For those that attended a Rose Bowl game involving Penn State, did you book it on your own or group travel?

saturdaysarebetter

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For those that attended a Rose Bowl game involving Penn State, did you book it all on your own or did you book and travel with a group?
 

Bwifan

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For those that attended a Rose Bowl game involving Penn State, did you book it all on your own or did you book and travel with a group?
I know people that have done both with each having their advantages and disadvantages. Much cheaper to do on your own but takes a lot of work and research. Services are expensive but so much easier to click and pay and you are done. The services can arrange shuttles from hotel to parade to the stadium and back to the hotel etc just makes it easier but you do pay for that convenience
 

psuro

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On my own. And this was for the 1995 Rose Bowl, so the internet was not all that common back then.

And yes, I did walk uphill in the snow barefoot both ways in order to book my trip.
 

Bosco2

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Oct 25, 2021
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This year, if we get Rose Bowl, my plan is to fly to Vegas, rent a car like I always do there, and then drive to Pasadena the morning of the game. Maybe stay at a hotel an hour away that night. Maybe drive back to Vegas after the game. I've done all 3 Rose Bowls by booking it myself and saved quite a bit of money. Just wish car rental prices weren't so ridiculous. Go through Priceline or Expedia. They're all about the same price.
 

NittPicker

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Oct 7, 2021
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As noted above, it depends on your budget. I've gone to bowls both on my own and though the official PSU tour. It's certainly cheaper on your own. OTOH, with the tour you pay and you're done. Chartered flight with very little airport hassle and ground transportation at your destination. Cost vs. convenience. It's an individual choice.
 
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NewEra 2014

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We booked on our own for Penn State's last two Rose Bowls. We like to fly into Burbank and stay there, rather than in Pasadena.

We also got our own parade tickets, and if you get parade tix on the west side of the parade route (near the beginning of the parade, where they turn the corner), it is an easy walk to the game. Anywhere in the grandstand provides a great view of the parade in our experience.

Also, I recommend getting preferred parking in Lot H beforehand, as your car is on the side of the stadium near the parade route. It is an easier walk to and from the parade from there. Good for tailgating, and you can find your car much more easily after the game than if you park on the golf course.

We got game tix one time through Prime Sport, and they had a nice pregame spread with food and drink.

Enjoy the game if you go!
 

Metal Mike

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Oct 28, 2021
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We have been to 2 Rose Bowls. The first we booked the whole trip through a Penn State Travel service. The next one we booked a "Land Package" through a PS travel service and did airfare on our own. Both worked. The second way saved us money and allowed flexibility in travel schedules and airports. With the second option in addition to airfare we booked a rental car on our own because we stayed for 3 days after the game. This was our way to see the area and play a little golf. We did not need the rental car for game day but before and after game day it was nice to have the option to go where we wanted to glo.
 

Hardslider33

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Oct 6, 2021
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We booked all 3 on are own, 95 against Oregon, 09 & 17 against USC. We stayed with my brother who lives in Glendale. Parking not fun so arrive early
 

PSUJam

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Just wish car rental prices weren't so ridiculous
Be careful with car rentals these days. A bunch of people stayed in Atlanta for the Auburn game and rented cars to drive to the game only to find out the rental services were out of cars even though they pre paid.
 
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BeerLion

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Did on my own. Three of us when to the1995 Rose bowl. Went out to Vegas on the 30th. Spent New Year's Eve and New Year's day there. Drove out to Pasadena early on the 2nd. Had a great day partying with some Oregon fans. When we left to take our seats the told us win or lose come on back after the game. So after the game we were at a big PSU tailgate and we decided we would go say hello to the Duck fans we made friends with and wish them safe travels. Turns out they must of said if we win and you lose come back after the game because they were pretty much a$$holes when we got there, so promptly left. Fun fact, the ride from Pasadena to Vegas is about 5 time longer than the ride to Pasadena. God it was a miserable ride back. Stayed in Vegas on more night and flew back on 4th.
 
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Hugh Laurie

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Attended all 3 Rose Bowls and we booked everything for all 3 on our own. Much cheaper that way in my opinion. If you're going to do this on your own I would book no penalty cancellable flights now. I booked a no penalty cancellable flight and a cancelable rental car reservation for Dallas yesterday as I think there is a 50/50 chance were going to the Cotton.

For the last Rose Bowl we rented a very nice upscale 3 bedroom private residence through Airbnb in the Silver Lake District of LA. I think Airbnb is the way to go especially if you have more than just a couple of people. Then rather than drive to Pasadena we Ubered it a short distance over to downtown's Union Station and took the Metro Gold Line up to Pasadena rather than drive and deal with traffic. From the drop off point in Pasadena its about a two mile walk to the Rose Bowl.
 

razpsu

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Oct 19, 2021
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Much cheaper on your own--but u have to book air fare early --that goes up quickly
Yes basicallly the second it is announced rock and roll and book it. Don’t wait a second!

2008 we were going to rent a mansion basically for 4 families and when they heard it was psu they doubled the price because psu traveled so well. We stayed in hotel instead.
 

marshall23

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Oct 7, 2021
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Did it on my own. Flew into Vegas and rented a car. Took my time and spent 2 days in La. drove back to Vegas and flew out of McCarran and returned the rental car. Liked staying away from LAX stuff.
 

Bosco2

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Oct 25, 2021
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Did it on my own. Flew into Vegas and rented a car. Took my time and spent 2 days in La. drove back to Vegas and flew out of McCarran and returned the rental car. Liked staying away from LAX stuff.
I just looked at rental car rates and they seem to be down a bit compared to when we were there in the summer.
 

marshall23

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I just looked at rental car rates and they seem to be down a bit compared to when we were there in the summer.
Saved more than enough money on the plane ticket (LV vs LA) to pay for the car.....which I would have rented in LA anyway.
 

FHSPSU67

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Oct 19, 2021
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1995, We did the package from Collegiate Athletic Tours. Are they still around?
 
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Bones80

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09 game planned on my own. Wife, brother and SIL. Rented a car. Stayed north of LA on beach in Oxnard. Drove in for events. Enjoyed pep rally at Beverly Hills HS fb field. Was stopped at a red light next to Paris Hilton in her pink Bentley returning from that. Fortunate enough to get an invite to Alumni event in Beverly Hills at a $13 million alum’s house. Alumni association folks and coaches were there. Joe didn’t show but JayPa and Bradley were there. Got to the lots early and had a good tailgate. Was not impressed by the stadium. Narrow tunnel entry to seats. Old facilities. Game sucked.
 

marshall23

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09 game planned on my own. Wife, brother and SIL. Rented a car. Stayed north of LA on beach in Oxnard. Drove in for events. Enjoyed pep rally at Beverly Hills HS fb field. Was stopped at a red light next to Paris Hilton in her pink Bentley returning from that. Fortunate enough to get an invite to Alumni event in Beverly Hills at a $13 million alum’s house. Alumni association folks and coaches were there. Joe didn’t show but JayPa and Bradley were there. Got to the lots early and had a good tailgate. Was not impressed by the stadium. Narrow tunnel entry to seats. Old facilities. Game sucked.
Rose Bowl is a dump compared to watching a game at Jerry World.
 
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BW Lion

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Oct 14, 2021
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Rose Bowl is a dump compared to watching a game a Jerry World.
Does Dallas have a Rose Parade, oceanfront restaurants, or world-recognized entertainment facilities? 🤷🏼‍♂️

A bowl game visit is far more than the game itself. You must have gone el-cheapo in LA
 

Zenophile

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On my own. And this was for the 1995 Rose Bowl, so the internet was not all that common back then.

And yes, I did walk uphill in the snow barefoot both ways in order to book my trip.
Same, same, and same.

Flew into San Francisco, took a few days to sightsee/drive down Highway 1, and then flew out of LAX after the game. Highly recommend.
 
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marshall23

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Does Dallas have a Rose Parade, oceanfront restaurants, or world-recognized entertainment facilities? 🤷🏼‍♂️

A bowl game visit is far more than the game itself. You must have gone el-cheapo in LA
But Dallas has Dealey Plaza. I visit the 6th Floor Museum and wish you were driving by in a convertible.
 
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PSUFBFAN

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But Dallas has Dealey Plaza. I visit the 6th Floor Museum and wish you were driving by in a convertible.
Very poor taste. I hope you are no longer in a position of having any influence on the lives of youth. Would you stand up in front of a bunch of adults at a PTA meeting or school gathering and make a remark like that? Think twice, post once.
 

marshall23

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Very poor taste. I hope you are no longer in a position of having any influence on the lives of youth. Would you stand up in front of a bunch of adults at a PTA meeting or school gathering and make a remark like that? Think twice, post once.

Too soon?
 
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BW Lion

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But Dallas has Dealey Plaza. I visit the 6th Floor Museum and wish you were driving by in a convertible.
As Pat Benatar sings... hit me with your best shot...fire away

 
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Nitlion93

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Oct 29, 2021
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This year, if we get Rose Bowl, my plan is to fly to Vegas, rent a car like I always do there, and then drive to Pasadena the morning of the game. Maybe stay at a hotel an hour away that night. Maybe drive back to Vegas after the game. I've done all 3 Rose Bowls by booking it myself and saved quite a bit of money. Just wish car rental prices weren't so ridiculous. Go through Priceline or Expedia. They're all about the same price.
In 2017, my son and I did a lot of research to find the most economical and easy trip and did the following:
Fly nonstop to Vegas from BWI
Drove rental car from Vegas to Rancho Cucomonga and stayed one night there.
Took a morning train toward Pasadena and got on free bus to the stadium from one of the stops. Had good conversation with USC fans and told them to keep an eye on Saquan Barkley.
Tailgated with PSU friends at the stadium.
After the game, took bus then train then drove back to Vegas. It was a long day, but we had two nights planned in Vegas to enjoy.

in general, flights and hotels in Vegas were much cheaper. Drive and public transportation was easy and avoided us from driving in traffic and worrying about parking.
 
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GringoStarr99

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On our own. Stayed at a Hampton Inn in Sherman Oaks which was kinda centrally located for us to get around. Took drives up PCH. Did the Hollywood thing, Griffith Park is a MUST. There's a seafood stand in Malibu that had the best fish tacos I ever had. But the stadium needs a lot of work. Plus it was weird to park on that golf course next to it.
 
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