Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Dec 3, 2009 12:30:17 GMT -5
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Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Dec 3, 2009 19:26:47 GMT -5
Yeah, Orlando ............ what are they thinking? I guess Orlando must have given them a very good deal, or the competition wasn't up to snuff.
I guess they've gotten too comfy with the SW weekends at Disney World? Perhaps Disney is co-sponsoring it? Anyway, it's still do-able for me -- but I'd be looking to share a ride for this one, if I go. Uh, if anyone wants to drive down and use Panama City as a stop, I'm available though I only have floor space to spare.
EDIT: Oh, and NOT GenCon. Some company called Reed Exhibitions. Don't know what else they have done, but the more positive things I hear about them, the more favorably I'll think about going.
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Dec 3, 2009 23:14:58 GMT -5
Reed does NY Comic Con as well as a lot of other business conventions, car shows and such. They should have a good take on what will be expected
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Post by Cara Drume on Dec 4, 2009 10:15:04 GMT -5
Lucasfilm must have gone crazy. Not only is August the start of hurricane season, but it's so humid out there I bet you could go swimming without going near the ocean or a pool!
I bet Disney is thrilled. Several people combined CIV with trips to Disneyland, so maybe they think they'll combine CV with trips to Disney World this time.
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Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Dec 4, 2009 10:19:28 GMT -5
It is....after all... about the almighty dollar...  |
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Post by Shoshana Win on Dec 4, 2009 11:09:30 GMT -5
Okay, I have to admit that I am getting a little annoyed at all the negativity surrounding this, so I felt I had to respond. Forgive me if I sound a little angry...but all I am hearing is bashing of Orlando, which is a really nice city.  And, please, I AM NOT TRYING TO SINGLE OUT ANYONE OR THEIR COMMENTS...I am just trying to respond to the ones that have been put out there, both here and in other threads. First, yes, Orlando in August in hot...but we do have air-conditioning. I have been in OCCC several times, and I can tell you that it is quite cold inside, and you will never know that it's 95 degrees outside. Unless of course, there are other things you want to do while you are there, besides spend all day at the con (which is what I plan to do ;D). Second, yes, it is in the middle of hurricane season. However, unlike castrophies like earthquakes (think LA) and tornados, you get a lot of advanced notice that a hurricane is headed your way, so you have an opportunity to cancel your plans. Most hotels will give you a refund, and you can always reschedule your flight for some other time or destination. Plus, although Orlando had several hurricane strikes a few years ago, it's actually a much rarer occurence than you think for a major storm to make landfall in Florida. Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and even as far north as New York and New Jersey can be hit by a major hurricane. Before Wilma, Frances, and Charlie hit Florida in 2004-2005, the last major hurricane to hit Florida was Andrew, in 1992. And the one before that was Donna, in 1960. So, the odds are very good that we WON'T get a hurricane in Florida next year. Finally, the OCCC is an excellent convention center, and ideally suited to hosting such a large event. Indianapolis, though a great place, was far too small for CII and especially CIII. The convention center in LA was awesome, and was plenty big enough. But as most of you know, hotels close to the CC, and restaurants that were open past 6 or 8pm were extremely rare, and that was a big downside to the whole thing. Orlando is a great place in that is has a large enough convention center, and the added benefit of having PLENTY of hotels and restaurants close by. And, BECAUSE of Disney, Orlando is uniquely suited to handle large numbers of tourists. So, I may be naive, but I don't think that Orlando won out because the competition wasn't good enough...I think that they gave them a good deal, plus provided them with an ideal place to hold CV. I'm sorry everyone, I don't usually respond to things this way, but I am really disheartened by the response this decision has been getting (not just here in this thread, but in other places as well). If you can't make it to CV because of distance, money, timing (SCCC and DC), etc, that's one thing, but don't let the reason you don't come to CV be simply because it's in Orlando. IMO, you'll be missing out on a great experience!! |
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Post by Cara Drume on Dec 4, 2009 14:52:16 GMT -5
Oops. Sorry. Half-kidding there and forgot to add the winks. |
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Dec 4, 2009 15:16:56 GMT -5
My main complaint is the timing. Between SDCC and DC is not good.
My complaint of the heat/humidity is secondary. I have been to Florida in August several times and I know its hot humid, but I know the OCCC is air conditioned. However, my bodily system makes me sweat very easily. SDCC is inside and air conditioned also but I still was hot most of the time just due to the massive amounts of people. Same with D*C. I was really hoping for a earlier in the year timeframe. Or much later, say late October or even early November
But I have booked a room...just in case...
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Post by Shoshana Win on Dec 4, 2009 16:35:15 GMT -5
My main complaint is the timing. Between SDCC and DC is not good. My complaint of the heat/humidity is secondary. I have been to Florida in August several times and I know its hot humid, but I know the OCCC is air conditioned. However, my bodily system makes me sweat very easily. SDCC is inside and air conditioned also but I still was hot most of the time just due to the massive amounts of people. Same with D*C. I was really hoping for a earlier in the year timeframe. Or much later, say late October or even early November But I have booked a room...just in case... Yeah, I agree, the timing is not the best! The latter half of the year seems to be when all of the big cons are, so I was kind of surprised that they were holding CV so late. I imagine that it is to avoid any conflicts with SWW. As for the heat, unfortunately, it is hot down here from April through November/December. We had records high almost every day in November. I understand that is a big issue for alot of people...I guess I am just really used to it (I was born and raised here!) |
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Post by Xana on Dec 4, 2009 16:48:08 GMT -5
Look at it this way.......... D*C and SDCC happen every year. SW Celebrations happen every couple of years or so. Lucasfilm isn't sitting around asking how to make things difficult for costumers and Con goers! lol! Not every SW fan is a costumer or a Con junkie. No matter where CV is, there are going to be some upset people. People were upset that it was in Indiana. Then they were upset it was in California, and now Florida. I'm sure if were flies on the wall at LF when they were planning this, our heads would spin and we'd run out screaming.  It is where it is and we have to go from there. Right? Or did I miss something? |
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Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Dec 5, 2009 1:15:22 GMT -5
I've seen more about Reed Exhibitions and it sounds good. I'd certainly like to see a CV run better.
I suppose I shouldn't be too down on Orlando -- I do live in Florida. The heat isn't an issue for me since I ride a bicycle to work in this weather. Everything would be thoroughly air-conditioned anyway. And if Disney is a co-sponsor that is actually a plus. They run a tight ship. They can be strict but they have excellent quality.
And 2004 was a 4 hurricane season - Charlie, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne. I got stuck at Worldcon for a couple extra days because Frances shut down the airport and an Ivan-spawned tornado went 1/2 block from my apartment. If a hurricane rolls through at the wrong time for CV there would most likely be warning, but it would be huge downer for everyone. I presume that LFL and Reed would have insurance that would cover a cancellation.
It's the getting to and from Orlando that bugs me. You're a fourth class citizen in this state if you can't drive a car. Flying is just a bit spendy -- they used to have a direct flight from here to Orlando, but no more. Southwest is supposed to start flying out of here next summer, but I don't know if they'll go to Orlando. That would be ideal. Otherwise I'll be looking online for a ride with anyone coming from the west.
I've seen people posting online about hotel reservations, but I've also seen a post that they're supposed to have a convention block with discounted rates, so I'm strongly inclined to wait on reservations for now. It sounds like the hotel situation in Orlando will be MUCH better than LA.
I DO fault them for making the announcement only 8 months before the event. That is my biggest criticism. Will people have to choose between CV and DragonCon? Or other things? Orlando is a great vacation spot, but people often need more advance warning than that for a big trip.
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Post by Granny-Wan on Dec 5, 2009 14:39:35 GMT -5
As far as air conditioning is concerned.... do they have it where the people have to wait in line to get in every day?
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Post by Shoshana Win on Dec 5, 2009 15:45:37 GMT -5
Hmmm, I'm not sure how they are going to work that Granny-Wan. I think a lot depends on which hall they intend to use. The West Hall is much bigger, and I think people waiting to get in can be accomodated inside the building. The last I read, Steve Sansweet said they have the option to reserve the entire Convention Center, so they probably will be in the West Hall.
That is an important question!! I'm sure that they have thought of it...I was reading a blog from one of Reed Exhibitions' employees, and he was saying that he knew the heat was a big consideration. So I am sure they will come up with something.
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Post by Calaveylon Angavel on Dec 6, 2009 10:46:14 GMT -5
I went to a con in OCCC several years ago (Megacon, I think). That center is HUGE! LFL made a good choice holding in a bigger venue than the Indy Convention Center.
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Post by Jauhzmynn Enz on Dec 6, 2009 14:08:57 GMT -5
Hey did anyone notice that CV mentioned US in their advertisment?? That's really good now.
Cal, It was MegaCon with a boat/RV shoe, and a elemetary school chear leader conferance/national championship thing.
Shoshanna, I completely agree with all you've said. :-) It's going to be a complete blast.
OCCC is truly massive. You could tencically get lost. When I went they hosted three conventions simultaniously, counting Mega Con that I knew of. I didn't come into contact with very many of the other cons' patrions unless they were passing through Mega's area. At the Hotels were a differant story, but that goes with the territory.
Is for Disney Star Wars Weekend, that's hosted by Disney Corp itself (with LFL's permission to use copyrighted charactors visages)not CV's sponser. Disney SWW last year was in the month of June, years before it was in May and part of June.
Also if there's a lot going on that's fun for family, kids and non-star wars geek spouses. Great shopping areas for preliminary Christmas shopping, great food places, Museums. Kennedy Space Center is an 1.5 hours away. Time it right you can see a shuttle or satilite launch. WHoo hoo. That really is fun. The space museums are amazing. Stand next to a Saturn V rocket and not be be amazed.:-D
Choosing between Dragon Con and CV. I'm choosing CV this year because the Celebration cons only come around every 2 or 3 years. DragonCon is every year. This time since this Celebraition is in my back yard so to speak, its going to be cheaper for me fuel wise. Heck I'll be happy I can make a con this year, since I've missed every convention local an otherwise for 3 years for the lack of funds.
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And, please, I AM NOT TRYING TO SINGLE OUT ANYONE OR THEIR COMMENTS...I am just trying to respond to the ones that have been put out there, both here and in other threads.
