Alpine Bound Bus from Wrigleyville area!!!

chgoparrothead26 · Post by **chgoparrothead26** » March 16, 2005 3:40 pm

My friends and I are considering reserving a coach bus (with bathroom) from the Wrigleyville area to Alpine Valley. The bus would leave approx. 1 or 2 pm and return after the show.

We are looking for others who would be interested in joining us on the bus. Depending on the number of people we can round up, the cost would be approx. $40-$45 a person. You would supply your own food and drinks. The money would have to be paid up front as the bus is non refundable.

We have met many good friends the couple times we have done this over the years. If you are interested, shoot me an email and we can discuss.
chgoparrothead@yahoo.com

Thanks.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » March 16, 2005 4:19 pm

From personal experience... the bathroom will be full or broken before you even make it halfway to Alpine.

We couldn't even make it from Janesville.

jimminy · Post by **jimminy** » March 16, 2005 5:44 pm

I have looked into this before - make sure you factor into the price the cost of hiring an extra driver. If you want to fully enjoy the experience and have the maximum possible amount of time to spend there, they will make you bring along an additional driver because of restrictions on how many hours in a day the drivers are allowed to be on duty. Also, the bathroom will definitely be an issue. Otherwise, sounds like a great idea, and I might have some takers for you!

CaptainP · Post by **CaptainP** » March 17, 2005 8:56 am

What day?

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » March 17, 2005 10:24 am

CaptainP wrote:What day?

June 13th

headparrot · Post by **headparrot** » March 17, 2005 11:38 am

Would we be required to push the bus if it got stuck in mud in the parking lot?

If so, no dice!

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » March 17, 2005 7:59 pm

jimminy wrote:I have looked into this before - make sure you factor into the price the cost of hiring an extra driver. If you want to fully enjoy the experience and have the maximum possible amount of time to spend there, they will make you bring along an additional driver because of restrictions on how many hours in a day the drivers are allowed to be on duty. Also, the bathroom will definitely be an issue. Otherwise, sounds like a great idea, and I might have some takers for you!

A a bus rental should BE all included fuel/bus/driver.
B checked with Dad (Dad at 77 still has his CDL)
driver has 4 hours and needs a break If Alpine is as nice as
everyone says it is It has a Drivers lounge and places for naps

If you go cheap you will regret it get some bids inspect the busses
and get a referral or two.

chgoparrothead26 · Post by **chgoparrothead26** » March 25, 2005 11:16 am

Hey Scott (HeadParrot), other than your posting, these other postings kinda a little p*** me off. You people are giving others some pretty negative feedback.

We have done this in the past 3 other times and have never had a problem. We use the same company and have made some great friends (HeadParrot) and Scubabarb among them. I am sure he can attest to the efficiency and how we are accomodating and on time.

This is nothing where we are out to make money, simply to get to the concert in a timely fashion, with a bathoom, and have a great time tailgating and no drinking and driving.

The cost of $40-$45 a person includes a 55 passenger coach bus and we only get 35-40 people AT THE MOST. This way people have room to move around, put coolers on the seats. THe bathroom doesn't get crowded. We leave wrigley area around 1:00pm and arrive back around 12:30-1am.

Anything else I left out?? Questions?? Feedback?? Thoughts???

Jeff in Chicago

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » March 25, 2005 11:30 am

chgoparrothead26 wrote:Hey Scott (HeadParrot), other than your posting, these other postings kinda a little p*** me off. You people are giving others some pretty negative feedback.

I think you might have taken my original posting a little wrong. I took the Volcano Express from Janesville to Alpine last year. I had an amazing time and planned on doing it again this year.

However, I wanted you to be aware of some of the things we experienced. Our bathroom was full/broken before we ever made it to Alpine. Thus rendering it useless for the tailgating and trip home. The bus drivers also locked up the buses while we were tailgating. That means we had to go find a driver every time we needed to put something on or take something off the bus.

There are just a lot of details you need to be aware of before you make the investment. We're just trying to help you out.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » March 25, 2005 11:32 am

chgoparrothead26 wrote:The cost of $40-$45 a person includes a 55 passenger coach bus and we only get 35-40 people AT THE MOST. This way people have room to move around, put coolers on the seats. THe bathroom doesn't get crowded. We leave wrigley area around 1:00pm and arrive back around 12:30-1am.

One more thing to keep in mind; the bus company Volcano Express uses would not let us take bottles on the bus. Cans were fine, but no bottles. Being the typical parrothead, many people were drinking Coronas so they had to put them under the bus.

Be sure to ask about coolers and bottles.

headparrot · Post by **headparrot** » March 25, 2005 11:36 am

Sorry Jeff! I was trying to be funny. I didn't want to give anybody the impression that I actually being negative about the bus experience to Alpine.
It's the only way to go.

I can attest from personal experience that Jeff does a great job with arranging the bus to Alpine Valley. We've ridden with some very cool pholks on past trips! After taking a bus from Chicago to Alpine for the past 5 years, I shudder at the thought of actually trying to drive it again.

If Jimmy does schedule Alpine this year, anybody from Chicago going to the show would be wise to take Jeff up on his offer. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

chgoparrothead26 · Post by **chgoparrothead26** » March 25, 2005 11:45 am

Scott, et al....

I know you were being funny, thats why I said "other than headparrot". Hell, I am not pushing no bus out of the mud either LOL.

The bus company we have taken has always been good about being around the bus so you can walk on and off without a problem. We only try to get 35-40 people so the bathroom doesnt overflow and people have room to move around if they want to talk to other people.

Regarding the bottle thing, I always advise people "if you want to drink on the bus, bring cans".

jimminy · Post by **jimminy** » March 25, 2005 12:16 pm

The way things are going, it looks like you will be taking the bus up the street to Wrigley Field.

headparrot · Post by **headparrot** » March 25, 2005 12:28 pm

jimminy wrote:The way things are going, it looks like you will be taking the bus up the street to Wrigley Field.

You'd still need to worry about the toilets filling up with this crowd.

chgoparrothead26 · Post by **chgoparrothead26** » March 25, 2005 4:38 pm

Well Scott, we already have the route figured out and all the bar stops along the way to Wrigley IF he shows up for the Labor Day Weekend shows!!!

We watched the 15 DVD clip on the new Hawaii CD and I wanna go see him NOW!!!!!

We are heading out tonight with Andrea and her roomie for the 6pm-9pm $10 Happy Hour. I guess easter egg painting will have to wait LOL.

headparrot · Post by **headparrot** » March 25, 2005 4:55 pm

d*m, that sounds fun. I wish we could join you. Have a cold one for Barb & I. I am so looking forward to Labor Day!