Bet this cost major Bucs!
Written: Jan 20 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Bucs
Cons: Feel like walking for miles?
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| RedBandit's Full Review: Raymond James Stadium |
I recently made my only trip to Tampa for the first major sporting event of the new millineum. The Outback Bowl on new years day featuring Purdue (they should have won) and Georgia. We got to the game an hour or so early and didn't have much trouble finding a parking spot, however it was quite a hike to the stadium from our spot. No need to wash your car before you go to the game because you will probably be parking in a dirt and grass field. Traffic to the lot was not that bad, a little backed up and I can imagine it would get sort of out of hand at the Bucs games but it wasn't that bad.
The entrance to the stadium was marked rather well and we didn't have to walk all the way around the stadium to find our entrance gate, it was right up front. Our tickets were for seats high up in the upper deck so we started our journey up the ramps to get to the top of the stadium. I swear it took forever to get there. They didn't angle the ramps enough so you have to keep walking back and forth forever till you reach the top. I guess we could have attempted to wait in line to take the escelators but it was rather backed up and wanted to have the feeling of moving. We got to the second level of four, and thought we might sneak on to the escelators from this level where there wasn't any line at all and take it the rest of the way up. But we were told by the escelator security person that we couldn't get on there, we must continue walking up the other 10 ramps to the top. We eventually made it to the top after about 15 minutes of ramp walking.
The view of the stadium as we walked through the tunnel was spectaculor. The turf was as green as could be and the stadium looked great, all nice and new. We had a decent vantage point from our seats in the upper upper deck but my big pet-peeve, the seats did not angle toward the center of the field action. Our seats basically were right on the endzone line and faced straight at it with no angle. Our heads were turned to the left for the next 4 hours as we watched the game and all the activities on the field.
I didn't make an attempt to go to the consession area and try the food, as I don't at most games I attend, but the guys in front of us went down to pick up some beers just as the third quarter was starting and we didn't see them again until the fourth quarter had started. They said the lines were forever and the people running the stands didn't have any idea what they were doing so it took even longer. By the time they got back they had missed a third of the game.
I love the pirate ship "parked" in the endzone. It adds a real unique feature to what would otherwise be just another football stadium. I would love to attend a Bucs home game just to be there when the ships cannons are shot off.
In conclusion, great stadium, very unique feature, long beer lines, and you better bring a good pair of walking shoes if you have upper deck seats. Maybe even pack a lunch for the hike.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: Better Get There Early
Seat Location: Upper Deck
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Epinions.com ID:
RedBandit
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Member: Tim Landrum
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 18 members
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