Fan Bowl Game Experience?

#1
MAD

MAD

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#1
Here is a question for those of you who were lucky enough to attend both the Outback Bowl this year and last years TaxSlayer bowl.

How would you compare the overall experience between the two?
 
#2
#2
Loved them both- the Vols won both. I liked Tampa better than Jacksonville but I think the fan experience was better in Jacksonville
 
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#3
#3
I loved both games. When the Big Orange wins handily, pretty much nothing else matters as long as my wife and daughter are safe!

Traffic and getting in and out was MUCH easier for us at the Outback Bowl, but I enjoyed TaxSlayer overall more just because of the atmosphere. We went down to near where the band was and celebrated post-game with them and the team. I guess we could have done that in Tampa, but it seemed a bigger task from our seats. In Jax, we also met up and visited with former Vols punter Kent Elmore, whom I've know since he was in high school. Great guy.

I guess I liked different things about both games and didn't like some things. I think the bowl drought being broken in Jax made it that much more special.

P.S. We live near Orlando (behind enemy lines) and we just did day trips to both games.
 
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#5
#5
Atmosphere was better at the TaxSlayer Bowl by far. Crowd was more into it and we slaughtered them right out of the gates. We didn't really start the blowout in Tampa until the 4th quarter.

I also enjoyed the trophy presentation in Jax. For some stupid reason they moved it inside in Tampa. I waited for 20 minutes after the game thinking they were going to do it on the field.
 
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#6
#6
Really enjoyed both!! It seemed like there were more empty seats in Tampa.
Anytime we drop the hammer on somebody the way we did in both games good times are to be had.
 
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#7
#7
Taxslayer was a better overall experience for my crew. The landing was a great place for fans and for the pep rally on New Year's Eve. It was colder in Jacksonville last year so the beach was a no go, but other than that, Jacksonville was better for us.
 
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#8
#8
Taxslayer was a better fan experience and better concessions. Halftime show was better in the Outback Bowl and my young son loved the pirate ship. Wish they added a trophy ceremony on the field for the Outback Bowl.
 
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#9
#9
Not sure about Jacksonvilles policy but kids 3 and under were free at the Outback Bowl! Took my son to his first Vols football game. Guess I should get him season tickets since the vols played so well, lol.

Anyway, the fan experience was better in Jacksonville. Location better in Tampa. No trophy presentation dampered it for me (wanted a speech from Hurd "mvp" and Butch getting us primed for the playoff run. Missed the 3rd Q at the concession stand as well but still enjoyed the beatdown from the TVs lol

Outbacks location, Jacksonville Stadium and concessions would make it perfect!
 
#10
#10
Agree Jacksonville stadium was nicer, Tampa more fun!

Stayed on the beach last year so that was better.

Weather in FL this year was amazing, 91 degree heat index at game!! :eek:

For me better overall in Tampa, but it was close! Main thing we WON BOTH!! :rock::rock:




.
 
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#11
#11
Had a wonderful Tennessee fan in 332 call the police on us for standing up during defensive plays in the first quarter. 8 of us wound up moving down the the first level and were given new tickets and had amazing seats and stood, along with everyone else.

We won, and that was amazing. GBO
 
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#14
#14
I pretty much agree with what has been said. Frankly I was a little disappointed in Raymond James stadium. I like the pirate ship but otherwise it seemed to lack something. And the video screens were sad. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprisedat Jacksonville stadiums upgraded bowl. Their video screens were impressive and the seats were nice too.

Sure is nice to be comparing the experience of back to back Florida bowl games though!
 
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#16
#16
Didn't get to go but a friend that went said half of the concession stands at Raymond James stadium were closed and the workers were rude and didn't act like they wanted to be there. Anyone else experience this?
 
#17
#17
1985Vols said:
Didn't get to go but a friend that went said half of the concession stands at Raymond James stadium were closed and the workers were rude and didn't act like they wanted to be there. Anyone else experience this?
Click to expand...

My wife spent an inordinate amount of time at the concession stand in the second half and I heard of a lot of issues with concessions. It's obvious they were trying to use up stock they had left over from the Bucs' season because they certainly didn't have to get ready for any home playoff games by the Bucs.
 
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#18
#18
I didn't go to Jacksonville, but Tampa was awesome! The game was perfect. As far as the concessions, we only went before the game and just bought a couple cokes, which were extremely flat and old tasting. But the town/beach was AMAZING and in my mind would be hard to top. They too were having record high temperatures which meant swimming in the ocean and hanging out on the beach was perfectly OK even for January 1st. We had a great time and will definitely love to go back next year for the title game.

My only complaints about the trip were the traffic from Gainesville to Tampa (horrible) and on the way home, and the concession stands being slow and having nasty drinks. Other than that 10/10 would visit again. It did feel like we were in Knoxville all week with all the Vol fans everywhere. I think the stadium was fuller than Jacksonville as well, just a lot of people left after halftime for some reason.
 
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#19
#19
Everyone in our group felt that the Taxslayer Bowl was a much better experience. we spent four days at each game, and we all preferred the game in Jacksonville. It just felt like everything in Jacksonville was geared toward the fans, and the game, and the landing seemed to keep all the fans from both teams in a central location. It was really cool to go out there, and see all the orange with some black/yellow sprinkled in.

Raymond James Stadium was a major disappointment. Security at the gate we went through made everyone throw away their shakers because they could be used as a "weapon" yet they were placed in every seat on the Tennessee sideline. I don't normally visit concession stands during games, but with a noon kickoff we decided it best to grab something quick before we went to our seats. They were literally out of almost EVERYTHING 30 mins til kickoff. No hot dogs, no souvenir outback sodas, no souvenir outback beer, and the drinks that we finally did manage to get were absolutely terrible. Hopefully they get this squared away before our return January 9, 2017!
 
#20
#20
Both were fantastic, I was at both and I think the "pent up" demand made me more excited at he Taxslayer Bowl. It's been a long time since Dooles and the OT loss in Nashville. Also Iowa bringing 15000 helped the crowd atmosphere. I suppose it's hard to get concession workers on New Years day so that was a drawback in Tampa, but I sure wouldn't mind going back to Tampa for the NCG next year.
 
#21
#21
i enjoyed both, had a better time at the tax slayer because our seats were with alot of players family and at the end of the game we all got a huge pic together with todd kelly etc, the cheerleaders were right in front of us down by the ten yard line......this year we had club level seats so it was a cool experience for the ease to get to bathrooms and concessions and i loved the vibe but the staduim IMO was more packed last year then this year, overall a great time at both though......our seats this year were amazing on like the 35 - 40 yard line super nice jut not as close to the players as last year.....
 
#22
#22
JAX was much better. Mainly because Raymond James is in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it.
 
#23
#23
Concessions at Outback bowl blew. Tampa is closer to my house than Jacksonville. Weather was nicer. Those were the only real differences. Tons of UT fans and another Big 10 curb stomping.
 
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