Now that I've got you here, does anyone know when and where the buses (or if they even arrive in buses) will arrive at the Sprint Center? Since it will be the second show they are doing there, I am not sure they will arrive as early as normal or if they even come in the buses - maybe limos. I have a great gift for David and I just can't miss him! Please help me out with any info you might have! Thanks fellow cookies!

i'm looking for the same information! thanks for asking this!

I'd also like to find out this information since I live all the way in Chicago and I can't go look for myself (and the Sprint Center is too new and doesn't show up on Google Satellite). I'm worried that because it's so new they maybe have underground parking or giant gates. I HOPE that's not the case!

i've read from someone from kc that they do have underground parking for the buses AND huge solid gates. i'm just hoping that they will have something set up somewhere like they have at every venue so far. from what i've read here, the buses usually arrive around noon. then at some places they actually meet with fans right then. at other places it's around 2:00 before they come back out. they're very busy. they have press, sound checks, meet and greets inside that you have to have passes to and all sorts of things to keep them busy. i'm really afraid that kc will be CRAZY with fans since it is home town. plus david will probably want to spend as much time with his family as he can while he's there so we can only hope and pray that we get to see him outside of the concert!!

hey - any one got a single ticket for sale? (hi stacey!) i am entering my problem into every thread on this board! * may REALLY go!* (thanks to your persuasiveness) - hubby refusing. mom refusing. who needs 'em!

OMG. This is scary. I hope they set something up, but I have this feeling that they won't. Yikes.

[quote name='Stacey81' date='Jul 26 2008, 01:40 PM' post='288082']
OMG. This is scary. I hope they set something up, but I have this feeling that they won't. Yikes.
[/My daughter worked at the Sprint Center and says they DO NOT have underground parking.

YAY! What about the huge gates? Flashbacks of San Jose!

Thanks for saving me from a corinary!

I live in Kansas City and I've been to the Sprint Center. There is a dock area that is completely surrounded by a very tall solid stone fence. The gate to the street is solid as well. I was utterly dismayed when I saw this setup because it looks impossible to access.

However, there is also a road that runs along the side where buses can park and I'm thinking it would be easier in and out for the buses on that street. The street could easily be blocked off with barricades because it is only used to get from one side of the arena to the other.

I'm going down there tomorrow to walk around and scout it out a little better. I'll let you know if I find out anything else.

yay for no underground parking!! i almost had a heart attack..this is my one shot.

omg!! we would be sooo grateful for any information you can share!!! thanks!!

Agreed! Thanks so much, NCC!

I'm getting worried! Solid stone fence is a LOT worse than San Jose's gate.

The Sprint Center is located on a busy street. On Friday, it can be really crazy because of ppl working downtown. It's on the corner of two main streets. The busses that have been there in the past, are located on Truman Road. I'm kinda wondering if the Idols will go across the street to the power and light district where David sang at his homecoming, to sign autographs. It's going to be interesting how they handle it on Friday.

On Saturday it will not be as busy. Downtown is dead on the weekends.

Thanks for that info! I'm getting so giddy and it's more than a month away!

I'm not trying to be mean or anything but KC downtown is not dead on the weekends. WEEKENDS or the worst in Downtown KC. You have Bartle Hall, Music Hall, Municipal Auditorium the Folly, The Power and Light District always packed on the weekends , and the Crossroads all within a few blocks. Usually all those places have stuff going on. So when Sprint Center has stuff going on when a lot of those venues have stuff going on it's going to be crazy. You might be able to find parking because street parking is free on the weekend, even if the meters are there you don't need to feed them on weekends. All those restaraunts around there get mad crazy when stuff is going on at Sprint Center especially on the weekends.

I'm sure Friday and Saturday nights are wild around the Sprint Center because of the Power and Light district, but Sunday mornings are very quiet. I went down and walked around this morning and I'm feeling a lot better about the buses being on Truman Road on the south side of the center. There is plenty of room there for the buses and it would be easy to cordon it off. There is a stage door that leads out into that area. I can really envision it as a good place for a bus line.

I took some pictures under the gate of the loading docks and honestly it doesn't look like they'd be able to get many buses in there or turn them around if they did.

There is no shade there at all on Truman Road so keep sunblock and water in mind because late August in KC can be brutal.

Thanks for your help locals! Please post any new info you might discover as the big day gets closer!

I've been intending to do this for weeks now but will definitely walk over there on my lunch break tomorrow to check it out too. I can confirm what ncc is saying about the buses parking on Truman Road, but I think sometimes buses with equipment park down in the loading docks, which makes sense. But I have seen buses parked out on Truman before (I especially paid attention when Elvis Costello and the Police were here - there were several buses lined up out on Truman - I didn't go over there, I just saw them from my office window). I wanna check out where that stage door is. I haven't yet been around to the south side of the arena.

And I second what ncc says about the August weather here in KC! Take care, people.

Yes, dabri is correct about downtown now on Fridays and Saturdays. Completely different from just a couple of years ago.

BlueSpringsMom, yesterday I actually had the same thought as you about putting the Idols over in the P&L District...although I didn't think of putting them all over there. I thought it would be cool if they put DC over there though, because you KNOW he's gonna be the one the hometown crowds will be most interested in (no offense, other Idols) and it would be a nice bit of synchronicity to have him over there again.

Thanks NCC! That's awesome of you to go check it out and report back to us! I'm very excited that they'll most likely be parking on Truman (since other tour buses have parked there in the past). I think the semis will probably park at the loading docks. YAY! EXCITEMENT!

Sorry for the bump but it's just to say that I did walk over today, mostly just to confirm for myself that there was indeed a place for the buses on the south side of the arena. From my office window, I have seen buses there before but I truly thought they parked there and blocked traffic on Truman but there's actually a special lane for them to park and not block traffic. Although the puny sidewalk does sorta make me wonder where all the fans will stand, but I'm sure it'll work out.

Although, not to be negative or anything but, 8/30 is their second day in KC and they may all be at Oceans of Fun that day (if DC has his way) so I wonder if they'll be out signing things on Saturday. Guess time will tell. <fingers crossed>

I think the fans will be in the street. I think they'll block off at least one lane, probably both lanes, so the Idols will be between the buses and the fans. At least I hope so.

It seems like in every city they are making some kind of effort to find a safe place (ie, not in the street) for all of the fans to stand and get autographs. I just read that at a recent show they brought people inside the venue (I think? This was in the last few days) and set up barricades for people to come in and get autographs away from the hot sun. I highly doubt they WOULDN'T do that in KC, especially since it's DC's hometown.

My biggest concern is that DC won't come out. I feel like he'll be w/ his family and doing press for every local station... he probably won't have much time. NOT that I blame him... after all this time on the road he deserves some time with his loved ones.

Does anyone know if there are any hotels close to the Sprint Center? Also, what is at the power and light district?
Thanks

Maria and I are staying at a place that's about a 5 block walk from Sprint Center. It's called Hotel Phillips. It looks pretty nice. You can check it out here: www.hotelphillips.com

You can read about the Power & Light district here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_&_Light_District

Stacey81, I didn't mean to imply that the fans would have to fight traffic. Truman Road could be completely blocked off on both sides of the Sprint Center and it would be perfect. The street isn't a major street and is bordered by the Sprint Center on one side and I-70 (which is down below a wall) on the other. There isn't any place inside the Sprint Center that would work.

I do worry that DC will be spending time with family (and he totally deserves that time) and will have a lot of press obligations which may make bus lines less of a possibility.

I didn't think you were implying that at all! I was just reiterating that they will probably put us safely out of the way of traffic on the sidewalk (or street if it's blocked off) or find somewhere else for us to go (with barricades and everything). I guess I wasn't very clear (especially since I said street... lol), sorry! They probably won't bring us into the venue (that instance was probably just a one-time thing), but it's clear that they want to meet fans... so they'll do what they can to make sure there's a place for us.

I HOPE that DC will come out, but even if he doesn't we'll still have a great time (most of the others will probably be out). But I really feel like he'll WANT to meet his hometown fans. I'm sure he's feeling very conflicted... I know I am!!

I saw two non-sidewalk possibilities for safe crowd-gathering yesterday on my little reconnaissance mission. Since the buses will be parked on Truman (an east-west street), there's a north-south bridge right there (McGee, I think) over the highway that's currently blocked off that would be good...unless putting a lot of people on that bridge right now would be unsafe, in which case, no. Then there's also the grassy knoll over by the stage door. They could put barricades up there. But I'm just speculating at this point. It's likely they may do exactly as ncc suggests and just block off one or more lanes of Truman. There's been so much construction downtown, I doubt anyone would notice.

Stacey, I too really HOPE DC will want to meet the fans outside the buses in his hometown but if he bolts the bus in order to get to his family ASAP, I wouldn't blame him in the least. Or, maybe Andrew could just meet him at the buses! (And good choice on the hotel, Stacey. Very old and historic, kinda swanky, real slow elevators though.)

I'm sure David will be busy with family while he's here, but i really hope he comes out before the show. i'm also praying it doesn't rain. i personally wouldn't care if it was raining, but my mom won't let me go alone, and she isn't going to want to go if the weather sucks.

I'm sure since the Sprint Center has been down there, it has picked up. But growing up in KC, downtow, use to be dead.

Yeah, I was there a few weeks ago though on the weekend and it was quite busy! There's so much construction going on though, that it's kinda aggravating going through it.

Does anyone know anyone w/ extra tickets to either of these shows? I need one for each.

Thanks for the info Stacey. Looks like there is a Hilton at the P&L District, but probably too pricey for me, since I blew my budget on staying at Union Station in St Louis. I'll check out hotelphillips.

Joycee, I'm not sure where the Hilton is you mentioned but it's not in the P&L District. Besides the Hotel Phillips where Stacey is staying, there is a Marriott just a block and a half west of the Phillips and a Crowne Plaza just a block or so southeast of the Marriott (the KC Convention Center is right there, thus the concentration of hotels). All are a short walk away from the P&L District and the Sprint Center.

Stacey, if you check Ticketmaster's Ticket Exchange, there are tickets available for both shows. I know because I keep checking for better seats.

Let the good times roll!

Thanks!

Anyone else going to this show?

I am!!!! I'm going to both shows!!!!!

Bump! Anyone else?

See you there, Tami!

Stacey, are you still in search of a ticket for the 8/30 show? I just found out late last night that I have one. It's in section 118 (on the Mavid side...ha ha), don't remember exactly what row but I know it's not too far back. It's a single seat, if that matters.

Interested? You can PM me if you'd rather handle it that way.

Hey Stacy.....I'm going with Tami to the KC concert maybe we can meet up somewhere?

Thanks so much, but I think I'm going to try to hold out for a floor seat!




I can meet everyone out where the buses will be! My flight gets in at 7:55am, and I'll take a cab to the hotel to drop off my stuff, and then head over to the venue. I imagine I'll be there by 10? My photo is in my sig, so you should be able to recognize me! Maybe we can go grab something to eat sometime after the buses (4:30), but before the show?

I have tickets to the 30th show... and looking probably for a single ticket for the 29th.... I am arriving in KC on the 28th... to visit family before I head off in search of the buses for the weekend... lol

HI. I live in Kansas City. Hotel Phillips is beautiful. I have stayed there. Expensive restaurant. Considered a chic Boutique Hotel.

The Power and Light district is the hip place to be on the weekends. Its packed with people. There is also a "dress code" so be xure and check out their web site. There are a lot of places to eat in the district. The cheapest is Chipoltes. The nearest shopping is on the Plaza (which is gorgeous) and usually anyone playing a concert in town is found walking around The Plaza.
There used to be nothing in the area but over the past 3 years The Crossroads Art District (nearby) started drawing alot of people on the weekend and then the Power and Light District opened up even more excitement.
They may also go out to Worlds of Fun but I would imagine they will "shut it down" just for them as they did when Dicaprio was out there.
You never know, we have an exquisite are gallery too : The Nelson. People come from all over to see it as well.

Can I help anyone else out with things about our "David Cook" city? Oh his suburb of Blue Springs, is quite a long way from the Sprint Center. I would imagine he and his family/friends will stay at a hotel on the Plaza.

Thanks so much for the info! I'm going to the concert on the 30th but was thinking of just spending the whole weekend in KC.

Sorry, I'm lazy. Dress code? lmao! Like no jeans and tshirts? Or no dressing like a ho?

Love your question...no dressing like a Ho....I think its mainly directed at men....no saggy jeans, no sleeveless t-shirts....Some call it racist.

lol... but I can wear jeans, right?

yep you can! i was down at the sprint center on friday for the brad paisley concert, so i scoped things out. stacey, you picked a great hotel! it looked really nice, and is only about 3 or 4 blocks from the sprint center. truman road, where someone else mentioned the busses might be parked, is a fairly long distance from the venue entrance. if you are looking at the sprint center head on, truman road is the first street on the right. sorry if that doesn't tell you much, i'm wayyyyy bad with directions! the P&L district has many restaurant choices, but if you're under 21, you don't have many. me and my mom ended up at a place with a 1 1/2 hour wait because no one else would let me in. just so you guys know, i would plan your eating schedule accordingly. my aunt recommends a place called McFaddens which is a pub kinda place. i wish i could tell you how the food was, but you have to be 21 to get in there too. so if any of you are bringing kids or are under 21 yourselves, go early to eat at the P&L district because the restaurants for everyone get crowded!! hope this helped!!

McFaddens is a pretty small place. I have yet to eat there because everytime around there it is extremely busy and packed. Most places on the weekends are packed and you are going to have a long wait, unless you are there before 5 pm then you probably won't have a wait or if you do it's just a minute or two.

Town Topic is good I usually go to the 24 hour one on Broadway that I think is around eithere 20th or 21st street. It's got some good greesy burgers, and it's a lot cheaper than anything in the power and light district, plus you can get it to go and head back down to the Sprint Center and find a bench to eat on. That's what I'd if you were low on money and didn't mind going a little out of the way.

Or you could have over to Grinders which is on 18th street between Locust and Oak. They got awesome Pizza so I've heard. I've worked the Crossroads which is the venue behind Grinders a few times but have yet to eat at Grinders. But they'd been on the Food Network so if you are looking for a interesting unique experience you might want to check that place out. It's just a little ways south of the arena.

Thanks for the info! I'm really looking forward to the hotel now! haha... and of course the SHOWS!

I'm 26, so I don't have to worry about getting into any of the restaurants. I'm sure we can get a group together to go over to P&L for lunch/dinner after the buses. I also heard that the group that's raising money for ACS is planning a really amazing event on Saturday before the show. Is anyone planning to attend that? I was going to wait by the buses... but I'd also like to support the cause!

I do have another question: does anyone know how much it would cost me to take a cab from the airport to my hotel? Can anyone recommend a company that has cheap rates? Should I set this up ahead of time? Oy! I'm so used to there being plenty of cabs in Chicago and you never have to call ahead (they also have flat rates into the city). Not sure what it'll be like in KC.