Fanfaire is in Vegas [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

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Irish

03-03-2009, 03:33 PM

Fanfaire is in Vegas. Last weekend in June. No details on hotel yet. Supposedly official announcement soon.

tiaauriga

03-03-2009, 05:32 PM

<img src="/station/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" />**happy dance**

Bayamos

03-04-2009, 12:10 AM

F Vegas with a cold, disapproving rake.Would have gone if it was on East Coast, was excited. Vegas AGAIN? No.

Kela

03-04-2009, 04:04 AM

<cite>Bayamos wrote:</cite><blockquote>F Vegas with a cold, disapproving rake.Would have gone if it was on East Coast, was excited. Vegas AGAIN? No.</blockquote>So you are willing to pay more to have it closer to you.... that makes sence.::EDIT::To back that up:New York City to Vegas for a hotel On the strip capable of hosting Fan Faire(Luxor), 5 nights stay with rental Car $812.00.New York to Washinton DC for a Hotel with Conferance Fasilities capable of hosting Fan Faire, 5 nights stay + Rental Car $942.These are BOTH the cheapest prices Orbitz reports back for hotels capable of suporting Fan Faire, on the same weekend, Oh, and BTW if you goto Vegas.com you will generally find an even cheaper price.And for point of comparison from Sacramento to Vegas (same deal) $736while Sacramento to DC (same deal) $1,103So while it is CHEAPER for an East Coaster to fly to Vegas then it is for that same person to Stay on the same coast(by $130). It is nearly $400 MORE Expencive for a West Coaster to goto an East coast City... and BTW the prices are about the same for most East Coast cities if not more expencive.Tell me again how unfair it is to have to goto a Cheaper venue in a differant part of the Country.

HeiligHangranate

03-04-2009, 01:47 PM

<cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Bayamos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Tell me again how unfair it is to have to goto a Cheaper venue in a differant part of the Country.</blockquote></blockquote>Drive. West coasters have had this options for several years now, but it's been a while since East coasters have had the option. It puts a huge dent in the cost if you can drive.

Calthine

03-04-2009, 01:58 PM

Eh, no matter where they put it, someone's going to feel inconvenienced.

Beadil

03-04-2009, 03:23 PM

<cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote>Eh, no matter where they put it, someone's going to feel inconvenienced. </blockquote>Amen.Personally, I'm thrilled it's in Vegas. Considering the SOE staff took a bus there last year (that is an assumption from the pics I saw) it is certainly "cheaper" for them to get to Vegas which in turn "would seem" to make it cheaper for what they charge the Fans. During these financial times, I can't blame them for this. I'll add that I don't see how SOE could have broke even last year for what they charged the Fans.I certainly agree, Being in St. Louis, if Fan Faire would have been here, I could save a bundle! Likewise for anywhere you live. But as stated, no matter where they have it, impossible to satisfy everyone.They had teased awhile back about an "East coast event". Maybe thats still in the works?My choices would have been in order: Vegas, St. Louis, SOE headquarters, and I might have considered Orlando area (cause I have a sister there I could have visited). Any other location and I likely would not have gone. I'm sure lots of people feel exactly vice versa.Vegas is a good choice, maybe the best.

Meric

03-04-2009, 05:11 PM

Where id you get this info? I don't believe it without screenshots

Calthine

03-04-2009, 08:09 PM

<cite>Meric wrote:</cite><blockquote>Where id you get this info? I don't believe it without screenshots</blockquote>Podcast FTW! <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5vzlje" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/5vzlje</a>

Gendid

03-04-2009, 08:44 PM

I had a great time in Las Vegas last year, and have no problems going back there again this year. It's a great city to take a short vacation in. There always something to do 24/7. Any kind of food you would want to eat and entertainment to keep you busy after hours after everyone has left the convention. Not too many cities offer that.I plan on attending again this year.

Antibane

03-05-2009, 03:46 AM

Bummer. It's looking like I'm going to be on vacation in Florida during that time. Not that I'm not looking forward to my vacation, but had it been in Orlando, I could have made Fan Faire part of my vacation.Ah, well, there's always next year.

Howler31

03-05-2009, 08:09 AM

while I would like to attend, because they haven't released any official, solid, in-stone dates (and before you post a retort, saying "keep the last weekend in june open for vacation" is not a solid, in-stone set of dates), let alone any hotel information, or anything, and the fact that I'm possibly going to be changing schedules here soon, I probably will not be able to make it to Fan Faire this year.I loved Fan Faire last year, and would love to go this year, but the window is closing very rapidly, so I'm not expecting to make it this year. maybe if all the portents align, I might, but I'm not holding my breath.

balzaktal

03-05-2009, 09:22 PM

Anyone up for a Conspiracy theory?The SOE Podcast gave hints for the 2009 FF location by saying "it will be hot there", "it is not mid-west city, more west" and there is "Paris".We all assume (myself included) that this is Las Vegas againBut....What about Texas?Many of the Devs are in Austin Texas, there is a Paris, Texas..../discuss

Kela

03-06-2009, 02:52 AM

<cite>HeiligHangranate wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Bayamos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Tell me again how unfair it is to have to goto a Cheaper venue in a differant part of the Country.</blockquote></blockquote>Drive. West coasters have had this options for several years now, but it's been a while since East coasters have had the option. It puts a huge dent in the cost if you can drive.</blockquote>You are aware that Las Vegas is 280mi from the nearest Major city(LA) right? That amounts to a 4hr trip assuming no traffic in LA(yeah that will happen). It also works out to ~$43.86 worth of gas IF you get 30MPG and gas prices don't do what they always do in the summer and go up + Food each way puts that at about $57 round trip and 8hrs total... How much is flying that same route $98 roundtrip... I don't know about you but I would pay the extra $41 to avoid 8hrs of driving trough DEATH VALLEY.Unless you count Flagstaff the next closest cities are:<ul><li> San Diego at 340mi and 5+hrs away</li><li>Phoenix 366mi and nearly 6hrs</li><li>Salt Lake City, @423mi 6hrs</li><li>Carson City @428mi 8hrs</li><li>Sacramento, Ca @ 569mi & nearly 9hrs. </li></ul>Personally I don't consiter anything over 4hrs "driving distance", so sorry to break it too you but "West Coasters" don't get the anymore of an "Option" to drive then East Coasters do. Besides it is STILL cheaper for EAST COASTERS to goto Vegas, then it is for EAST COASTERS to goto Washington DC.5 nights in a DC hotel with Conferance Center $696.50, Current Price for a Strip Hotel(Treasure Island this time, deals are always changing) with Conferance Center $682... INCLUDING FLIGHT from NYC. So even if you drive to DC and don't pay for your own gas it still is cheaper....right now.

Kela

03-06-2009, 02:54 AM

<cite>balzaktalbo wrote:</cite><blockquote>Anyone up for a Conspiracy theory?The SOE Podcast gave hints for the 2009 FF location by saying "it will be hot there", "it is not mid-west city, more west" and there is "Paris".We all assume (myself included) that this is Las Vegas againBut....What about Texas?Many of the Devs are in Austin Texas, there is a Paris, Texas..../discuss</blockquote>Last I checked there is no "Sin City" in Texas however.

Meric

03-06-2009, 12:50 PM

I'm still waiting on the "official" word to set my time off, flight, and hotel plans...

HeiligHangranate

03-06-2009, 01:28 PM

<cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote>Personally I don't consiter anything over 4hrs "driving distance", so sorry to break it too you but "West Coasters" don't get the anymore of an "Option" to drive then East Coasters do. Besides it is STILL cheaper for EAST COASTERS to goto Vegas, then it is for EAST COASTERS to goto Washington DC.</blockquote>The cheapest flight I can get is about $350. The cheapest flight that doesn't have me coming back on a redeye is about $450. I can drive a long way for $450, much further than 4 hours. Lots of folks double up in their vehicles, so they can share the costs and the driving. You might not want to do that, but there are plenty of folks on the East Coast who would like to get a chance to do it once in a while.

Beadil

03-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Booking a flight Now for the last weekend in June, traditionally, would not be your cheapest. Wait til 4-6 weeks prior to your trip.

SG_01

03-06-2009, 04:40 PM

<cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>balzaktalbo wrote:</cite><blockquote>Anyone up for a Conspiracy theory?The SOE Podcast gave hints for the 2009 FF location by saying "it will be hot there", "it is not mid-west city, more west" and there is "Paris".We all assume (myself included) that this is Las Vegas againBut....What about Texas?Many of the Devs are in Austin Texas, there is a Paris, Texas..../discuss</blockquote>Last I checked there is no "Sin City" in Texas however.</blockquote>There's one over here in the Netherlands though <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Kela

03-07-2009, 12:11 AM

<cite>SG_01 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>balzaktalbo wrote:</cite><blockquote>Anyone up for a Conspiracy theory?The SOE Podcast gave hints for the 2009 FF location by saying "it will be hot there", "it is not mid-west city, more west" and there is "Paris".We all assume (myself included) that this is Las Vegas againBut....What about Texas?Many of the Devs are in Austin Texas, there is a Paris, Texas..../discuss</blockquote>Last I checked there is no "Sin City" in Texas however.</blockquote>There's one over here in the Netherlands though <img src="/station/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></blockquote>Isn't that the whole country? <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Kela

03-07-2009, 12:17 AM

<cite>HeiligHangranate wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Kela wrote:</cite><blockquote>Personally I don't consiter anything over 4hrs "driving distance", so sorry to break it too you but "West Coasters" don't get the anymore of an "Option" to drive then East Coasters do. Besides it is STILL cheaper for EAST COASTERS to goto Vegas, then it is for EAST COASTERS to goto Washington DC.</blockquote>The cheapest flight I can get is about $350. The cheapest flight that doesn't have me coming back on a redeye is about $450. I can drive a long way for $450, much further than 4 hours. Lots of folks double up in their vehicles, so they can share the costs and the driving. You might not want to do that, but there are plenty of folks on the East Coast who would like to get a chance to do it once in a while.</blockquote>Where are you flying from that it costs you $350, when for just over twice that I can find a Hotel Room, Flight, and Car rental comming from an East Coast city, and the Room is the majority of that cost.This also does not account for the fact that I have shown that EVEN DRIVING it is cheaper to FLY to Vegas and Stay in thier hotel then is is to DRIVE to DC and stay in a Similar hotel, maybe not for you specifically but for many people on the East Coast, and it is do to the fact that East Coast Hotels with similar Convention Space are just that much more expencive to stay in per night then, similar hotels in Vegas. Remember $682 for FLIGHT AND HOTEL in vegas vers $696.50 for JUST A HOTEL in DC. So while it may cost you $350 to fly to Vegas, it very well easily cost you $364.50 MORE to STAY in DC... so which is cheaper again... yes it costs more to FLY to Vegas, but in total Flight+Room it is accually CHEAPER to STAY in Vegas, then it is to Drive to and get a Room in DC.FYI, Leaving thursday and returning Monday is Far cheaper then Leaving Thursday and returning Sunday(though I am using Thurs-Sun in all my looking around).BTW, your right you can get alot farther then 4hrs on $450, you can infact get to VEGAS and back with $54.57 left over and it is only a 38hr drive. You claim that it is an option to drive to Vegas if you live on the west coast, after I point out that it really isn't that big of an option*, you then claim that because it costs YOU $450 to fly to vegas that people on the West Coast should be willing to Pay upto $450 to Drive somewhere... I am sorry to break it to you, but your flight costs have zero impact on other people's desire to fly or not.The truth is VEGAS is NOT on the West Coast, and for the VASTE majority of "West Coasters" it is FAR outside "Driving Distance". BTW, how far from your house are you willing to drive to get to Fan Faire.*I notice you did not include the drive times from ANY of the cities other then the VERY CLOSEST::EDIT::Just did another Search for a FLIGHT AND HOTEL AND CAR RENTAL from New York City to Las Vegas, $615 a night at Treasure Island a hotel on the strip that can support Fan Faire... Find me a 4-Star Hotel in DC, Orlando or NYC that can support Fan Faire(in the hotel) the you can stay 5 nights at Cheaper then $615 total($123/night), just for the hotel stay. I seriouly doupt you can. Because packages are almost alwasy cheaper then just a hotel stay, and hotel stays in those cities cost a heck of alot more... especally at 4-star hotels(like TI). Remember it has to be 4 stars, have My bad, just took a closer look at Treasure Island and I don't think thier conferance area is big enough, so I am switching to MGM Grand. Here is the new thing I would like you to find. Find a Hotel in DC, NYC, or Orlando(or any other major East Coast city) that you can get a room in for less then $129.80 a night or $649 total per person double occupancy* for five nights from 6/24-6/29(last weekend in june).This hotel must like the MGM Grand:<ul><li> be rated atleast 4-stars</li><li>have enough conferance space in thier main Ball Room for 2-3k people to sit down and eat</li><li>addtional space that is about the same size for the Legonds Lounge</li><li>Around 6 smaller conferance rooms some able to seat around 750-1k people</li><li>enough rooms for all those people</li></ul>I seriously doupt you will find a hotel like that on the east cost for that small an amount of money per night, and the second the hotel price goes over $129.80 a night it becomes CHEAPER for someone living with-in driving distance of Newark Airport(just outside NYC) to FLY to Vegas, RENT a car and stay at a Vegas hotel. Now my question to you is this, sence it is accually cheaper in TOTAL for you to Fly to Vegas, Rent a Car, and Stay in the Hotel Hosting Fan Faire. Why do you want to spend MORE money driving to a closer city and staying in a Hotel there?::EDIT2::Desided to do some checking myself:Cheapest 4-star hotel in NYC - $203 per night. $1015 total you save $366 going to Vegas(didn't bother to check conferance space or hotel names)Cheapest 4-star hotels in Orlando -<ul><li>Wyndham Orland Resort @ $69 - but not enough conferance space.** </li><li>Hilton, located in the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort @ $97 - also not enough conferance space</li><li>Hyatt Place Orlando Universal @$106 - Not enough conferance space.</li></ul>Other then the Orlando Convention Center itself(which is way overkill) I was not able to even find a hotel with enough space, certainly not one for less then $129.80 a night.Cheapest 4-star in Washington DC - $139 a night with 45k sqft of Exhibit Space it is about 21k too small... though they might be able to squeeze in there if they have a tight enough schedule and break some, or all the panel rooms down in order to make the Banquet Room. Even with being squeezed into a space smaller then what is really needed it still would cost you $695 total to stay there, $46 MORE then Flying to Vegas.Atlanta, this is the East Coast city known for conferances, Cheapest 4-star - Sheraton Atlanta Hotel - $135.90, not enough conferance space, and once again they are more then the $129.80 per night it costs to goto Vegas.The fact of the matter is there are VERY FEW Hotels designed to handel the type of event SoE puts on at Fan Faire, as such even when you can find a hotel that can support it, that hotel is generally the only game in town capable of supporting it and is therefor very expencive. However, in Vegas nearly every hotel in the city can handel the size event SoE puts on(heck alot can handel 2 or more of that size), that makes Vegas very competitive, and that coupled with the fact that they make thier money off of Gambling NOT the room fee, it is just flat out cheaper to stay in Vegas, by a long shot, then in any other city.*This is a per person Double occupancy number(meaning 2 people traveling together... you know doubling up on the "car" to make it cheaper), going by yourself is more expencive, just like driving alone is. By yourself it is $951 for Flight, Car, and Room or $190.20 a night, and while Atlanta and DC are cheaper... there conferance space can't really handle the event, and they both also have far fewer rooms, especally rooms with Double Beds(allowing people to share rooms).**they did have a nice space requirment calculator and for 2k people you need 24,064 sqft x 2 for the Legonds Lounge and Main Ballroom. A couple 6-8k Sqft rooms for some of the panels to seat 750-1k people in Theater format(yes the expainsion panels are that popular), then again they are usually standing room only so I gues they figure on about 500 people needing 4.5k Sqft . The other 4 rooms could probly get away with beeing around 3k Sqft seating around 300 people.

Calthine

03-07-2009, 05:31 AM

Holy crow Ke'la, my eyes went numb about three inches into that post.

Rra

03-07-2009, 11:25 PM

<cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote>Holy crow Ke'la, my eyes went numb about three inches into that post.</blockquote>I glanced and saw how long it was and knew that would happen too, so I just didn't read it.It's all kinda a moot point now since they already said on the podcast it's in Sin City.

Lalaminu

03-08-2009, 02:02 PM

It makes no difference where they decide to do fan fair, people will do these posts wanting it here or there or elsewhere. Honestly it gets old and it happens every year. I live in Florida and I would rather go to Vegas for fan fair. I went to Atlanta when they had it close to me, I still flew because I didnt want to drive 6 hours. There really wasnt much to do outside of fan fair once things settled down for an evening. But that was my preference I did not whine or cry or put my dislikes on the message board saying why I wont go or whatever. If you can not go, that is your business, if you dont want to go because of where it is being held, that is your business. SoE can not work around everyones life or schedule or where they are in the world. It's impossible.SoE has to work around their schedule if you look at it that way, because they are working people just like the rest of us and have schedules and things that are planned out through the year that they need to have done or whatever. So not only do they need to plan the fan fair but they have to plan for their employees to have the time off to travel and entertain us for this function,Honestly it doesnt matter where they have it, its SoE's Fan Fair, they make the arrangements, they pay for the space we use to have the function, and if they want it in Vegas good for them! Just be sure to have different things every year to keep us coming back. I go to hang with fellow gamers, talk to the Devs and listen to what is planned for the future of the games I am interested in. I dont think I even left the hotel except the day to leave Vegas to go home. What would be the point of going to Orlando when I never left the hotel, I am not there for Disneyworld and would be too exhusted to even try and fit that in with all the things we do at Fan Fair. But that is just me, others might want to fit in Disneyworld and more power to them, but since it is in Vegas, you can drive to Disneyworld from Vegas, its about what..5 hours away or so from Vegas? So hey the option is till there to go see Mickey Mouse if you want to do the added expense.I really enjoyed the G.I.R.L. brunch they set up last year. Being a female in mostly male dominated world it was refreshing to listen to other girl geeks like myself who play games! I was in the elevator and happen to run into one of the panel that was there for the breakfast and spoke to her about keeping this sort of thing going for future fan fairs and to make it a bigger event as time goes on and more people show up. I love the lipstick looking thumb drive we got and I still use it and get comments on it.That is what I am going to Fan Fair for, not for Mickey Mouse or whatever. If your going for other reasons and including fan fair then good for you, but you can not expect the rest of the hord to be there for the same reasons and to have it accomidate your reasons for going. That isnt fair to everyone else. The reasons I go are my own and I do not expect anyone else to have the same reasons. You dont want to go to Vegas, then dont. No one is making you go. You go because you want to go and are there for Fan Fair.Personally I am excited about going back to Vegas for Fan Fair and I feel that Vegas is perfect for this of function but those are my feelings and I do not expect anyone to agree with anything I say here or expect anyone to feel the same as I do. I just want to make that clear. so before I get flamebasted, my feelings are my own and I expressing them. SoE just needs to be sure they organize it and provide something new every year, more vendors, more events or different kinds of events etc. Change it up from year to year. If you decide to have it elsewhere next year I will go there too and figure out how I can get there and make it affordable for me to go.All I ask is that the dates and announcement needs to come out soon, so I can put in for that time frame to take off from work and start my planning for travel.That is the only request I have.Honestly as soon as fan fair ends someone should be in charge working on the next years and getting things booked and planned so its not such a rush and we can lesson the posts on the board about where and when and whatever. But in these times of economical termoil, I will be just happy to get to go this year. And we dont live in a perfect world. I would love the job of planning this event!!! LOLWho ever has the stress of planning this function and setting things up, I just want you to know..I appreciate your time and effort in making this event happen every year.Now I await the announcement! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />For those who go no matter where it is..I will see you there again this year!!!

Kela

03-09-2009, 08:13 AM

<cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote>Holy crow Ke'la, my eyes went numb about three inches into that post.</blockquote>Basically the post points out, and sites exsamples of how it is cheaper to Per Person to Double up on a flight and hotel room pakage in Vegas, flying from Newark Airport(just across the Hudson from NYC). Then it would be Driving to most hotels of similar quality and capability on the East Coast and staying there. Do to the extremly low room rates in Vegas.::EDIT::The numbers that matters is that for Hotel, Flight and Car rental from Newark Airport to Vegas, are $129.80 a Night Double Occupancy, or $649 per person total, at the MGM Grand. I think anyone would have a hard time finding an MGM Grand equivelant hotel that works out to $129.80 a night Double Occupancy, for just a hotel stay, let alone driving costs and what not. BTW, single traveler is $951 total or $190.20 a night, though single Occupancy rates in all Hotels are more expencive.Now don't you wish you could get those prices Cal? <img src="/station/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" />

Kela

03-09-2009, 08:19 AM

<cite>Lalaminu wrote:</cite><blockquote>All I ask is that the dates and announcement needs to come out soon, so I can put in for that time frame to take off from work and start my planning for travel.</blockquote>QFE.... I asked last year and I'll ask again this year PLEASE get someone on finding next year's venue now, that way Smed can announce next year's Fan Faire at THIS year's Community Address. Or better yet find a permenant venue and hold it at the same place/time every year, that way we all have a full year to plan with no worries.

HeiligHangranate

03-09-2009, 12:33 PM

<cite>Kela wrote</cite><blockquote>QFE.... I asked last year and I'll ask again this year PLEASE get someone on finding next year's venue now, that way Smed can announce next year's Fan Faire at THIS year's Community Address. Or better yet find a permenant venue and hold it at the same place/time every year, that way we all have a full year to plan with no worries.</blockquote>They used to do that. At the end of every Fan Faire, during the banquet, they'd announce the location of the next Fan Faire. It sure did make things easier to plan.And Kela, the point I was trying to make about having it on the East Coast once in a while was that people could drive there and save a bundle, even if the hotels cost more. Four people can ride in a car for barely more than one person can. Four people can't fly for the price of one person. And pricing the costs from New York isn't very realistic. Most of us don't live near New York. (Yeah, you can get a flight from New York to Vegas for $98, but not from most of the country.) Even with the reduced cost of hotels in Vegas, it's still going to come out cheaper per person if they can drive there.

Kela

03-10-2009, 05:35 AM

<cite>HeiligHangranate wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Kela wrote</cite><blockquote>QFE.... I asked last year and I'll ask again this year PLEASE get someone on finding next year's venue now, that way Smed can announce next year's Fan Faire at THIS year's Community Address. Or better yet find a permenant venue and hold it at the same place/time every year, that way we all have a full year to plan with no worries.</blockquote>They used to do that. At the end of every Fan Faire, during the banquet, they'd announce the location of the next Fan Faire. It sure did make things easier to plan.And Kela, the point I was trying to make about having it on the East Coast once in a while was that people could drive there and save a bundle, even if the hotels cost more. Four people can ride in a car for barely more than one person can. Four people can't fly for the price of one person.Four people also can't stay at a hotel for the price of one person. And pricing the costs from New York isn't very realistic. Most of us don't live near New York. A heck of alot more people live with-in 4hrs of NYC then live with-in 4hrs of Las Vegas and you can drive to a flight just as easy as driving to stay in a hotel(Yeah, you can get a flight from New York to Vegas for $98, but not from most of the country.) Even with the reduced cost of hotels in Vegas, it's still going to come out cheaper per person if they can drive there.</blockquote>Remember I am talking about $649 per person TOTAL to Drive to Newark Airport and fly to Vegas, Rent a Car and Stay in Vegas for 5 days. If the hotel alone costs atleast that much... and in many cases more... then what is the differance YOU ARE NOT SAVING ANY MONEY.... btw it is not the flight that is so much cheaper it is the Hotel Room... and THAT has no barring on where you fly from, I say again find a hotel with similar occomidations to the MGM Grand, including ~80k Sqft of conferance space that can be broken into 2 24k sqft room and 6 or more 5k sqft rooms, for less then $129.80 PER NIGHT Double Occupancy then and only then does it become cheaper for someone on the East Coast to drive to Fan Faire. Also I picked NYC because it is one of the more expencive Cities to fly into and out of in the Country... however, sence you want more East Coast cities:All Prices are Double Occupancy and staying at the MGM Grand a 4-star Hotel on the strip, with the needed conferance space and include 5 nights stay, flight and rental car(other then Hartford).<ul><li>Raleigh, NC - $531.00 total or $106.2 a night</li><li>Richmond, VI - $617.00 total or $123.40 a night</li><li>Charlestion, SC - $663.00 total or $132.60 a night</li><li>Orlando, FL - $594.00 total or $118.80 a night</li><li>Atlanta, GA* - $596.00 total or $119.20 a night</li><li>Washington DC - $571.00 total or $114.20 a night</li><li>Philadelphia - $613.00 total or $122.60 a night</li><li>Atlantic City - $697.00 total or $139.40 a night</li><li>Hartford, CT** - $492.00 total or $98.40 a night</li><li>Portland, ME - $677.00 total or $135.40 a night</li><li>Burlington, VT - $685.00 Total or $137.00 a night</li><li>Providence, RI - $592.00 Total or $118.40 a night</li><li>Buffalo, NY - $597.00 Total or $119.40 a night</li><li>Boston, MA - $580.00 total or $116.00 a night</li></ul>*this is the most likly city for an East Coast Fan Faire so you would likly drive here, why it that? because it is one of the few cities that can support a convention like Fan Faire.**There was not a package that included a rental car flying from Hartford, so this is the price with hotel and flight only.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I also looked at the 5 most expencive cities and priced out how much it would cost to not include a rental car, just Hotel and flight, as there really is no reason to rent a car in Vegas especally for Fan Faire. Here are the results, again double Occupancy:<ul><li>Atlantic City - $631 - $126.20 a night</li><li>Burlington, VT - $619 - $123.80 a night</li><li>Portland, ME - $605 - $121.00 a night</li><li>Charleston, SC - $596 - $119.20 a night</li><li>NYC - $570 - $114 a night</li></ul>Now to be fair the package price does go up when you travel by yourself, or don't share a room with a second person, so here are those prices for a the Hotel Stay + Flight from the same 5 cities.<ul><li>Atlantic City - $874 - $174.80 a night</li><li>Burlington, VT - $862 - $172.40 a night</li><li>Portland, ME - $848 - $169.60 a night</li><li>Charleston, SC - $840 - $168.00 a night</li><li>NYC - $801 - $160.20 a night</li></ul>I still find it hard to believe you could find a 4-star hotel with the above conferance space for much less then the $174.80 a night it would cost to fly to vegas and stay there.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------::EDIT::------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just looked at the per night room costs for the 2 East Coast venues they where looking at last year and the special Convention rate was $149 per night in Orlando or $159 Per night in DC. That works out to be about $25 cheaper per night to Drive to Orlando(assuming you live near there)*, then flying from the most expencive city I could find and saying by yourself in Vegas. While flying from the cheapest city(Raleigh) to Vegas it is accually $3 cheaper per night to fly to and say by yourself in Vegas, it comes in at $146 per night single occupancy, no rental.*8hrs drive time puts you at Fayettville, NC... and 4hrs barly gets you to Savannah, GA<hr />

imrahil_donnergroll

03-10-2009, 02:05 PM

<cite>Meric wrote:</cite><blockquote>I'm still waiting on the "official" word to set my time off, flight, and hotel plans...</blockquote>QFE, long trip to plan from Europe <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />