Enjoy every minute of your Bucs tailgate (Credit, Robert Herrera)

When nature calls, you’ve gotta pick up the phone. If you’re headed to a Bucs tailgate party for the first time and don’t know your way around Raymond James Stadium, take a glance at this helpful guide, especially if you plan on tailgating with children.

When to “go”

Don’t get caught in the mad rush — if you can, plan your visits wisely. Right before the game, during halftime and right after the game will guarantee a long line and wasted time. Give yourself at least 30 minutes before the game starts to find your seats and the nearest restroom so you don’t need to get up during the game. Halftime might seem like the ideal time to go, but chances are, everyone else has the same idea. Unless you are willing to brave long lines of impatient people, do yourself a favor and wait until the beginning of the third quarter. You’ll miss the first few minutes of the quarter, but the lines will be significantly shorter. When it comes to the end of the game, everyone will be in a mad rush to leave the stadium in hopes of beating the traffic. Instead of waiting until after the game, go sometime during the fourth quarter. Or go ahead and leave the stadium, and stop at a convenience store or fast food restaurant on the way home.

Where to “go”

If you’re tailgating around the stadium, every lot has dozens of porta potties set up for use. Most are accessible to everyone, but some are specifically labeled “Women Only,” so make sure you pay attention to any signs posted on them. Inside the stadium, there are 88 public restroom locations and a total of 1,003 fixtures. Restrooms are available in the concourse of almost every section of the stadium and are generally kept very clean.

Other tips

• Pack your own sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer, especially if you plan on eating or drinking anything after using the restroom.
• If you’re tailgating with kids, bring a change of clothes “just in case.”
• Remember that there is no smoking allowed in restrooms.

Check out Tailgate Fan to keep the party going at tailgatefan.cbslocal.com.

Amanda Mole has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil and cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove. As a Tampa Bay resident for the past 21 years, she is well acquainted with the incredibly diverse range of restaurants, bars, and food festivals that the area has to offer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.