UK (Specifically Scotland) People going to GenCon 2014?

[Alasomorph]

That would be great. I would hazard a guess that most UK gamers travelling that far are doing so alone.

 

[a2ndchapter]

A series of posts have just gone live on my blog about "Getting to GenCon 2014". Would value any insight anyone has on what I'm saying in these posts.

Thanks in advance - http://a2ndchapter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/getting-to-gencon-part-1.html

 

[a2ndchapter]

So with registration only 4 weeks away and having harassed all the potential candidates that I can it looks like I might after all be going on my own.

So - Who else from the UK is going to GenCon in 2014?

 

[Alasomorph]

I am... first time at GenCon

 

[a2ndchapter]

Well that's my ticket bought + 1 other person I know is going.

How many other people are going from the UK on here?

 

[andreww]

There are four of us going from Newcastle.

 

[Alzrius]

A series of posts have just gone live on my blog about "Getting to GenCon 2014". Would value any insight anyone has on what I'm saying in these posts.

Thanks in advance - http://a2ndchapter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/getting-to-gencon-part-1.html

I think you're overestimating, by a little bit, how early and how late you'd need to arrive and leave if you want to experience all four days of the Con.

You don't need to arrive on Tuesday so that you can prepare on Wednesday, for example. I typically arrive on late Wednesday afternoon, check in to my hotel, and wander over to the Convention Center to pick up a program book, whatever swag is being given away (which gets to be less and less every year, to the point of being nothing at all last year), and stand in the Will Call line for any badges I elect for them to hold for me (which I typically don't do, as those lines are long that day).

Likewise, you don't necessarily need to leave Monday, either. The Dealer Hall is the heart of the Con, and when it closes at 4 PM on Sunday, it's like the sun is setting. A few events are still running, and maybe even a small seminar or two, but that's not very much; by the time 7 PM rolls around, it's pretty clearly over for all but the die-hards and those who haven't quite wrapped up their game.

In other words, try reserving a room for the nights of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Check out of your hotel Sunday morning; don't worry about your luggage, the hotel will securely hold it for you even after you've checked out. Fly in on an early Wednesday flight, and leave on a late Sunday flight; that should save you some time and money.

 

[a2ndchapter]

I think you're overestimating, by a little bit, how early and how late you'd need to arrive and leave if you want to experience all four days of the Con.

I most probably am overestimating the amount of time. But given that my journey is roughly 14 hours each way (I'm flying in from Edinburgh via Philadelphia) I'd like to be able to spend the time on the Tuesday to settle into the apartment we've got.
Similarly this is a holiday and an experience all in one. I want to savour it. I want to explore Indianapolis a little bit. Especially seeing as we have the apartment, I want to get a feel for the place and know that I can relax when there. Not just the con itself but the city the con is in.
It also removes all elements of rush from the experience. The Tuesday evening will likely be a wander and some food. The Wednesday will be a "pick up badge / pack etc" day and maybe some pick up games but most likely getting a feel for the venue, the eateries and so on. The Thursday to Sunday will take care of themselves. The coming home on the Monday was more out of necessity. There was no real option to come home on the Sunday unless we left pre-noon which wasn't desirable. It means though that again there's no rush. We can enjoy the end of the con and relax before the journey home begins.

Simple really!

So back to the original topic! Anyone else from the UK (not just Scotland) going?

And to take it back to Morrus' suggestion - Should we try and organise a UK EnWorld meetup?