WBC 2016

I had initially thought that I would have to miss WBC yet again this year, but looking over my time off hours, it looks like I can swing it. I've requested the week off, now it's just getting a room that's keeping from saying I'm totally in. The hotel hosting it is full up, and I'd probably need something slightly less costly anyway.

So there it is. I might be in and I might need a roommate. Don't know if that pushes any one over who might be on the fence.

....or it discourages you from going. That's fine with me.

Word on the street is that more rooms will open up before the actual event. Not sure on when but they aren't truly sold out yet. The area where the resort is is pretty rural. So, although I have not been to the exact spot, I would strive to get a place on site because I'm not sure how close or how quality other motels/hotels in the area will be.

Last I heard, they were going to open bookings in the chalets in early April. Some groups who plan on getting them still booked contingency rooms at the main hotel. They can cancel those if and when they get chalet reservations. I don't think this will open up a ton of rooms. And even those that get freed up will probably get allocated first to those who got diverted over to the spill over housing ( condos elsewhere at the resort ) . So I would not bank on getting into the main hotel if you have't gotten in line yet so to speak.

If you're looking for low cost, there are a number of Red Roof Inn type place near the interstate, about 15 minutes away, along with grocery stores, fast food, etc.

Thank God we moved out the Lancaster "Dump" Host.

Host Resort closed after ceiling collapses

or Host ceiling collapes

Oh snap.

This quote from that second story. I can only imagine!

The hotel management was trying to control the water from the burst pipe, Keen said, "but it was above their workmanship."

"When I arrived they were trying to control it with trash cans and laundry bins, and they were all full and overflowing," Keens said.

www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbi...1033&hc_location=ufi

Video footage of the flooding. There was also commentary under one article that there was a widespread AC failure and yet another closure of the kitchen by the board of health.

Thank god we are out of that dump. It needs to be nuked from orbit.

Seems like it was an off year for the F:AT crowd at WBC - not much noise about it here. I know for some it conflicted with GenCon this year.

Brief recap:

The new venue is pretty awesome and an obvious upgrade over the Host. The only real issue was the spotty WiFi coverage. It was fine in the public areas, but in the hotel rooms, pretty hit or miss. The hotel has promised they are upgrading the system for next year and I tend to believe them. They were unbelievably responsive to any sort of issues. One small game room had no AC and they brought in a ton of portable units the same day, problem solved. The setting is great - its relaxing to wake up and look over a valley and not hear trucks downshifting up Rt30 at 6AM . I got in some great mountain biking . All the gaming areas are clean, very well lit ( the open gaming area in particular ) and the tables aren't full of splinters. The hotel was genuinely happy to have us and the staff was awesome.

Are there downsides ? Sure - its 3 hours further from New England. And if you were staying offsite from the Host due to costs, the nearest cheap hotels are 20 minutes away. And there aren't a dozen chain restaurants a mile away. But overall, it was a huge improvement. Attendance was only down about 15%, and I can see it getting back to the original numbers pretty easy.

Thanks for the brief recap. I'd like to make it for a day next year as it's only 1.5 hours away from Pittsburgh.

Depending on career stuff, I'm hoping to go next year. My guess is that WBC will get less local traffic but having a decent venue might help with long distance visitors.

Indeed the number of attendees who attended the full week seemed to INCREASE over years past.

One cool feature is that there are numerous condos nearby that you can rent. They are fully equipped with kitchens, some even have grills. They are talking about getting a price break on those for next years, which might reduce demand on the attached hotel, which even though it was substantially larger than the Host, sold out well before the convention.

Meanwhile, back at the good ole Lancaster Host - which had to be evacuated due to a major water leak/ceiling collapse on Memorial Day weekend and then condemned and closed for the entire month of June:

www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g52970-...ty_Pennsylvania.html

Business as usual.

www.pennlive.com/news/2016/08/trump_runn...mate_mike_pence.html

Make the Host great again...