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

[West Coast Ace]

Just saw that there's a special parking lot for Audis, as Audi is a sponsor.

I might have to borrow an Audi.:twisted:

I got that email too - great idea. As long as those Audi owners don't hit the Corona stand too hard and have trouble id'ing their ride afterwards...

Just find an Audi and 'borrow' the 5 rings. A little clear tape and you're good.

 

[hound 109]

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......

Thanks r2473.

(& i printed that Audi coupon too. maybe I can snag one from the car rental company ...at least I know where that lot is.)

 

[AD5511]

Tickets for Sat the 14th

I noticed that the GA tickets for this Sat are sold out. I have never been. Are there a ton of scalpers there? Thoughts for getting a couple of tickets?

 

[sabala]

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 !!

I'd say no later than 9:30am - this is for a Sunday right? Weekends will have 30,000 people plus in attendance. Traffic can get backed up quite a bit from both East and West on the 111 turning onto Miles Ave.

You could stay on 111 to Miles or take Washington to Miles from the 111. but I don't know if that way, (Washington) is more or less crowded. Either way will get stacked closer to 10am.

General lot is on the south side of Miles. Don't worry about finding it, there are signs for the parking and parking attendants all over the place guiding you.

Also the later you get there the farther back in the lot you will be from the entrance and a longer walk, (think about if you have to go back to your car and back how much time it takes).

Here is the daily attendance from last year to give an idea of the numbers you will be competing against!

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/visit-us/the-tournament/attendance

 

[anhuynh16]

I got that email too - great idea. As long as those Audi owners don't hit the Corona stand too hard and have trouble id'ing their ride afterwards...

Just find an Audi and 'borrow' the 5 rings. A little clear tape and you're good.

My hotel has a shuttle apparently, but the rental car I have for next week has an A4 as a possibility, so I snatched the passes just in case.

 

[ductrung3993]

Anyone driving from SF? I may want a ride and we can split costs

 

[Uncoil]

I'll be there this Saturday.

 

[hound 109]

I'd say no later than 9:30am - this is for a Sunday right? Weekends will have 30,000 people plus in attendance. Traffic can get backed up quite a bit from both East and West on the 111 turning onto Miles Ave.

You could stay on 111 to Miles or take Washington to Miles from the 111. but I don't know if that way, (Washington) is more or less crowded. Either way will get stacked closer to 10am.

General lot is on the south side of Miles. Don't worry about finding it, there are signs for the parking and parking attendants all over the place guiding you.

Also the later you get there the farther back in the lot you will be from the entrance and a longer walk, (think about if you have to go back to your car and back how much time it takes).

Here is the daily attendance from last year to give an idea of the numbers you will be competing against!

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/visit-us/the-tournament/attendance

Thanks Sabala. Informative post !

 

[TW Staff]

Hi TW fans,

In honor of the BNP Paribas Open, the TW Playtesters will be holding a scavenger hunt tomorrow for all of our fans at the BNP Paribas Open. Of course, there will be chances to win fun prizes. Be sure to check out our Twitter/Facebook pages throughout the day for clues! Just wanted to do a little something to say thank you to all of our customers.

TW Playtesters

 

[Redflea]

We're going again, and thought this year it would be fun/different to integrate our bikes into the process.

Anyone know if there is parking in neighborhoods just to the east of the tennis garden? Thinking about parking in neighborhoods 1-2 miles east of the garden south or north of Miles avenue and biking into the tournament.

We were talking about it tonight and realized that we hadn't looking into parking for the car while we're in the tournament.

Anyone know if the neighborhoods in that area (just east of tennis center north or south of Miles ave) have parking restrictions, use neighborhood permits or stuff like that?

Thanks!

 

[TW Staff]

Let’s start off the day with an easy one! Playtesters Brittany and Jason are on site covering the tournament through social media and will be visiting their favorite store to shop at before checking out all the exciting matches! First 3 people to find them and give them the secret code word (TW ROCKS!) will receive their prize!

Brittany, TW

 

[sabala]

We're going again, and thought this year it would be fun/different to integrate our bikes into the process.

Anyone know if there is parking in neighborhoods just to the east of the tennis garden? Thinking about parking in neighborhoods 1-2 miles east of the garden south or north of Miles avenue and biking into the tournament.

We were talking about it tonight and realized that we hadn't looking into parking for the car while we're in the tournament.

Anyone know if the neighborhoods in that area (just east of tennis center north or south of Miles ave) have parking restrictions, use neighborhood permits or stuff like that?

Thanks!

I've thought about doing this as well. Please report back here if you worked this out! My biggest concern was finding a place to lock up bikes at the tournament site.

I have done this at Comic Con in San Diego - parking a couple miles from Convention Center and just cruising down there, lock up the bike on site which has worked out great.

 

[TW Staff]

Scavenger Hunt Clue #2- Find playtester Andy grabbing lunch at the tournament for a chance to win an awesome string prize pack. Look for him grabbing some lunch trying to stay cool in the shade. First 3 people to find him will win.

TW Staff

 

[Rob_C]

We're going again, and thought this year it would be fun/different to integrate our bikes into the process.

Anyone know if there is parking in neighborhoods just to the east of the tennis garden? Thinking about parking in neighborhoods 1-2 miles east of the garden south or north of Miles avenue and biking into the tournament.

We were talking about it tonight and realized that we hadn't looking into parking for the car while we're in the tournament.

Anyone know if the neighborhoods in that area (just east of tennis center north or south of Miles ave) have parking restrictions, use neighborhood permits or stuff like that?

Thanks!

Yeah, the adjacent neighborhoods have temporary no parking signs put up during the tournament. I used to park maybe a mile away, east of the site, on Miles Ave, at a park. But it was too much trouble to go back to my car if I needed something, rackets, etc. Plus I would always worry about my car getting broken into.

The suggestion about parking, then riding a bike up to the site is a good one.

Miss the old days when parking was only $10.

 

[JGads]

If anyone stops by the TW tent this weekend, could you check the Babolat section to see if they're selling Tonic 15L string and report back? Was probably going to order some but if they have some there I may just want and pick them up there.

 

[JGads]

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?

I may be in the minority on this, but I don't like the new Stadium 2. More of a corporate, rich-guy vibe than the more energetic and open Stadium 2 of the past. The reserved seating down low is often half full, dulling the atmosphere; the GA seating at the back of the lower section is often tough to snag, so you're relegated to that upper rung. And the whole stadium is a cauldron of heat. Just gets trapped in there without the air flow. Openness of the outer courts remains a preferred experience for me, even if the level of players is often a step down.

 

[TW Staff]

Scavenger hunt is continuing to today. Check back at 1 pm for the final clue and a chance to win an Ana Ivanovic signed racquet!

TW Staff

 

[TW Staff]

Find Chris, the vlogman himself, at his favorite spot to demo racquets at the BNP Paribas Open. Be the first person to give him the secret code word (VLOGMAN) to receive an amazing prize, a signed Ana Ivanovic racquet.

TW Staff

 

[West Coast Ace]

I may be in the minority on this, but I don't like the new Stadium 2. More of a corporate, rich-guy vibe than the more energetic and open Stadium 2 of the past.

Welcome to tennis in the 21st century. The sport caters to the affluent.

...the GA seating at the back of the lower section is often tough to snag...

Seats at the practice courts are sometimes tough to get to - IW is a huge event, drawing from one of the largest tennis populations in the world, Southern California.

And the whole stadium is a cauldron of heat. Just gets trapped in there without the air flow.

Yes, the desert is hot; it's hot everywhere; when the wind doesn't blow it's tough, have to drink plenty of water.

What he doesn't mention is they've added 2 huge areas that are shaded where you can sit at tables and eat a meal or have a drink and watch the action on big screens. Like Larry Ellison or not (and in the IT world he has a pretty tough reputation), he's putting a lot of money into the facility - gotta respect that.

 

[volusiano]

My wife and I went last Tuesday 3/10. It was the second day when admission was still free (although parking was $20). They had women and men qualifying matches going on. It was the first time we've been there, so we just wanted to spend a day to check it out. So we made a day trip out of it from Phoenix (3.5 hours drive), left at 7am in the morning and didn't get home until midnight. But we felt that 1 day was enough for us.

We saw some big name players at the practice courts, like Ana Ivanovic and Tommy Haas.

After we got there and had lunch and checked out the area and the vendor booths, we settled into Stadium 2 to watch a couple of matches (one women's single and one men's single). We got lucky to find seats on the shaded side of the stadium. It was in the high 80's that day but there was nice cool breeze in the evening to cool things off. It being only early in the week with only qualifying matches going on, the crowd wasn't too bad. But there was still a good size crowd because of the free admission day.

 

[Redflea]

I've thought about doing this as well. Please report back here if you worked this out! My biggest concern was finding a place to lock up bikes at the tournament site.

I have done this at Comic Con in San Diego - parking a couple miles from Convention Center and just cruising down there, lock up the bike on site which has worked out great.

Yeah, the adjacent neighborhoods have temporary no parking signs put up during the tournament. I used to park maybe a mile away, east of the site, on Miles Ave, at a park. But it was too much trouble to go back to my car if I needed something, rackets, etc. Plus I would always worry about my car getting broken into.

The suggestion about parking, then riding a bike up to the site is a good one.

Miss the old days when parking was only $10.

Yeah, $10 parking is gone, gone, gone.

Well we're back, and the biking thing didn't happen. We didn't want to haul them up there if we weren't going to use them, and weren't able to scope things out before we left as well as we needed to.

The good news is that at the east gate, the one that lets in right next to the south side of stadium 2, there is a small-ish bike paddock w/bike racks, and it was in use, maybe 10-15 bikes there on Saturday when we exited via that gate at around 10PM...so earlier in the day probably were more. The bike paddock is right between the east entrance and the ticket windows on that side of the venue.

I'm pretty sure if we looked into a neighborhood around a mile or more away we'd be past the temporary parking limitations in the neighborhoods, but would have to go from pretty sure to completely sure before we'd leave the car anywhere from 9AM to 10PM.

Oh, one other issue is that even at 10PM there were still a fair number of cars on the road and they were moving fast...the most dangerous part of biking to/from is right around the venue, as everyone is in a hurry to get in or out.

We'd likely use cross walks and walk the bikes across Washington on Miles or Fred Waring (assuming we parked in an area east of the stadium) before getting on the bikes, and would probably choose to ride on the sidewalks (which were empty) on Fred Waring or Miles Ave rather than trust bike lanes on those streets.

So maybe next year if we plan ahead a little better - we were a little too last minute on it this year.

 

[Redflea]

I'm another who was very disappointed to find that the level 2 seating in the south end of Stadium 2 is now reserved seating. I also heard this from both users in Stadium 2 and from other attendees we met while there.

Last level 2 south end was an exciting place to sit - packed to the gills w/excited fans at all times and full of energy. This year we weren't aware of the change and got into the section accidentally (blithely walked past usher while he was busy w/another couple) and sat down to enjoy a match. Then a very nice man sitting next to my wife said "You know those are reserved seats, right? You're welcome to use them for now, but if my friends come back you'll have to move." Talk about a shock! <eek> We stayed for a set or so and then left in advance when he got a text that his co-workers were going to be coming back to their seats.

So now with the best, shadiest seating on level 2 reserved, you get the typical frequent empty/wasted seats and more attendees in that area that are there because they got some nice tickets from their boss/client/biz associate, rather than because they are tennis nuts, and are doing more talking/drinking than watching.

I get that this is a money-making business decision, but that doesn't mean that I can't be disappointed. Last year we spent two great days in front row/center seats in that section (right above the TV camera at the south end) and had, along w/all the other attendees, a raucous, wonderful time. As noted, the reduction in open seats on level 2 makes getting into the remaining GA/shaded seats on that level a very chancy thing.

Oh well...as usual there were some great dubs matches (which we like the best anyway) on the other courts, so we survived!

Oh, and I don't know if it was a "just us" issue, but overall we were also a bit underwhelmed by the line-up on Stadium 2 this year. So luckily, in a way, there were not a bunch of matches on 2 that we were hot to see.

 

[JGads]

The good news is, I heard commentators talking about how Ellison/IW is "looking into" possibly opening up Stadium 2 (and maybe 1?) to GA a lot more in the future, so as to improve the atmosphere, kind of like they did to Hisense at the AO, which changed it completely into an amazing, electric place to see tennis. The emptiness of the bigger stadium's rich-guy seats just saps so much energy from those matches. It just looks and feels off and sad when nobody's down low.

 

[Redflea]

The good news is, I heard commentators talking about how Ellison/IW is "looking into" possibly opening up Stadium 2 (and maybe 1?) to GA a lot more in the future, so as to improve the atmosphere, kind of like they did to Hisense at the AO, which changed it completely into an amazing, electric place to see tennis. The emptiness of the bigger stadium's rich-guy seats just saps so much energy from those matches. It just looks and feels off and sad when nobody's down low.

If that holds up, that would be great. Filling more of those seats would be a good thing!

 

[widmerpool]

3rd day here. Observations:

-crowd is OLD. can't believe the heat hasn't claimed the lives of more people.

-shuttle service from hotel is awesome. Parking looks daunting.

-food is meh. Expected a higher standard.

-amazing amount of people just shopping for tennis clothing.

-spidercam is fascinating to see up close.

-nadal FH in person is unreal. it looks like a CGI effect

-disappointed in Keys. She should have easily won. Impressed that Donald Young is competing. He wasn't overwhelmed by Nadal. I had totally written Young off.

-For all the power and spin in the game, the Lopez BH slice placed deep is totally effective.

 

[anhuynh16]

Made it to IW last night. Ran into Makarova and bacscinsky at the hotel this morning.

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Made it to IW last night. Ran into Makarova and bacscinsky at the hotel this morning.

You should slow down, be a little more careful.

 

[Redflea]

3rd day here. Observations:

-crowd is OLD. can't believe the heat hasn't claimed the lives of more people.

-shuttle service from hotel is awesome. Parking looks daunting.

-food is meh. Expected a higher standard.

-amazing amount of people just shopping for tennis clothing.

-spidercam is fascinating to see up close.

-nadal FH in person is unreal. it looks like a CGI effect

-disappointed in Keys. She should have easily won. Impressed that Donald Young is competing. He wasn't overwhelmed by Nadal. I had totally written Young off.

-For all the power and spin in the game, the Lopez BH slice placed deep is totally effective.

In my experience the age of the crowd increases as the tournament progresses...partly due to fewer courts and increasing cost to get a decent seat, and partly due to there just being a lot of older tennis fans from tennis' heyday in the 70's/80's, who have time (retired or have more vacation) to go during the week.

Food definitely has a range...my favorite healthy/good tasting food (especially in the heat) is the Greek salad offered at one of the vendors in the tents on the north end of the venue. A little over-dressed, but still very fresh and very good, $7.50. Probably the best deal in the place for me. You can also order it w/gyro meat if you need that for $10.

My wife got a "satay" salad from one of the vendors under Stadium 2, and it was smaller, $10, but included some chicken IIRC. Tasted fine. Saw that a vendor under Stadium 2 also has parmesan/garlic fries...didn't get to try them, but will next time.

We bring in our lunch (subway or similar) so we can stay on the court and not have to trek around for food in the middle of the day.

Never seen anything as scary as when I was sitting in the top row of the north end seats on court 7, looking back into court 8, with Karlovic on the north end of court 8 serving towards me. I feared for my life.

 

[anhuynh16]

You should slow down, be a little more careful.

Haha! Took me A while to get that

 

[West Coast Ace]

Haha! Took me A while to get that

Glad you made it. Great day of tennis for you today. Hopefully the Nike gear was still available in your size.