or flying (depends if I can get Jan. 2 off) but I'll be going with my Dad. The other four in our tailgate group are up in the air.
I was happy the game was in Toronto because I wasn't making the game in Birmingham. I know that I've watched the International Bowl the last two years, at least the 2nd half, because the Wild Card games don't start til 430 and there's nothing else on.
And I've never been to Toronto and from all accounts, it's a fantastic city. Now I have a great excuse. The post-New Years date is also a positive...no messing with the holidays.
Oh, and as for the economy...I don't think it's going to have any effect at all on bowl attendance. Maybe how much people spend in the respective cities, but diehard fans across the country set aside money each year to follow their teams. The bowls also made more of an effort to keep teams within driving distance to help boost attendance.
Just from a quick search on Google news...a lot of tickets are selling. The Gator Bowl is almost sold out, ditto for the Meineke Bowl thanks to WVU and UNC. And Iowa fans are preparing to invade Florida for their bowl game. Sure the lower-end bowls could have problems but the big bowls are going to be fine. Bowls have been around for a long time, they aren't going anywhere.
My Dad and I are season ticket holders. I decided to take him on a road trip to the game for his Christmas present, so we will be driving. We secured lodging through the International Bowl's website. They have a list of several name brand hotels with which the International Bowl has arrangements. The prices seem much better than what we found on kayak.com or the hotels' own websites (even with AAA and other discounts considered). Unbelievably, I spent 1 1/2 years in Rochester and, other than breezing through the Toronto airport once, never made it to either Buffalo or Toronto (although I did make it to Niagra Falls), so I'm looking forward to seeing some new territory. I hope lots of Husky fans make the trip. There should be a good Buffalo crowd there, so we have to show up!
I'll be going with 3 others. We plan on renting a car and making the 8+ hour drive. Flying is just too expensive. I was very frustrated after Saturday's game, enough so that I didn't want to travel to this game, but after a few days I feel better. Alabama would have been most likely out of the question so I'm glad we're in Toronto. We're still searching for a good hotel to stay at. I also think Buffalo is game we can win which also makes it worth the trip. It's about time I see UConn win on the road.
Being that the men play Rutgers at 7PM that's really a non issue as far as men's BB fans not watching the bowl game.
The women play LSU at noon so that might take a few eyes but do you really think women's BB fans cross over to football?
I'll be kind and just say, in my opinion, they are different folks.
Would love to go...we are diehard UCONN Football fans, 4 year season ticket holders, stay to the end of every game no matter the score and went to last years bowl game. no go this year, as in NO MONEY!
I have been a season ticket holder since the Rent opened and drove to Charlotte last year, went to road games in Boston, RU, Syracuse, and had every intention on going bowling this year. Then life happened. The economy is tough and my wife and I are expecting a child shortly so we must really be careful with our cash. On top of that our friends had given us their tickets for the men's hoop game that night and we would have first chance at Patriots playoff tickets that night if they were to play at home.
So, no, we are not going, it is just a little less convenient than almost any other bowl game. I will be watching and rooting like crazy though!
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