What's it like to park in the Southwest Facilites , i plan to do some tailgating before the game. Is there somewhere else thats better to park for the money ?  

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DA Bears

Here is some earlier posts from the game day forum about the southwest lots. The 31st street lot that isn't part of the southwest lots is cheaper. I used Southwest lots last year. It turned out much better than I had expected. The shuttle to the game was very easy and convenient and fast. Ussually waited less than 5 minutes. After the games it was a little congested lining up for the buses but not bad. My family all learned where to go and what line to get into. One of my adult daughters told me this year "Its ok that you got shut out of the lottery again. The shuttle was kind of fun. One big party." We always tailgated. The rules were the same as the south lot but we did see a couple of tent type awnings go up. Once into the lot you could park wherever. The lot along 31st would fill up. On time we got there when that lot was filled and they directed us to one that was farther north. It did no fill up. We never used the garage. I am not sure when it opened. I will be there again this year. I like to know that I will get in. It always seemed very quick. The other passangers were at times entertaining especially when someone would get on decked out in the opposing teams garb. The ride went through the regular 31st street lot and under McCormick Place on the west side of Lake Shore drive. I'll guess that it took 5 minutes. One note I must share. One time someone was ****** feeding their infant on the bus which was full of tailgaters primed and ready for the game. I might be old school but it did not seem to be the proper place. Cripes, we just left the parking lot.

frontrow:

Here is some earlier posts from the game day forum about the southwest lots. The 31st street lot that isn't part of the southwest lots is cheaper. I used Southwest lots last year. It turned out much better than I had expected. The shuttle to the game was very easy and convenient and fast. Ussually waited less than 5 minutes. After the games it was a little congested lining up for the buses but not bad. My family all learned where to go and what line to get into. One of my adult daughters told me this year "Its ok that you got shut out of the lottery again. The shuttle was kind of fun. One big party." We always tailgated. The rules were the same as the south lot but we did see a couple of tent type awnings go up. Once into the lot you could park wherever. The lot along 31st would fill up. On time we got there when that lot was filled and they directed us to one that was farther north. It did no fill up. We never used the garage. I am not sure when it opened. I will be there again this year. I like to know that I will get in. It always seemed very quick. The other passangers were at times entertaining especially when someone would get on decked out in the opposing teams garb. The ride went through the regular 31st street lot and under McCormick Place on the west side of Lake Shore drive. I'll guess that it took 5 minutes. One note I must share. One time someone was ****** feeding their infant on the bus which was full of tailgaters primed and ready for the game. I might be old school but it did not seem to be the proper place. Cripes, we just left the parking lot.

How far in advance would you advise getting to the lot if you plan on tailgating?  I'm going to the 9/28 Sunday night game and don't want to get stuck in the garage so I can't tailgate.

The lot opens 4 hours prior to game time.

Parking at the SouthWest facilities was a joke this past weekend.  9/21/2008

We arrived at 10:00AM and had to wait 20 minutes to get into the parking garage --- only one attendant.  We finished cooking and we ready to board the bus at 11:00AM - the line was 1000 feet long and walked 1.5 miles to the game t make it on time.  The same story on the way back.

3 miles walked - $30 for parking and a crappy bears team.  For the 1st time in the 10+ years I have season tix I am not looking forward to the next game.

 

Add to this the pre-season fiasco with Credit cards not accepted and cash stations not working and I can say the only game day "experience" I am having is BAD BAD BAD.

 

You would think they would have enough busses and accept credit cards, but then again this is the Bears.

 

 

I have a parking pass for the Southwest parking lot. Where exactly is the entrance? Is it the same as if I were going to the 31st St. lot? Thanks in advanced.