Rose Parade logistics: Reality of allowable section 1 entrance time?
I'm going to the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade with my 2 senior citizen parents and am seeking insight from the board regarding timing for getting to our Rose Parade seats.
I found this tidbit on the Rose Parade site which functionally says people with section 1 tickets are in the Rose Parade's "secure zone" and NEED to be at their seat by 6:30AM. But the Rose Parade FAQ says "it is recommended you are seated by 7AM if seated at the start of the parade" (which would include our section 1 tickets).
Really, I'm just trying to figure out whether if we show up in the 7:00-7:15AM range, will we be completely turned away from getting into our seats?
I'm trying to maximize the amount of sleep my senior citizen parents can get and minimize the amount of time they have to sit on a bench with nothing happening.
I've tried Googling this but haven't gotten any definitive answers nor did I find this discussed in other MGoBoard threads, so I'm hoping that despite Michigan not going to a Rose Bowl in... a while, people here might have some info they can provide.
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
I never cared for section one's commenting
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
I wonder if he lurks here
December 23rd, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
It would be the 1st time.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Doesn’t this belong in the Festivus thread?
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
Take me along and I promise to figure it out for you before January 1st.
December 23rd, 2023 at 3:30 PM ^
Take me along and I'll assist rob f.
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:47 PM ^
Well, that…escalated!
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:56 AM ^
I'm no more help than the previous comments, but since you mentioned the Rose Parade:
As a member of the MMB, obviously we wanted to go to the Rose Bowl every year. But as far as an enjoyable bowl trip, it was a lot of work, at least back "in my day."
For the parade itself, we had to be up at 4am on New Year's Day. And who goes to bed early New Year's Eve? Long parade--which was fun, don't get me wrong. But then the very physically demanding pregame show. And then halftime. And we lost the game, so there was all that emotional distress. But the memories are indelible. So thankful to have had the opportunity.
Plus, by losing that Rose Bowl, we got Cooper to coach at Ohio. Perhaps the single loss with the best long-term benefit in M history.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^
And we lost the game, so there was all that emotional distress.
That's the Michigan Rose Bowl tradition. It's engraved onto my soul.
December 23rd, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^
True that!
My marching band bowl experience was:
L to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl
L to USC in the Rose Bowl,
L to Washington in the Rose Bowl.
We missed out on a bowl my freshman year - fuck you Burt Smith. I'm glad you were fired a couple years later.
December 23rd, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
Yeah. Hence a Sparty friend back then saying:
"Why did Bo's wife start serving his breakfast cereal on a plate? Because if it was in a bowl he'd lose it. HAHAHAHA!"
Jerk. Also note his failure to use the subjunctive. We're no longer friends.
December 23rd, 2023 at 1:26 PM ^
Was also in the band for that game. One quirky memory is that after the long and exhausting parade, we got rehydrated with that disgusting McDonald's Orange drink, that was the only option. I assume McDonald's was a major sponsor.
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
You have to be clear into your area before the parade starts. Once the route is closed, if you are on the wrong side, you are at the mercy of the authorities in the area. My experience is they are helpful, but they also have a critical security function to uphold. They will close and clear the street well before the parade starts, so 7am is real. Treat it as a HARD deadline. Plan on parking at 6am and walking from there.
Here is the reality of live parade viewing: you have to get up really damn early, it will take longer than you expect to get there, and you will be a fool to try and cut it close. Beware that it is usually damn cold early in the morning. It is also one of the most amazing, joyous, and unique experiences you will ever witness.
I have been several times in both small and large groups. If I do it again, I'll let someone else drive rather than drive my party. I wish you and your parents all the best and strongly encourage you to get there early and embrace the anticipation.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:50 PM ^
Good to know. Fortunately our hotel is south of the parade and our seats are on the south side so we won't have to cross the street.
We're going to be Uber-ing there from the hotel. I guess we'll be getting up early! We're flying in to LA the night of 12/31 so that'll be... an experience.
December 23rd, 2023 at 6:06 PM ^
Stay on Michigan time, it won't be so bad.
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:54 PM ^
Coming west isn’t a problem, going east, takes some planning…
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:53 PM ^
Hope you’re flying into Burbank, otherwise, you may barely make it to your seats in time!
At least you can stay in your car and save on the hotel.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
If you can find some seat cushions or a blanket for your parents to sit on, it will help with the early morning chill in the bleachers. All the hotels in the area should be very familiar with the Bowl Day drill, and might be able to help. There is often a chilly sunrise breeze, so I would dress for a little colder than the temp forecast, but be prepared to remove layers. I hope you have clear skies as the angled winter morning sun makes the floats explode with color.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
They say "Please note that on Parade Day prior to the start of the Rose Parade, the foot traffic flow on Orange Grove Blvd. between Colorado Blvd. and Green St. will be closed due to parade activities." And that it is "imperative" that you arrive at the stated time. That sounds like no wiggle room. Sorry. But my guess is that you simply won't have access at other times. Enjoy the parade and celebrate NYE on Michigan time!
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
I'm trying to maximize the amount of sleep my senior citizen parents can get and
Here’s a novel idea…. Have them GO TO BED EARLIER so they get their sleep!?!?
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:56 PM ^
Yeah, they’re also flying in the night before the game, so I fear disaster is imminent
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^
I have been to a few Rose Bowl games and parades. If your tickets say get there at a certain time, I would do so. I would also dress warmly as early morning weather is typically in the mid-40's.
It is worth leaving a bit of extra time as the area is very crowded. We have always had reserved parking and it still required a bit of time and patience.
The parade is a very impressive event. The floats are amazing and of course there are more than a few bands including one from Ann Arbor that will likely catch your attention. /s
December 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 PM ^
It won’t drop below 50, which in the Midwest is shorts weather, but in LA people are breaking out the full length mink coats…
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:36 PM ^
Unless you're in New Orleans or Brazil parades largely suck. Speaking from experience the Rose Parade largely sucks. This is the end of my unhelpful commentary.
December 23rd, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
All 3 times I went I was amazed and gratified, I am very sorry you did not have those kind of experiences. And this was in my 20's and 30's. Met new friends, with old friends, and just embraced the whole party. Helped put flowers on floats at 3AM, half in the bag, no sleeping. Some of the greatest times of my life. And I still have a 2-1 record in the Rose Bowls I attended.
December 24th, 2023 at 12:00 AM ^
They suck in Nola and Brazil too…
December 23rd, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
Went as a 10 year old in 97. I have scattered memories of the trip, but absolutely zero memories of attending the parade. I'm told by the relatives I went with that we had to get up at the crack of dawn, and there was a lot of sitting around and waiting...
December 23rd, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
My Rose Bowl game/parade experience.
Sold my tickets to the parade after seeing there wasn't any parking near our reserved seats. We had a rental car and would be driving in from Burbank. People were camped out on the sidewalks two days before the parade, some businesses had temporary fencing up to prevent this. About 4 am a large group of charter busses lined up outside of the hotel to begin taking people to the parade. Not sure how many people attend the parade, but it will be a congested mess for sure.
Good luck getting transportation to and from both events 🤞.
Go Blue!!
December 23rd, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
I dunno, but whether it's traffic, or a concert, or a game, or a doctor's appointment... Whenever I show up on time, some a holes show up much later and are totally fine while I sit there like an idiot hours in advance.
BEHOLD! The airing of grievances!
December 23rd, 2023 at 4:26 PM ^
Are you sure about this?
which functionally says people with section 1 tickets are in the Rose Parade's "secure zone" and NEED to be at their seat by 6:30AM.
Zone 1 also has bleachers on Colorado. It says;
If your seats are located on Orange Grove Blvd. between Colorado Blvd. and Green St., within the boundaries of the Tournament of Roses® security zone,
but it doesn't mention all of section 1.
I'm @ 450 W. Colorado and my tickets say "Area 1," and "SECURE AREA," but I don't think that means the ToR security zone they're describing. I was not planning to be in our seats @ 0630. Looking at the map, with the OG Blvd bleachers on the west side of the street, you'd have to cross the parade route to get to your seats, so for those it would seem so. We're shooting more for your 0700-715 range, but it seems like anything later is asking for trouble. The whole area looks to be a huge cluster, and I think rapid transit and shuttle buses will work out well for us.
December 23rd, 2023 at 9:12 PM ^
Can you just stand around the parade and see part of it? Or is the whole route covered by these stands that you need to buy tickets for?
December 23rd, 2023 at 10:43 PM ^
Be there at 630