Planning a vacation trip around the World Series can be a tricky proposal, as the only things you can know in advance are the dates. The trouble is, unlike the Super Bowl or the Olympics, whose locations are determined ahead of time, the World Series is played at the home fields of both teams. And you won’t know what cities, or what teams, until the ALCS/NLCS playoffs are over! The fact that the World Series also occurs in two cities (except in the event of a “Subway series” between the Mets and Yankees such as the one that occurred in 2000 or in the unlikely event of a Chicago White Sox/Cubs series) is another complicating factor. And, of course, there is the fact that you can’t know in advance, either, how many games it is going to last. Pity the travelers who had made plans around games five, six, or seven of last year’s Red Sox series four-game sweep.
Perhaps the best thing you can do in order to minimize the complications inherent in planning such a trip is to purchase a tour package in advance. There are a number of travel agencies, particularly sports-oriented agencies, that will sell you a package months ahead of time that includes not only guaranteed tickets to one (or more) of games one through four, but also includes hotel accommodations and in some cases even meals and sightseeing in whatever city (or cities) is to host the World Series. Yes, the prices are very high – as are ticket prices themselves. There really is no way to do the World Series on a budget, as these are tickets you’re never going to be able to pick up on the street at the last minute. If you are a real jet-setter, you can even find a tour package that flies (or, perhaps, subways) you back and forth between games so you can watch all of them, not just the ones taking place in a particular city.
If, however, you prefer to do it yourself, you will have to prepare to be very flexible in your arrangements – and, of course, fork out a whole lot of cash to make those last-minute arrangements. Some fans, pulling for their team, will spend money for tickets and plane and hotel reservations well in advance, but if you do this, make sure everything is refundable. You wouldn’t have wanted to be stuck with a flight to and hotel room in New York City last year when the Yankees did not make it through the ALCS playoffs. On the other hand, though, if you do wait until your team’s guaranteed to play in the Series, better get on one of the travel websites right away as chances are thousands of eager beavers will be beating you to all the hotel rooms in town. You can, of course, buy tickets well in advance, as ticket brokers are guaranteed to have a certain number no matter what teams are playing.
And then, of course, there’s the matter of what to pack. Will it be late October in Boston, or in Anaheim? Will you need your down parka, or your sunscreen and shades? As late October weather is pretty unpredictable anywhere, it is best to be prepared, but be sure to check with the stadium (once you find out which stadium) in advance to find out what items you are allowed to bring in.
Whether you choose to go with a tour company and make your arrangements far in advance, or whether you prefer the last-minute adrenaline rush of trying to find a hotel room within 50 miles of the home of the next World Champions, either way you are in for the experience of a lifetime. Just think you could have a seat in the bleachers for a game that will go down in baseball history! Definitely worth it, no matter the inconvenience. Enjoy yourself – and don’t forget to wave to all of us who’ll be watching the World Series at home on our TVs.
