Who's Going to Worlds 2014?

Starting open thread for miscellaneous questions on travel, logistics, accommodations, etc.

Also, general impressions of atmosphere, crowds, organization, venue, etc.

Worlds color-coded schedule, including practices starting Mon Mar 24:

Dunno whether practice group information is supposed to be in this document, b/c it will not open for me. Maybe someone else will have better luck.

(The link is from the official Worlds website.

golden411 said:

Worlds color-coded schedule, including practices starting Mon Mar 24:

http://www.isuresults.com/events/WC2014_ColouredTimeSchedule.pdf​

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot as always for your updated info, golden , but they have changed the starting times on Day 1 and Day 3!

-Mar 18 announcement by JSF on the revised schedules: http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image.../Worlds/wfc14_summary_information20140318.pdf

Now Pairs SP (Day 1) starts at 10:00am (was 11:00 originally...). I don't mind at all getting up one hour earlier, but the thought of getting on jam-packed trains btwn 7:00-9:00am in Tokyo area just kills me. I probably have to leave home 7:00, in order to arrive at Shinjuku around 8:30. Means I HAVE TO JUMP into a already fully packed train. If it's successful, then, I have to prepare myself being pushed away and pushed back, like a leaf floating up and down in a stream/river, every time the train makes a stop at stations on its way. And I have to stay patient all the way to Shinjuku... for almost one hours... You guys will never imagine how it would be like unless you've been/lived in Tokyo and experienced it. By the time the train arrives at where I should get off finally, I would feel most worn out as if becoming a piece of shredded cheese for pizza myself. hwell:

My guess is that not many people who already purchased tickets (where the starting time for each day was pre-printed: e.g. 11:00am/Day 1) do not check JSF website, so they would never know the changes on starting time. Means hundreds of people can't make it in time and likely to miss the first group of Pairs SP, or Dance SD on Day 3, I would worry. ><

deedee1 said:

You guys will never imagine how it would be like unless you've been/lived in Tokyo and experienced it.

Click to expand...

Tokyo has possibly the best and most reliable subway system in the world. They pretty much transport the equivelent of the entire population of the UK... every day... regular as clockwork. (And each subway line plays its own cute jingle at the stations... I use the Yamonote line jingle as my phone's ringtone, natsukashiiiii).

But I agree, you do NOT want to be using it during the morning rush hour!

GOOD LUCK!

^; Thanks.

Some info which would help those who are not familiar in the area:

-Saitama Super Arena site (english, very bacis info though): http://www.saitama-arena.co.jp/e/index.html
-Restaurants/cafes/shops (all in japanese, though): http://www.saitama-arena.co.jp/restaurants_shops/keyaki_shops/

-'Royal Host' restaurant, which is located in the middle btwn 'Saitama Shintoshin' JR station and Super Arena, open from 7:00 to 23:00. so very convenient in time-wise and for those look for some western foods/light meals/breaks:
lunch nemu: http://www.royalhost.jp/region/pdf/140204/0205saitamashintoshin_lunch.pdf
grand menu: http://www.royalhost.jp/region/pdf/140121/saitamashintoshin_grand.pdf

-Nearest Shopping Mall 'Cocoon' (opposite side of 'Saitama Shintoshin' station, 1min walk): http://www.cocoonweb.jp/
restaurants/cafes at Cocoon: http://www.cocoonweb.jp/shop06.html You will find Tully's there.

Timetables at JR 'Saitama Shintoshi' station:
-Takasaki Line for Akabane/Ueno, weekdays: http://www.jreast-timetable.jp/1404/timetable/tt1711/1711040.html
-same, but on weenend(Sat & Sun): http://www.jreast-timetable.jp/1404/timetable/tt1711/1711041.html
-Keihin Tohoku Line for Akabane/Ueno/Tokyo/Yokohama, weekdays: http://www.jreast-timetable.jp/1404/timetable/tt1711/1711050.html
-same, but on weekend(Sat & Sun): http://www.jreast-timetable.jp/1404/timetable/tt1711/1711051.html

Trains in Tokyo area run often, almost on time, so very convenient and safe in general, but crowded in rush hour. Station staff speak not much English I am afraid, but most of them are good guys, I mean helpful.

As for the weather, very warm, Spring already. Cloudy/some rain on Day 1/Wed. Temp High 17C/Low 6C. The rest should be fine: sunny/cloudy, temp high 17-22C/low 8-10C. May see a blossom or two of cherry trees this week. Expected to be full bloom next week probably!

Inside the Saitama Arena, warm, clean and tidy overall. One problem for women would be ladies rooms, I think. Not many for the capacity of 18,000. Have to stand in line for a long time. :no: Bigger problem, even for Japanese women, is one third, or one forth of them are Japanese-type of toilet. :disapp:

Thanks for the info, Deedee!

Everyone who's going, enjoy! And REPORT to us!