Las Vegas, Nevada to host 2019 Skate America!

[TanithandBenFan]

Does anyone want to take a guess at when the gala will be on Sunday? More specifically, do we have a sense of when it will be over?

Based on past history, I'd say it will end between 4 and 5pm.

 

[peibeck]

It's rather unfortunate that USFS wants fans to buy tickets well in advance, but can't even give out a tentative schedule until August or September. (I mean it's not like they don't host Skate America every year!) It makes it difficult for people who need to schedule their trip and who need to be back at work/home on Monday morning.

I consider myself lucky that I have the vacation time at my office to be able to take Monday off to travel, but I know many others don't have that luxury.

 

[all_empty]

I don't think Las Vegas Pride is anywhere on the scale of say, SF or NYC pride. In fact, despite its moniker as a City of Sin, there are surprisingly few LGBTQ-centric things to do. Sure there are some bars, drag shows and pool days, but no real culture in my opinion (a result of the transient nature of the city).

Prices won't shoot up beforehand. I have been known to find really good fares just days or even hours beforehand (but I'm flying from LA where there are many, many options). I think the only time prices really go up is for

For those worried about smoking, there are more and more smoke-free hotels. I'm particularly smoke sensitive and do okay. The more budget the hotel, the more likely it'll smell like smoke. The strip in general can smell "bad" depending on the heat, pollution, and people smoking.

Be aware the Strip is pretty long. I'm a very fast walker and it takes me 20 minutes to go from most of the MGM properties (Luxor, Excalibur) on the south side to the mid-strip (Vdara, Ceasar's). Trump is on the very north end of the Strip. The property is fine, but you wouldn't really want to stay there for this event (and political leanings aside).

Vegas is walkable, but be aware that you frequently have to walk up and down escalators and stairs and navigate crowds. I definitely recommend you stay at the Orleans or close-by if you have mobility restrictions.

Happy to answer any other travel or sightseeing questions anyone else may have.

 

[meggonzo]

It's rather unfortunate that USFS wants fans to buy tickets well in advance, but can't even give out a tentative schedule until August or September. (I mean it's not like they don't host Skate America every year!) It makes it difficult for people who need to schedule their trip and who need to be back at work/home on Monday morning.

I consider myself lucky that I have the vacation time at my office to be able to take Monday off to travel, but I know many others don't have that luxury.

Only the gala is on Sunday, so I'm sure many will just plan to skip it if it doesn't work out with the flights available.

 

[greenapple]

The Orleans Hotel website notes it is sold out Friday and Saturday but Expedia and others still have rooms available for that weekend.

 

[peibeck]

Only the gala is on Sunday, so I'm sure many will just plan to skip it if it doesn't work out with the flights available.

I didn't quote it, but I was responding to Coco's post above. It seems like she'd like to attend the gala, plus with all event tickets she paid for it. Not having a time schedule for the event doesn't help people plan, imo.

 

[Coco]

Indeed...and I have to add that the gala practice is one of the best parts of the weekend.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Indeed...and I have to add that the gala practice is one of the best parts of the weekend.

I don't think the gala practice at SA is usually open to the public?

 

[MacMadame]

It's rare for gala practice to be part of the event. I've never gone to an event where my all-event ticket let me in but I know sometimes it's open so maybe some day I'll be lucky.

I think it's just inevitable that events that open for ticket sales this far out won't have all the details worked out. In general, if you want to go to the Gala and you want to fly out on that day, the latest flight you can get is your best bet. We'll be looking for flights around 9pm (if we don't drive).

 

[Habs]

I think it's just inevitable that events that open for ticket sales this far out won't have all the details worked out. In general, if you want to go to the Gala and you want to fly out on that day, the latest flight you can get is your best bet. We'll be looking for flights around 9pm (if we don't drive).

Mama Habs and I often fly out the next day if we want to go the Gala. I know that's not always an option for people, but we just take an extra day off and modify our travel plans.

 

[Spikefan]

The last flight out on Sunday was around $100 more than a flight out on Monday for me. Figured I might as well spend that money on a hotel room and enjoy my Sunday. Of course if you have to work on Monday that doesn’t work.

I think I got into a gala practice at SA in 2001 but I know times have changed.

 

[angi]

I will be in Las Vegas for the first time just when Skate America is happening so I'm considering buying a ticket and attending the competition (alone I'm afraid) but since I will be there for tourism mostly (before and after the competition) as well I will likely get a hotel on the strip, is it doable to get to/from the rink using public transportation? And do tickets prices drop closer to the event?

 

[barbarafan]

My mom and sister live in Las Vegas... (Guess this means I just have to go, right?!)

For Sure...Family duty comes first

 

[all_empty]

I will be in Las Vegas for the first time just when Skate America is happening so I'm considering buying a ticket and attending the competition (alone I'm afraid) but since I will be there for tourism mostly (before and after the competition) as well I will likely get a hotel on the strip, is it doable to get to/from the rink using public transportation? And do tickets prices drop closer to the event?

Uber/Lyft is your best bet -- quicker and safe. Don't take taxis as they all have a surcharge.

If you stay mid- or South Strip those fares will be cheaper as well, since they're closer to the Orleans.

 

[peibeck]

@angi There might be Groupon sales closer to the event, or check the "Tickets for sale or wanted" thread here on FSU. Because "life" happens and sometimes people here can't attend and offer discounted rates.

I have no idea if the discount ticket vendors in Vegas do sporting events, or just regular Vegas shows at hotels on the Strip.

 

[sk8pics]

Finally booked my “return” flight. Actually, it cost about the same to fly from Las Vegas to Albuquerque and then Albuquerque to BWI, so I’m going to Albuquerque for a couple of days. Feels like a free flight, LOL!

 

[cygnus]

Uber/Lyft is your best bet -- quicker and safe. Don't take taxis as they all have a surcharge.

If you stay mid- or South Strip those fares will be cheaper as well, since they're closer to the Orleans.

Taxis aren't too bad, actually- the surcharge of $3 only applies to being driven anywhere FROM the airport.

 

[Carolla5501]

Taxis aren't too bad, actually- the surcharge of $3 only applies to being driven anywhere FROM the airport.

The last taxi I took in Las Vegas Ranks as one of the worst taxis I have ever been in. He honestly had no idea where he was going. When we got out after being dramatically overcharged because he got lost, he seemed rather upset that we didn’t tip. I told him my tip was to get a phone with a gps capability. I had to use my phone to Figure out where we were supposed to go and he did not reduce his fare for all the lost driving. I’m done with taxis in Las Vegas Never again. I take Uber now

 

[all_empty]

Taxis aren't too bad, actually- the surcharge of $3 only applies to being driven anywhere FROM the airport.

Ah, that's where I usually grab a cab.

I believe there's a % tax as well, but that's probably figured into the Lyft/Uber prices as well.

I've been long-hauled by a few cabbies who take unnecessarily long routes.

The one good thing about using Lyft/Uber at events is you can likely pool if you're so inclined.

Regardless, be mindful of personal safety when entering any vehicle.

 

[all_empty]

The last taxi I took in Las Vegas Ranks as one of the worst taxis I have ever been in. He honestly had no idea where he was going. When we got out after being dramatically overcharged because he got lost, he seemed rather upset that we didn’t tip. I told him my tip was to get a phone with a gps capability. I had to use my phone to Figure out where we were supposed to go and he did not reduce his fare for all the lost driving. I’m done with taxis in Las Vegas Never again. I take Uber now

You got long-hauled. They feign ignorance often.

 

[Carolla5501]

You got long-hauled. They feign ignorance often.

No I’ve been long hauled. This was different.

He had no idea where he was going. (I was going to Henderson). He called his brother for directions and after we got out he had to ask the bellman for directions back to where he wanted to go.


I have since learned from a friend that the only real requirement to drive in Las Vegas is a license.

 

[chewy]

Golden Knights host the Senators on the Thursday night at T-mobile arena. Mr. Chewy says meh to the Senators but from friends who have gone to Knights games, the arena experience is much more than the game and we should do it once. We've booked comp rooms downtown and usually do transit but am sort of looking at a car rental if the price is right.

 

[nekkidgator]

The Orleans offers free shuttle service to and from the Strip. There are three stops on the route: The Orleans, its sister casino hotel Gold Coast (located by Rio and across from Palms), and a stop behind the Linq Hotel/Flamingo Hotel at the High Roller (the ferris wheel.) You do not have to be a resort guest to use this transportation.

For anyone planning to Uber, your closest nice hotels are the Palms and Rio (off Strip behind Caesars) or if you must be on Strip, Id recommend anything between Caesars and Excalibur. This includes Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, Park MGM and NYNY.

Lastly, for all day Chinese food until 4am, I recommend Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast. The potstickers are the best on planet earth. I make a point to go there every trip, which is how I know about the free shuttle in the first place.

 

[SidelineSkater]

Skate America 2019 tentative schedule is posted!

Schedule

www.2019skateamerica.com

Tentative Event Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 17
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Official practice sessions*
*Open to all-event ticket purchasers only

Friday, Oct. 18
1:00 p.m. | Pairs Short Program & Men’s Short Program
7:00 p.m. | Rhythm Dance & Ladies Short Program

Saturday. Oct. 19
1:00 p.m. Pairs Free Skate & Men’s Free Skate
6:45 p.m. | Free Dance and Ladies Free Skate

Sunday, Oct. 20
2:00 p.m. | Skating Spectacular

 

[manhn]

There's no competition on the Sunday? Is that a first?

 

[TanithandBenFan]

There's no competition on the Sunday? Is that a first?

They did it in Milwaukee that way in 2015. Other than that there have been competition events on Sunday in all other recent years.

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks for posting the schedule. I like not having any competitions on Sunday because it means all the skaters will be able to come to the FOFS breakfast that morning (we always seem to miss at least one discipline at competitions due to this issue and it always bums me out). I am WAY overdue for a big hug from Jason Brown!

 

[Carolla5501]

Just got a link for individual tickets. Doesn't look like there's a big danger of a sell out!

 

[Brooklet]

Long time lurker here. Very rare poster.

I’ve been reading reviews for the Orleans Hotel along with comments here and I’ve concluded that it’s not worth the risk of hoping that I get a room that doesn’t smell like smoke. It’s a shame because the hotel has wonderful reviews as a whole, but I react horribly to even a slight cigarette smoke smell (I can handle walking through it, but sleeping in a room that smells like smoke is going to be a problem.) So I think I’ll be cancelling my reservation there. Does anyone have any recommendations of a hotel to stay at that’s close to the arena? I don’t need fancy, but I also don’t need cheap (though cheap would be great). Just something reasonably priced that is unlikely to smell like smoke. I’ve read through this whole thread and unless I overlooked it, I didn’t see any suggestions of other hotels that are close by. I’ve found a few online, but I think they might be timeshares and not hotels? (Tahiti, Desert Paradise, etc) Does anyone have any experience or information about these places? We’ll have a car, but it would be nice to be able to walk to the arena.

 

[Carolla5501]

Long time lurker here. Very rare poster.

I’ve been reading reviews for the Orleans Hotel along with comments here and I’ve concluded that it’s not worth the risk of hoping that I get a room that doesn’t smell like smoke. It’s a shame because the hotel has wonderful reviews as a whole, but I react horribly to even a slight cigarette smoke smell (I can handle walking through it, but sleeping in a room that smells like smoke is going to be a problem.) So I think I’ll be cancelling my reservation there. Does anyone have any recommendations of a hotel to stay at that’s close to the arena? I don’t need fancy, but I also don’t need cheap (though cheap would be great). Just something reasonably priced that is unlikely to smell like smoke. I’ve read through this whole thread and unless I overlooked it, I didn’t see any suggestions of other hotels that are close by. I’ve found a few online, but I think they might be timeshares and not hotels? (Tahiti, Desert Paradise, etc) Does anyone have any experience or information about these places? We’ll have a car, but it would be nice to be able to walk to the arena.

Vegas is not a great town for you. I would look for a hotel chain room that does not allow smoking. Marriott or Hilton come to mine. Any hotel with a casino is probably going to be a risk.