So, I was thinking about trying to put together VS Fest 2009.

I'm looking at the end of August for this, but I don't know for sure where we would like to have it. I have a survey here to find out what you think, but I wanted to give some advantage/disadvantages to some of the ideas.

Choice 1 is St. Louis, MO. This seems like a pretty central place for everyone to meet up. I don't think any of us actually live there, so it would be a vacation for everyone. There is a big airport there so I suspect airfare wouldn't be too expensive. I should be able to get a block of hotel rooms at a common hotel and there are a lot of really fun things to do there.

Choice 2 is Cleveland, OH. This is also a pretty central location for us to meet up. This also happens to be Brendar's home town. If we manage to plan everything correctly, and if the army sends him home for leave on time, and if he gets his flights to coordinate with our plans then Bren would be able to join us. The problem is all of the IF's involved. Bren does assure me that if he is available he will try to catch up with us where ever we happen to be.

Choice 3 is Atlanta, GA. I would really opt to push this back specifically to Labor Day weekend. Atlanta hosts one of the largest Sci-fi conventions in the country Labor Day weekend and several of us are already planning on attending, that and there are several folks in the guild who live in Atlanta.

Choice 4 is a Cruise to the Bahamas. OK I think this would be a lot of fun, and it really isn't as expensive as it sounds (but it is a bit pricey). For $250-300 per person we could do a 3-4 day cruise to the Bahamas leaving from somewhere in Florida (depending on the cruise). The cruise price includes meals (or at least anything you eat on the ship) and ship-board entertainment. The downside is that you still have to get yourself to the departure point, so there will be airfare involved.

St. Louis = http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp 'Nuff said.

I vote for my hometown...Cleveland! We could all take a trip slightly west and go to Cedar Point!

I voted for the cruise. We can leave out of Port Canaveral, and I'm sure I could make room at my place for people who need a place to stay due to flights. Plus - I've never actually been on a cruise, and it would be an excellent chance to get roaring drunk with everyone.

I really didn't think Cleveland was a good idea, but Abia totally reminded me of Cedar Point. VS Fest 2008 was all about Canada's Wonderland and the Behemoth. Cedar Point is even more badass.

But who wants to go to Cleveland? If I were there to play host, there is actually enough centrally-located cool stuff to do combined with cheap airfare and Cedar Point to make it a good location, but alas, I can't realistically do that now. I AM throwing a party when I get back next year, and you WILL all be invited, though it wont strictly be VS.

I like St. Louis a lot. Spent two different nights there during my travels this year and was quite pleasantly surprised.

I will just make a quick note about a cruise:
You might end up paying more for the cruise, flight, and port visits, (they usually charge you to leave the ship) than you would at an all inclusive resort in August. There are usually deals at resorts in the summer months (because it is SO HOT!). Anyway, that is just my two cents on cruises. If I am back in North America in August (I probably won't be but who knows) I am up for anywhere if I can make it.

There's a hellmouth in Cleveland.

St. Louis = http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp 'Nuff said.

YES! THIS! I cannot describe how AWESOME this place is.

There's a hellmouth in Cleveland.

What a horrible thing to say about Bren's mother.

a museum? are we on a class trip? Everyone stick with your buddy!!

I voted for St. Louis and Atlanta, but really, I'd do any of these.

I'm not voting because I'm not traveling that much this year, but I just wanted to stick up for the children's museum in St. Louis. I was there with Gleja in '07 and that place is SO much fun. It's a crazy climbing child's dream.

Here he is. Don't you want to go now?

I am up for anything. If we do end up at a hot place in the south you won't see me much during the day. I hate the sun. :p

a museum? are we on a class trip? Everyone stick with your buddy!!

City museum isn't really a museum in the classic sense. Its sort more like what you would get if you asked H.G. Giger and Tim Burton to get together and build a gigantic playground. It really is a lot fun. There is also a strange mini-aquarium inside, and the gift shop has a whole bunch of zombie memorabilia...

Needless to say, its a pretty strange place, but very fun...

I will just make a quick note about a cruise:
You might end up paying more for the cruise, flight, and port visits, (they usually charge you to leave the ship) than you would at an all inclusive resort in August.

In response:
I agree that the cruise may turn out to be an expensive option (as I mentioned in my original post) but it isn't really as expensive as you think.

Carnival doesn't charge you for leaving the boat unless you go on one of their "planned excursions" which are not that terribly expensive. The cost of this would probably end up being about $700 per couple plus airfare (less any group discounts I can work out). But keep in mind the cruises leave and return to port in a time frame that allows you to plan airfare so you won't have additional hotel stays. If we go anywhere else, we would have hotel costs (about $150 per night) all meals and then whatever excursions we plan to go on (amusement parks, museums, strip clubs, Indian casinos) so you are probably still looking at close to the same price, if you figure the same length of stay (the cruise is 3-4 nights).

All that is too say, vote for what you want, but plan for any trip to be an expense...

And I should probably have added a "Sorry the economy is tight, so there's no way I can fit a trip in this year..."

I really didn't think Cleveland was a good idea, but Abia totally reminded me of Cedar Point. VS Fest 2008 was all about Canada's Wonderland and the Behemoth. Cedar Point is even more badass.

St. Louis also has a 6 Flags with coasters and a water park... just to point out attractions...
Atlanta also has a 6 Flags, in addition to lots of other things that I can't name too many of or I will look like an Atlanta fan boy...


--Hom

City museum isn't really a museum in the classic sense. Its sort more like what you would get if you asked H.G. Giger and Tim Burton to get together and build a gigantic playground. It really is a lot fun. There is also a strange mini-aquarium inside, and the gift shop has a whole bunch of zombie memorabilia...

Needless to say, its a pretty strange place, but very fun...

Also, it has a bar.

St. Louis also has a 6 Flags with coasters and a water park... just to point out attractions...
Atlanta also has a 6 Flags, in addition to lots of other things that I can't name too many of or I will look like an Atlanta fan boy...


--Hom

Do you know anything about Cedar Point? Pfft...unless they have World's Tallest, Fastest, Steepest (insert other awards here) roller coasters...then it isn't good enough. Once you've been to Cedar Point, all other "amusement parks" just don't measure up. ;)

Oh wait, Andist reminded me that we're going to be in the St. Louis area in August for a family reunion...so I guess my input is a mute point, lol.

We can go to Branson and see Roy Rogers Jr. & The High Riders!

http://www.ticketmaster.com/Roy-Rogers-Jr-The-High-Riders-tickets/artist/731831


What about hidden option C? Fuck it and go to Vegas!

I don't think that Twist and I will be able to attend. I'd really love to see all you guys again but by August I'll have a little boat anchor lying around and screaming at me all the time. . . and then there's the baby. ;)

We can go to Branson and see Roy Rogers Jr. & The High Riders!
I have been to Branson. Once. On business. That's enough for me.

Also, it has a bar.

Win.

I don't think that Twist and I will be able to attend. I'd really love to see all you guys again but by August I'll have a little boat anchor lying around and screaming at me all the time. . . and then there's the baby. ;)

Lol!

I'm bumping this hoping to get a few more replies. When I get the top two I will try and work out some pricing and post them for a run-off to narrow it down.

I voted cruise just for the kids club! Just noteing that if other have kids as well.... :)

I voted Atlanta but St-Louis would be my 2nd choice.

don't know if I can come, I don't have a passport and it was already a big spending year... we shall see.

It would be fun