[Justin]

Hello,

I will just chime in here and say that time and time and time and time and time and time again I have heard people voice the same concerns as Mike. Nationals isn't fun anymore because it's too big. I went to nationals during the 3 year period of 97, 98 and 99 and I must say I have some very good fond memories. I took 2000 off from Nationals and went to them again in 2001. What a rude awakening that was....the size of things mushroomed out of control. And the whole time I was there I couldn't shake the feeling that I had much better memories from the previous trips. One thing that I think has severely limited the dancing/party atmosphere....indoor stages. I hate them...they are small, u are packed into the tents like sardeens. I say leave the stages outside. Drink plenty of water...u'll learn your lesson sooner or later like I did in 1998 when I almost dehydrated. But I'd gladly take a little sun to return that party atomsphere to nationals. I don't think finals @ Nats have ever been well attended in my exprience...to many people much more interested in the magic that Disney has to offer by that point than a robot compeition. If anything divisions hurt nationals the most. It was impossible to find teams...and if you had teams u wanted to see in multiple divisions...just forget it...here was no hope.

In regards to the rumor...it seems like a good money maker for FIRST. Because if you have to go to a regional to go to nationals well that $4000 + $5000 right there so basically all teams going to Nats will be shelling out a min of $9000...but give the rookies a one time break.

Just my thoughts,

-Justin