Bash Questionnaire

I figured I would start a dialog about the Bash for next season (2011).

1. What prevented you from attending the Bash this year (if you didn't attend)?

2. What should be added to the Bash?

3. What should be subtracted from the Bash?

4. If you have attended more than one Bash, which Bash did you like the best? Please elaborate.

5. What other ideas do you have about the Bash?

[RamsFanSam]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I figured I would start a dialog about the Bash for next season (2011).

1. What prevented you from attending the Bash this year (if you didn't attend)?

2. What should be added to the Bash?

3. What should be subtracted from the Bash?

4. If you have attended more than one Bash, which Bash did you like the best? Please elaborate.

5. What other ideas do you have about the Bash?

1. Cash - specifically, the lack thereof.

2. A huge win by the Rams. Of course, if some of the players, current and former, could attend the dinner at Jake's Steaks, that would be great.

3. That certain Packer fan - and others like her.

4. Only attended one - so far.

5. More members attending would be better - maybe a way to get more discounts for those who are strapped for cash. You know, maybe get the EJD to cut our ticket prices, or get a local hotel or motel to give us a better rate, something like that. Speaking from experience, I can say the bash is one of those 'bucket list' items - something every clan member should do. And if you go once, you want to go back. I know some of the members are students, and can't afford to spend much, then there are those of us who are trying to send the old lady through college so she can support us in our retirement, and then there are those who are wondering if the bash is really worth spending money on (IT IS!). Also, maybe having a "BIG" event - like a Q & A with Spags or Kronke or D'Marco Farr or something.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

With respect to the hotels, the problem is that, if you don't have the ability to guarantee a certain number of rooms will be booked, its hard to get much of a discount.

As someone who has played a significant part in planning recent Bashes, here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Jake's, which changed ownership b/w 2009 and 2010, is not as good as it used to be. I'd vote for trying another place (the Spaghetti Factory has sufficient space, I believe).

2. It would be great to get some sort of tailgating activity going on game day. One of the locals would have to take the lead on that.

3. The Lumiere Hotel/Casino - not a fan. Way too much cigarette smoke for my taste.

4. While the Drury Inn is the most convenient place to stay, I prefer the Hampton Inn.

5. Dez needs to attend next year!

[TheBritishRam]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I'm hoping to come next year, I'm no longer a student so can hopefully put the money together to fly out! I've been wanting to go to a Bash for a long time.

Can someone give me an estimate how much the weekend would cost (excluding flights) like accomodation, tickets, food etc?

[RamsFanSam]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I'm hoping to come next year, I'm no longer a student so can hopefully put the money together to fly out! I've been wanting to go to a Bash for a long time.

Can someone give me an estimate how much the weekend would cost (excluding flights) like accomodation, tickets, food etc?

You can get a really nice hotel within walking distance to the dome anywhere from $79-$149 a night. You could always go a little cheaper than that, but you'd have to go further out from downtown, and ride the metrolink in. In the end, it would probably be about the same price, but if it were me, I'd rather be right by the dome. Downtown, you have lots of shopping, the Arch, Laclede's landing, the brewery, the Arch, and a lot of other things to see and do the day before the game.
As far as food goes, I'd stay away from the hotels. They figure they can give you crappy food at a high price, and it isn't usually worth eating. Once in a while, you can find a great buffet or something, but not often. If you hit the locally owned restaurants, they are often better food, and almost always better prices - to be safe, figure on $30-45 a day, depending on what you want and where to get it.

Don't forget to bring lots of cash for souveniers...if there's one thing I learned, it's that you can't go to a bash without bringing home something to remember the fun.

[rampower]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

A mixture of cash, not being certain I could get the time off at the time of booking were big factors. Jakes is 'a bit tired'!! Maybe we should stake out the delmar loop, maybe arrange a night out there for those that wish. Maybe a tailgate would be a good thing on the sunday, I know we have never managed to get one going, but!?!

You could also try getting all the names in a hat that need a hotel and call 3 or 4 to see of they will offer any discounts at that point?

I have stayed at the Hilton a few times and is is much nicer than the drury, as I am sure the Hampton is, I'll admit when I am spending a massage pile of cash to come, it pretty much makes the bash my holiday, so I like to stay in a nicer hotel (the cost is very similar to the drury, I know the breakfast aint free, but it is much better, and it the Hilton has a proper bar where you can chat and drink, A big miss at the drury)

Its a huge cash and time investment for all, so above everything everybody should do want they want to do more than anything.

@ british ram,

I'll drop about £80 a night on a hotel,

£60 a day spends will see you quite well

add on extra for game day as beer, souveniers and a game ticket (40-80 quidish) bumps that day up.

I have to drive from where I live and stay in an airport hotel the night before cos I live in the middle of nowhere and I will easily drop £1000 for a 5 day week end. Probably more like £1200.

Have a good save, because if you go away worrying about money, it will hamper the good memories. It really is worth missing 3 nights out in the UK, save a bit harder, make the trip of a life time that bit better. I only go out in the uk 4-6 time a year now. I'll go over and watch games in the usa 2-3 times a year. Spent 5 weeks in the usa this year, has more fun than I would in 30 extra nights out in the UK that will quickly forget.

I did my first trip on my credit card, got stuck in New York with bad weather and lost 1 of my 3 nights, lost my luggage for that day in new york, flew in st louis on the Saturday instead of Friday, went straight out for food and beer @ about 7pm (1am to you and me) having not slept since I got up 46 hours earlier to drive to glasgow airport (that why I always stay at airport the night befor now!!) Went to bed at midnight for an eternal sleep to be woken 4 hours later by my room mate enticing me to go out for a morning walk to make me feel better. After the walk and breakfast I went back to the room, collapsed after 4 hours sleep in 3 days.

Then went and watched the rams beat tampa to get to the superbowl.

Cost me a bomb, had lots of bumps in the road, but now I pretty much go every year and have made some great friends along the way.

Even all that never put me off, I still keep going back!

If you go over you'll never regret it.

[jkramsfan]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

With respect to the hotels, the problem is that, if you don't have the ability to guarantee a certain number of rooms will be booked, its hard to get much of a discount.

As someone who has played a significant part in planning recent Bashes, here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Jake's, which changed ownership b/w 2009 and 2010, is not as good as it used to be. I'd vote for trying another place (the Spaghetti Factory has sufficient space, I believe).

2. It would be great to get some sort of tailgating activity going on game day. One of the locals would have to take the lead on that.

3. The Lumiere Hotel/Casino - not a fan. Way too much cigarette smoke for my taste.

4. While the Drury Inn is the most convenient place to stay, I prefer the Hampton Inn.

5. Dez needs to attend next year!

I have stayed at the Hampton twice this season and really liked it,very reasonable @$99 a night with breakfast and I also like the Spaghetti Factory better than Jakes,prices are more reasonable and the food is better IMO and tailgating would also be a great option,I did find a tent that was selling $2 16oz beers on the right side of the dome and there was plenty of room. The bash can be expensive but if you start looking for room and air fare rates as soon as the schedule comes out(Bash is first home game I think) you can save money that way.

[r8rh8rmike]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I eagerly look forward to the Bash every year, but a death in the family prevented me from going this year.

As far as the Bash itself, it really doesn't matter where it's held because to me, it's who you're with, not where you're at. I'd be fine though with a change of venue and a new experience.

The only thing I would add to the Bash is more ClanRam members. The best thing about the Bash is meeting and hanging out with great people, and I've always met nothing but great people.

Every Bash that I've attended has been special in it's own way and I couldn't really pick one as my favorite. I'm still waiting for a Bash where everybody gets on the same page and we get a huge turnout. Hopefully that will happen for next years opener because there are so many members that I would love to meet.

[RamFan_Til_I_Die]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

1. What prevented you from attending the Bash this year (if you didn't attend)?

Cashflow, or lack thereof.

2. What should be added to the Bash?

A tour of the dome would be cool.

[RamDez]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

Dome tours are only held during the week.

[Bruce=GOAT]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I stayed at the Millenium Hotel which is less than half a mile from the Dome and was very nice...They have a north and south tower, which basically means the larger tower is a bit more lavish, and has a wonderful view of the arch...it ran 120 bucks a night for the upgraded room but i was able to secure it for 100 even....spaghetti factory is a great idea AV! i ate there gameday of this years Bash and it is delicious food and very very cheap...my gf and i ate for less than 20 bucks! the downfall of the city in general (and i was born there and visited often) is you must stay in large groups after dark when moving about or take a cab at all times...the cops do not patrol north of the dome as they will openly tell you..it is a very rough city , but gorgeous as long as you are carefull!

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

For anyone worried about safety, the Lumiere Place hotel is your best bet, as its entrance is right at the end of the crowded (and fairly safe, but for late-night cat fights) Laclede's Landing.

[Curly Horns]

Re: Bash Questionnaire

I figured I would start a dialog about the Bash for next season (2011).

1. What prevented you from attending the Bash this year (if you didn't attend)?

Actually nothing prevented me from attending. I was planning to attend my first bash ever had the seahacks game been chosen for bash weekend.

3. The Lumiere Hotel/Casino - not a fan. Way too much cigarette smoke for my taste.

NO SMOKING for me. I refuse to be subjected to second hand smoke.