Anyone going?

[iskaterkay]

I really want to go for finals weekend because it's a manageable drive for me, but I really don't want to absorb the cost of a hotel room + watch alone. So what I'm saying is: want to be friends?

[A.H.Black]

Bought airline tickets today with a 40% discount on Southwest. Love to be friends but we are already a party of eight.

[MasterB]

Won't know until around Dec. If I will be able to go

[CoyoteChris]

I will be there on Monday. If anyone wants to, we can make a list of GSers and try and meet up. Worked out really well at SA Kent. No one tried to monopolize anyone else's time, no one was obnoxious or mean.
You get a feel when someone wants to sit alone during practice and when they want company. I think other GSers might enjoy what we experienced at Kent.

[Tonichelle]

I think you should be the official GS meet up organizer, Chris! You seemed to do a great job for SKAM!

[CoyoteChris]

I think you should be the official GS meet up organizer, Chris! You seemed to do a great job for SKAM!

Not me! Paul! Just ask Doris. I shirk from responsibility.....I am just an old man with a bad back.

[Tonichelle]

nah, you can't get off that easy.

[JPierce]

I'm considering going but it would be an all-day drive, and the expense for these things is so much (usually ends up costing $1000+.) Last time I went it wasn't so far and I got practice passes to meet some of the skaters, which was great. Questions:

- Is there any way to get practice passes without a huge expense? (I'm not purchasing the entire week of tickets or something crazy like that)
- Anything else to do in Omaha that might make the extra days worthwhile?

It's kind of like... it's so far that going for just a couple days seems not worth it. But 4 days seems so expensive that it also seems not worth it. :(

[Tonichelle]

As far as I know the only way you can get a practice pass is if you purchase all event tickets or some special package that offers it.

[JPierce]

Do you know that specifically for this Nationals? I could have sworn at the last Cleveland nationals we just bought passes right there (practices were at another rink a few miles out.)

-- Just found out that there are 2 types of practices. Main arena is restricted as you said, but there's another arena where the general public can attend. Now I just have to find out if there will be any ladies or mens practices on Thursday or Friday at the public arena.

[CoyoteChris]

Do you know that specifically for this Nationals? I could have sworn at the last Cleveland nationals we just bought passes right there (practices were at another rink a few miles out.)

-- Just found out that there are 2 types of practices. Main arena is restricted as you said, but there's another arena where the general public can attend. Now I just have to find out if there will be any ladies or mens practices on Thursday or Friday at the public arena.

Watch the main website for a very detailed PDF that will give all the schedules for all the sheets of ice, just like when you attended Cleveland. Also remember that with a ticket, you can get in early and watch practice/warmups before the event. When a ticket covers two events, you can actually see alot. Every event seems to be different as far as watching practices, or even if you can get into the secondary practice ice.

[louisa05]

- Anything else to do in Omaha that might make the extra days worthwhile?

Henry Doorly Zoo is not far from downtown. Indoor exhibits include the Desert Dome, Rainforest, Gorilla House, and an Aquarium:

http://www.omahazoo.com/

Lots of unique restaurants and shops at the Old Market downtown:

http://www.oldmarket.com/

Durham Western Heritage Museum is also a great stop:

http://www.durhammuseum.org/

And the Joslyn Art Gallery:

http://www.joslyn.org/

[Dee4707]

The casinos in Council Bluffs which is just across the river about 5 miles.

Harrahs (Not as nice as the other 2)
http://www.harrahscouncilbluffs.com/...ty-home.shtml?

Ameristar (Nicer)
http://www.ameristar.com/Council_Bluffs.aspx

and Horseshoe (the nicest)
http://www.horseshoecouncilbluffs.co...rty-home.shtml

Also you can checkout

http://www.lauritzengardens.org/

[Antiloquy]

Hi everyone. I'm going to Nats with a friend of mine and we're wondering if anyone would be willing to share a room. We have reservations for The Fairfield Inn, but it's $115/night and we're trying to keep it under $100/night. I'll be getting there on the 23rd and checking out on the 27th. My friend will be flying in the same day and flying out the 28th.

[Whitneyskates]

I was planning on it. I had vacation days I could use and was getting ready to start purchasing tickets when my best friend decided to have her wedding that weekend and ask me to be maid of honor. I actually had to think about it for a minute