Hello everyone!! I plan on attending this show in Jan. Booked a hotel for all 4 days, just hope there is enough to keep me busy. Any advice for show noobs? Also a Florida noob as well . Are credit/debit cards accepted? What about secure storage for purchases? Anyone heard anything about seminars yet (nothing yet on the shows web site)? Will I need to rent a car? I'm staying just under a mile from the convention center, but would like to be able to travel if I get bored. Is 4 days too much? Too little? Oh, for you Floridians, how long does it take to drive from Orlando to Tampa (there are some sights in Tampa I am interested in seeing if I can squeeze in a trip w/ a rental car)? Thanks. I can't wait; it sounds like it's a blast every year!!
Most dealers do not accept credit/debit cards, but rather than carry a bunch of cash with you on the trip, it might be better to use a nearby ATM. If you have an account at a major banking chain, you could use their ATM if you don't like paying the fees at "generic" ATM sites. Check your banking website for any locations in the O-town area. For secure storage, check with the motel where you will be staying to see if they have a safe in each unit. The list of seminars usually posts on the FUN website about 4 weeks before the show. Tampa is about 80 miles due west on I-4 if you plan to rent a car to get around. Parking for the show attendees is $9 per day. Typically, there are 1,000+ plus dealers at the show, so 4 days is not too much if you don't have a want list. If you want to get on the bourse on "dealer day", you will need to purchase an Early Bird pass. (I'm not sure what it costs, but I think it is about $100.) There is no entry fee for any of the other days. Chris
It takes me about 3 days to walk most of the show but I take a lot of breaks to chat with friends. The show has buses that pickup at some hotels. They will post the schedule at some point. There will be a security room at the show but I'm not sure how that works. I booked my air last night and got a great deal for being so early. It's always a fun show.
I'll probably be there on the first day. If you have only cash, you'll get some great deals at the show. (cash is the only language these dealers know)
The FUN show is enormous. I don't know how much you want to look at, but four days can be easily soaked up at this show. Very few dealers take credit or debit cards, but most will take cash and many (the majority) will take checks even if they do not know you. The security room mentioned previously is a dealer's only room so you will not have access to that area. Some hotels provide an electronic safe in the room, but your insurance coverage will almost undoubtedly not cover for loss if you are not in the room and the contents are emptied. However, many hotels offer safe deposit-like boxes that must use the main hotel desk to gain entry and these are far more safe and also covered under more insurance policies. Check with your hotel and your insurer to find out if you will be covered and for the limits of coverage. There will be plenty of seminars, but they are not yet listed. Many shuttles go to the convention center so you may not need a car, but if you are going to take a trip to Tampa then you will need a car. This is always a great show. You will enjoy it.
The FUN Show is my favorite. Just booked both air fare and hotel last night . . . warm climate in a cold time of the year, too many dealers to stop at all tables, great exhibits, any sort of accomodations / transportation you'd like, good food, lots of recreational opportunity in the area. As TB recommended, definitely contact your insurance company, and ask them to outline your coverage under these circumstances. In addition, every time you leave your coins with the hotel desk, I'd make note of the name on the worker's badge, if not going so far as to ask them to sign for your bag before taking it to put in their vault. This is important, because many of those employees are not lost on the fact that a major coin convention takes place this time every year. You'll have a great time. So much to see, to learn, to regret not buying, to regret buying . . . just leave the last for last . . . hopefully, you'll run out of time before you get to that one. Oh, and don't forget to stop by and say hello. - Mike
I always go for the duration of the show. I have never run out of things to see, do or attend while there. Like Tom mentioned, checks are accepted way more easily than credit cards. And yes, cash is king. I have never found the need to rent a car while attending. Besides paying for parking at the show, many of the hotels will charge for overnight parking even if you are a guest there. I have found the transit system easy and inexpensive to use. I run for exercise so walking to various locations is almost my preference. I always make City Walk at Universal a great evening visit. There is no charge for admittance. Many of the larger hotels provide free shuttle services to Disney and Universal both. I don't think they have a problem with you walking over from another property to take advantage of it. The attractions subsidize most of the shuttles, not the hotels. There is a free trolley service that runs up and down Universal Drive. It stops almost anywhere. The regular bus line runs from downtown Orlando to Disney World for quicker longer trips. If you want, cabs are everywhere. I usually take them on my last trip back to the hotel.
Thanks for the advice/replies everyone. Are there ATMs available at the convention center? My hotel is listed as being 0.9 miles from the convention center. I checked it on Google maps, and it looks like it's only about a 15 minute walk. Now to try and save lots of $$$ for buying.... keep the replies coming. Any Barber collectors here that will be attending?
