Day One Spectator Notes

[Gardenhorse]

@paint hunter

We stayed through the end of the dressage medal presentation today and then went to stand in line for the shuttle. The line was long and it took us 1 hour and 31 minutes from the time we got in line to when we boarded the shuttle to the parking lot. Right after we got into line, more and more people arrived so the line grew much longer behind us. Remember to pack your patience in the morning and be prepared to spend time meeting and getting to know people in line near you.

We had the same experience this evening. Luckily the line was mostly in the shade and we had a good time chatting with our line neighbors. We all decided that they were really missing out on a money-making opportunity by not having a mobile bar or two serving the shuttle line.

[TNeventer]

@NoSuchPerson

That was true Tuesday evening, which was a huge cluster-f up there in Lot E. We got there in the middle of a near-riot when the shuttle driver initially refused to let people without “credentials” on the bus. There were a bunch of volunteers who had been told they could bring their families along for the opening ceremonies and the driver said the volunteers could get on if they had their “credentials,” but their kids/spouses/grannies would have to walk. That did not, as you can imagine, go over well.

However, the web site clearly says that Lot E is the designated pedestrian lot and anybody who makes their way to Lot E can ride the shuttle to and from. You don’t have to have a Lot E parking pass to ride the shuttle.

In addition, the private lot across the street is apparently some kind of cooperative venture. There is a formal crosswalk across Pea Ridge Road, complete with police officer on duty, and paved access from the private lot across the street to Lot E. We talked to the lady at the private lot when we were going back to our car Tuesday evening. She said they worked with the Tryon folks setting up the parking and access and after the fuss Tuesday night, apparently someone who knows someone important made a phone call and someone important took care of the problem.

When we rode the shuttle back to Lot E on Wednesday evening, there were no questions asked.

That’s interesting. We were chatting with the lot E attendant today and she was adamant that people could not walk over from that parking. She said they appeared to have golf carts to shuttle people into the grounds. I suspect that your luck will depend upon who is working.

[NoSuchPerson]

@TNeventer

That’s interesting. We were chatting with the lot E attendant today and she was adamant that people could not walk over from that parking. She said they appeared to have golf carts to shuttle people into the grounds. I suspect that your luck will depend upon who is working.

Yeah, I’m sure that’s true.

The web site says:

Drop Off/Pick up Options: You can also be dropped off/picked up by Ubers, friends, etc. at a parking lot on the northside of US 74 free of charge. This lot (Lot E) is reserved for those needing wheelchair accessibility as well. Shuttles will be available from this location into the venue.

By my interpretation, they cannot refuse shuttle transportation to anyone who walks up to Lot E, regardless of whether you walked up from an Uber drop off or the parking lot across the street. But some people get a little power-mad when you give them any little bit of authority.

[Prime_Time_Rider]

Is TIEC trying to make it as difficult as possible for ticket holders to attend the games? We have tickets for next week and planned on parking in the spectator parking lot on NC 9, but after hearing from friends that they had to wait TWO HOURS for a return shuttle ride to the parking lot, we are looking at alternative parking plans. People have paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars to attend the games and either can’t get there from the parking lot or return to their cars in a reasonable period of time. People should be demanding answers from TIEC. How is this remotely acceptable?

[TNeventer]

@Prime Time Rider

Is TIEC trying to make it as difficult as possible for ticket holders to attend the games? We have tickets for next week and planned on parking in the spectator parking lot on NC 9, but after hearing from friends that they had to wait TWO HOURS for a return shuttle ride to the parking lot, we are looking at alternative parking plans. People have paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars to attend the games and either can’t get there from the parking lot or return to their cars in a reasonable period of time. People should be demanding answers from TIEC. How is this remotely acceptable?

So as we were leaving today, I noticed that there were tons of tour busses just waiting for people to pick up. Versus yesterday I saw long lines of people waiting for a shuttle. It appears that they are trying very hard to address the wait times.

[Jealoushe]

@Prime Time Rider

Is TIEC trying to make it as difficult as possible for ticket holders to attend the games? We have tickets for next week and planned on parking in the spectator parking lot on NC 9, but after hearing from friends that they had to wait TWO HOURS for a return shuttle ride to the parking lot, we are looking at alternative parking plans. People have paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars to attend the games and either can’t get there from the parking lot or return to their cars in a reasonable period of time. People should be demanding answers from TIEC. How is this remotely acceptable?

How far is it to walk?

[Gardenhorse]

It is a 15-20 minute bus ride to the main parking lot - too far to walk. Wed night we waited 35 minutes for a shuttle, Thurs night 1.5 hours, and tonight just 25 minutes.