Any Atlanta First Time Traveler Tips you want to Share?

Competition Championship Event
#41

Here’s a map I got from 2 years ago (PDF format). Back then I didn’t have to go to the Pits; this year I probably will. I should invest in some good walking sneakers!

Regarding the (ahem) “local people.” We had just flown in and dumped the luggage, and was walking around downtown to see how far we were from the dome. A nicely dressed man with a clipboard hooked up with us and asked us some questions and generally trying to be our “tour guide”. It took a couple of minutes to realize he was just a homeless person trying to get some of our money. The clipboard was a good touch.

We wanted to go to the World of Coke. He did direct us there, but by way of Five Points, the center of the subway system and also of every homeless person in Atlanta.

I am not too sorry WOC is closed. $8 to watch bottles of coke pretending to be filled was $8 too much. Tasting the different flavors of coke was interesting, especially offering that vile bitter version to our unsuspecting kids. :confused: :eek: :ahh:

#42

So, where did the PDF go?

Lets try again. Ahhh… the wonders of the 21st century!

#43

Here is a nice photo of the GA Dome during last years Championship’s finals. Click on the picture several times to see an enlarged view. Nice job Ed Clark & Tim Arnold.
Dave

#44

That reminds me: You see where the phot is taken high above? Don’t go up to the 2nd or 3rd level. Security will bust you in a heartbeat.
At the regionals security is abit more relaxed but at the championship the guys in the yellow coats seem to be stressed by all the loud hyper kids running around and don’t have much patience for anything outwardly foolish (if these are the same guys they use for the NFL games I would highly recommend to avoid annoying them if they’re like the yellow coats at Bills games. They must be encouraged to mangle the unruly).
Just stay out of the areas that are blocked off. They’ll open the 2nd level for the finals but til them stay out.

#45

How do the awards work? Does your whole team go an accept the award like a normal regional? Seems like a major traffic jam to run from the stands to the floor if it was your whole team.

#46

In the past, each team designates two people to go down and accept the award. I think they had a special area for those people to sit in, but I’m not real sure on that. If your team is going to sit up on the second level make sure the two people are sitting down on the first level somewhere.

#47

The main exception to the 2 rep setup is for the Chairman’s award, because the whole team comes down to get that.

It is very nice that they’ve gone to combining the awards and finals. While a little weird going back and forth, it does get rid of the “wait time” between matches and awards that exists at the regional level. It also provides robot cool-down time.

#48

Question. Do they still have an area set up near the arena so the teams that are playing can watch their robots compete?
In years past you could sit near the play area and watch your robots, but you would have to leave after they were done.

#49

No… you just sit in the stands like everyone else. Since the field is below where the seats are, there is no need for this like there was in the parking lot of Epcot. All seats have a good view of the field.

AB

#50

No. Your team will have to sit in the stands. The last 2 years they gave each team a “Team Media Pass” which enables a single team member to enter the play area with the team and stand in front of the field (where the judges would sit, on the opposite side of the scoring/field table) with a camera to record the match.

They have been doing the “Team Viewing Area” at a lot of regionals this year, so they might do something in Atlanta, but I would doubt it; there isn’t much open space on the dome floor.

#51

what is the finale and why is it 45.00 dollars?

#52

Mentioned in previous post but:
“This just in” from “Budget Travel” magazine-
World of Coca-Cola will close April 7 and reopen May 24 in a new building next to the Aquarium.

#53

The “Finale” (aka Team Party) is held on Satuday evening after the competition ends.

Since the move to Atlanta, the $45 fee gets you an entrance bracelet to the party at Centenial Olympic Park, food, & drink. The bracelet also allows you to take part in various activites like carnival games, a batting cage, inflatable obstacle course, and other “picnic” style inflatable activities. They also have a stage, where they usually have 3 or 4 acts perform. My favorites are the hypnotist and of course the finale fireworks display.

#54

It’s a huge team Social held in Centennial Park (where they had the Olympics)

Theres catered food, games (in the past, theres been laser tag, sumo wrestling, rock walls, etc) and other things for FIRST teams to do. Theres also a HUGE fireworks show at the end.

As for if it’s worth the money, no comment from me :rolleyes: - the odds are, you’ll be too tired to really enjoy it.

#55

thanks for answers.here is another one. are the pits closed to general visitors? what i mean is can the whole team, parents ,grandparents, sponsors, come and go as they please. with eye protection of course.

#56

In the past they have reserved good seats for teams that make it to the finals on Einstein, since those teams have to move from their divisional field to the center for Einstein.

The pits are open to the general public (eye protection required). The Pits at Championship are one of the great spectacles in FIRST. All visitors should take time to walk the pits and talk to teams.

#57

wow i just watched that video… whistles looks like fun lol

#58

Good things to know:
Atlanta weather is crazy all over the place, pack accordingly.
When traveling around Atlanta, especially walking, it is easy to get lost and there are weirdo’s around so travel in groups and let people know where you’re going.
Prepare for a lot or walking.
Source of food = CNN Center.
The days are very long and you will be very tired at the end of all of them.

#59

Agreed, we have had 70° + (F) weather for weeks but this weekend (Apr 7/8) it will be freezing at night. Please pack a light jacket or sweater. We all hope you don’t need it.
Dave

#60

Accepting awards (from the Championship Essential Event Information .pdf distributed to all teams yesterday): Each FRC team should designate representatives to potentially receive an award. Find the 2 wristbands in a labeled envelope in your Registration Packet. The team representatives should wear them and sit in the appropriate section in the Dome during the Saturday Closing Ceremony.

Finalist teams (from the same source): When the Division Winners are announced, each [Division winner] team will receive 50 wristbands to designate special seating at the Saturday Awards Ceremony.

If your team wins your Division and you do not need all 50 wristbands, please offer the remaining wristbands to one of the other three Divisional Winner teams that may need more than 50 wristbands. They will be most appreciative. (Our team, for example, will have 82 people – 32 students, plus mentors, parents, alumni, and a few siblings)

The special seating area is directly in front of the Newton field on the main seating level. Only people wearing the correct wristbands will be allowed in that area during the finals and awards ceremony.