BuffettNews.com

UpstateNYPH wrote:there go my chances on tix to the scalpers....

Yep.....

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

UpstateNYPH wrote:there go my chances on tix to the scalpers....

Yep.....

Not if they require photo ID matching the purchasing credit card.

Quiet and Shy wrote:

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

UpstateNYPH wrote:there go my chances on tix to the scalpers....

Yep.....

Not if they require photo ID matching the purchasing credit card.

Uh-Oh, I'd better get a new ID. Mine looks like I'm fresh outta prison, road the hog to the DMV and voila. People usually take a good, long look at it before approving me for whatever it is.

If they are using the same system as last year, you get the tickets via PDF as soon as you pay for them. It's quite informal. Remember, this is a mid-size bar we're talkin' here--not even a true concert venue as we know it. It's totally like going to your favorite watering hole to see your favorite band play. You won't need to worry about picking up tickets or IDs matching, etc.

It's killin' me 'cause I know we could go, but we're opting not and it's just killin' me I won't be able to see the sweat circles under Jimmy's armpits! (Hubby told me even if we did go, he'd think twice about letting me be a Referette again )

Really, though, if you can find a way to go, please do it. I wasn't kidding when I said you can be so close to him you could spit on him. You really are THAT close.

ALSO! For those of you who are considering going, I totally recommend staying in Basalt if you are looking for a less expensive way to enjoy the trip. There are a few motels there, but I would recommend the Green Drake where we stayed last year or the Best Western. Both are within walking distance of the RFTA bus (the Best Western is closest to the pick-up/drop-off point). The RFTA bus will take you directly into Aspen and drop you off just steps away from the Belly Up.

The show starts at 9 and gets over a little after 11. If it's anything like last year, he will play without an intermission and let Peter take over on a few songs to rest his voice a bit. There is plenty to do in Aspen after the show, but if you take the bus into town, the last one leaves around 2:30 am back to Basalt or you have to wait until 4 or 5 am to get back when the busses start running again.

If you drive into Aspen, just beware that parking spots are a premium and hard to find, but I do believe it is free to park on the streets, but you may need to walk several blocks (in the cold). I think last year the doors opened at 7 or 7:30. You'll want to get there at least 30-60 minutes before the doors open. You can go right in and plant yourself in front of the stage. There will be a curtain covering the stage, but you'll be able to peek under and see Jimmy's mic stand (and likely the setlist). That's where you'll want to camp until the show starts.

Last year, the place didn't really fill up until about 20 minutes before show time. People will flood the stage once he comes on so make sure you hold fast to your territory. And if you're anything like me, you'll have to pee about 2 songs into the setlist and by gum you'll hold it like you've never held it before! One of the few times I wished for an intermission!!!

Oh yeah. And mixed drinks are about $5 per and Coronas were $4. I may be a dollar off in either direction, but I remember the mixed drinks were $1 more than a bottle of Corona.

buffettbride wrote:If you drive into Aspen, just beware that parking spots are a premium and hard to find, but I do believe it is free to park on the streets, but you may need to walk several blocks (in the cold). I think last year the doors opened at 7 or 7:30. You'll want to get there at least 30-60 minutes before the doors open. You can go right in and plant yourself in front of the stage.

There's a public parking garage about half a mile from the venue. It's not free, but only $12.50 for up to 24 hours. But again the cool Aspen air around midnight, walking half a mile to your car....sounds cold, also sounds like fun!!

Mal, when you got there last year (30-60 minutes before 7:pm) did you line up outside? Was there a coat check? Did you stand in your spot until show time, or were people sitting on the floor? I'm trying to get a good mental picture of what to expect. As I'll be going it alone, I won't have any chance of a friend holding my ten-square-inches of floor space if the bathroom becomes a must.

Any chance you or Matt would come along??

~Hippolyte~ wrote:

buffettbride wrote:If you drive into Aspen, just beware that parking spots are a premium and hard to find, but I do believe it is free to park on the streets, but you may need to walk several blocks (in the cold). I think last year the doors opened at 7 or 7:30. You'll want to get there at least 30-60 minutes before the doors open. You can go right in and plant yourself in front of the stage.

There's a public parking garage about half a mile from the venue. It's not free, but only $12.50 for up to 24 hours. But again the cool Aspen air around midnight, walking half a mile to your car....sounds cold, also sounds like fun!!

Mal, when you got there last year (30-60 minutes before 7:pm) did you line up outside? Was there a coat check? Did you stand in your spot until show time, or were people sitting on the floor? I'm trying to get a good mental picture of what to expect. As I'll be going it alone, I won't have any chance of a friend holding my ten-square-inches of floor space if the bathroom becomes a must.

Any chance you or Matt would come along??

I'll hold your spot if you hold mine!

Thanks for all your tips Mal, and great questions Hippolyte, same things I have been wondering as well...

Oh boy I can't wait...

buffettbride wrote:ALSO! For those of you who are considering going, I totally recommend staying in Basalt if you are looking for a less expensive way to enjoy the trip. There are a few motels there, but I would recommend the Green Drake where we stayed last year or the Best Western. Both are within walking distance of the RFTA bus (the Best Western is closest to the pick-up/drop-off point). The RFTA bus will take you directly into Aspen and drop you off just steps away from the Belly Up.

The Best Western says that one night falls under their required stay time (according to Expedia).
The Green Drake is listed with rooms available for $100 or so, for that Friday night.

UpstateNYPH wrote:

~Hippolyte~ wrote:

buffettbride wrote:If you drive into Aspen, just beware that parking spots are a premium and hard to find, but I do believe it is free to park on the streets, but you may need to walk several blocks (in the cold). I think last year the doors opened at 7 or 7:30. You'll want to get there at least 30-60 minutes before the doors open. You can go right in and plant yourself in front of the stage.

There's a public parking garage about half a mile from the venue. It's not free, but only $12.50 for up to 24 hours. But again the cool Aspen air around midnight, walking half a mile to your car....sounds cold, also sounds like fun!!

Mal, when you got there last year (30-60 minutes before 7:pm) did you line up outside? Was there a coat check? Did you stand in your spot until show time, or were people sitting on the floor? I'm trying to get a good mental picture of what to expect. As I'll be going it alone, I won't have any chance of a friend holding my ten-square-inches of floor space if the bathroom becomes a must.

Any chance you or Matt would come along??

I'll hold your spot if you hold mine!

Thanks for all your tips Mal, and great questions Hippolyte, same things I have been wondering as well...

Oh boy I can't wait...

Sounds like the two of you need to hook up! We won't be making it this time around, but I'm happy to lend some advice. I totally recommend the Green Drake, anyway. The guy who runs it was WAYYYY cool when we reserved our room, and I *think* he even discounted the rate when we called. If you call and say Jimmy Buffett is playing in Aspen, he'll probably remember that we stayed there last year. It's a clean motel and our room had a queen size bed in a separate bedroom and a sitting room (maybe a sleeper sofa). We only paid like $90 for it I think.

Another option is staying in Glenwood Springs, but it's a longer drive to Aspen (about 35-40 minutes in no weather), but your hotel options increase. Remember, this will be Christmas week in the Colorado mountains. It's the peak of all peak seasons up there, so everything comes with a hefty price tag!

If you can find a hotwire or priceline hotel deal in Aspen or Snowmass, jump on it for sure!

Another option... http://www.easyclicktravel.com or http://www.lastminutetravel.com.

AND, if you're coming in from out of town, you can use our house as a pitstop on the way too and from (for example, if you fly in Thursday night, crash at our place, and head up to Aspen in the morning). It's a good 3-4 hour drive to Aspen from Denver and you never know what the weather will hold, making the drive longer, etc.

~Hippolyte~ wrote:

buffettbride wrote:ALSO! For those of you who are considering going, I totally recommend staying in Basalt if you are looking for a less expensive way to enjoy the trip. There are a few motels there, but I would recommend the Green Drake where we stayed last year or the Best Western. Both are within walking distance of the RFTA bus (the Best Western is closest to the pick-up/drop-off point). The RFTA bus will take you directly into Aspen and drop you off just steps away from the Belly Up.

The Best Western says that one night falls under their required stay time (according to Expedia).
The Green Drake is listed with rooms available for $100 or so, for that Friday night.

Try calling the hotel directly. I do remember the Best Western folks not being much sharper than a pop tart, which is why we chose the Green Drake (he was very helpful). There's one other motel in Basalt, I think, but it's not close to the busline if that's the route you go.

buffettbride wrote:
Sounds like the two of you need to hook up! We won't be making it this time around, but I'm happy to lend some advice. I totally recommend the Green Drake, anyway. The guy who runs it was WAYYYY cool when we reserved our room, and I *think* he even discounted the rate when we called. If you call and say Jimmy Buffett is playing in Aspen, he'll probably remember that we stayed there last year. It's a clean motel and our room had a queen size bed in a separate bedroom and a sitting room (maybe a sleeper sofa). We only paid like $90 for it I think.

Another option is staying in Glenwood Springs, but it's a longer drive to Aspen (about 35-40 minutes in no weather), but your hotel options increase. Remember, this will be Christmas week in the Colorado mountains. It's the peak of all peak seasons up there, so everything comes with a hefty price tag!

If you can find a hotwire or priceline hotel deal in Aspen or Snowmass, jump on it for sure!

Another option... http://www.easyclicktravel.com or http://www.lastminutetravel.com.

AND, if you're coming in from out of town, you can use our house as a pitstop on the way too and from (for example, if you fly in Thursday night, crash at our place, and head up to Aspen in the morning). It's a good 3-4 hour drive to Aspen from Denver and you never know what the weather will hold, making the drive longer, etc.

Mal, incoming PM....a couple questions for you...

According to travelocity there are no rooms available at the Green Drake or the Best Western Dec. 21-23.

How far is Snowmass Village? There's a place there that's about $245 for 2 nights.

Snowmass Village is even close than Basalt, where the Green Drake is. It will be more expensive, but I believe you can do the bus from there too.

I'll dig up the RFTA bus schedule, too.

ALSO, I think if you go the Snowmass or Snowmass Village (there's a difference I believe) taxis are cheaper as well (they are about $80 from Basalt, though).

The Snowmass Inn was the place I found but its cancellation policy sucks. If you cancel within 30 days, and we're already within 30 days, they charge you for 2 nights.

LIPH wrote:The Snowmass Inn was the place I found but its cancellation policy sucks. If you cancel within 30 days, and we're already within 30 days, they charge you for 2 nights.

What's wrong with that Larry

If the weather is terrible we should attempt to car pool, 'cus we're not NOT going just because of the weather, right!! We might car pool anyway, from Denver at least. Though I'll only be staying in the mountains for one night, as I'm sure my house will be lonely.....and my wallet will miss its money too.

Ok. Here's the link to the RFTA (the bus people site).
http://www.rfta.com/

And Snowmass Village is different than Snowmass, but both are close to Aspen.

Here's a link to the mapquest from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. Any of the towns along this route with a hotel/motel would be a great choice and the RFTA runs along this highway.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main ... CO&2z=&r=f

Another good thing about staying in Glenwood Springs, if you're going to make a holiday of it, is Glenwood has GREAT hot springs and there's a lot to see/do up there. You will honestly be in one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado!

OK, who's booked their room?

So Michael, are you driving up on Friday?