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This week's poll!
Jul. 7th, 2008 06:28 pmIn last week's poll, Amy Winehouse won out as having a week worse than Anakin burning alive. Shoulda included Christie Brinkley in that list, yikes.
[Poll #1219528]
[Poll #1219528]
Jul. 7th, 2008
Rumored Celebration V sites
Jul. 7th, 2008 06:29 pmAccording to TFN, a Baltimore business newspaper is reporting that Charm City is one of the five finalists to host Celebration V. The others are Orlando, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Indianapolis.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of these locales:
Baltimore--I would've preferred Washington, D.C. and not just because I can go crash with friends for free. D.C.'s new convention center > Balmer's, D.C.'s public transportation system is a whole lot better, and well, it's just a nicer town. Outside of the Inner Harbor/Fells Point and a few other places, Baltimore is scary and not terribly attractive. Think of the most industrial parts of St. Louis or Pittsburgh and dump it by a bay and you've got Baltimore.
On the other hand, its airport, BWI, is the cheapest place to fly into in the D.C.-Baltimore area. It's also easily accessible via Amtrak and commuter trains. It's a short hop from D.C., Philly, Pittsburgh, the fiefdom of Delaware, Charleston, WV, and NYC, and a day's drive from Boston. It's a feasible road trip from OH, VA, IL, IN, TN, MI, and KY, as well as the eastern parts of Canada. That's if you can afford the gas. Oh and maybe those people from that Food Network show about cakes will make an appearance; the guy who runs Charm City cakes is a big SW fan.
Orlando--Isn't it time the citizens of Florida get some love? It's not their fault their state is way the hell over on the bottom right hand corner of America, so everybody ignores it. I know, I'm from there. Orlando is a major hub, making it cheaper and easier to get to, and because it's Tourism Central there are TONS and TONS of hotel rooms in every feasible price range. Better yet, combine Celebration with Star Wars Weekends at the Mouse House! Wouldn't that be awesome?
On the other hand, you have Dagobah weather there almost year round, with soul-crushing humidity in the summer. Did I mention the frequent thunderstorms?
Minneapolis--The biggest advantage I can think of is that it would be great for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
celosia. I hear Minneapolis is a nice town but all I can say is, they better hold the convention after the 75' of snow all melts.
Chicago--Chicago is another hub town, with plentiful flights and two airports to fly into. Because of where it is located, it's a relatively short flight from just about anywhere. Chicago is well-accustomed to handling conventions and it has plenty to do and see aside from the conventions.
But it damn well better not be in the dead of winter or they may as well call it Hoth Con. While the subway system (the El) is extensive and efficient, it can be scary to ride late at night. I know, I've done it :0.
Indianapolis--Indy has been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, and clearly loves hosting Celebration. They've improved the convention center and while hotels downtown were expensive, it was also nice to have stores and lots of places to eat nearby. Those who want to save money can stay in nearby Speedway and other locales.
On the other hand, Indianapolis isn't easy to get to by plane. And what about that freak snowstorm of 2005, hmm?
Whatever the decision, I have been wondering lately if next year isn't a good time to schedule a Celebration. Fuel prices are going to make a road trip or a plane ride very expensive no matter where the convention is located. Add to that $200+/night hotel rooms and higher prices these days for food, I have to wonder how many fans can afford the trip at all much less making extra purchases for artwork, souvenirs, and other tchotchkes. Oh sure, there will be plenty of diehards who will sell plasma if necessary to make it to the con but after dealers complained about not making any money in L.A. last year, why would things be any different next year?
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of these locales:
Baltimore--I would've preferred Washington, D.C. and not just because I can go crash with friends for free. D.C.'s new convention center > Balmer's, D.C.'s public transportation system is a whole lot better, and well, it's just a nicer town. Outside of the Inner Harbor/Fells Point and a few other places, Baltimore is scary and not terribly attractive. Think of the most industrial parts of St. Louis or Pittsburgh and dump it by a bay and you've got Baltimore.
On the other hand, its airport, BWI, is the cheapest place to fly into in the D.C.-Baltimore area. It's also easily accessible via Amtrak and commuter trains. It's a short hop from D.C., Philly, Pittsburgh, the fiefdom of Delaware, Charleston, WV, and NYC, and a day's drive from Boston. It's a feasible road trip from OH, VA, IL, IN, TN, MI, and KY, as well as the eastern parts of Canada. That's if you can afford the gas. Oh and maybe those people from that Food Network show about cakes will make an appearance; the guy who runs Charm City cakes is a big SW fan.
Orlando--Isn't it time the citizens of Florida get some love? It's not their fault their state is way the hell over on the bottom right hand corner of America, so everybody ignores it. I know, I'm from there. Orlando is a major hub, making it cheaper and easier to get to, and because it's Tourism Central there are TONS and TONS of hotel rooms in every feasible price range. Better yet, combine Celebration with Star Wars Weekends at the Mouse House! Wouldn't that be awesome?
On the other hand, you have Dagobah weather there almost year round, with soul-crushing humidity in the summer. Did I mention the frequent thunderstorms?
Minneapolis--The biggest advantage I can think of is that it would be great for
celosia. I hear Minneapolis is a nice town but all I can say is, they better hold the convention after the 75' of snow all melts.Chicago--Chicago is another hub town, with plentiful flights and two airports to fly into. Because of where it is located, it's a relatively short flight from just about anywhere. Chicago is well-accustomed to handling conventions and it has plenty to do and see aside from the conventions.
But it damn well better not be in the dead of winter or they may as well call it Hoth Con. While the subway system (the El) is extensive and efficient, it can be scary to ride late at night. I know, I've done it :0.
Indianapolis--Indy has been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, and clearly loves hosting Celebration. They've improved the convention center and while hotels downtown were expensive, it was also nice to have stores and lots of places to eat nearby. Those who want to save money can stay in nearby Speedway and other locales.
On the other hand, Indianapolis isn't easy to get to by plane. And what about that freak snowstorm of 2005, hmm?
Whatever the decision, I have been wondering lately if next year isn't a good time to schedule a Celebration. Fuel prices are going to make a road trip or a plane ride very expensive no matter where the convention is located. Add to that $200+/night hotel rooms and higher prices these days for food, I have to wonder how many fans can afford the trip at all much less making extra purchases for artwork, souvenirs, and other tchotchkes. Oh sure, there will be plenty of diehards who will sell plasma if necessary to make it to the con but after dealers complained about not making any money in L.A. last year, why would things be any different next year?