Northerly Island, Chicago

[countryboy7978]

Guys and Girls,

I'm so confused...We wait every year anxiously for Jimmy to make the announcement that he is coming to town. (I know that I myself have checked this site every single day since late January waiting for the news.) Yet every year I read the same complaints about how long he takes to announce the tour, how long he takes to announce Chicago or Alpine shows, and how much Tinley Park sucks or Toyota is terrible. This year he is coming to a brand new venue in downtown Chicago and still it's a bitchfest. I'm just glad I get the chance to see him every year without driving across the country. The man is going to be 70 years old soon and yet he still does this every year. Be greatful that we still have the chance to experience it, that some of you can still introduce your kids or grand-kids or friends to the truly unique experience that a Jimmy Buffett concert is. Someday in the not so distant future the only way we are going to experience a Buffett concert is in our memories or while watching some dusty old DVD of a show we probably didn't even attend. The kids won't want to hear the boring old stories about how mom and dad partied all night dressed in tacky clothes and hawaiian leis. Those of you who don't want to go, fine...don't go, but also don't taint the experience for others who want to see this man perform in June.

I live in Tinley Park and love FMBA not only for the close commute but for the memories (and lack thereof) that I have experienced there. Sure tailgating isn't as good as Alpine but I've enjoyed every moment of it. Tinley Park is a small, quiet town not used to the hussle and bustle and downright aggervation that would occur with allowing unlimited tailgating at every event. Feel special that at least us parrotheads get that privilege extended to us.

Now as far as Chicago goes..I am excited for the new venue. I want to see what it will be like to experience it even though it will cost more and be further out of my way than past events. Take it from a guy who lives in Tinley Park and commutes downtown almost weekly for work. Traffic can be bad but on a Saturday, and with proper planning it should not be that bad. I've attended many events downtown on a Saturday the traffic is nothing like it is during the week at rush hour. Also keep in mind that in the past Charter One Pavilion has included parking in the price of the ticket just like the other venues. The parking is usually in the Soldier Field North Garage, which is across the street from the venue. The North Garage is normally off limits for tailgating but there is also a VIP parking option that allows you to park on Northerly Island. I'm sure this lot will allow for some tailgating since it's not covered. The price in the past was the usual $30 dollars that the other venues charge. There are also several grassy areas at Soldier field that allow tailgating. There are plenty of hotels within walking distance although expect to pay $200+ a night. There are plenty of others a short cab ride away. Yes the metra shuts down around midnight and the 95th Ave CTA stop is not the safest place to park at night, but I think we can manage. Let's make the best of this and add it to our experiences, or miss it and wish later you hadn't.

[chippewa]

And I thought I bitched about Jimmy playing in downtown Detroit instead of the amphitheater in the burbs. Twice.
Actually I didn't b**** much, I just decided not to go. End of story. Not because I'm scared to go into downtown Detroit, I just thought the ballpark wouldn't do justice for a live music concert. I'm not even crazy about going there for a ballgame, and I'm a big baseball fan.

I've been to Tinley Park and Toyota Park to see Buffett, and this new venue intrigues me. I've walked by the smaller temporary venue they had in the past and thought it would be a neat place for a show, but way to small for Buffett. Maybe he's looking to play just down the shoreline from Margaritaville. In about 45 minutes you could walk right thru Grant Park from Margaritaville to the venue.

[surfpirate]

OMG ... are you kidding me? Is this the venue? That is awesome! Jimmy should double ticket prices just for that view.

[chippewa]

OMG ... are you kidding me? Is this the venue? That is awesome! Jimmy should double ticket prices just for that view.

Don't forget you're on a man-made peninsula with Lake Michigan (and a small beach) behind you, a marina in front, on the site of an old inner city airport. Ringling's right, this could be Live by the Bay 2.

[1965mrimpala]

Surf pirate is the exact reason why some people won't go to this. Pay double for the view, are you nuts!!! (Open palm and insert forehead), ugh! Some people just don't get it.

[SeattleParrotHead]

Surf pirate is the exact reason why some people won't go to this. Pay double for the view, are you nuts!!! (Open palm and insert forehead), ugh! Some people just don't get it.

Yeah..... some people just don't get it.

[surfpirate]

Surf pirate is the exact reason why some people won't go to this. Pay double for the view, are you nuts!!! (Open palm and insert forehead), ugh! Some people just don't get it.

I Agree. You didn't get it.

[Nighthawk]

Surf pirate is the exact reason why some people won't go to this. Pay double for the view, are you nuts!!! (Open palm and insert forehead), ugh! Some people just don't get it.

Totally agree. Non Chicagoans just don't get the city.

[HokiePirate2Late]

A few quick notes:
To the one who mentioned the ticket price including parking for Charter One, remember, they are expanding capacity from 7,500 to 30,000 this year. So I wouldn't count on that being true anymore because there isn't room for that many cars. Also, they say they are going to be done by June 1st with the capacity expansion. So this is the first show with a expanded capacity of 400%. So as much as they say they will be done and prepared, they won't know what to expect until it actually happens. And let's just hope it doesn't rain with that brand new sod newly installed.

As for leaving, if you've ever tried to get a cab out of that area after any event, it's not going to happen. It's horrendous. Seeing as I've gone to numerous Bears games, concerts and events in that area, that is an adventure of it's own. Also, water taxis don't run all night. So all those people chartering boats, taking water taxis and using alternative means of transportation will have to use the same as the rest of us.

The ticket prices are one thing because I would pay an extra $20 per tickets or whatever it will be. But the hassle of it being at a brand new Charter One and trying to figure out logistics is enough that will say I don't want to try to get our normal group of 20-30 people there and back. So while real Chicagoan's are complaining, it's because we understand what it will take rather than driving 20 miles and parking our car for 10 hours and having a great time all day.

[RinglingRingling]

A few quick notes:
To the one who mentioned the ticket price including parking for Charter One, remember, they are expanding capacity from 7,500 to 30,000 this year. So I wouldn't count on that being true anymore because there isn't room for that many cars. Also, they say they are going to be done by June 1st with the capacity expansion. So this is the first show with a expanded capacity of 400%. So as much as they say they will be done and prepared, they won't know what to expect until it actually happens. And let's just hope it doesn't rain with that brand new sod newly installed.

As for leaving, if you've ever tried to get a cab out of that area after any event, it's not going to happen. It's horrendous. Seeing as I've gone to numerous Bears games, concerts and events in that area, that is an adventure of it's own. Also, water taxis don't run all night. So all those people chartering boats, taking water taxis and using alternative means of transportation will have to use the same as the rest of us.

The ticket prices are one thing because I would pay an extra $20 per tickets or whatever it will be. But the hassle of it being at a brand new Charter One and trying to figure out logistics is enough that will say I don't want to try to get our normal group of 20-30 people there and back. So while real Chicagoan's are complaining, it's because we understand what it will take rather than driving 20 miles and parking our car for 10 hours and having a great time all day.

I might be wrong, but it isn't that far a walk to the Red Line, fast jump to the State/Lake station if you need off the Red Line, or a 2 stop jump north from the station you got on, and a one block transfer to the Blue Line, and off you go.

[Nighthawk]

A few quick notes:
To the one who mentioned the ticket price including parking for Charter One, remember, they are expanding capacity from 7,500 to 30,000 this year. So I wouldn't count on that being true anymore because there isn't room for that many cars. Also, they say they are going to be done by June 1st with the capacity expansion. So this is the first show with a expanded capacity of 400%. So as much as they say they will be done and prepared, they won't know what to expect until it actually happens. And let's just hope it doesn't rain with that brand new sod newly installed.

As for leaving, if you've ever tried to get a cab out of that area after any event, it's not going to happen. It's horrendous. Seeing as I've gone to numerous Bears games, concerts and events in that area, that is an adventure of it's own. Also, water taxis don't run all night. So all those people chartering boats, taking water taxis and using alternative means of transportation will have to use the same as the rest of us.

The ticket prices are one thing because I would pay an extra $20 per tickets or whatever it will be. But the hassle of it being at a brand new Charter One and trying to figure out logistics is enough that will say I don't want to try to get our normal group of 20-30 people there and back. So while real Chicagoan's are complaining, it's because we understand what it will take rather than driving 20 miles and parking our car for 10 hours and having a great time all day.

I might be wrong, but it isn't that far a walk to the Red Line, fast jump to the State/Lake station if you need off the Red Line, or a 2 stop jump north from the station you got on, and a one block transfer to the Blue Line, and off you go.

Its not recommended to take the red line at night, let alone any other time of the day. Yes this is the same line thar runs down the middle of the dan ryan expressway. ABut the only difference is that you can do 85 mph down the ryan to get out of the ghetto that it surrounds

[RinglingRingling]

I am not recommending southbound on the Red even as far as what was the site of Comiskey, but north works.

[SMLCHNG]

So.... for those of you who are actually going:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=90837