I love Disney for all of the obvious and selfish reasons BUT, as one who has recruited many teams that struggle financially, please allow me to enact a "Language Tool" from page 13 of FIRST's Mentoring Guide. Here goes ...
What would happen if ...
---The Nationals are open to all teams
---Cities bid to get the National Championships
---The NEW National Championship schedule would be something like
Thursday
8:00 - PITS Open
9:00 - Opening ceremonies
12:00 Noon - Practice rounds
12:00 Midnight - Practice rounds end
Friday
12:00 Midnight - Seeding Rounds Begin
12:00 Midnight - PITS Close
Saturday
12:00 Midnight - SLEEP, SLEEP, & more SLEEP
6:00 AM - Seeding Rounds Continue
1:00 PM - Elimination Rounds
6:00 PM - Closing ceremonies
8:00 PM - PARTY 'til you drop
Sunday
Travel day
Notes:
The bid selection criteria would encompass things like cost to FIRST, cost to teams, weather, logistics, etc. I would expect that bidders who create a low-cost FIRST village with lots of corporate money going to FIRST would be highly considered. Heck, along with traditional hotels, how about providing a campground (campers, tents, etc.) for those who like the great outdoors.
Although the schedule may be a weeeeeeeee ridiculous, you get the idea. Currently at Nationals, the real reason that the students and mentors go to Disney World is that FIRST is CLOSED for the day. If the FIRST complex is open 24 hours a day, then there is no need for alternative entertainment. Since we stay up all night working on the 'bots, why not stay up all night running the 'bots.
Just trying to think "out of the box",
Lucien
