WWE WrestleMania 37
WRESTLEMANIA IS BACK IN BUSINESS!!! The first live event with fans since the pandemic began was WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium and I was there. This was my first WWE event since October 2019 and my 4th time going to WrestleMania. This was also my first major trip in over a year so it was great to get out of Ohio and enjoy the Floridian atmosphere. I spent 5 1/2 days (April 7th - April 12th) in Tampa and enjoyed sunny skies, hot weather, and a few storms that almost derailed WrestleMania on Saturday. Below is the costs associated with this trip:
TRANSPORTATION - $332.21
Flight to TPA via Southwest: $11.20
Rental Car from Turo: $276.47
Uber: $20.00, $24.54
LODGING - $568.98
Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore: $568.98
ENTERTAINMENT - $952.62
WWE WrestleMaina 37: $343.55, $343.55
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: $136.03, $107.49
King Corona Cigar Lounge: $22.00
FOOD - $345.99
Goody Goody at TPA: $16.85
Gatorade at Optimum Gym: $2.25
Vending Machine at CMH: $2.50
Dockside Dave's: $32.05
Beach Bistro: $6.94
Vending Machine Tampa: $5.00
Food at Busch Gardens: $18.79, $7.84
Shell Gas Station: $6.70
The Floridian: $18.00
Due Amici Pizza: $15.00
Food at Raymond James Stadium: $48.38, $18.06, $41.95, $15.06
Denny's: $21.00
Publix: $15.81, $11.31
Waffle House: $15.00, $11.50, $16.00
MISCELLANEOUS - $827.17
Blue Ribbon Parking: $12
WWE Shop WrestleMania side plates: $107.50
WWE United States Championship belt: $359.00
WWE Shop Store at Raymond James Stadium: $64.50
Barbershop in Tampa: $36.05
Screwdriver from Shell Gas Station: $5.36
Locker at Busch Gardens: $2.00
Towel at Busch Gardens: $29.28
Random item at Busch Gardens: $3.69
Optimum Gym: $44.95
Gas at Sunoco: $26.02
Parking at Raymond James Stadium: $40.00, $40.00
Walgreens: $5.37
Target: $9.45
Parking at CMH: $42.00
GRAND TOTAL - $3,026.97
Most of the numbers are self-explanatory, however, let's put the numbers into context. For transportation, the flight to Tampa was free (outside of the 9/11 security fee) because I used Southwest Rapid Rewards points. I rented a 2018 Ford Focus from Turo to get around city and that was the most expensive cost. The Uber rides were for picking up the Turo car and going to the airport after dropping off the car.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore because it was close to the airport, Raymond James Stadium, and the freeway. It was worth the money and it was close to a Waffle House location. Why pay $20 for breakfast when there is a Waffle House within walking distance.
For entertainment, I spent $687.10 for WrestleMania tickets. WWE did have a two-day combo ticket but I didn't go that route. I purchased a separate ticket for each night and both seats were in sections across from the hard camera. Night 1 was in Section 135 and Night 2 was in section 136. The set looked amazing with the pirate ship and the pyrotechnics and matched the pirate theme from the event. I was sorta surprised that they didn't used the pirate ship that's already Raymond James Stadium for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Parking at the stadium was $40 each night and and had to go to your designated gate that was on your ticket. For both nights, I parked at the south end of the stadium, then had to walk to the north end to enter the stadium. It was a slight workout with the US Championship in tow, but I survived.
I mentioned earlier that WrestleMania almost got derailed on Saturday due to weather. The day started off sunny at 80°F and it looked like mother nature would cooperate. I went to the gym, barbershop (same place that Big E gets his haircut), and The Floridian restaurant before heading back to the hotel to relax for a few hours. Then around 3:30, storm clouds starting rolling in from bay and the sky turned dark. It rained cats and dogs for about two hours before subsiding around 5:30. I went over to the stadium and got there before 7 while it was still drizzling. Right before the show was about to start, the entire roster came on the stage and Vince McMahon welcomed us all back. The opening video promo played and the entire crowd anticipated the pyro to start the show. Instead, we were greeted with a message telling us to seek shelter in the concourse due to severe weather in the area. Mother Nature decided to throw a wrench in our plans to enjoy the show but the delay only lasted for 30 minutes. After the threat of severe weather was gone, WrestleMania went on as scheduled.
Even though this was the first live event with fans in over a year, Raymond James Stadium was not filled to capacity. I think it was limited to 25,000 fans or so each night. To make it look good on TV, cardboard cutouts filled most of the lower bowl facing the hard camera. I liked the cardboard cutouts because it made it A LOT easier to go to the concession stand and the restroom. Speaking of concessions, I spent $123.45 on food and beer at the stadium for both nights. WWE had merchandise trailers around the stadium and turned the Bucs team shop into their own superstore. I visited the shop on Thursday to pick the exclusive WrestleMania 37 side plates and a few shirts for friends back home in Ohio. The side plates are surprisingly big and looked great on the US Championship. I got the new version of the US Championship before heading to Tampa and the detailing of the belt is phenomenal.
The other major attraction that I attended was Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This was my first time going and it was a unique theme park experience. My home parks are Cedar Point and Kings Island so it was cool going to a park that combined thrill rides and wildlife. The ticket was $136.03 and the Quick Queue was $107.49. With the Quick Queue privilege, I was able to get on all of the rides that I wanted at least twice. The best ride in the park was the Cheetah Hunt launch roller coaster and I rode that 3 times. My least favorite ride was the Condo River Rapids for two reasons: it had the longest line even with the Quick Queue and I GOT DRENCHED! It was not fun walking around the park for two hours soaking wet. The towel that was purchased somewhat helped by the feeling of wet socks will always be annoying.
