BotCon 2010 in Disney World, Florida!

[KoshNaranek]

The link is www.botcon.com/BotCon10/

I've gotta say, I'm delighted!

- Tony

[Bogatan]

I am so far beyond delighted Florida has been my number one choice for Botcon since I started going. And the discounted room rate is insanely cheap for that hotel which is walking distance to Epcot via a great Boardwalk location.

I can't wait.

Andy

[The Doctor]

Not too bad a location at all. Though Florida/Disneyworld is where I went on my US trip when I was 14. I have been wanting to go to the US for a trip as an adult but considering the expense I'd rather go somewhere I've not been before. I've been thinking about combining a Botcon with a US trip, but I think I might aim for 2011 rather than 2010 then.

-Ralph

[Deleted]

I've never been abroad but I think if I ever do it will be to somewhere like America.

[The Doctor]

It is a great location, from what I remember. Lots to do and see.

-Ralph

[Bogatan]

I have not stayed there but we accidentally walked out of Epcot once and found the boardwalk area and the hotel, looks fantastic and walking distance from Epcot for the convention price is really value for money if not cheap. Getting to the rest of Orlando and other theme parks is a bit annoying without a car. Taxi is a bit of a cost and public buses dont run very often to Disney, though they are great around the rest of Orlando, even so theres enough to do in Disney for a full holiday.

I just made a reservation, it doesn't cost anything so why not. The best part I discovered that the hotel is offering the convention rate for a week either side of of the convention 15th June -4th July for anyone wanting to make a proper holiday of the trip.

Andy

[kayevcee]

Sweet! After the blinding time we had at Disneyland in LA last time I do quite fancy giving the big version a go. I suspect, however, that we won't be able to cover the entire park in a day like we did in California

One thing I would change about my itinerary for Botcon '10 assuming I make it (and I don't see why not)- I think I'd be better off going home the day after the convention given how I blew all my money in the dealer room then got my remaining British money changed and blew that then hit the cashpoint and got out as much as I could and blew that then did the same the next day. It expanded Toy-fu's catalogue fantastically but I was down to a handful of change by the time I got to the airport for my odyssey of odditry.

-Nick

[Nigel]

Although I've been really keen to go to Botcon for the last few years, for some reason the Disney venue has me less than enthused. In fact I think it has actually put me off. I think I'm getting a feeling of Transformers/Botcon playing second fiddle to the venue itself.

According to this morning's club email, the hotel was already at 185% capacity after 24 hours.

I hope FP at least try to get a version of Mickeybot as an exclusive, but I expect rights issues will get in the way.

[Bogatan]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Argh!

All the cheap flights have gone, thats to say Virgins cheap seats are fully booked and we're stuck with flying on that one day.

Curse our lack of flexability.

What follows will be convoluted...........

Well, no not fo me, not really.

But for normal people who travel from point a to b in as straight a line as possible, what follows will be convoluted.

*sigh*

And I thought this would be a simple holiday to arrange.

Andy

[kayevcee]

Indeed. I believe my cheapest flight is via Amsterdam.

I really have to book that when I get back. Greetings from Hammersmith Broadway webcafe, btw

-Nick

[Bogatan]

Would that be klm/ martinair then?

Andy

[Jaymz]

I haven't even thought about looking at flights yet. I guess I should do that sooner rather than later.

[Bogatan]

Yeah you really should. Virgin have been the cheapest and also direct flights, but Sun 20th and Tues 22nd sold out a few days ago. Monday had got expensive too.

Most other airlines are nearer £500.

In my despair I found a flight in to Tampa on the 20th and planned to hire a car and drive the hour journey. Then Mum in a burst of flight-fu (to borrow Nicks phrase) found cheap flights with American Airlines which for some reason wasn't coming up in any comparison/travel website searches only through its own website. They were about £420. Planned to book them tonight when Matt checked expedia again and Virgin had cheap seats again. £429 so a little more than AA, but direct. In the half hour we were deciding which of the 2 flights to take one sold out again so that made our choice easier and we just booked.

Also decided to take an extra night so are now flying back on Friday 2nd July. We'll risk Monday morning Jet lag for a chilled out day by the pool to decompress from the convention experience.

Andy

[Jaymz]

Flights are hitting £500-600 now, which is out of my price range, I know to book earlier if I want to go next year.

Ah well, if anyone going can get me a set of the exclusives, let me know!

[blueshift]

I've relegated myself to never being able to afford to attend Botcon.

Fingers crossed I can find someone to ship me some exclusives though. But I bet they'll be mad awesome again! (The teaser said 'A Generation many thought lost which makes me think insane neon G2 style figures!)

[Bogatan]

I had a quick look just now and found various flights for £450, still not cheap, but about as cheap as they have been. What dates were you looking at?

Mar 13, 2010 21:17:20 GMT blueshift said:

I've relegated myself to never being able to afford to attend Botcon.

Fingers crossed I can find someone to ship me some exclusives though. But I bet they'll be mad awesome again! (The teaser said 'A Generation many thought lost which makes me think insane neon G2 style figures!)

I remain convinced even flying from the UK you can still do Botcon on the cheap, even almost for free. Admittedly it would require parting with most or all the toys and depends on the toys being popular like 2006-2008 and not like 2005 or 2009. Even then Ratchet and Ironhide and Scourge and the Sweeps would have gone a long way to covering costs.

Andy

[blueshift]

Mar 13, 2010 21:53:40 GMT Bogatan said:

I remain convinced even flying from the UK you can still do Botcon on the cheap, even almost for free. Admittedly it would require parting with most or all the toys and depends on the toys being popular like 2006-2008 and not like 2005 or 2009. Even then Ratchet and Ironhide and Scourge and the Sweeps would have gone a long way to covering costs.

Andy

My problem is that I am a materialist

I have also never been to America, it would be a giant, scary leap for me D: I really want to though, one time. I keep telling myself 'next year' but it never seems to happen.

[Jaymz]

Mar 13, 2010 21:53:40 GMT Bogatan said:

I had a quick look just now and found various flights for £450, still not cheap, but about as cheap as they have been. What dates were you looking at?

Something like a Monday to Monday. But I'd want direct flights and the Virgin ones are all over £500 now. Add in the hotel costs for the week and the cost of just getting into Botcon and I'm hitting over £1000 spent just to get there. Then there'll be spending money for the actual convention...

I lucked out last year as a friend of mine lived near, so I was staying with her before going to Botcon and just hotelling for those days.

Instead I'm just gonna save money now for next year and make sure I book flights early!

[kayevcee]

As some folks suspected, the Botcon 2010 exclusive toys will be based around G2. The first exclusive toy has been unveiled over at TFW2005 which you can bear witness to and comment on in our very own Sightings thread. WARNING: you may need sunglasses.

-Nick

[KoshNaranek]

It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine!!!

- Tony

[Bogatan]

To repeat my comment on the club board. This is how I wanted to feel last year.

Andy

[The Doctor]

That looks splendid.

-Ralph

[Bogatan]

And finally we are told some extra details. Only one tour this year. Kennedy Space Center on the Wednesday. Its 20 years since I went so I'm a little tempted to go along.

Andy

[Nigel]

D'oh! The Disney location had put me off attending this year and I was happy enough not to go. Then they do those great exclusives and a tour to somewhere I've always wanted to go!

[The Doctor]

Kennedy Space Centre is well worth your time. Some amazing stuff there.

-Ralph

[Benn]

I'm having a little giggle over at Seibertron about this years Botcon. Can't pre-register yet, no guests announced, and from what I've picked up, no concrete date!

Makes me apprieciate our own little Auto Assembly that much more...

Does this affect any Hubbers that are planning on going?

[primenova]

On the #5 cover - is that someone under the #5, are there 4 or 3 bots in the background?

[Philip Ayres]

Jun 24, 2010 8:24:09 GMT primenova said:

On the #5 cover - is that someone under the #5, are there 4 or 3 bots in the background?

I think he's refering to This

[primenova]

isn't there an image up somewhere without the cover FP logo on it - looks like someone white is under it.

[kayevcee]

Upon close examination, there is a fist and a white shoulder sticking out behind the logo on the comic. No idea who it is.

Read the comic itself last night. It is a new kind of terrible.

-Nick