ashmire13 wrote:
 

I'm so going to have to visit next year!  

You get here and I am buying first, second and third rounds at the local watering hole.

Prufrock wrote:Yeah, I've made the decision.  I will visit the evil empire (Texas), land of arrogance, dumbass's with cowboy hats and big ass belt buckles.  I will try to speak unintelligently so as not to stick out like a sore thumb.

Martin

Hey Martin, what size are you? So I can fit you for a DALLAS COWBOYS jersey....I think there are still a few TO jerseys left over from last year on sale cheap but if you insist on a Romo jersey we can accomodate you....

Seriously though the location of the hotel is right in front of the entrance to Valley Ranch....home to where the Cowboys work out.  It's about a five minute drive down the road....

Mike B.

Prufrock wrote:Jeff,

I need a room.  Would be happy to go in for half the cost.

Martin

Excellent, now we have a plan

Invincible Overlord wrote:So I'm looking at airline tickets for the con, and it's currently around $300.00 round-trip from Chicago (taxes included).

Do you think that airline prices will increase, or decrease between now and the middle of May?

If I drove from Chicago, it would only cost me $200.00 in gas round trip (hey... it's only a 14 hour drive...)  

Guess it all depends on which airline you are looking at.  The last time I went to Gen Con, the cost of my flight increased between February and August.  I went with Southwest and it ran me about $350.  American is a bit cheaper (usually) but you have to deal with their stupid fees.  Unfortunately I dont really fly enough to know when the best time to buy tickets is.

I wouldnt recommend driving though unless someone is coming with you.  Badmike and I drove to Indy a few years ago and while we had a lot of fun driving up there, it really kicked our ass.  We were both tired as hell the next day.  And the drive back was brutal since the novelty of our first Gen Con had worn off by then.

You can drive it, but at what cost?

You could drive down on Thursday, but that haul is gonna waste the day. And do you leave on Sunday? You loose a great deal of convention time. And if you decide to stay an extra night to get home, you pay for the hotel and you are right back to $300.

And 14 hours is a bit optimistic realistically. Stops, gas, traffic, construction, etc. will put you more in the 16 hour range. Trust me, I drive a hell of alot. And I just drove from Chicago to Memphis a few weeks ago and it was all of 9 hours. It took me 7 hours to go from Memphis to NTRPG last year. So I think 16 hours is more appropriate.
Is $100 worth 32 hours in the car. Not to me!

Flight from Detroit to Dallas is also $300. Just can't get around it. I am booking in the next few weeks. Already snagged the hotel.

Rent a Porsche and cut the drive time in half.  

Invincible Overlord wrote:Flying it is.

Now, if someone is looking to share a room at the con, that would be helpful to me as well.

Also remember there is a "room share" thread at the NTRPG Con site....

Mike B.

Bought my plane ticket today.  Only $260 round trip from Indy.

So no excuses this year.  I'll see you all in June.

Martin

Got a one way from Orlando for $78.  But then I have to stay in Dallas. Worth it.