2025 U.S. Nationals in Wichita, KS & Skate America returns to Allen, TX in 2024

[Sfiers]

"Main" (first column) is the INTRUST Bank Arena; "Practice" is where I posted above.

ETA: Are the practices in the main arena only open to All Event ticket holders, like in the past?

Ty

 

[Spikefan]

The extended forecast is looking cold, cold, cold for the first part of Nationals week. I’m not sure how much snow they got in Wichita, we got a lot in KC and it’s not melting since it’s so cold. Hopefully the sidewalks have been cleared well and no precipitation shows up in the forecast.

 

[peibeck]

The extended forecast is looking cold, cold, cold for the first part of Nationals week. I’m not sure how much snow they got in Wichita, we got a lot in KC and it’s not melting since it’s so cold. Hopefully the sidewalks have been cleared well and no precipitation shows up in the forecast.

They got less snow, but more ice. But all of this week the high temperatures are above freezing (mid 40s late this week there), so hopefully streets and sidewalks will be clear before folks start arriving.

 

[Sylvia]

Gracie Gold was in Wichita yesterday: https://www.kwch.com/2025/01/12/kids-learn-ice-skate-with-olympic-medalist-ahead-us-championships/

Thanks to a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, young skaters had the unique opportunity to learn from an Olympic figure skater – Gracie Gold.
Gold, a two-time U.S. National Champion and [team] bronze medalist from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, shared her passion for skating with the children at Skatefest, a free, open to the public event designed to introduce the sport to a new generation.
Kids received 30 minutes of instruction from Gold, followed by 30 minutes of free skating to practice their new skills.

 

[Spikefan]

Not sure if this parking info will be helpful for anyone but I just learned the following:
In Kansas, vehicles with a disability placard or license plate are exempt from parking meter fees for up to 24 hours:

• Parking meters
  Motor vehicles with a disability placard or license plate are exempt from parking meter fees in Kansas.
  
  
• Public parking facilities
  Vehicles with a disability placard or license plate can park for free in public parking facilities or lots that are clearly marked for disabled parking.
  
  
  

 

[acraven]

A fellow fan discovered the bag policy posted on the Wichita arena's website; I don't recall seeing it posted previously

https://www.intrustbankarena.com/skating << Scroll down to "Clear Bag Policy".

Here's the text:

"The INTRUST Bank Arena clear bag policy will speed up the entry process into the venue, improve security and limit touch points. Clear bags allow staff to check for prohibited items without having to touch or open a bag. This will also prevent staff from having to touch personal items of guests.

The following outlines bags that are permitted:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 14" x 6" x 14"
• One-gallon clear plastic storage bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch or purse, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 5.5" x 8.5" (approximately the size of a hand)
• An exception will be made for medically necessary bags or equipment after proper inspection and have been tagged by security. For questions about medical equipment or other needs please contact the Guest Services Department at 316-440-9029.

Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:

• Purses larger than a clutch bag
• Briefcases
• Backpacks of any size
• Drawstring bags
• Fanny packs
• Luggage of any kind
• Computer bags/cases
• Camera bags/cases
• Diaper bags
• Coolers
• Duffle bags
• Binocular bags/cases or any bag larger than the permissible size

Fans will continue to be able to carry items allowed into the arena in a permissible clear bag, such as cameras. This policy pertains to bags and is not an all-inclusive list of items that are prohibited from being taken into the venue."

# # # # #

The camera policy is posted immediately below the bag policy. The bag policy allows everything.

 

[jkl]

The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Wichita is normally closed for maintenance in January. To accommodate US Nationals visitors they will open for several days that week. Tickets are on sale now.

 

[Sylvia]

The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Wichita is normally closed for maintenance in January. To accommodate US Nationals visitors they will open for several days that week. Tickets are on sale now.

Visitors - Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House

flwrightwichita.org

Available dates are:

Wednesday, January 22
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

Thu., Jan. 23
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

Fri., Jan. 24
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Standard Tour
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

 

[Spikefan]

I highly recommend it, gorgeous house with some original furniture. There is even an upstairs bedroom with gorgeous gowns on display that the daughter wore (they said they rotate what’s on display).

 

[acraven]

Thank you for this; I had written it off because of the schedule posted on the website last year.

 

[Gayo]

Visitors - Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House

flwrightwichita.org

Available dates are:

Wednesday, January 22
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

Thu., Jan. 23
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

Fri., Jan. 24
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Standard Tour
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Standard Tour

Much gratitude for whoever arranged this schedule. I was sad to see it would be closed when I checked last year.

 

[Coco]

They know their audience

 

[acraven]

Unfortunately, the times of the first two tours conflict with competitive events.

 

[jkl]

Someone we all know and love () asked the FLW Allen House to consider opening for a few days during Nationals. Many of us like to do one thing that does not include sitting in an arena. I got a lovely response thanking me for letting them know about the Championships (umm they didn’t know we were coming!) and agreed it would be a good chance for them to showcase the House. All you can do is ask nicely and hope for the best.

 

[YukiNieve]

The extended forecast is looking cold, cold, cold for the first part of Nationals week.

Monday 1/20/25 High 16F Low 0F
Tuesday 1/21/25 High 23F Low 14F
Wednesday 1/22/25 High 31F Low 16F

...Will I even want to get out of the bed??

 

[Spikefan]

Monday 1/20/25 High 16F Low 0F
Tuesday 1/21/25 High 23F Low 14F
Wednesday 1/22/25 High 31F Low 16F

...Will I even want to get out of the bed??

At least the rink will be warmer than outside.

 

[YukiNieve]

Deleted

 

[Sylvia]

Those who attended 2006 US Nats said the rink was one of the coldest.
Has the heating system improved? (I hope)

@jkl posted encouragingly on this topic in the 2026 St. Louis thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2026-u-s-nationals-st-louis.112405/page-3#post-6710962

 

[YukiNieve]

Oh, I mixed up the rink in St. Louis and the one in Wichita.

 

[Lanie]

Womp womp I'm getting in on Friday so missing the tours. That would have been neat.

I will see you all on the 24th! This California gal will be freezing her ass off but it's okay.

 

[acraven]

Those of us who've attended in events in St. Paul have experienced much worse. That will be small comfort once I actually get to Wichita, though.

 

[Debbie S]

Monday 1/20/25 High 16F Low 0F
Tuesday 1/21/25 High 23F Low 14F
Wednesday 1/22/25 High 31F Low 16F

...Will I even want to get out of the bed??

Those of us who've attended in events in St. Paul have experienced much worse. That will be small comfort once I actually get to Wichita, though.

Temps forecast here on those days are 31, 25, and 26. We'll feel right at home.

If only Wichita had an indoor walkway system like St. Paul....

I never went to St. Paul but 2014 Nats in Boston was probably on par? I remember we were staying in the Seaport area and walking from our hotel to the convention center for Juv Boys at 8:30 am with the temps in the teens and wind blowing directly at us. Wichita can't be that bad, can it?

 

[Carolla5501]

Those of us who've attended in events in St. Paul have experienced much worse. That will be small comfort once I actually get to Wichita, though.

One of my national memories that will live in my mind probably until I die is the perky weather girl in St. Paul Minnesota telling us about the heat wave that was coming. It was going to get to 4°F or -15C.


That was the day. I decided it was as warm as it was going to get and went and braved the ice sculpture show. It was beautiful. It was also very cold.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Temps forecast here on those days are 31, 25, and 26. We'll feel right at home.

If only Wichita had an indoor walkway system like St. Paul....

I never went to St. Paul but 2014 Nats in Boston was probably on par? I remember we were staying in the Seaport area and walking from our hotel to the convention center for Juv Boys at 8:30 am with the temps in the teens and wind blowing directly at us. Wichita can't be that bad, can it?

I have never been as cold as I was the Tuesday of 2014 Nats. A gust of wind hit me and literally took my breath away it was so cold lol.

Omaha was pretty dang cold too, and having the indoor walkway between the hotel/arena/practice venue was much much appreciated.

 

[Sylvia]

Gracie Gold was in Wichita yesterday: https://www.kwch.com/2025/01/12/kids-learn-ice-skate-with-olympic-medalist-ahead-us-championships/

2-minute video report by KAKE TV (ABC affiliate in Wichita) yesterday:

Wichita hosts SkateFest ahead of U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold joined Visit Wichita and U.S. Figure Skating to host SkateFest, a free event introducing local kids to ice skating.

www.kake.com

To kick things off, Visit Wichita partnered with U.S. Figure Skating and Big Brothers Big Sisters to host SkateFest, a free event aimed at teaching kids to ice skate.
Participants had the chance to learn from Olympic bronze medalist and Springfield, Missouri native Gracie Gold.
“Interacting with the kids here is awesome,” Gold said. “The first time I skated, I just put on rental skates and looked like so many of these kids today.”
Gold emphasized her Midwest roots, sharing how special it is to inspire young skaters in the region.
SkateFest is part of the lead-up to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, scheduled for Jan. 20-26 at Intrust Bank Arena. The event will feature elite athletes who could represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
“This event creates buzz for the championships,” said Jemelle Holopirek, public relations director for Visit Wichita. “The athletes competing here are the same ones you’ll see in Milan in 2026.”

 

[jkl]

Get this! I just called the Hilton Garden Inn and they have a shuttle! We are to call when we get ready to land and they will come and get us. They will also take us to a grocery store so I can stock up on my very necessary Diet Coke! I did ask if the shuttle would take us to Intrust Arena. She said that the Arena was so close that it can be difficult to get in and out of the area. I must go by the bank tomorrow and get some of those green bills to tip with. I thought shuttles went out with the pandemic but glad to know one still exists.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Get this! I just called the Hilton Garden Inn and they have a shuttle! We are to call when we get ready to land and they will come and get us. They will also take us to a grocery store so I can stock up on my very necessary Diet Coke! I did ask if the shuttle would take us to Intrust Arena. She said that the Arena was so close that it can be difficult to get in and out of the area. I must go by the bank tomorrow and get some of those green bills to tip with. I thought shuttles went out with the pandemic but glad to know one still exists.

That is a rare find! I called the Fairfield Inn awhile back since their website says they have a shuttle, but the nice fellow at the desk said it was no longer operating. He told me that the area is safe to walk and “not like a big city like Chicago.” He did not factor in that I am a warm blooded Southern girl who will go into shock walking in sub-20 temps.

 

[ice coverage]

The four Novice-only streaming links now are available on USFS YouTube channel

Novice Pairs SP and Novice PD on Tue Jan 21; and Novice Pairs FS and Novice FD on Wed Jan 22.

 

[Lanie]

I rented a car but not sure if this was a smart idea. I'm staying at the only hotel I could find in budget, the Home2Suites Delano. I figure I'll just spend a fortune on Ubering to and rom the rink.

I'm volunteering Saturday and Sunday morning.

 

[nylynnr]

Well, finally made my hotel and flight arrangements today. I've said it before, I'll say it again -- I cannot tell you how much I admire FSU'ers ability to plan trips ahead. I've never been able to do it.