Questions about the WORLD championship, so far.

[Freddy Schurr]

My team and I are planning to go to the WORLD championship and I was wondering what I should know before hand and anything to look forward towards?

Some questions so far.

1. Plane or bus? Which is better? I am worried that if we take a plane that our materials and tools will be lost.

2. Wrap party any good? Should we attend?

[Elgin Clock]

It's always good to see a team trying to attend the Championship event. It's the best event FIRST has to offer, and the biggest.

As for your questions.

I know teams who have traveled from NJ to ATL by bus, and it just takes obviously an extra day for it to happen as opposed to flying. As far as costs, and things related to the details, it may be just as expensive as flying if you are renting the bus for the whole time you are down there.

The great thing about ATL is that once you get there, everything (and I mean everything) is within a 10-15 minute walking distance. The bus may not be needed during your time in ATL itself, so that may be a consideration.

As far as flying, it depends on the amount of people you have with you and how early you make the plans, but I know that both Newark and Atlanta are huge airports, so you have a large variety of flights/carriers to choose.

I would say price them both out with a realistic estimate of the number of people who will go and see what you come up with. Early is better than late, as the closer you get to the Championship Event, the higher the cost of flying.
(I tried to book a flight the week before, and it was about 1000 dollars from NY/CT to ATL) Needless to say, I missed the Championship event last year.

OK, Now for the wrap party. I'm not sure what the specifics of the event is as far as pricing/packages but my advice is this.

If you go there with the intention of keeping your team together all night long, save the money and just go out to eat, or just spend time together on that bus ride.. lol
If you are going with the intentions to meet new people, and having a little fun while you are at it and enjoying some free buffet style food for the masses, I would say go.

While the championship event wrap party is fun when you are on a team, the best part of it for me was meeting all the other people from the other teams in a casual non-competitive setting and having some fun.

So, if your team is antisocial, I would say do something together that night instead of going to the party. But, if you are all very social and want to meet new people, then go to the wrap party.

Hope this was some help.

As far as activities at the wrap party, I know there was some cool ones in 2004, but I'm not sure what was in 2005, or what will be in 2006.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Freddy204

My team and I are planning to go to the WORLD championship and I was wondering what I should know before hand and anything to look forward towards?

Some questions so far.

1. Plane or bus? Which is better? I am worried that if we take a plane that our materials and tools will be lost.

2. Wrap party any good? Should we attend?

Freddy,
From Colorado to Atlanta plane and bus fare were almost the same. We have always flown. We have never lost any tools or material. The MARTA subway system in Atlanta is wonderful, you can ride it from the airport right to your hotel. MARTA offered a 4 day pass in 2005 for $11 that could be purchased at the airport or any MARTA terminal. I am sure it will be the same in 2006.

The wrap party to me is a "Must Do". It was a little cold last year, but well worth it. It is a great way end the season, everyone seems to forget about robots, computers, and winning for a while. The focus is on just having fun and enjoying a relaxing meal. To me it is time well spent.

[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.

[Timmyd]

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.

The MARTA system is great we went everywhere i still have my MARTA pass. from the five points station you can go just about anywhere

that and the after party was awesome i won this hammer thing at the game where you hit the lever and the weight goes up and hits a bell (that was hard) they i was the shorter of the two running around with two of these at the wrap party and at the hotel you may have seen me

[Andrew Y.]

awesome! Championships is def worth it!

i can't tell you from experience because we are located in Atlanta, but once your down here, the DOME, hotel, and a variety of restaurants are no more than a 15-20min walk!

the wrap party is SO fun, lots of activities to choose from and lot of FOOD!

[Kevin Kolodziej]

I've never had the experience of driving to Atlanta from Indiana or Milwaukee, but I've been on my fair share of long drives with teams, and I have enjoyed all of them (except when the bus fumes made everyone sick ). So the journey is whatever your team prefers...I would imagine the costs will be fairly comparable.

Last year we were lucky to have team 93 from Appleton pack our pit display and tools in their trailer that they drove down. If you have someone willing to do this, or have someone within your team that can do it and offer it to other teams (if space is available), this is a very good option. Taking ANY robot supplies through the airport will give you much more of a hassle than you want. This includes buttons too!

As for the wrap party, I didn't get to go in 2004, but last year's was very neat. It did get cold, but a simple sweatshirt would have been good enough for me. Even so, I stuck it out and enjoyed the full Cirque du Solei (I think I spelled that right....) show and had my fill of GOOD food! The games are great for students and mentors alike - they had a laser tag game, some basketball games, obstacle courses, and the always popular jousting and bungee runs (Baker, you still owe me a joust!!). My students had a lot of fun competing against the mentors.

Good luck, no matter what you decide, and we hope to see you there!

Kev

[Conor Ryan]

Great question, 1403 is from NJ and we flew down last year, and we encountered your worst nightmare too. On the way down to Atlanta, we left from Newark on Airtran and when we were sitting on the plane we were able to see them taking our extra crates and some of our luggage away from the plane. They told us it wouldn't fit on the plane and it would be flown to Atlanta asap.

When we arrived we went down to baggage claim and only about 1/2 the team's luggage and 1/2 the tools that we shipped with us (it was a miracle to get that much stuff through airport security) we got our batteries to be driven down by another team driving down from NJ since they probably wouldn't of gotten through security so well. After filling out what seemed to be a mile of paperwork for the some 20 items that didn't get put on the plane they said that it would be at our hotel within 6 hours. To much of our relief it was there in 4 hours, every single piece of it.

Whats the moral of the story? Don't put your tools on the plane, either have someone volunteer to drive a uhaul down and everyone else fly to Atlanta or have the entire team take a bus.

[Freddy Schurr]

OK, well the team decided that we are going by bus,( WHY, I DON'T KNOW, 14 HOUR BUS RIDE) but it sounds fun with the team

Another question :

This is my first-time going to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP so I want to take everything in. What are things that I should consider doing and vice-versa? Basically anything that a first-time person should know about attending the WORLD CHAMPS.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Freddy204

OK, well the team decided that we are going by bus,( WHY, I DON'T KNOW, 14 HOUR BUS RIDE) but it sounds fun with the team

Another question :

This is my first-time going to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP so I want to take everything in. What are things that I should consider doing and vice-versa? Basically anything that a first-time person should know about attending the WORLD CHAMPS.

The CNN Center Tour was to me Time well spent.
Atlanta Underground is Fun.
Coke World is Fun.
There is much to do in Atlanta!

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Rod

The CNN Center Tour was to me Time well spent.
Atlanta Underground is Fun.
Coke World is Fun.
There is much to do in Atlanta!

I thought the underground was super lame, and so did most of the people on my team (in 2004), but that's just us.

We didn't do anything touristy really. I was more than satisfied just to be able to go out to dinner/spend nights hanging around random hotels/places in Atlanta with people I get to see once every year or two.

[George A.]

Team 11 went to ATL by bus back in 2004, the ride took us 18 hours but it was a bit cheaper...granted you do get a little restless towards the end (piece of advice...bring lots of snacks and VHS for the ride). However in 2003 and 2005 they went by plane, we didn't have a problem with our tools being transported...we jsut made sure everything was packed securely and told the security folks what was in the crates before checking them.

As for the Wrap Party, I agree with what's been posted. If you're going to make/meet friends then by all means go, if however you're going to spend time with your team, that time could be better spent elsewhere.

The wrap was pretty much identical from 04-05 so i didn't stay the entire time last year but I ahd fun nonetheless.

[KathieK]

Try and get your team to take advantage of everything the Championships has to offer - if there are booths there from colleges, etc., visit them. Same for the sponsors. Set some time aside to visit the pits - you'll undoubtedly be seeing teams you've never encountered before, and it takes a lot longer to do than at a regional competition! GO OUTSIDE and throw a frisbee or just relax and meet other teams. Be sure to join the Chief Delphi Group Hug (more about that will be posted as it gets closer, I'm sure). When you're team is not competing visit some of the other divisions to see what's going on there. Visit the FLL and FVC competitions when they are occuring. Be sure to be in the right division area EARLY for opening ceremonies so you can get a good view; same for the closing ceremonies. Register to attend the Conference; a lot of great sessions are offered at it. Print up some business cards with your contact info on them so you can hand them out as you make new contacts. I have loved each wrap party I've been to; a nice way to say goodbye to friends you only see once or twice a year at events.

[Rafi Ahmed]

ATL was a blast! we took a red-eye flight from LAx to the atlanta airport tuesday night. Our team was exhasted when we got there it was about 8-7 in the morning because, who sleeps on a plane trip to a robotics competion? We got there and we took the MARTA to close to our hotel and walked there. Our team stayed at the Embassy Suites, I have to say thats probably the best location. We got there on a Wendsday so our team members can have a day to explore the town, and its nice to have a day to relax b4 the competition. The MARTA pass comes in handy when doing this. We walked to the Dome everyday. It wasnt much of a walk just about 4-5 blocks. After the competition the party was a blast!! I know our team loved it and we met some cool people from other teams. We left the next day. On our team the cost per member came out to $500 for 4 night hotel and airfare, but our team paid for some of it.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Freddy204

OK, well the team decided that we are going by bus,( WHY, I DON'T KNOW, 14 HOUR BUS RIDE) but it sounds fun with the team

Another question :

This is my first-time going to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP so I want to take everything in. What are things that I should consider doing and vice-versa? Basically anything that a first-time person should know about attending the WORLD CHAMPS.

Last year Team 1676 from NJ flew down to ATL (from EWR), because it actually ended up cheaper than a bus (!) Tools & equipment were driven down by the best parents that any team could ever ask for, bar none.

In Atlanta, there's plenty to do, like any big city. Baseball is always nice. On the bus ride, avoid sugary snacks, it'll just make you restless.

At the dome, make a lot of time to visit other teams, spend time learning how they do things, everything, make friends. Juniors should know that some colleges have displays there. Many of the FIRST sponsors and suppliers have tables, where you can get a lot of good info. I spent an hour with an engineer from FESTO, and now I know how pneumatic valves really work...

I guess the point is, treat it as the rare opportunity to learn a LOT of new stuff, from some of the best and brightest you'll ever meet. Many aren't frm NJ, so they have a different outlook. Oh, and don't forget the mentors, too...

Don