The Rink at Rockefeller Center Opens For The Season

It's one of the most anticipated events of the year in New York City - The Rink at Rockefeller Centeris now open for the 2012-2013 winter season. The First Skate of the Year featured Broadway's CHAPLIN Star Rob McClure performing antics with Chef Yuhi Fujinaga of The Sea Grill and Chef Antonio Prontelli of Rock Center Cafe. New this year is the launch of VIP Express Skating all day, allowing guests to bypass the line and enjoy hot cocoa and a personal skate concierge.

"The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a beloved fall and wintertime pastime in New York City, and now we are excited to launch advance reservations which allow guests to skip the lines," says Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, which operates The Rink and its surrounding restaurants. "Our guests love skating but not the lines, so we added a skate concierge and reservations this year for faster access to the ice."

The Rink offers several festive programs, and guests can make reservations by calling 212.332.7654, or visitingwww.TheRinkAtRockCenter.com.  Activities include:

    "VIP Express Skating":  From November 16, 2012 through
                            January 7, 2013, guests bypass
                            the line and enjoy admission,
                            skate rental, hot cocoa, and
                            skate concierge for $95
    "First Skate":          Guests will be able to make
                            reservations at 7am, beginning
                            November 9, 2012 through January
                            7, 2013
    "Breakfast with Santa": From late November through
                            Christmas Eve, families can join
                            St. Nick at Rock Center Cafe and
                            Sea Grill, then head to the ice
                            for a skate session
    "Engagement on Ice":    Available throughout the season,
                            this program offers couples
                            private ice time for their
                            proposal, rinkside Champagne
                            toast and optional dinner
                            package
First opened on Christmas Day in 1936, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is now one of New York City's most visited sites. The Rink also boasts night skating, a heated house for changing skates, and dining with scenic views of the rink at The Sea Grill and Rock Center Cafe. Photos of the First Skate are available upon request.  For more information please visit www.TheRinkAtRockCenter.com.