Where will/should nationals be?

[Madison]

Well, Disneyland doesn't seem to be a popular theory, but here's how I think it may happen;

Okay, obviously, Disney's property in Anaheim is too small to house Nationals. Actually, it'd be more appropriate to say that there just isn't room. There's Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, three hotels, Downtown Disney and a parking structure. There are some surface lots as well, but I'm not certain how large these are or if Disney could afford to lose one to FIRST for several weeks.

It may be a possibility.

However, across the street is the Anaheim Convention Center. If I recall correctly, the halls in that building are each larger than the pit tent at Epcot. Further, it has an 'Arena' in it with seating in the round that'd work beautifully as another Einstein.

Greg Hale, former Vice President of Design and Engineering at Walt Disney World, was recently promoted to a new position as Chief Safety Officer of the Walt Disney Company. This new position may see him working in California, and may even explain why things in Florida went downhill. That's just conjecture, though.

Disney's California Adventure has been performing far, far below expectations since it opened in February of 2001. Should Disney want to remain involved with FIRST, moving Nationals to the west coast and spotlighting this failing park seems like a no-brainer. It'll draw attention to the Disneyland Resort, but California Adventure in particular. It'll pad DCA's numbers, as well.

Anaheim is a tourist town, largely because of Disneyland, the nearby Knott's Berry Farm and other area attractions. It can easily handle an influx of 10,000 people for a weekend. LAX isn't terribly far away, either.

It'd be interesting, for sure. I'd prefer it over Houston, but that much should be obvious by now

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by M. Krass
However, across the street is the Anaheim Convention Center. If I recall correctly, the halls in that building are each larger than the pit tent at Epcot. Further, it has an 'Arena' in it with seating in the round that'd work beautifully as another Einstein.

Greg Hale, former Vice President of Design and Engineering at Walt Disney World, was recently promoted to a new position as Chief Safety Officer of the Walt Disney Company. This new position may see him working in California, and may even explain why things in Florida went downhill. That's just conjecture, though.

Disney's California Adventure has been performing far, far below expectations since it opened in February of 2001. Should Disney want to remain involved with FIRST, moving Nationals to the west coast and spotlighting this failing park seems like a no-brainer. It'll draw attention to the Disneyland Resort, but California Adventure in particular. It'll pad DCA's numbers, as well.

My husband/mentor agrees with you now that I've asked him - Anaheim Convention Center.

My best friend's stepdad used to be in charge of Disney security - he retired some years ago. My twin and her husband used to work Disney security.

Interesting about the payoff for Disneyland!

*doing the happy dance* cuz we've been sweating funding for even our first regional, things have recently looked up about funds for our 2nd regional, and now we really could do championships if we qualify at a regional. YIPEE!!

[Joe Matt]

I've been to DL recently and would love to go again (hint hint).

DCA is a perfect place for the party. Very small but can handel the crowds. Close the Hollywood Backlot, Bountiful Farm, and Fishermans Warf area and keep Paradise Pear open with Grizzly Peak and Condor Flats open (those areas have the only good rides).

[Koko Ed]

I like the Nationals where they are but for the true essence of FIRST nothing beats the regoinals. If they could do the NAtionals in a large stadium and make it more like a gigantic regional that would be the best thing.
Right now I truly believe Disney is best equipped to handle the Nationals.

[Johca_Gaorl]

"FIRST will release the date and place of the National Championship
this Thursday Nov. 14."

^From my team contact, only a few more days guys.

[MattK]

Hey I gotta go to school, can somone e-mail my cell phone today with details?!


mobile@htownradio.cjb.net


It cant be any bigger than 180 characters

[Johca_Gaorl]

Championship Information

Many of you may have heard that FIRST will not be holding The Championship at Epcot in 2003. FIRST and Walt Disney World worked diligently to come up with a date that would allow us to return to Epcot but several factors simply worked against us.

We fully intended to announce the date and location of the 2003 Championship today and open registration on Friday, November 15, 2002. Although we have been working diligently to complete arrangements and obtain the very best possible pricing for teams, we have not yet finalized all the details.

We thank you for your continued patience as we complete this process. Our objective is to create an event that meets the high standards achieved in the past. We hope to have the arrangements finalized within two weeks and open registration for The Championship at that time. If it is necessary to extend the registration period for The Championship to give teams sufficient time to register, we will do so.

If you have questions, please e-mail frcteams@usfirst.org.

Respectfully,

Robert Hammond
Director, Robotics Competition

Well, I guess it's not at WDW...

[Gene F]

Let's look on the practical side. Most teams have already created and secured funding for a team budget assuming that Nationals would be in FL. For this reason I would say let's keep it FL this year. Next year is a different story. Being raised in WI I think Oconomowoc would be cool. Cheeze and Brats for everyone! But again looking on the practical side a location centrally located in the country would be most fair for everyone (St. Louis maybe). Botton line teams will need to know the location at least a year in advance to properly budget and fund raise for the travel. I would hate to see teams miss the Nationals because of a last minute change that raised their travel costs out of reach.

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by Gene F
Most teams have already created and secured funding for a team budget assuming that Nationals would be in FL. For this reason I would say let's keep it FL this yearI would hate to see teams miss the Nationals because of a last minute change that raised their travel costs out of reach.

We haven't. TRW usually gave us $20,000 a year. This year they're bought by Grauman. TRW corp who gave the money is "no more" so local TRW gave us $5000 for registration. Rumor is Grauman won't give more money, altho we won't know til we apply when things are in place - within a month.

We've written and applied many other places - so far no luck.

We planned to go to FL, we don't have the funds. There may be more teams like that than you think.

Disneyland! Problem solved!

[Shana]

Originally posted by Gene F
Let's look on the practical side. Most teams have already created and secured funding for a team budget assuming that Nationals would be in FL. For this reason I would say let's keep it FL this year.

The problem for a lot of Western teams though is the fact that they have to raise a whole lot of money so they never are prepared for finals, no matter where they are. Your team, and maybe other teams that are closer to florida have the money but for the teams that have to fly across the country our funds are never secure. If they move NATS this year I don't think it will hurt teams to much. In fact it will be giving teams all along the west coast a much needed break especially since there are a lot of rookie teams coming from these states. I believe it will be a nice change to move them this year because of all the problems teams are having for fundraising.
If NATS end up being in Houston thats the middle of the country so people have an equal opportunity. If you really want to know the problems though of fundraising talk to a team this year at NATS. When I did it was really eye opening to see that they might have huge teams but could only afford to send 3 students and 2 engineers even though they fundraised up the wazoo. So try to keep an open mind about moving the NATS. I'm sure FIRST isn't sitting in their offices thinking "how can we make it as hard as possible for them" all they really want are fair prices. If you are worried about funds though I suggest you start fundraising in case it does move, which is most likely. Believe me it may be tough to get the money but it can be done.

~SHANA~

[Cory]

If you actually think about it, it will be beneficial to teams for nats to move. If Nats are not at Disney, you will not be paying 200% of the value of something. Yes, Airfare may be more, but in another thread it was stated that it is only $70 more to fly to Houston that Orlando. In the end, I think it will be cheaper for teams, especially the West Coast teams who are always in a jam with travelling to Nats. Anyways, thats just my $.02

[Kevin Sevcik]

Actually, it was $70 more for a team to fly from richmond, VA to houston rather than Orlando. It was cheaper for someone to fly from LAX to houston, rather than orlando

[brokenleftthumb]

What about inside Canada... don't you people wanna come to Canada? Furs for free, man :-)

Originally posted by brokenleftthumb
What about inside Canada... don't you people wanna come to Canada? Furs for free, man :-)

Been disscussed before, Canada is out of the question

[Reed B.]

My useless 2 cents:

Houston, TX: disputably the most "central" location you could get. Personally I'd like to know how the teams spread out over the continent before committing to the site, though.
Orlando, FL: Ah, the old standy. All of you know more or less about this by now. It sucks to fly there from the west coast, though.
Washington DC: Eh, a so-so location. There's a lot of historic stuff, to be sure, and while it would historically insightful and all, you're not here to read about Lincoln, you're here primarily to commandeer your rickety robot death traps to pick up balls.
Las Vegas, NV: Yes, it is the city of sin. Yes, it has almost no redeeming qualities to anyone below legal age. But if your idea of heaven is streets covered with free porn mags (no, I'm not making this up), then Las Vegas has your number.

As far as locations without entertainment: folks, we're building robots here. I'm sure you could figure out something to bring to occupy your spare time whenever you have it. Some of my teammates (myself included) brought along our gaming systems: if you can keep track of the things, put them away when you're done, and crack through whatever "security" mechanism the hotel's installed on the hotel TV (which can be easily overcome in many instances by a $10 adapter for your gaming system), you're in business. If you can't manage that, bring some cards (or CCGs, or RPGs, whatever).