2023 College Football Bowl Game Theme Park Trips

Last year, I wrote about how, as a college football fan, Bowl Game Season is one of my favorite times of the year. Throughout December and January, football teams from 86 colleges and universities across the country travel to a variety of bowl game locales, ranging from places like Hawaii (the Hawaii Bowl took place on December 23, and was won by Coastal Carolina) to, well, destinations that can most nicely be described “not-Hawaii.” (Sorry in advance to any readers in Birmingham, Boise, or Shreveport, among other locations.)

For players and coaches, benefits of a bowl game often include gifts provided by both the bowl game and its respective sponsor, which include a variety of items like watches, apparel, gift cards and electronics, but a less-often considered benefit of bowl games are multiple days of being in a new city, which often include a number of bowl-related events at venues and attractions in the host city. Of course, some of these events include trips to a local amusement or theme park. (Ah, you see the relevancy as to why we’re writing about College Football now!)

Photo: Appalachian State Football

Just like last year, we’re going to recap the “official” bowl game theme park trips, so that college football fans (or players, we’re not here to judge) who are curious can know if favorite team are headed to an amusement park in addition to their practices and bowl responsibilities during their bowl trip. Plus, who doesn’t love photos of people on roller coasters? This year, we’ll also provide a quick look at parks and roller coasters that might be accessible for fans traveling to different areas of the country!

December 16: Cure Bowl – Orlando (Appalachian State v. Miami [OH])

Ahead of a rainy Cure Bowl at UCF’s FBC Mortgate Stadium, the Redhawks and Mountaineers spent some time at Universal Orlando Resort – and many of the Bowl’s associated events took place at Universal and its associated resort hotels as well.

Appalachian State also utilized the Universal Orlando globe for their Bowl Game Uniform reveal.

The Mountaineers even got a few tiktok dances in at Universal Orlando!

@zay4u_O♬ original sound – Eggs Tyrone

@zay4u_Pharoah♬ original sound – Eggs Tyrone

December 16: LA Bowl – Los Angeles (UCLA v. Boise State)

While the hometown Bruins might have a little more regular access to nearby Universal Studios Hollywood than the visiting Broncos, it looks like both teams had fun exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, Jurrasic World and more!

December 22: Gasparilla Bowl – Tampa (Georgia Tech v. UCF)

What’s a trip to a Tampa Bowl game without a ride on Iron Gwazi? While Georgia Tech was victorious in the actual bowl game, one would think that all of the players who got to ride Iron Gwazi and the rest of Busch Gardens Tampa’s roller coasters can call themselves winners of Gasparilla Bowl week.

While we couldn’t find any videos of UCF at Busch Gardens (are we taking the “War on I4” this seriously?) – it’s worth noting that they did incorporate roller coasters into their national signing day graphics, which is a nice touch! (We’ll give them a pass for combining Hollywood Rip, Ride, and Rockit with another roller coaster’s track. They are the same school who once included a Vekoma Boomerang on their basketball court, despite one not existing in Orlando, let alone the entire state of Florida, after all!)

December 27: Holiday Bowl – San Diego (USC v. Louisville)

On Christmas Day, the Trojans and Cardinals got to unwrap a day at SeaWorld San Diego. Fun fact: While the Holiday Bowl is currently sponsored by DIRECTV, during the early years of the Holiday Bowl, the title sponsor was SeaWorld.

December 28: Pop-Tarts Bowl – Orlando (NC State v. Kansas State)

Kansas State and NC State players combined a charity component with their amusement park trip, visiting Fun Spot America’s Orlando location with the bowl game’s annual “Day for Kids.”

 

December 28: Alamo Bowl – San Antonio (Oklahoma v. Arizona)

Oklahoma and Arizona also had Christmas at SeaWorld — visiting SeaWorld San Antonio ahead of the Alamo Bowl.

While the Sooners and Wildcats didn’t visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the school’s bands did play at the park in a “Battle of the Bands”-style event!

 

January 1: Reliaquest Bowl – Tampa (Wisconsin v. LSU)

While Wisconsin and LSU hadn’t visited Busch Gardens at the time of this post, check out last year’s Instagram highlights of the Reliaquest Bowl teams at Busch Gardens Tampa!

January 1: Citrus Bowl – Orlando (Iowa v. Tennessee)

Ahead of their New Year’s Day matchup, the Volunteers headed to Universal Orlando for a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

While the Hawkeyes had not posted a park visit on social media as of the publishing of this article, they did incorporate the Universal Orlando globe in their “game week” social media post.

January 1: Rose Bowl – Los Angeles (Alabama v. Michigan)

As part of the annual Rose Bowl festivities, representatives from Alabama and Michigan kicked off the week at Disneyland, where players and coaches participated in an in-park parade!

Bowl Game Guide for The College Football & Theme Park Fan

If you’re a fan of schools participating in a bowl game, and also want to ride a roller coaster while you’re in town — here are your best bets! (Bowls not listed have no currently operating parks or coasters within a reasonable drive!)

Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach Bowl

While Myrtle Beach is no longer home to any major parks, if you were hard up for coaster credits, there are a pair of SBF-Visa Coasters – Myrtle Turtle at Broadway at the Beach, and Shark Party at Track Family Fun Center, that are open on weekends in the winter. Funplex Myrtle Beach is currently closed for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Atlanta – Celebration Bowl, Peach Bowl

Headed to the Peach State for a Bowl Game? Six Flags Over Georgia is open daily for Holiday in the Park from 2-8pm, and Fun Spot Atlanta is open daily – though check their calendar for official operating days. There are some days where only the arcade and ArieForce One are open (though the latter might be your main reason for visiting, anyway.)

Orlando – Cure Bowl, Pop Tarts Bowl, Citrus Bowl

It’s Orlando. We trust that if you’re traveling to Orlando, you’re likely very aware of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and both Fun Spot Parks.

Los Angeles Metro – LA Bowl, Rose Bowl

Ditto to Los Angeles. Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Universal Studios Hollywood are all open 365 days!

Charlotte – Famous Toastery Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl

If you’re headed to Charlotte for the Bowl formerly known as the Bahamas Bowl, or the Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Carowinds is open through December 31 for WinterFest!

Dallas Metro – Frisco Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl, First Responder Bowl, Cotton Bowl

Six Flags Over Texas is open for Holiday in the Park through January 31, and daily through January 6. Prairie Playland at Trader’s Village is also open on weekends for rides on Prairie Screamer.

Tampa – Gasparilla Bowl, Reliaquest Bowl

Busch Gardens Tampa is open daily! If you’re hoping for a sneaky +1 credit at ZooTampa for Tasmanian Tiger, the coaster is currently closed for renovation.

Mobile, Alabama – 68 Ventures Bowl

Less than 50 miles from Mobile, you’ll find Tropic Falls (formerly the Park at OWA) in Foley with three coaster credits, Track Family Fun Park in Gulf Shores with an SBF-Visa Spinner, and just across the border in Biloxi, MS, Paradise Pier Amusement Park at Margaritaville Resort has an SBF-Visa Hamster Wheel coaster!

Las Vegas – Las Vegas Bowl

We’ve written about the roller coasters in Las Vegas before. If you’re hard up for coaster credits, New York, New York’s Big Apple Coaster is the closest roller coaster to Allegiant Stadium, and the Circus Circus Adventuredome is a little further up the strip. If you’re really hard up for coaster credits, Piff the Magic Dragon is located at Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix, just off the strip.

San Diego – Holiday Bowl

As evidenced earlier, SeaWorld San Diego is open, but if you’re headed to San Diego with kids, LEGOLAND California, just up the road in Carlsbad, is open daily through January 6, and weekends thereafter. You’re also not that far from Los Angeles.

New York – Pinstripe Bowl

While the coasters of Coney Island are closed for a long winter’s nap, you head into New Jersey for a trip to Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream. (Just 11 miles, but almost an hour in traffic from Yankee Stadium!)

San Antonio – Alamo Bowl

San Antonio is a sneaky good coaster town – Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Diego, and you’re also not far from ZDT’s Amusement park, an FEC home to the world’s only wooden shuttle coaster!

If your team is playing in a bowl game, good luck!

(Unless you’re a West Virginia or NC State fan. Then I’ve got nothing for you!)

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Dec 28, 2023 by Features 0
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Andrew Stilwell

Andrew Stilwell has been writing for Coaster101 for more than a decade after finding a way to combine his seemingly unrelated passions for roller coasters and creative writing. He is also the host and producer of Coaster101.com's weekly-ish podcast, the cleverly titled "The Coaster101 Podcast." A native of North Carolina, his favorite coaster is Carowinds at Fury 325, followed by a list that honestly changes depending on the day.

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