Advertisement

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Paying green to go Orange

KU fans have T-shirt, travel plan options

By Jonathan Kealing

Advertisement

Fans following the football team to Miami

The Jayhawks now know where they will be playing on January 3. The big question that remains for fans is how they will get to the Orange Bowl. 6News reporter Crispin Lopez explains how fans are planning their trips to Florida for the big game.

Orange Bowl reps in Lawrence

The BCS comes calling on the Kansas football team in the form of an invite to Miami. This week Orange Bowl representatives are in Lawrence to officially invite the Jayhawks to the game.

Hawks headed to Miami

After to falling to Missouri last week in what turned out to be the Big 12 North division title game, KU had to wait it out. Last night the Jayhawks were rewarded for their patience.

chat

Heading to the Orange Bowl? Chat with Kent Houk of Travellers about the trip to Miami

Read transcript

photo

Photo by Richard Gwin

Jock's Nitch employees, from left, Amie Worthington and Kelsey Allen quickly fold some of the T-shirts that became available Monday for Kansas University's Orange Bowl appearance Jan. 3 in Miami. To get to the game, some travel packages cost $2,000.

photo

Photo by Richard Gwin

Jayhawk fans will have up to 30 styles of Orange Bowl T-shirts to choose from to support the KU football team. The university had about 17,500 tickets to the game available for fans.

On the street

Are you thinking about traveling to watch KU play in the Orange Bowl?

thumbnail

More

Kansas University's football team will take the field for the Orange Bowl in less than a month on Jan. 3.

For fans, those 30 days are time to revel in the team's success and make plans to watch the them play in Miami. So far, those in Lawrence seem to be lapping up everything they can get.

Almost within minutes of the announcement that KU was bound for the Orange Bowl, T-shirts popped up on KUStore.com. And this morning, the first local stores started putting out the merchandise as well.

"We're doing our best to get them out of the box right now," said Ryan Owens, manager at Jock's Nitch, 837 Mass. "That's the biggest challenge so far; we're just trying to get them hung as fast as we can."

In fact, some fans helped to unpack the boxes. More than one fan dug in, searching for the perfect shirt to support the Jayhawks.

"We probably have close to 30 different designs coming in. So far we have eight or nine, and we're getting ready to pick up another big load," Owens said Monday afternoon.

Owens said local stores were lucky that adidas can produce some shirts locally, and other vendors have major operations in the area. All that adds up to a wide variety of KU-blue Orange Bowl shirts on local shelves.

Of course, the shirts weren't the only items running up credit card bills Monday. Fans were purchasing tickets at a steady pace as well, said Jim Marchiony, associate athletic director.

Marchiony said KU had about 17,500 tickets available for its fans. About 3,000 of those are available for students to purchase - online only - at a reduced rate of $50.

The rest will go to Williams Fund donors and then regular fans starting later this week. Marchiony said Williams Fund members had pre-ordered between 10,000 and 11,000 tickets.

"We're not close to selling out our allotment," he said, "but orders have been coming steadily since 9 a.m."

Marchiony said most of Monday's orders were from Williams Fund members who bought into the supposition that KU would go to either the Fiesta or Cotton bowls.

Of course, even those with tickets have to find their way to south Florida, and options are quickly evaporating. Over the course of Monday, the cheapest airplane tickets disappeared, driving up the price nearly $200.

At least two travel agencies are offering package deals that could prove attractive to some fans. Travellers Inc., of Lawrence, is offering a three-day trip with airfare and hotel rooms as well as some ground transportation and other incidentals for $1,595.

"There hasn't been an empty phone line since 8 o'clock this morning," said Kent Houk, vice president of sales for Travellers Inc. "The Orange Bowl was almost last on the list, but it seemed to work out. It's a great destination for us and they couldn't have picked a better team to go in there, and I think it will be a great game."

Houk said he expected to enroll between 500 and 1,000 people in the travel package.

Dodds Athletic Tours, which is affiliated with the university, is offering three- and four-day packages, for $1,974 and $1,749. Those are available online at a special KU Orange Bowl site. Those packages include a ticket in addition to what is in the Travellers package.

For those who want to try to find their own prices, some deals can be made. Flights average at least $500, but hotel bargains are available. Travel Web site Orbitz listed hotels within five miles of Dolphin Stadium for as low as $90.

Perhaps the cheapest way to travel would be to pile four people into a car and drive to Miami. The 22-hour, 1,600-mile drive includes going through Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta and Orlando before arriving in Miami. Driving a car that gets 28 miles per gallon and using the U.S. average fuel price for this week, that would cost about $320 round-trip. Split four ways, it's practically a bargain.

Keeping your friends after that trip, however, may cost extra.

Bowl madness

More like this

Comments

sarahkumari (anonymous) says...

I have been reading several posts on KCStar.com regarding a story that ran about MU selling out its alloment of Cotton Bowl tickets. I did some checking on the cost difference between attending the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl. It is very expensive for a fan to get to Miami from KC. I wish I could go, but I think that the costs for fans needs to be addressed. I know that nothing can be done, but at least if it is acknowledged it would give some explaniation for the tickets not gong as fast as other bowls. I would hate for other schools to automatically assume we are not supportive of our Jayhawks.

Here is the post I put on kcstar.com:

First let me say (as a KU season ticket holder- for football too)- congrats to both teams for a great season. That game at Arrowhead was one of the best times I have ever had at a football game. I would have liked a different outcome, but the better team on that day won the game. Still a very exciting and unexpected season for both schools. I hope it continues.

Now, I do have some insight on why some KU fans are not buying the tickets to the Orange Bowl and why it was so easy for MU to sell out the Cotton Bowl. While I have 4 tickets to the Orange Bowl as a season ticket holder, I will be unable to attend the game. Not that I don't want to- on the contrary- I would love to go. Especially since the opportunity may not present itself again soon. However, flights to Miami (or Ft. Lauderdale or any other surrounding city) are $450-$900. Hotels start at $250 a night. For me and my husband to attend the game, it would cost at least $3000. And driving is not an option as it is 1600 miles away. While I love KU and would love to be at this game, I can't afford to go. With 2 young kids and the holiday season it is just not possible. That being said, flights to Dallas are $107 for a direct flight. Or the drive is only 550 miles (1000 miles closer than Miami). Hotels are significantly cheaper as well. So continue with the insults and jabs as to KU fans not being supportive and how MU fans obviously are more passionate about their team, etc., etc., etc., but know that it is not apples to apples here. Not even close. The costs of attending the Orange Bowl for the average KU fan is significantly more than attending the Cotton Bowl. This is not a complaint, just a fact. I wish I could be there. I really want nothing else for Christmas- it just simply won't happen. Not because my heart is not in it or I don't love this team- because i just can't afford it.

I will be cheering with all of my heart from KC though.

December 4, 2007 at 1:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jclarkson (anonymous) says...

can I have your tickets? :)

December 4, 2007 at 2:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

Yeah, anybody wants tickets, just start calling all the Sarah Kumari's in the KC phone book...

December 4, 2007 at 2:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkfan20 (anonymous) says...

Also, people have to remember tickets haven't went on sale to the general public yet through KU.

Finally, people need to get creative. Consider driving to Omaha or St. Louis if you can find a cheaper fare. Some are flying into Orlando and renting a car. I got my flight because I jumped on it right away, but I don't think this trip has to be as expensive as everyone is making it out to be. Also, I've heard there are hotels starting closer to $100. It won't be the Ritz, but it'll be a place to sleep and who's going to spend that much time in a hotel room anyway.

December 4, 2007 at 7:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

GRAPEVINEDAVE (anonymous) says...

Go to Southwest.com and check the flights to FLL, MCO or TPA. Why drive when you can fly a great airline like Southwest...go hawks!!!

December 4, 2007 at 7:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jerseyhawk (anonymous) says...

Everyone has this wrong. Need to make the effort. Could be a once in a lifetime event. This is not an ordinary bowl game. Get to the game!!!!!

December 4, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

The ten in my family are driving. We already have our hotel reservations and are stopping at Disney World on the way down.

December 4, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

sarah, your post on the KC Star is WAY too logical and civil. You are opening yourself up for an insult barrage there like no other.

December 4, 2007 at 8:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kufootball (anonymous) says...

There are many options to get down to South Florida. I just went to cheaptickets.com, they have packages to either FLL, or MIA for $400-$650/ person (hotel and airfare) depending on how many days you want to stay. I did Jan 1-Jan 4 and it was $490. There are no excuses. If you want to get down there you will. If you don't, you won't. Last year the average child received $500 in gifts from their parents for X-mas. What a great gift this would be.

December 4, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rolo2383 (anonymous) says...

I found flights to Tampa Bay in the low 200s. The drive from Tampa to Miami is about 4 hours but with four of us splitting gas and car rental it will be cheap. We are lucky in that we have a friends house to stay at but no one is obligated to stay in Miami for this. There are lots of places up and down the coast within reasonable driving distance to the Orange Bowl. I would think there would be some cheap hotels somewhere.

December 4, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

irony (anonymous) says...

If you don't want those 4 tickets let me know.

December 4, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

carterpatterson (anonymous) says...

West Palm Beach is an hour away. Southwest and Airtran fly there.

December 4, 2007 at 9:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkjim80 (anonymous) says...

We have family in Naples, approx hour and a half to two hours drive across I-75 from Miami, so we are staying there a few days.

Travel to just about any where in Florida in the winter can be a challenge, so you have to be flexible sometimes and not mind driving a little extra distance once you get there.

We are actually flying into Tampa, renting a car and driving to Naples on the 2nd, driving over to Miami on Thursday morning (might stay over there one or two nights), eventually drive back to Naples, play a little golf on Friday or Saturday, drive back to Tampa on Sunday and come home with a win, a top five ranking, and a hole in one (well ok, I'll take two out of three).

KU football, golf, and the beach in January. Does it get any better than that?

December 4, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

If you drive from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale, go down the west coast (i-75) then cross Alligator Alley through the EVerglades, and serously, watch for real alligators, do more damage to your car than a deer!!!!

The drive is probably 3-4 hours, tops ... like KC to STL

***

West Palm, with traffic, will be CRAZY to get there ... fly into Ft Laud/Hollywood, the extra money is worth not fighting the traffic!

I lived there for a year, believe me I know these things! :D

December 4, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

I lived in Boca Raton all last year, and I can second sevenyear on that. You DO NOT want to fly to PBI and battle the horrendous i-95 traffic. Imagine the worst traffic jam on 435 you've ever been in, then multiply that by 10, and you've got another ho-hum day on 95.

If you do fly into West Palm, I would strongly suggest Florida's Turnpike. You have to pay, but it's better than I-95. Plus, DS is located right off the turnpike, as is the Seminole Hard Rock. That's a hell of a good time, plus you can say you partied at the same place Anna Nicole did! =)

December 4, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

I have a place to stay with my brother in Miami, but I am going to spend some money on flying and/or a rental car to get there. I hope some new flights open up because of demand and are better then what they are showing now.

December 4, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

bmc, I had no idea ...

I'll text you later this week! :D

December 4, 2007 at 12:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

you know what was crazy when I lived in SoFla ...

full on traffic reports, at midnight!!!

December 4, 2007 at 12:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

sevenyear, don't forget the freeze warnings! They have the same allure there as car chases in SoCal.

December 4, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

shelleysue (anonymous) says...

I too would love to go, but the cost prohibits it. We take our grandson to every game and he is now more passionate about it than we are!! :o) So that means three of everything and we just can't do it. Unfortunately, we can't drive because of the time factor. I plan to have a tailgate and watch party and my heart will there. Can someone please fill in for me? I yell loud and A LOT. And tend to get obnoxious. :o) I would give anything to be there to support my Jayhawks - this is an amazing opportunity and I know I'll regret not being there. I already do - being on a bus full of Jayhawk fans, tailgating in Miami ... it's going to be incredible. For everyone making the trip, have a GREAT time. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!

December 4, 2007 at 1:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

Gonna spend a week down in South Beach baby!. Man is this gonna be a great time or what!?

December 4, 2007 at 1:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

86, you going to come to the Elbo Room so I can buy you a drink?!?

December 4, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Baha (anonymous) says...

I found a deal on Travelocity, I'm flying out of St. Louis on American, Weds Morning, direct flight, Hotel on the beach in Ft Lauderdale, Returning Sunday morning to STL for $750 per person... I thought that was a heck of a deal for airfare and 4 nights in a hotel... Check out travelocity...

December 4, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

Hey Seven, Anytime anywhere.

December 4, 2007 at 2:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayViking (anonymous) says...

You had a good experience at Arrowhead? How many Williams Fund points do you have? Must have had a TON.

Me and a group of students are driving. Couple of friends are flying.

Will be an f'n sweet trip.

December 4, 2007 at 3:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

So, Sevenyear, we are staying in Boca Raton. How far ahead should we leave to get to the stadium?

December 4, 2007 at 4:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

At LEAST an hour, maybe an hour 15 ...

traffic can snarl at the drop of a hat ...

but I haven't been there for five years, could be better ... likely worse!

i'll ask around ...

December 4, 2007 at 5:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jerseyhawk (anonymous) says...

I use to live in Boca. The traffice in and out of the stadium is horrendous. Two hours give yourself and trust me on that If you are parking in the stadium. . The other alternative is park about a mile away from the stadium and walk. It will save you considerable time leaving the game.

December 4, 2007 at 7:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

Thanks. I think we'll head for the stadium in the AM and then tailgate. Parking lot opens at 2 PM.

December 4, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JBurtin (anonymous) says...

sarahkumari,

Try searching on www.Kayak.com for flights to Tampa. I found one for a total after tax of $261 per person round trip. I also found a hotel on the beach between the park where the game festivities are going on and the stadium for $119 per night. I'm sure there are others that are even cheaper. Rental cars in the area go for about $80 per day for a mid sized car, but are probably cheaper if you're willing to drive something smaller. Tickets to the game are $125.

Plane tickets -- $261 x 2=$522
Hotel -- $119 x 3=$357
Car Rental -- $80 x 3=$240
Game Tickets -- $125 x 2=$250

Watching KU win the Orange Bowl = Priceless (sorry, I had to do it)

Total = $1369 for two people

Add expenses for the Gas and food and you could still very easily do it for under $2000. Not incredibly cheap, but more doable than $3000.

I'm renting a car here in Lawrence and driving down with 3 friends. Cars here run about $20 per day for a mid size. I'm a night owl anyway so I figure if we leave in the evening and I take the night shift, the other 3 people can switch off during the next day and get us there by the following evening. It'll suck a bit, but it was the cheapest overall option for a bunch of college kids.

We weedled the cost down as far as $436 dollars apiece including car rental, gas, hotel, and tickets. Add a few dollars for food and souvenirs and I think we'll squeeze it in for under $600 per person. Not a bad option for people without kids.

December 5, 2007 at 1:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )