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Originally Posted by KarenH
ChrisH and I stayed downtown last year; the rest of our team stayed near the airport. So my observations will be a little different than the previous responses.
A team from New Jersey stayed in our hotel (Atlanta Downtown Travelodge). They had a bus. We, on the other hand, walked. It took me 45 minutes the first day. I was a little quicker after that. I was not in shape, and there were hills. I sometimes thought of hitching a ride on that other team's bus! So, details like how you travel may depend on where you stay. Not all the FIRST hotels are located downtown. Our non-FIRST hotel was located on the far side of downtown.
If you stay near the airport and ride the MARTA train every day, it will take you about an hour each way. If you have a vehicle, you have to pay for parking downtown. This is cost-effective for a bus, but not for rental cars.
If you want to fly, but are worried about losing tools and equipment, you could have a couple of volunteers with a reliable vehicle drive the equipment, while the rest of the team flies. Also, keep in mind that some types of equipment are prohibited from going on commercial flights, for example, gas-powered engines, and (I think) welding tanks.
The wrap party is good for food, and for socializing with other teams. The fireworks were pretty good. Because it's outdoors, you have to chance it with the weather. In Atlanta, the weather can be nice, or it can be wild. In 2004, it was nice. Last year, it got wild at times, and was unseasonably cold. Even the natives were complaining. Our team did not care for the hypnotist show, and because of the weather and the long commute, they left before the end of the party.
It didn't help that the party started about 2 hours late, thanks to the long-winded speakers that afternoon. This is another "unpredictable": when the Championship actually ends! Don't plan on catching a plane home early Saturday evening, or you'll likely miss something important.
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