Monster Jam Coming to Orlando Next!

This past weekend our family went on an exciting adventure: Our first Monster Jam® event. We received complimentary tickets courtesy of Feld Motor Sports in exchange for an honest review.  It was my husband’s birthday, and both he and my son were “beyond” thrilled that THIS would be how we’d celebrate. Having never even seen even a Monster Jam video prior, I was a little less excited. I should have been!

On left: Two Grave Digger trucks wowed the crowd with a little off-book freestyle-a-deux; In center: Iron Man flies through the air; Iron Man driver Dustin Brown; Captain America mid flip; Far right: Marc McDonald and El Toro Loco doing a “head” stand.

Hooked driver Bryan Wright signs his autograph on my kiddo’s shirt.

Before the main event, we got to meet and greet lots of drivers and see the trucks up close at the “Party in the Pits” (a separate event with tickets distributed at area sponsors or on race day, if available, for a fee).

I knew the trucks would be huge, but seeing my child (who’s tall for his age) come up “short” next to just the tires was quite amazing. The festival-like atmosphere was great fun and tons of families waited in lines to either get autographs, experience truck rides or bounce in a bounce house (the kids, not the grownups!).

We caught the parade of trucks as they rumbled past us into the stadium. My son grinned from ear to ear as he reported how his chest “felt” them go by.

After the Monster Jam Party in the Pits we went into the stadium. The excitement was palpable, and fans eagerly awaited the racing and freestyle.

The 16 Monster Truck racers paired off two at a time, with the winner going to the next round. Newby here did not quite follow who was doing what, but it was fun to watch and in the end Dennis Anderson drove Grave Digger to win his third straight racing championship on the Road to Monster Jam World Finals XV in Las Vegas, March 20-22, 2014. (Now THAT’s a competition I’d love to see!)

The BEST part was the freestyle. I kid you not, I was holding my hand over my mouth at half the stunts, a worried look in my eyes. (Hey, I put the “mommy” in SeaWorld Mommy and I thought for sure someone was going to get hurt!) Amazingly, though, all drivers triumphantly exited their bashed in, banged up, and crushed down trucks. Can you believe THIS guy driving the Phantom truck remained unscathed.

The Phantom FLIPS at Monster Jam! Photos courtesy SeaWorld Daddy!

This Saturday, January 25, MONSTER JAM® will be in Orlando at the  Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Advance purchase SuperValue Tickets are $15. $35 VIP / $25 Sideline. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Amway Center Box Office, or charge by phone
at 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available day of show at the Citrus Bowl. All seats reserved. Subject to facility fee, plus convenience and handling charges. Don’t wait – buy tickets in advance as prices go up $5 more the week of show. Get more show information at http://www.MonsterJam.com (click on “Tickets” and search for Orlando January 25th).

Special Free Events:

Many of the trucks appearing in Monster Jam will be on display around Central Florida on Friday, January 24^th, free and open to the public.

Mohawk Warrior will be on display from 10 am to 2 pm at  Universal Technical Institute, 2202 West Taft-Vineland Road, Orlando, 32837.

See War Wizard from 3 pm to 7 pm at Kangaroo Express, 17503 W State Road 50, Oakland, 34787.

Monster Mutt Rottweiler will visit Metro PCS, 1453 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, 32809 from 3 pm to 7 pm.

And Stone Crusher will be at Tropical Ford, 9900 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, 32837 from 3 pm -7 pm.

My boys are already talking about making Monster Jam a yearly pilgrimage. Although usually a “girly girl,” I, too, have caught the monster truck bug and can’t wait to see another show. From the Party in the Pits fun and all through to the last crushed vehicle, we had a roaring good time!