Dragon Con 2007
POSTED BY: Kaele
UPDATED: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 05:59
VIEWED: 10456
PAGE 3 of 6
Quote:
Originally posted by Kaele:
Hey, it's never too early to plan ahead!
I agree!
--Karel.
"Wondrous is our great blue ship that sails around the mighty sun and joy to everyone that rides along." -- Jeff Lynne, Electric Light Orchestra.
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Hello All!! I signed up for the US$45 rate yesterday and I am going to Dragon*Con!!! I have my membership paid for!!!
Now... I just have to find my Australian passport... apply for visa's... earn and save the airfare, accomodation cost, travel expenses, work out what else I want to do while I am over there!
But I do have my membership paid for!!! Yay!!
And this is my very frist ever convention of any kind... you'd think I'd start with something a little closer to home... but... NO!! 
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The wife and I will be attending again this year. Had a blast this year and look forward to it every year.
Is it September yet? 
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Holding the line since December '02!
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Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/
http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan:
Serenity...no pirates this year?!? I was thinking about Captain Morgan, too.
Oh, yeah, I'm still planning on doing pirates this year. I decided I'm making a captain's coat to go with my costume. I saw one at the Renn Faire that inspired me.
And maybe I'll acquire a HAT!
Serenity,
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8
http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/
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I have registered! Must have got in just before the price changed over.
Now I just need travel costs and such. Anyone know if there are lots of extra expenses at the con itself? I'm betting so...
[]
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When going to a con, keep these factors in mind:
Hotel. I know I just called yesterday and the Hyatt was priced at $156 per night. Multiply by four nights, and that thankfulness I've got roommates lined up kicked in. If you can go with friends from home to cut costs of the room, DO IT. Sometimes you can also find online friends to room with. There are also people at the con who might be looking for roommates at the last minute, but finding someone at the last minute is as risky as going to the con without anywhere to stay. Yes, people actually really do this.
Plan on enough money for eating out at every meal. Something I like to do is bring granola bars or fruit for breakfast in the room. Since you'll be eating out for every meal, it helps to save a little cash by bringing your own breakfast. That and it helps save a little time in the morning and lets you hit the con just that much earlier.
Pack a few bottles of water. Carry one bottle around with you along with a small snack. You might get stuck in line for autographs and miss a regular meal time.
Autographs at D*C cost money. My mom and sister went last year and almost everyone's cost $20. Check the list of guests before you go and add it up from there. The biggest guest can sometimes go as high as $45 (if I remember correctly). Some guests also charge for taking a photo with them. Consider the guest and how much you want to spend on your experience with them.
Swag. Try to keep purchases for things you can't get online or are cheaper than online. If the D*C website posts up their vendor list, check it vendor websites before you go and see what things they offer online to get an idea of the prices of things you may want to buy. Remember that you'll have to travel home with it too, so think about how much room you'll have on the plane/train/car to bring it home. Also, remember how tetchy the US is about sharp metal objects on planes, so purchasing a lovely sword at D*C and flying home with it might not be such a good idea. :) (Also, packing a shouler bag to help carry around swag during the con is a good idea.)
To cut down on impulse buying, shop around the first day and check prices. Sometimes a dealer in one area has the same item as someone else and at a cheaper price. Wait until the second day to buy anything. For shopaholics like me, this rule is hard to follow but it really does help that pain in the pocketbook in the long run. Remember, the dealers won't be going anywhere the entire weekend.
Anyone else with any con advice? :)
~Kaele
PA Browncoats, Delaware Valley Brigade
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/PA_browncoats/
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i want to go so badly! i don't know anyone who would want to drive/ carpool with me though
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Those are all very good general answers about Cons! For Atlanta in particular, there is a mall within a block of all the host hotels, and so has some cheaper eats. It can get very crowded, especially around mealtimes. If you're planning on bringing in any alcohol, make sure that it's packed up in a box so it doesn't clink and sealed with tape. If the hotel folks see it, they'll charge you an additional fee (corkage, I believe it's called). When staying in a high-end hotel, like the host hotels, it's wise to factor in internet access, valet parking & tip money. The first two vary from hotel to hotel, but tip money is tip money. If you keep the employees happy, they'll be more inclined to help you with either a) any problems you might run into or b) the masses of stuff that you're trying to schlep around.
A few more generalities: For newcomers to D*C, don't try to do it all! You'll kill yourself. Water, water, water! If you need help, ask (especially from Browncoats, but we all know that already). Try to get some sleep. Bring extra batteries/cards for your cameras, as there are pic opportunities EVERYWHERE. For those really hurtin' for money, you can try to get snackage in the ConSuite. Be warned, however, that it's always busy and unless you get there at the exact moment they put food out, you probably won't get any. Soda & coffee are usually available 24/7, though. Make sure your badge is with you at all times. Do try to catch the parade.
I guess that's all I can think of at the moment. Hope it helps!
BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."
www.myspace.com/boomergoodheart
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A bit of Con advice (and this is supposed to be funny, so please take it that way!)...do not decide to get a divorce on Saturday night...it will ruin the rest of the Con for you.
Seriously, I plan on spending all my time with the Browncoats this year. I did not have much chance to do so last year. A good idea is to get a list of cell numbers for everyone. This was done last year, I think...but it's WAY too early to start something like that. I also suggest that everyone march in the parade. It's a great way to see everyone during the daylight hours, and to catch up with people you don't really know. It's also fun to just be part of such a shiny group of individuals! Shiniest folk in the 'Verse, I'm tellin' ya!
Is it time yet?!?
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Great to see folks already thinking about D*C 2007!
I've been the past two years and it's a great time. Hopefully we'll get a chance to do another LIVE edition on 'The Signal' next year.
Below is a link to an excellent recap of what it was like to be at D*C back in 2005...
http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/dragoncon2005/index.html
For those folks looking to share rides, hotel rooms or other D*C tips I HIGHLY recommend monitoring the Live Journal link below. This journal will have a ton of excellent information especially as we get closer to the con...
http://community.livejournal.com/dragoncon/
Look forward to seeing everyone there in 2007.
Kevin
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If you're a fan of Farscape or Firefly then you'll enjoy listening to the award winning podcasts...
The ScapeCast
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The Signal
http://www.serenityfirefly.com
Firefly Talk
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