Detroit selected to host 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

[misskarne]

I'm thinking at this point that I might hold out for "Championship Weekend" tickets since I'm unlikely to go to the Junior events anyway. They might be a bit cheaper.

 

[maureenfarone]

I'm thinking at this point that I might hold out for "Championship Weekend" tickets since I'm unlikely to go to the Junior events anyway. They might be a bit cheaper.

They will probably be slightly cheaper. You probably know this, but the practice pass only comes with purchase of the all event ticket.

 

[misskarne]

They will probably be slightly cheaper. You probably know this, but the practice pass only comes with purchase of the all event ticket.

Gaaaaaaaah, I forgot about that.

 

[mysticchic]

If you don't plan to go to DSC, I would stay in Dearborn, or Southfield (off the freeway). There are a couple of places in Sterling Hgts/Warren area that could take you out of your way by about 5 minutes. But if you have a car and would rather spend 75-100 a night, i can post some links. During the weekdays businessmen stay at these places. They have Residents Inn, Holiday Express, and more. Problem is, part of the expressway to get there is closed for repairs.
There are a few off of 94 in Roseville that start at 49.00 right off the freeway. From those you can make it downtown in 20-30 minutes. There are a lot of places to eat and shop there. (Red Roof Inn,Baymont, and more). There is a nice bar and grill that serves until 1am around there. 24 Hour Burger King and Del Taco. Starbucks, Arbys, Paneria, Sam's clubs, Krogers, Mall (brand new one), Best Buy and lots more.
I'm an Eastsider. But if I was coming from out of town and wanted to save money, I would stay in Roseville area. 2 very easy entrances to the freeway.
Check AirB&B for Grosse Pointe. It's a rich sub of Detroit and 15 minutes from LC. There are a few mansions you can stay in. https://www.airbnb.com/s/Grosse-Poi...342&zoom=13&search_by_map=true&s_tag=-aOIyQ_w

 

[mysticchic]

Lyft has the best prices in Detroit.Just don't use the high rate time. For me to go downtown, it's axp 20.00 one way. The drivers have always been nice. Most are students from one of the colleges or teachers. Uber, you will get the same drivers, but they are a little more expensive. Taxi cabs are rip offs here.

 

[A.H.Black]

I'm looking at the hotel link on the Offcial Site. http://2019uschampionships.com/hotels/ The first hotel listed is DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown Is this the official hotel? If not, does anyone know what hotel is the official hotel? The Renaissance was the official hotel in 1994, but it isn't on the list this time.

- We stayed at the Atheneum in 1994. Had a great time. They don't do breakfast but there was (is?) a little bakery on the corner that was wonderful.

- Talked to DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown, Atheneum, and MotorCity Casino Hotel. They all have shuttles to and from the Little Caesars Arena.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I'm looking at the hotel link on the Offcial Site. http://2019uschampionships.com/hotels/ The first hotel listed is DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown Is this the official hotel? If not, does anyone know what hotel is the official hotel? The Renaissance was the official hotel in 1994, but it isn't on the list this time.

- We stayed at the Atheneum in 1994. Had a great time. They don't do breakfast but there was (is?) a little bakery on the corner that was wonderful.

- Talked to DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown, Atheneum, and MotorCity Casino Hotel. They all have shuttles to and from the Little Caesars Arena.

@jkl and I have made multiple inquiries to the LOC about the official hotel, and they claim they still haven't finalized it. I'm thinking it will either be the Marriott Renaissance or the Westin (the Westin was on the spectator hotel list with a special rate but they've since pulled it).

 

[A.H.Black]

Question about transportation. If we stayed in Canada and used uber/lyft, would there be any unusual problems with getting across the border day in and day out? Would we need passports?

 

[purple skates]

Question about transportation. If we stayed in Canada and used uber/lyft, would there be any unusual problems with getting across the border day in and day out? Would we need passports?

Absolutely yes on the passport, or an approved enhanced drivers license (available from Michigan and a few other border states).

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Update from the LOC on HQ hotel - may not be finalized until the end of July now.

 

[A.H.Black]

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Little-Caesars-Arena--Woodward-Avenue--Detroit--MI--USA/homes?checkin=2019-01-22&checkout=2019-01-27&adults=2&children=0&infants=0&guests=2&source=hdr&place_id=ChIJCxS_IcvSJIgReEafl2DYD8s&s_tag=9ckisj29&allow_override[]=&refinement_paths[]=/homes this is what I can find on Air BNB. The price is for Jan 22-Jan 27 and 2 people.

Thanks to mysticchic for the link. We found a house across the river in Canada for an amazing price. It's so inexpensive we will be able to uber/lyft and even rent a car and still come out a bit ahead.

 

[purple skates]

Thanks to mysticchic for the link. We found a house across the river in Canada for an amazing price. It's so inexpensive we will be able to uber/lyft and even rent a car and still come out a bit ahead.

Depending on where you are in Windsor, consider the tunnel over the bridge. I usually use that when I go over - no trucks and it’s right downtown on both sides of the river. (Unless the thought of driving underwater squicks you out, then never mind.)

 

[Coco]

I'm not an expert, but I think there can be long lines at the border crossing sometimes.

 

[purple skates]

I haven’t been across in rush hour, but the few times recently I’ve done it mid-day it was <15 minutes. Sometimes on the weekend it can be pretty brutal, but IME Detroit/Windsor is usually better than Port Huron/Sarnia.

 

[quartz]

You can always google border wait times - they are updated frequently. If you aren't crossing during rush hour or prime weekend times, you can often get through in 5-10 minutes.

 

[Carolla5501]

Just a note. I got an email tonight Championship Weekend tickets go on sale tomorrow, July 18th

 

[Lanie]

I got an email too. I'm considering going as it's my birthday weekend and I have friends in Detroit. Big skating season for me as I plan on going to SA, maybe Nationals, and 4CC.

 

[misskarne]

I got an email too. I'm considering going as it's my birthday weekend and I have friends in Detroit. Big skating season for me as I plan on going to SA, maybe Nationals, and 4CC.

Yessssssss! Double the FSU partyyyyyyyyy!

I was reading about the championship weekend tickets and it looks like they don't include the SD and Ladies' SP. Seems weird.

 

[toddlj]

Just a note. I got an email tonight Championship Weekend tickets go on sale tomorrow, July 18th

Tickets are available.

 

[Carolla5501]

Yessssssss! Double the FSU partyyyyyyyyy!

I was reading about the championship weekend tickets and it looks like they don't include the SD and Ladies' SP. Seems weird.

I think it's been that way for a while. I know I had to buy SD this year in addition to the package

 

[mysticchic]

If someone doesn't mind cats (2-3) and smoke, I have a couch or room available. You supply your own food. I am 15-20 minutes or less from the venue. I am 30 minutes from DSC. Heck, we can have a PJ party here! Bring sleeping bags! My basement should be cleaned up by then and there is a bedroom.
Cable TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Internet, lots of fast food close by. PM me.

 

[jkl]

The official hotel for Junior and Senior skaters is the Crown Plaza Riverfront and The Courtyard.
The official hotel for Juvenile to Novice is the Marriott Centerpoint which is near the DSC

 

[purple skates]

Any opinion on sitting behind the judges’ stand? Trying to decide where I want to buy weekend seats.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Any opinion on sitting behind the judges’ stand? Trying to decide where I want to buy weekend seats.

The judges' side is always my preferred spot because I like to see the front side of programs. It's especially noticeable in ice dance that the skaters design their programs with the lifts and footwork facing the judges.

 

[WillyElliot]

I live in the deep South, and I didn't think it was that cold in Detroit for SA. You would've never survived the Polar Vortex of 2014 Nationals in Boston. So cold I couldn't breathe.

The coldest I've ever experienced was at Cleveland Nationals way back. It was so cold that I was only maybe three blocks from the convention center and I hailed a cab for those three blocks! The driver probably thought I was nuts, or way too pampered, lol.

 

[A.H.Black]

Any opinion on sitting behind the judges’ stand? Trying to decide where I want to buy weekend seats.

The judges' side is always my preferred spot because I like to see the front side of programs. It's especially noticeable in ice dance that the skaters design their programs with the lifts and footwork facing the judges.

I don't like to sit on the judges side as the view is often blocked in one way or another. Then you have to look at the jumbo-tron to see the part that is blocked. It's all in your preferences.

 

[purple skates]

Blockage was my concern.

 

[peibeck]

Blockage was my concern.

Usually the seats behind the judges are not obstructed because they always do a lot of judging tests during nationals and that is the area where the people testing and the proctor(s) sit.

 

[purple skates]

Usually the seats behind the judges are not obstructed because they always do a lot of judging tests during nationals and that is the area where the people testing and the proctor(s) sit.

Good to know. At one Skate Canada we were blocked by the stand, hence my concern. They wouldn’t have had trial judges there.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Blockage was my concern.

I usually sit about 10 rows up from the judges' stand to be sure that I clear any major obstruction. Even if there is a small section of the ice that's blocked, I personally prefer that over seeing the backside of the programs.