Guide to the US Open at the US National Tennis Center
#61
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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It was hot yesterday; they set up huge misting fans in one of the plazas. Felt SO GOOD. Some great matches yesterday!
You might enjoy this article from tennis.com which really captures what yesterday was all about: http://www.tennis.com/news/2012/08/s.../#.UDjYlI5wY20
The best match of the day must have taken place after his article was due to his boss: Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v Tim Smyczek. Tim won in 3 sets. Only 1 break in the first two sets!
#62
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
dstan, you are the official US Open guru. Heading out on Sunday with Grounds Passes. Have been once before. Not sure if we'll hit Armstrong, Grandstand or 17 - depends on court assignments. Hoping to see Dolgopolov/Wawrinka if the 2nd round pans out.
I read your Bathroom Strategy section, but we never really learned a good strategy for Grandstand in '09. Does anyone have a tip for quickly hitting the restroom & maybe grabbing a hot dog without having to stand in the same line for people first arriving into the court? One guy sitting near us told us to access the lower level concourse via the exits at the LIRR/Citi Field end of Grandstand & re-enter the same way. Does that avoid the massive line of people first arriving?
It seems restrooms & basic concessions are way easier inside Armstrong, and it seems like leaving either there or Grandstand to hit the Food Village is a total kiss of death.
I read your Bathroom Strategy section, but we never really learned a good strategy for Grandstand in '09. Does anyone have a tip for quickly hitting the restroom & maybe grabbing a hot dog without having to stand in the same line for people first arriving into the court? One guy sitting near us told us to access the lower level concourse via the exits at the LIRR/Citi Field end of Grandstand & re-enter the same way. Does that avoid the massive line of people first arriving?
It seems restrooms & basic concessions are way easier inside Armstrong, and it seems like leaving either there or Grandstand to hit the Food Village is a total kiss of death.
#63
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I read your Bathroom Strategy section, but we never really learned a good strategy for Grandstand in '09. Does anyone have a tip for quickly hitting the restroom & maybe grabbing a hot dog without having to stand in the same line for people first arriving into the court? One guy sitting near us told us to access the lower level concourse via the exits at the LIRR/Citi Field end of Grandstand & re-enter the same way. Does that avoid the massive line of people first arriving?
Enjoy!
Actually, while we're at it, has anyone ever used the bag check at the end of the boardwalk just outside the main entrance? Do they accept strollers? I found a couple websites that say it costs $3 per piece, but not sure if that is current.
#64
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Guide to the US Open at the US National Tennis Center
Of note for FTers, this year Emirates is apparently a major sponsor, and you can try out their A380 F suite in a booth just outside Ashe!
#65
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OK, the e-surance bag check is at the end of the boardwalk on the far left. This year's rate is $5 at one bag per ticket holder. Strollers accepted.
#66
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Mini Plan Tickets or Individuals
Hi
Firstly what a great original post and follow ups full of info.. Many thanks
I am taking my tennis mad 17 year old son as a post high school/pre university trip to the open .. First class Avios flights from Scotland and staybridge suites hotel through priority points all booked!
I joined us both in USTA and am trying to figure out best ticket strategy. We are coming a long way and its a special trip so want to go to the final and the semis
I see there is a mini plan that covers this for with 1000 upper or 1500 lower for two passes. Would anyone recommend I do this or should I wait until USTA presale? And is the extra 500 worth it between lower and upper?
Many thanks for any help
Cheers
James
Firstly what a great original post and follow ups full of info.. Many thanks
I am taking my tennis mad 17 year old son as a post high school/pre university trip to the open .. First class Avios flights from Scotland and staybridge suites hotel through priority points all booked!
I joined us both in USTA and am trying to figure out best ticket strategy. We are coming a long way and its a special trip so want to go to the final and the semis
I see there is a mini plan that covers this for with 1000 upper or 1500 lower for two passes. Would anyone recommend I do this or should I wait until USTA presale? And is the extra 500 worth it between lower and upper?
Many thanks for any help
Cheers
James
Last edited by jamesegrant; Feb 3, 2013 at 3:32 am Reason: Spelling
#67
Join Date: Nov 2005
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I have a transportation question that I don't think was covered upthread.
A large group of us (in town for work) will be going next week and will be coming from an area near the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott (in face, we may congregate there so we are all together). What is the best way for us to get up there?
1 - car service? (and it would be multiple cars)
2 - taxi?
3 - the 4/5 line to Grand Central and then the 7 train?
4 - the G line...but I don't see where I can transfer to the 7.
Am I missing something better? Seems like option 3 is the way to go.
Thanks for your help.
A large group of us (in town for work) will be going next week and will be coming from an area near the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott (in face, we may congregate there so we are all together). What is the best way for us to get up there?
1 - car service? (and it would be multiple cars)
2 - taxi?
3 - the 4/5 line to Grand Central and then the 7 train?
4 - the G line...but I don't see where I can transfer to the 7.
Am I missing something better? Seems like option 3 is the way to go.
Thanks for your help.
#68
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
You could try calling companies like Golden Touch to inquire about a minibus charter that will hold all of you. But I wouldn't be surprised if it actually cost more than just getting a small fleet of town cars from a Brooklyn car service like Eastern. My guess is that a car service will charge about $35/car (under $10/person) for the ride.
For subway, the G does connect to the 7 at Court Street, but I think the 4/5 to Grand Central will be faster as it (1) is closer to the Marriott, (2) runs more frequently and (3) connects to the 7 express at Grand Central (Court Street is a 7 local stop).
#69
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The G connects to the #7 at Court Square Station, which is served by both local and express #7 trains. (The elevated #7 Court Square station is located on a section of the #7 line that only has two tracks. Local-only stations only exist between the Queensboro Plaza and Willets Point/Mets stations.)
The G connects to the #7 at Court Square Station, which is served by both local and express #7 trains. (The elevated #7 Court Square station is located on a section of the #7 line that only has two tracks. Local-only stations only exist between the Queensboro Plaza and Willets Point/Mets stations.)
#70
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You might also consider taking a car only TO the Open. Coming back at the end of the night session, I was surprised and pleased to see how many special 7 express trains that the MTA put on. There was only a few minutes wait despite the large number of people leaving.
#71
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A chartered minibus or car service will be significantly faster than the subway (20-40 minutes depending on traffic vs. 60-80 minutes).
You could try calling companies like Golden Touch to inquire about a minibus charter that will hold all of you. But I wouldn't be surprised if it actually cost more than just getting a small fleet of town cars from a Brooklyn car service like Eastern. My guess is that a car service will charge about $35/car (under $10/person) for the ride.
For subway, the G does connect to the 7 at Court Street, but I think the 4/5 to Grand Central will be faster as it (1) is closer to the Marriott, (2) runs more frequently and (3) connects to the 7 express at Grand Central (Court Street is a 7 local stop).
You could try calling companies like Golden Touch to inquire about a minibus charter that will hold all of you. But I wouldn't be surprised if it actually cost more than just getting a small fleet of town cars from a Brooklyn car service like Eastern. My guess is that a car service will charge about $35/car (under $10/person) for the ride.
For subway, the G does connect to the 7 at Court Street, but I think the 4/5 to Grand Central will be faster as it (1) is closer to the Marriott, (2) runs more frequently and (3) connects to the 7 express at Grand Central (Court Street is a 7 local stop).
Cheers
Howie
#72
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
The G connects to the #7 at Court Square Station, which is served by both local and express #7 trains. (The elevated #7 Court Square station is located on a section of the #7 line that only has two tracks. Local-only stations only exist between the Queensboro Plaza and Willets Point/Mets stations.)
#73
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,365
Different this year: Metal detectors at security.
I don't know if it was that aspect that slowed down getting on the grounds so much today, or the typical first day where they really aren't being efficient, but it is new. And because of this, I think they have half as many people checking your single regulation bag since they then have to pass it around the detector.
Tip: use foursquare and and be one of the first ten people to check in at Heineken House each day and get a surprisingly nice baseball cap.
I don't know if it was that aspect that slowed down getting on the grounds so much today, or the typical first day where they really aren't being efficient, but it is new. And because of this, I think they have half as many people checking your single regulation bag since they then have to pass it around the detector.
Tip: use foursquare and and be one of the first ten people to check in at Heineken House each day and get a surprisingly nice baseball cap.
#74
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Posts: 4,826
You might also consider taking a car only TO the Open. Coming back at the end of the night session, I was surprised and pleased to see how many special 7 express trains that the MTA put on. There was only a few minutes wait despite the large number of people leaving.
Coming back, we did a combination of things...some used Uber to get a cab and some took the subway. Indeed, it was about an hour from the time the train left to the time I walked into my hotel room.
All-in-all, pretty easy.
#75
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2014: Amex Discount?
In the last few years, there's been a "buy $20 get $10 statement credit" offer from Amex at the US Open, but I can't find anything about it this year. Anyone know if it is still on and, if so, if registration is required?
Looking forward to another Labor Day weekend at the Open!
Looking forward to another Labor Day weekend at the Open!