For the final time: my goals in the Championship WEREN'T to go ride every ride at Disney. They wern't to go and see the sights. Mine was to have fun, help my team, and learn. Simple as that. The reason why I liked it being at WDW was that a.) more people could come and see the competition b.) it was more relaxing than, say, the middle of a metropolitan city c.) I wasn't forced to stay in a hotel for hours upon hours. WDW was an option that was there if anyone wanted to use it. It had qauilty. It was clean. It had a set standard, just like FIRST. They held themselves to a higher standard like FIRST does.

I WON'T be going to Texas not that I would only go to Disney, but that I frankly lost intrest in seeing a big city and going to another stadium. OH BOY!!! Lets pay the same to enter a half #%#%#% theme park as it does Disney!

FUN
FUN
FUN

And for the final time guys, I find it rude and uncalled for when you say people who are dedicated to FIRST to say they are in it for the trip. If anyone of us was, then we wouldn't be here debateing to make FIRST better.

Hmmm... seems like this is an incorrect assumption:
I don't understand why those who feel this way don't just book a vacation to Disney and not bother going to the Championship. Then their vacation won't be "interrupted" with trips back to the Competition area to watch their team compete.

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone when I say that I view the Competition itself as the reward I owe myself after working long, hard hours for well over 6 weeks.

Darn!


I'm sorry everyone. Houston just won't work.

The gambling age there is 21 :(

Some assumptions.
 

This is scary.

A flight on Continental Airlines from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Houston's George Bush International Airport, with one week's notice and assuming Continental Airlines, is $1317 ea., round trip. FIRST gets a discount of, apparently, 10%, or $131.70. So, add in taxes and we call it $1200 ea. A skeleton crew of 6 people would be $7200 in airfare alone. Registration is an additional $4000. The closest hotel to the site is charging approximately $150/night, I would guess. That's another $900. (2 rooms @ 3 nights).

So, right there, we've racked up a considerable bill of $12,100. All due in 4 days time?

Air fare on other carriers is considerably cheaper, but not cheap. Travelocity shows the lowest fare to be ~$700. Fare from other cities may be a bit cheaper, of course. This is worst case.

I understand that FIRST does its best, but I can't even imagine what other options they had to consider. This could be really bad for some teams - especially those that sets their sights on victory. Good luck, everyone.

Houston- I can't wait.

Ok, OK- I predicted May 3rd- but I got the place right!!

I called Continental tonight and got rates for our team to go from NJ- they quoted $250- about the same as we paid for Orlando last year. Not bad. If you are interested why not call at the contact FIRST supplied?

Reading the above posts I also agree with Dave and Matt and Ken. Disney was nice as a venue because it was contained. It sounds like the Reliant Center will be pretty close in that regard too.

But those who are complaining that they will miss the Disney theme parks- geez! We went for the past three years and to tell the truth, I spent maybe five hours of the whole three years in the parks. There just isn't time if you are seriously involved with your team.

Re: Re: Re: Are you going to a National Robotics Competition or on Vacation?
 

Have Robot- Will Travel
 

Houston- I can't wait. My stetson is ready!!

Ok, OK- I predicted May 3rd- but I got the place right!! We are competiuting at Rutgers the weekend before and I just hope they can get the robots to Texas in time. But I willleave that to FIRST and Fedex.

I called Continental tonight and got rates for our team to go from NJ. They quoted $250- about the same as we paid for Orlando last year. Not bad. If you are interested why not call at the contact FIRST supplied?

Reading the above posts I also agree with Dave, Matt and Ken. Disney was nice as a venue because it was self contained. It sounds like the Reliant Center will be pretty close in that regard too.

But those who are complaining that they will miss the Disney theme parks- geez! We went to Epcot for the past three years and to tell the truth, I spent maybe five hours of the whole three years in the parks. There just isn't time if you are seriously involved with your team.
As for Six Flags- Our team lives very close to Six Flags Great Adventure and many of our kids have season tickets there. My own kids work there. If you've seen one you've seen them all.

The park is irrelevant- it is the game that's the thing!!

Team 25 is looking forward to seeing all our ODD friends in Houston and maybe even a few even ones. It is going to be a great season!!

WC

You don't understand, I'd imagine, because we probably have vastly different personal goals.

I am still deciding whether or not I want to do as you and Ken have said and book a vacation to Walt Disney World in lieue of the Championships this year. I can only afford one. With FIRST at Walt Disney World, it was a no brainer. I got to experience both. Now, it's a bit more of a troublesome problem for me. It's a personal thing, really, and I wouldn't expect that FIRST takes my love of Walt Disney World into account when its balancing its books. But, I'd hope that my opinion as a spectator is worth something.

I don't find competition appealing. I hate the stress, in fact. I don't handle it well. So, in my case, added stress on top of everything else I've already experienced isn't a pleasant thought. I attend because I do enjoy seeing the students have fun - for whatever reasons they may have. It is rewarding, of course, but it isn't exactly relaxing. Not for me, anyhow.

This, really, is all a very personal decision for me. Maybe I'm being erroneous in sharing those thoughts here. But, again, I can't help but think that I'm not the only person who feels this way. Ultimately, I will do what I decide is best for me. But, I just thought it interesting to be in the position of a spectator for the first time in awhile. I know and love FIRST for its diversity of discipline, inspiration, and motivation. I've been involved intimately going into five years. Despite that, given my distaste for competition, I am finding it to be a difficult decision regarding my attendance. How many more people like me are there out there? FIRST wants to experience growth, and it's been very successful at that so far. But, eventually, if it wants to become pop-culture friendly as so many discussions here and elsewhere indicate, I think it needs to start by drawing in people who don't have an investment in being involved. Right now, at the Championship level, I have very little invested, and I don't know that FIRST can maintain my interest for three days without some further stimulation (or one amazing game.) With Weedie being an exception, I can't imagine families planning their yearly escape around the event as it now stands. There just isn't enough meat to it for the viewing audience. If competition is your thing, it's great. If it's not, we're out of luck.

Who knows? Maybe I just don't make any sense. It wouldn't be the first time.

Discount at Continental Airlines ????
 

I called Continental to discuss airfare, and their price from Detroit to Houston is $333. I don't believe that includes taxes. Uhh, I don;t think that's a discount.:(

Re: Discount at Continental Airlines ????
 

http://www.expedia.com

I checked from Detroit to Houston on April 09, 2003, returning April 14, 2003. Airfare was $209. Delta Airlines.


I checked from Detroit to Orlando, FL on April 09, 2003, returning April 14, 2003. Airfare was $290.



It's better than Disney (the alternative).

American Airlines is just $198 to Houston from Chicago! Didn't even check Continental yet - I bet it is more, even with a discount.:(

according to continental's website, that's cheaper than a ticket for one person to Orlando, which comes in at $339. Did you call the group sales people and recite the magic alphanumeric codes?

Also, Southwest would appear to have cheaper fares available, though I can't confirm this, cause they're only booking through Apr. 4th, at the moment. No one said you had to use Continental.

Edit: Obviously, I'm not as quick on the draw as some other forum residents.

I am glad it isn't in Florida this year. This would be my fourth year and although Disney is a great place, and all things considered a very optimal enviroment, it is very very nice to have a change. Ihavent' been to texas in many years and I'm sure there are many people who have never been to Texas.

As has been said before, if the compeittion was in the middle of a gigantic empty field, would I go? yes. Would I enjoy myself as much as if I was able to be entertained by a park of some sort? who knows. My team has many many great "hotel stories" but I have some great "park stories". There are not many rides at Disney that I enjoy, but me and my friends managed to make even the boring rides mucho fun.

I think it is cool to be able to say 'We had our compeition at a major sports complex"
In the same way that It is cool to say that we are attending a regionl at the US Naval Academy (Annapolis). Everything in life is about perspective, whether you're in it for the park or the competition, anything can be fun should you open your eyes.

Color me disapointed (for now)
 

I know that both FIRST and the people in Houston have been working very hard and will be working very hard to get everything ready for us, and for that i am thankful, but still very disapointed....

I myself liked the system that had been created at Disney over the past few Nationals I have attended. They lots of things were avalable for us within walking or tram distance, and mentors didn't mind us going to different parks as long as we were in a group of atleast 3-4. While yes... the EPCOT team party has been slightly disapointing the past few years... and i still can't believe they got mandy moore... (she's not ANYWHERE near the top of my favorite singers list)... They did have places for us to spead out and have fun. Which should be fun to try in an urban area.

I can see this whole thing doing downhill very quickly and i forsee that afterwards people will complain about....

-transportation back-ups due to crowds
-long food lines in dome
-few things to do in the area near our hotel or outside the dome (that do not require transportation) where mentors would allow us to go alone....
-few things to do period...

Our team has rented houses off site and 15 passenger vans the past few years and that has worked well for us. I doubt that we will be doing the same in houston... we will probably be crammed into a hotel like at VCU, where things got boring really quick... while yes, you can make your own games... theres only so long you can duct-tape-bowl before it gets old.

And i am really looking forward to spending the little food money i will have on greasy artery clogging food... since Chilies and less greasy food types of restaurants and the like are more expensive.

And don't get me started on Six Flags.... the rides will have huge lines and probably dull... Any above average coaster lover will probably be bored.... Six Flags just uses the same rides at their parks for the most part. And very little else to do besides cheesy kiddy rides.... at least Disney had other things to do like Who wants to be a millionaire and the behind the scenes tours. I looked up all the major rides at Six Flags Houston and found a similar ride somewhere else that i have ridden already or just look so freaking dull i shudder at my computer...

Serial Thriller = Mind Eraser (Six Flags-Darien Lake) which is faster and longer & Top Gun at Canada's Wonderland.
Batman the Escape™ = Mantis (Cedar Point)
Viper = Viper (Six Flags-Darien Lake) which is taller and longer with more loops
Texas Cyclone = Predator (Six Flags-Darien Lake) taller
Greezed Lightnin'™ = The Ranger anyone?
Mayan Mindbender =Skull Mt. (Six Flags-Great Adventure)
Ultra Twister = Viper (Six Flags-Great Adventure) Longer and Faster
Dungeon Drop = Drop Zone (Paramounts Canada Wonderland) which is 23 stories
XLR-8 = Vortex (Paramounts Canada Wonderland) faster
The Serpent = Practically anyone who has been to a "mini-theme park" like Martin's Fantasy Island has been on one of these.

Keeping in mind... we will be in there friday night and saturday night... and like at Disney when things have a tendency to run-over along with last minute robot repairs in the pit to be ready for the next day... you will be lucky to get some food and maybe ride two rides before we have to leave each night.... so thats some food and 4-5 rides. Yippie... i am so excited.....

At least the competition will be amazing as usual... there is no way that could ever be affected. I love going to watch the robots compete when i got a chance between piecing together the robot again.

-------------------------------------------------

I know i wil probably get flamed for this post... but i had to vent. Hopefully this won't all come to pass and we will actually have some fun there... at the very least i can visit family there.

Wanna be friends DUCKY?

I agree totally. I have the worst spelling ever and can't display my thoughts well, and you did it for me. I think everyone will be disapointed and that everyone will want to go back to WDW.