First Time and I'm Ready to Return
Written: Dec 01 '00
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Pros: Can see the whole field, the whole time.
Cons: Loud, and food is expensive.
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| viktorcello's Full Review: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
Last night (11-30-00), I experienced my first NFL football game, and it took place at the Minneapolis Metrodome. Maybe I'm not the person to be reviewing this place, due to my lack of experience with an array of sporting facilities, but I feel that I can give a good opinion of the Metrodome from the perspective of a sports-novice.
I went to the Metrodome to see the Minnesota Vikings play the Detroit Lions. I live in Madison, WI, so the long drive to Minneapolis left me hungry for a good, fun experience. I must say that I received that from the dome. We got to our seats about 40 minutes before kickoff, so we had a good lot of time to scope out some food and beverages and take in the surroundings. The people that I went with are season ticket holders, but as I am not, they allowed the extra time for me to take in the feel of the place.
Walking into the dome is a breeze when you get there as early as we did. There are no lines to have your ticket turned into a stub, and no lines to get food or drinks. The pathways to the seats and around the perimeter of the stadium are open and accessible, and the lines for the bathroom are nil.
I found that the food and drinks offered at the dome were offered at a ridiculously high price, but I guess we all have to realize that we, as sports fans, are a captive audience, and as the dome allows no carry-ins, they can charge whatever they want to and people will still buy it. Most people don't want to sit through a four hour game without at least one beer or soda. We bought a large pepperoni Papa John's pizza there for $15, and small cups of soda were $2.50. Bottles of soda (only available from the vendors who come up through the stands) were $3, and plastic bottles of beer were $5 each. SO, it was pricey.
But food and drink were NOT the reason that we were there. We were there to see some good football! I can't say that we saw the best game, but the view that the stadium allowed for the football game was fantastic! I could see the entire field the entire game--I had no trouble seeing the players, and while I sometimes had trouble locating that tiny football down there (I was in the upper deck--about 15 rows from the very top of the stadium), the view allowed me to watch the action of the game quite easily and with clarity. I also enjoyed the other "extras" that I could see at the stadium that you can never see on TV when you watch a football game--every time the Vikings made a touchdown, fireworks went off; every time there was a lull in the game, the Vikings cheerleaders got up and showed their stuff; the jumbo-tron allowed for watching slow motion replays (which were really helpful for me, seeing as I don't know as much about football as most football fans); and the scoreboard was easy to see to keep track of the action, and points, etc. I also appreciated that the lighting in the stadium was enough, but not too bright in the stands, and seemed to shine brightly onto the field, so that patrons could more easily track the action of the game.
I really enjoyed the dome, and thought it was a well organized place. I sat very high in the stands, but I still felt as though I could see the whole game. I also enjoyed sitting under a nice, warm dome, as opposed to in a chilly outdoor football stadium. I think that the dome aspect of the Metrodome is very appropriate for Minnesota (and I think maybe Wisconsin should have a dome at Lambeau, too--it must be soooo cold to watch games there in December! How comfortable is it to be all balled up in winter gear when you're trying to have a good time watching a game??). I didn't visit the bathrooms, but I hear that the men's bathroom has a "trough" that all the guys pee into while standing shoulder to shoulder. I'm pretty sure that the women's bathrooms are like other public women's bathrooms, however...no "trough" to hang your butt over in there!
The only problem I had with the dome was that it got VERY loud in there at times. It's known as the noisiest stadium in the NFL, so I guess i should have expected that. Some people wear earplugs, and I highly recommend that if you have sensitive ears. I just used my fingers when it got overwhelming. You just can't deny it--Minnesota's fans are some of the best!
From a novice sports-watcher's perspective, the Metrodome was a good experience. I had no problems getting anything I wanted or seeing things that I wanted to be able to see, and I enjoyed the spectacles that constantly evolved on the field. If you're ever in Minneapolis, try to catch a game at the Metrodome!
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: Busy But Manageable
Seat Location: Upper Deck
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Epinions.com ID:
viktorcello
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Member: Kristin
Location: Madison, WI
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 7 members
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