Official 2010 Maui Invitational Thread

[martymoose]

Marty, sorry if this was included in your post, but it wasn't apparent to me - what is the status/availability/source for the all-session passes? If I go, I would probably want to see more than just our games.

I believe WSU has somthing like 10 all session passes, so the odds of getting those is very slim. I considered getting them for my group, but my wife isn't the biggest basketball fan so we're just doing the WSU games.

[ABC]

Sunflower Travel Trip information;

http://www.sunflowertravel.com/Maui.pdf

If you know Ruth Martz at WSU she was in the hospital for a couple of weeks with pnuemonia. You may want to wish her well.

Cost per adult based on two adults per room: $ 3,045.00 per adult

DAMN! So $6,090.00 per couple? Does WSU want fans to go support the team?

We booked 8 nights in a 2 bedroom condo at a 4 star beach front resort just a couple miles from the arena, rental car and round trip flights for a total of $940 per person. I'm guessing game tickets are going to cost me around another $300 per person...but still less than half of what their charging.

Marty, can you give me some details or suggestions on finding a similar deal?

I just checked flights, and they are $1000 per person from Kansas City.

[martymoose]

Marty, can you give me some details or suggestions on finding a similar deal?

I just checked flights, and they are $1000 per person from Kansas City.

Check your PM. Prices are still really good out of Wichita.

[Shockair]

Has anybody heard any more about ticket availability? I have been told by the Wichita State ticket office that I am still on the list to potentially get tickets but I have also been told twice now that they do not know how many tickets will be available to sell.

I am holding off on booking my airfare and accommodations until I hear whether or not I will be one of the lucky ones that will have tickets.

If anybody has more information that they can provide it would be greatly appreciated. I do not feel like I will ever get an answer out of the ticket office. :(

[martymoose]

I think a couple of things have slowed down the progress. The Assistant AD/Ticket Operations guy has left WSU and his assistant has taken over ticket distribution. WSU is requesting additional tickets from the Maui people in an attempt to have enough tickets for everyone.

[Kung Wu]

I just got back from Maui!! I want to go back with the team SOOO bad, but wifey is sport-blocking me.

You guys are going to have SO much fun!

Some quick tips:

1) Whatever your eating budget is, triple it. You can go to Cosco and stock up on supplies to cook in your own hotel room, but you won't save nearly as much money as you think. Since you aren't going to save that much money PAMPER yourself by eating out.

2) SUNSCREEN!

3) If you aren't there long, forget the trip to Hana -- it's awesome but you lose an entire day. Instead, if you are staying in Kaanapali or Lahaina just take the 45 minute trip to: "'lao Valley State Park"

You will get to be in a rain forest, be amazed by the tropics, and only spend a small time getting there and back.

4) If in the Lahaina area make sure you go to: Leilani's restaurant. Even the late lunch atmosphere was rockin' with super awesome fish tacos (what they are known for).

5) Even if you don't like fish, get the Mahi-Mahi fish tacos at a good restaurant. They won't have one bit of Wichita, Kansas fish smell/taste. They are super fresh, super clean, awesome food and you will be shocked that you like them. And fish lovers will LOVE them.

6) Can't beat Mama's Fishhouse, which is only about 15 minutes from the airport. So if you have a late flight back, kill time between your hotel room checkout and waiting on your airplane by going to Mama's Fishhouse for a killer last meal -- possibly the best one you will have in Maui.

7) The shopping in Lahaina isn't all what it's cracked up to be. Your mileage may vary, but we enjoyed Whaler's Village much more and won't go back to the shops at Lahaina.

8) If you plan on doing the bike ride down the volcano, stop by Walmart on the way in from the airport and pick up some cheap throw-away jackets, hoodies, warm clothes to wear at the top. No since on packing yours and bringing them from Wichita just to wear them once.

9) MAI TAI!

10) Get your rental car from Priceline. I was quoted $480ish per week when I went to Expedia and the other places. So I put in a bid of $28/day for a convertible Mustang which came to about $250 on priceline and it was accepted! Half the price.

11) DON'T get a Mustang -- they are uncomfortable. Rent an SUV instead -- sit higher in traffic, smoother ride, and more enjoyable when driving along the oceanside. We traded our Mustang up for an SUV and it was the best decision we made.

12) Alamo seems to have the best deals in the area as far as rental cars.

That's all I can think of for now.

[jcdshocker]

I think a couple of things have slowed down the progress. The Assistant AD/Ticket Operations guy has left WSU and his assistant has taken over ticket distribution. WSU is requesting additional tickets from the Maui people in an attempt to have enough tickets for everyone.

That is consistent with what I am being told as well. I have booked my trip. Went through Sunflower, but not the university sponsored trip. We are leaving a few days early and leaving on Wed the 11/24. I will have to miss the third game even if I get tickets. I saved quite a bit of money by not staying at the Sheraton.

[martymoose]

That is consistent with what I am being told as well. I have booked my trip. Went through Sunflower, but not the university sponsored trip. We are leaving a few days early and leaving on Wed the 11/24. I will have to miss the third game even if I get tickets. I saved quite a bit of money by not staying at the Sheraton.

We're leaving on the 24th as well, but our flight is at 11:50 PM so we'll have no problem making the 3rd day of games. I know there's also a 10:25 PM game which would also be fine for making the games.

[martymoose]

FYI, I got a call to place my ticket order Friday morning. I think that's when they started down their list. Since they were only open half a day they probably didn't make it very far....and they're closed today. I would guess anyone on the list can probably expect a call in the next few days, once they get to your priority number. I was told they were able to obtain additional tickets from the Maui people so they'll be able to meet more of the demand...which is excellent news!

November can't get here soon enough!

[Steeleshocker]

Thanks for the update, Moose. Hopefully they make it down the list to me :)

:wsu_posters:

[jcdshocker]

Finally got my call from the ticket office yesterday. Purchased the 2 I had requested.

They now only have GA tickets that they are selling. On a waiting list for reserved seats, but not holding out hope for that. Better than not having a ticket since we already booked the trip to Maui.

Can November come fast enough?

[im4wsu]

Got mine yesterday, also. I got the two reserved that I requested. I asked how many, they said they thought they had enough to fill all the requests, about 300 going.

[martymoose]

Got mine yesterday, also. I got the two reserved that I requested. I asked how many, they said they thought they had enough to fill all the requests, about 300 going.

That's awesome if they can meet the demand. I'm guessing a few people who had requested must have backed out making room for others. When I put in my order a couple weeks ago, they also had some all session passes, but the significant others who are coming with us weren't too keen on watching that much basketball, they seem to think this is a vacation and basketball is secondary :roll: ...but now I'm having second thoughts that I didn't get them. Would have liked to watch a couple UK, MSU and UCONN games.

[Steeleshocker]

YAY! The grad student non-SASO member got his two tickets today!

The wife and I will be there screaming our lungs out!

I'm with you, Moose, but I don't think I could have afforded all session passes. The tickets for just the WSU games seems pretty high (but worth it when you factor in the cost of the vacation overall). Plus, my wife is super excited to spend some time in a tropical climate, especially in November!

GO SHOX!

[150946shox]

We got our 4 reserved tickets a few days ago. What a relief. I'm not 100% certain the other couple really wants to spend $660 for the tickets so may end up selling a couple, but we'll see.