<p>The stars may be aligning for a possible weekend we could all do- Oct 15th. I know that is Homecoming based upon the football schedule- is there any down side to that, apart from that it will be crazy(crazy fun)? We would like to get 3 tickets to the Ole Miss game. I see a bunch on ebay although they are pretty expensive, how hard will it be to get tickets closer to the game? We would like S to fly down Thurs, do an overnite and attend a class or two on Friday? Does that sound possible if I talk to Jami now?
The only down side for H & I is that we would fly in to ATL(long story-I have to be in Florida early Sun am for work) Friday am but we couldn’t get to campus until around 1 pm and the last tour starts at 12:45. H has never been, we could certainly tour ourselves with the map & car I guess. I would like him to see the Honors dorms though. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>There will be tickets available closer to the game, and prices will probably be more reasonable, but not necessarily cheap. Hotel rooms will also be expensive and hard to find, but things can be worked out. :)</p>
<p>If you are sure that weekend will work for y’all, go ahead and contact Jami now. I forget where in the US y’all are located, but I would suggest that your son arrive as early Thursday as possible, which may mean taking a red-eye flight. That way he could attend a class on Thursday where there is a greater selection of classes (maybe a 3:30-4:45 class, for example).</p>
<p>Jami may be able to arrange a private tour, albeit one that would probably be led by a student that doesn’t lead the "official’ tours. It should be possible for your husband to see an honors dorm. In the rare case that it is not possible for Jami to arrange this, those of us on CC could probably make something work.</p>
<p>Since you would be coming during homecoming weekend, i would also suggest that you attend some of the homecoming festivities.</p>
<p>SEA_Tide, would you mind giving us hotel suggestions for a sold-out game day weekend? We have family in Birmingham we can stay with, but we were hoping for at least one night in Tuscaloosa. I’ve been checking and all that’s available is The Super 8, Ramada Inn and Econo Lodge (some of the reviews on these places are pretty scary). If those places are as sketchy as they sound online, I’d rather make the drive, but if any of them are safe and clean, maybe one night won’t be too bad. Any first-hand advice would be great! Thanks!!</p>
<p>We really like the Fairfield Inn Tuscaloosa. It’s quiet and clean and you earn Marriott points. It’s high for game days, over 200, but close to campus, yummy free breakfast, quiche!, and safe. There were shuttles who left numbers for transportation to campus if you wanted, 10 bucks each way, but we parked at the soccer lot and took the shuttle. Great to have a short drive after a long gameday, with clean sheets and room, and a great breakfast the next day. Great staff and nice clientele. Highly recommend!</p>
<p>Friends stayed at the Fairfield in Bessemer for Family Weekend and liked it as well, if you’re looking for something less pricey. About a 30 to 40 minute drive from campus.</p>
<p>Thanks, Montegut! Maybe I’ll try calling them directly. I don’t mind pricey for one night, but according to Orbitz, etc. there are no rooms available at all except for the three hotels I listed, and they sound run down.</p>
<p>For gameday weekends, you have to call the hotels individually because many block rooms from being booked online and only allow phone booking. The Ramada is an okay place to stay, as is the Super 8 (stayed at the former and my family toured the latter). I’m not too familiar with the Econo Lodge though I know that there are two locations in the Tuscaloosa area (one is in Northport). For $130 a night, my family stayed at the Greystone Inn and Suites out by the Mercedes plant at exit 89 (campus is exit 73). They liked the hotel so much that they canceled their reservation in Tuscaloosa for the Sunday night and stayed there instead. It’s a really nice place with free soft drinks all day, beer and wine in the evening, and Mimosas and Bloody Marys on gameday mornings.</p>
<p>Expert tip: when you expect traffic in Tuscaloosa to be busy, take exit 79, which eventually turns into University Blvd. and goes right through campus. Exit 100 works if traffic is really backed up, but it is a longish detour.</p>
<p>Thanks!! I will call them directly.</p>
<p>Thanks for the traffic and drink tips, Seatide!</p>
<p>Thanks, SEA_Tide! I just booked two nights at the Greystone 
Oh, yeah, free Mimosas on gameday!!</p>
<p>CC has hooked us up with an Honors Ambassador for a possible tour on Friday aft, so that is fantastic. I will contact Jami Monday am and see what we can work out for the overnite. S will be flying out of NY, but there is nothing direct to Birmingham I don’t think, so not sure how early he would be able to get there. I’m sure there will not be much of a selection for Friday classes.
Thanks for the hotel suggestions - I only saw the 3 sketchy hotels on Orbitz. Although priceline had 2 star+ for a name your own price. We may only stay over near campus Friday night and go drive to Atlanta after the game. Crazy I know, but I am taking a 6 am flight so it would be easier to stay at the airport Sat night, plus hotels are a lot cheaper. I’m sure it is crazy to get out of the stadium and back to the car on Sat nite though.
So if we wait closer to the game to get tickets how long do we wait and where is the best place to get them.
And, are Homecoming festivities that we would be able to participate listed on the UA site somewhere?
Thanks for all of your help.</p>