Official 2015 BNP Paribas / Indian Wells Thread - Who's Going?

r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
I'll be there from Friday March 13 - Friday March 20. I'm looking to play some tennis. I'm staying right across the street at the Desert Breezes. 5 minute walk. There are 5 tennis courts. Totally free. I'd like to hit any day I can. I can reserve an hour of court time in the morning. I'd want to be finished by 10am so I can shower and head over to get my seat before 11am matches.

I really enjoy playing around 4pm - 6pm (depending on what matches are going on). We all get amped up to play as we watch. It also provides a nice break from sitting all day. The facility has a locker room / shower you can use. I'd even grill you a steak and give you some beers after the match if you want.

I'm a 4.5 level player.

Let me know if you are interested in playing. You can respond here or send me an email: r2473 at hot mail dot com.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
I haven't been to Indian Wells in a few years. Before the new Stadium 2 was built. In the past, I happily bought my GA ticket and camped my spot in Stadium 2.

With the new Stadium 2, can someone tell me

*how good of seat I can get with my GA ticket behind the baseline. Can I sit in the 200 level, or only the 300 level (from the map it looks like the 200 level is GA, but its not clear). In the past, only the first 4 rows or so were reserved. Now it looks like half the stadium or more is reserved.

*Is it as easy enough to find a GA seat in Stadium 2 still? Or is it often filled with waiting lines?

*How about Stadium 3? Still easy enough to find a good seat with my GA ticket?

*Are they still pretty lax about checking bags when you enter? Every year I've gone I've brought plenty of beer into the stadium. They have always just felt my bag for glass for about a second and let me pass. Is it still the same? And yes, I've read the rules. i just want to know if they enforce the rules now or is it like its always been.

*I don't care about practice courts myself, but some of the guys I'll be there with want to watch Fed, Nadal, etc practice. Do they post practice schedule times each day for the players? Is it on the BNP website? Same as the Daily Draw?

*Anything else new in the past few years of note?
 
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West Coast Ace

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
r2473 said:
Anything else new in the past few years of note?
Click to expand...
One - at least IMHO - negative: they put up temporary stands at the practice courts. While they give you a place to sit they keep you away from the players.

Driving out for 1 day at least.
 
Bad Old Man

Bad Old Man

New User
West Coast Ace said:
One - at least IMHO - negative: they put up temporary stands at the practice courts. While they give you a place to sit they keep you away from the players.

Driving out for 1 day at least.
Click to expand...

The first couple of days are always the best for me if I am not staying there -- roam around and up close and personal experiences.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
How early did you book your reservations at Desert Breeze?

I'm going too. But I'm not baller enough to stay at Desert Breeze, spent my money on seats instead.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
I split it with a few guys and buy it off an E-b-a-y seller I keep in contact with (so I buy it before he lists it). It's actually pretty reasonable. Places at The Breezes might still come up. Other condos will for sure. And usually pretty cheap.

Best idea is to book a hotel room so you have something. Then if a deal comes up, you can always cancel your reservation
 
A

anhuynh16

Hall of Fame
Staying at hyatt regency 18-22. First time to IW.

Does anyone know if there's a shuttle from my hotel? I think I only have a parking pass for the evening of one of the days.
 
PeterFig

PeterFig

Professional
anhuynh16 said:
Staying at hyatt regency 18-22. First time to IW.

Does anyone know if there's a shuttle from my hotel? I think I only have a parking pass for the evening of one of the days.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a shuttle from the hotel to the grounds and back. Stayed there last year (next door to Li Na). Very nice hotel!
 
R

Rob_C

Hall of Fame
r2473 said:
*I don't care about practice courts myself, but some of the guys I'll be there with want to watch Fed, Nadal, etc practice. Do they post practice schedule times each day for the players? Is it on the BNP website? Same as the Daily Draw?
Click to expand...

The practice schedule is posted on a couple of display towers close to the practice courts. They're pretty good about keeping it updated.

The practice schedule is also available in the tournament app.
 
mikeler

mikeler

Moderator
r2473 said:
I haven't been to Indian Wells in a few years. Before the new Stadium 2 was built. In the past, I happily bought my GA ticket and camped my spot in Stadium 2.

With the new Stadium 2, can someone tell me

*how good of seat I can get with my GA ticket behind the baseline. Can I sit in the 200 level, or only the 300 level (from the map it looks like the 200 level is GA, but its not clear). In the past, only the first 4 rows or so were reserved. Now it looks like half the stadium or more is reserved.

*Is it as easy enough to find a GA seat in Stadium 2 still? Or is it often filled with waiting lines?

*How about Stadium 3? Still easy enough to find a good seat with my GA ticket?

*Are they still pretty lax about checking bags when you enter? Every year I've gone I've brought plenty of beer into the stadium. They have always just felt my bag for glass for about a second and let me pass. Is it still the same? And yes, I've read the rules. i just want to know if they enforce the rules now or is it like its always been.

*I don't care about practice courts myself, but some of the guys I'll be there with want to watch Fed, Nadal, etc practice. Do they post practice schedule times each day for the players? Is it on the BNP website? Same as the Daily Draw?

*Anything else new in the past few years of note?
Click to expand...

Just buy these and no worries:

barnoculars_6.jpg
 
BlueB

BlueB

Legend
We'll be from 15th to 23rd, in La Quinta/Santa Rosa Cove. Free courts in the complex, but I have to get the visitors in. Variable schedule, as I have the family and granny in tow. I'm a weak 4.0. Wife is a strong 3.0.
We'll be at the tournament only for Semis and Finals.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
Where are people sitting?
Click to expand...

What days are you there? Did you get reserved stadium seats for all days?

I find myself liking the matches on Stadium 2 the best. Last time I was there I splurged on Courtside seats for 2 days and ended up watching the matches in Stadium 2 anyway :evil:
 
A

anhuynh16

Hall of Fame
r2473 said:
What days are you there? Did you get reserved stadium seats for all days?

I find myself liking the matches on Stadium 2 the best. Last time I was there I splurged on Courtside seats for 2 days and ended up watching the matches in Stadium 2 anyway :evil:
Click to expand...
since I'm going so late in the tournament, I think stadium is like the only option.

I hope Fed plays on thursday night (19th), I got some crazy cheap courtside tix on stubhub.

I had some great seats for the finals, but I was too lazy to purchase them, and a day later the whole row was sold out.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
I need to keep my eye on Stubhub. Thanks for the tip. I'd like to find some tickets for the 19th. You can actually get into the stadium with the $60 GA ticket that day, but I can't watch watch a match in that huge stadium from anywhere but the lower bowl. It just isn't worth it.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
TW Staff said:
Don't forget to check out my blog I did a couple years ago about the BNP Paribas Open. I've been going and (even played!) in the tournament for years and lived in the Coachella Valley for 18+ years.
Brittany, TW
Click to expand...

Oh, my parents/grandparents live there/have a condo there/play golf there
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
r2473 said:
What days are you there? Did you get reserved stadium seats for all days?

I find myself liking the matches on Stadium 2 the best. Last time I was there I splurged on Courtside seats for 2 days and ended up watching the matches in Stadium 2 anyway :evil:
Click to expand...

Courtside seats for Monday and Tuesday
 
H

hound 109

Semi-Pro
Since this is the "official thread" I figured I'd post this here as well.

The Saturday 3/14 General Admission Tickets are sold out. (I would bet Sunday 3/15 might be next). FYI to all.


anhuynh16 said:
Staying at hyatt regency 18-22. First time to IW.

Does anyone know if there's a shuttle from my hotel? I think I only have a parking pass for the evening of one of the days.
Click to expand...

anhuynh, this is a guess, but I suspect my son knows you. Have you played dubs with MS in some SCMZs? My kid is AB....lost to MS at the SA SCMZ (& then had a nice run in the back draw feed in).

Too bad you won't get there till the 18th. We'll be there on the 15th. Have fun !
 
M

mcbeck

New User
We'll be there for the final weekend. Hoping my favorite players are still in it at that point. We're on the sunny side of stadium one, but we learned last year how to deal with sitting that long in the full sun!

I know they allow soft sided coolers into the stadium, I was wondering about if bringing cans of beer was alright. Last year when we went, several people sitting around us brought there own.
 
A

anhuynh16

Hall of Fame
hound 109 said:
Since this is the "official thread" I figured I'd post this here as well.

The Saturday 3/14 General Admission Tickets are sold out. (I would bet Sunday 3/15 might be next). FYI to all.




anhuynh, this is a guess, but I suspect my son knows you. Have you played dubs with MS in some SCMZs? My kid is AB....lost to MS at the SA SCMZ (& then had a nice run in the back draw feed in).

Too bad you won't get there till the 18th. We'll be there on the 15th. Have fun !
Click to expand...
yeah that's me!.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
mcbeck said:
I know they allow soft sided coolers into the stadium, I was wondering about if bringing cans of beer was alright.
Click to expand...

I went 3 years ago and bought water at Costco. Used the empties for beer. The guys checking just felt the outside for glass. Nice thing about using old plastic water bottles is you can just take a drink and screw the lid back on.

However officially, you ARE NOT allowed to bring beer (alcohol) into the stadium. But you can bring food, water, soda, etc.
 
M

mcbeck

New User
r2473 said:
I went 3 years ago and bought water at Costco. Used the empties for beer. The guys checking just felt the outside for glass. Nice thing about using old plastic water bottles is you can just take a drink and screw the lid back on.

However officially, you ARE NOT allowed to bring beer (alcohol) into the stadium. But you can bring food, water, soda, etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's what I thought after reading the information on the BNP Paribas Open website .. but seeing several people around us bringing their own may me wonder.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
r2473 said:
I'll be there from Friday March 13 - Friday March 20. I'm looking to play some tennis. I'm staying right across the street at the Desert Breezes. 5 minute walk. There are 5 tennis courts. Totally free. I'd like to hit any day I can. I can reserve an hour of court time in the morning. I'd want to be finished by 10am so I can shower and head over to get my seat before 11am matches.

I really enjoy playing around 4pm - 6pm (depending on what matches are going on). We all get amped up to play as we watch. It also provides a nice break from sitting all day. The facility has a locker room / shower you can use. I'd even grill you a steak and give you some beers after the match if you want.

I'm a 4.5 level player.

Let me know if you are interested in playing. You can respond here or send me an email: r2473 at hot mail dot com.
Click to expand...

Nobody wants free tennis?
 
WildVolley

WildVolley

Legend
sureshs said:
Yeah. Can you make it this time? Did you play a USTA league at RPTC?
Click to expand...

Not USTA; just North County Doubles. Your club/courts have a number of teams and some strong players. A friend wrangled me in to play on his team as I usually just play in Carlsbad/Oceanside area.

I appreciate the offer to hit, but usually I'm just lazy about going that far south when I can line up matches & hitting partners all the time up here.

Are you going to Indian Wells this year? I'm going to carpool out with some locals on Saturday and meet some other players at the tournament.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
I'm not limiting myself to just within the facilities. What about outside the facilities?
Click to expand...

There is one main street which runs through the city and it has plenty of restaurants, but they are all the usual ones. I was told that serious eaters will drive to Palm Springs. The city is mostly dull and the restaurants are full of old people. In fact, I have never seen a place with more old people, not even in Florida.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
sureshs said:
There is one main street which runs through the city and it has plenty of restaurants, but they are all the usual ones. I was told that serious eaters will drive to Palm Springs. The city is mostly dull and the restaurants are full of old people. In fact, I have never seen a place with more old people, not even in Florida.
Click to expand...

LOL, ouch! Well then that works out, we're staying in Palm Springs anyway.
 
H

hound 109

Semi-Pro
A few more questions:

- If I intend to "be at the gate" at 9:45, what time do I arrive at the General Admission Parking lot? 9:15? 9:30? (What time does the lot open?)

- Where is the parking lot located. (address?) Is it across Miles ave? or next door to the complex (west side or east side)?

- We'll be coming from Temecula (on highway 74). I assume I take a right (east) on SH 111 (aka Palm Desert Drive). Then connect with Miles Ave & continue east until I get to the lot?

- We can take food & Water onto the grounds. (correct?).

Thanks !!
 
H

hound 109

Semi-Pro
sureshs said:
It is nothing unusual. Just be relaxed and have a good time.

Make sure to visit the TW tent.
Click to expand...

I'd be more relaxed if I knew where the parking lot was located; & what time it opened up. (note - I doubt my rental will be an Audi. :))

I'd also relax if I knew that I could bring sandwiches (lots of them) & water in for me, my wife....but mostly for my 15 y/o kid. (the dude would financially wipe me out if I had to buy him $12 hamburgers & pizza all day) ;)
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
hound 109 said:
I'd be more relaxed if I knew where the parking lot was located; & what time it opened up. (note - I doubt my rental will be an Audi. :))

I'd also relax if I knew that I could bring sandwiches (lots of them) & water in for me, my wife....but mostly for my 15 y/o kid. (the dude would financially wipe me out if I had to buy him $12 hamburgers & pizza all day) ;)
Click to expand...

I know nothing about the parking situation, but you can bring in food, drink, etc. Maybe you can call the ticket office and they can answer your parking question. You can also read the FAQ.

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/visit-us/a-z-guide

Soft-sided containers and bags/backpacks no larger than 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches are permitted. Due to added security all containers, bags/backpacks will be subject to search upon entrance to the site so please allow additional time for entry. ALCOHOL, WEAPONS, ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE(S), GLASS, OPEN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND HARD-SIDED CONTAINERS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Prohibitive items that are discovered during inspections must either be returned to the owner's vehicle/transportation or discarded. the Indian Wells Tennis Garden will not provide storage for these items. Guests arriving by public transportation must take particular caution not to bring any prohibited items as no exceptions will be made.
 
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