I don't think there would be problem with parking at the mall in the morning and then moving your car, but you definitely can't park there during the game. They have gates when you drive in and you get a ticket w/ a time stamp and I think you get like 2 hours or so to shop. So unless they have the gates closed in the morning before the shops open, I think you should prob be ok, but don't quote me on that I'm just guessing. They probably don't tow your car, but if you leave after the concert from mall parking, you absolutely need your ticket otherwise you get fined like $150.
As far as parking in the employee lots goes, they have been pretty easy-going in the past, but you now need a game/concert day parking pass to get to those lots. (I work for Team Ops, the Gillette Stadium security) So I think they are cracking down.
Traffic IS absolutely horrible and there is really no way to avoid it. I would say best bet is to park at one of the lots farther away for around $30 or even farther away for $20. Also, park on the opposite side that you come from so that exiting is easier. It is really hard to find places to turn around and cross 5 lanes of traffic. If you are leaving on route 495 or 95 you will prob wait in traffic AT LEAST an hour or two, but fortunately I have found that if you can avoid 495 or 95, or perhaps get on at a different exit, if you head towards 95 and turn into the mcdonalds on your left, you can get onto north street, and avoid at least part of the horrendous traffic. From there you can easily get to route 1A etc. (by taking winter st). Sorry this was a long explanation but I hope it helps at least someone.
And finally, you can definitely see very well from the mall area/CBS scene into the stadium, but I would say that the sound will probably not too great. Even when I work ticket-taking at the entrances, I sometimes cannot hear whats going on in the stadium. At least for the country fest there, I was at one of the entrances and I could not for the life of me tell who was singing. At the same time I've heard residents saying they could hear the concert from their house, so who knows, I'm guessing its more of jumble of sound.
let me know if anyone has any questions about Gillette stadium policies and such and what is allowed in the stadium, cuz I've worked as an usher, screener, ticket-taker, etc. at the stadium
BTW I am soo excited for this show! I can't believe its in about 1 week! This is my first U2 show too!
The only thing I am not looking forward to is the crazy GA line. Lets hope its not a repeat of Chicago.
As long as it's nothing like we had yesterday and it's over very early it shouldn't be too bad. Fingers crossed that there's no rain between Saturday and Tuesday.
