The Energon Pub

Needless to say, I was excited to see when they said Botcon 2010 will be held in Orlando, florida. Not exactly Miami, but close enough. I think I can actually get out there. Of course, it will be my first Botcon, and maybe my only chance to see what it's all about. So I want to get some information from Botcon regulars. Please give me the info I need to make it out there. This is what I want to know:

1. I see they put out reservation packages for a discount price at the hotel. Thats cool, but first I want to confirm tickets will be available for the actual event before I book a hotel. I havent seen that yet in the Botcon website provided.Where do I purchace tickets to attend Botcon ??? I would prefer a phone number I can call rather than a website. Once I have confirmed that have tickets then I will feel comfortable to make reservations for the hotel.


2. I did some research on Botcon 2009 and saw the price was about $300 a person which includes a set of exclusive figures. Are there different packages you can purchace if you wish to attend the events but not get the exclusive figures if you dont like them ??? I know they show them in advance. Or are packages available if you wish to not attend certain events ??? I just wanna know all my options ???


3. There was a typo between the 2 sites as one said Botcon was from Monday through Sunday and the main website said it was June 24th-27th. I guessing this is the actual duration of the event. (4 days) am I correct ???


4. Is there any dress code to attend any particular funtion at Botcon ??? Dinners, ceromonies. etc. Im a hip hop fan so I tend to dress causal unless told otherwise.


5. What can I expect besides tables from companies showcasing future products and dealers selling both new and used figures ??? Ive never been to any kind of convention before. Clue me in.


6. How are the prices on used transformers ??? Ive never been a fan of keeping figures "in the box" and I would like to know what are my chances are of snagging a few figures I want for fair prices. Is the "for sale" section kind of like a Hasbro flea market ??? Do the sellers bargin for cash ???


Anybody who can answer some or all of these questions please help me out so I can make my decision. and of course Im open to meeting up with any cool people from this website if I go out there.


Thanks,

Rated X

Damn....14 views and not a single reply. I guess not as many readers on this site have been to a Botcon as I had thought ??? Can somebody help answer these questions so I can jump on those tickets and reservations ASAP ??? Thanks....

Counterpunch, Mkall, let me know the deal....

"Tickets" will go on sale sometime early next year, judging from past years I'm gonna say February or March. This is when you'll experience the wonderfullness that is faxing in your registration to Fun Pub. Yes I said fax, that is the only way that they do it, unless by some force of nature they actually updated their system.

As for the packages, most fans will go with the "Primus Package." That's the one that you see for about $300. That includes the entrance to all parts of the convention for the weekend and the toy boxset (not the convention exclusives though). And you probably won't get a chance to see what the exclusives are before registration, it's always been buy sight unseen in previous years and I wouldn't expect them to deviate now. One thing you can always do is get the Primus Package and then sell the figures if you don't like them, you're pretty much guaranteed to turn some kind of profit and partially pay for your trip.

There's typically a party on Saturday night where they just ask that you wear a collared shirt. I'm not sure if they upheld that last year as I wasn't there.

The 24th - 27th is going to be right, but they usually do some kind of tour/outing on the Wednesday before opening.

In the dealer room you can definitely expect a huge dealer room with stuff that you've never seen in person before and more than enough stuff than you ever knew you wanted. Good deals can be had if you know how to haggle, but the prices are all over the place, some good some bad.

On top of that there's panels for the comics, voice actors, and Habro's future products panel.

Needless to say you won't be wanting for things to do.

Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Rated X wrote:Needless to say, I was excited to see when they said Botcon 2010 will be held in Orlando, florida. Not exactly Miami, but close enough. I think I can actually get out there. Of course, it will be my first Botcon, and maybe my only chance to see what it's all about. So I want to get some information from Botcon regulars. Please give me the info I need to make it out there. This is what I want to know:
1. I see they put out reservation packages for a discount price at the hotel. Thats cool, but first I want to confirm tickets will be available for the actual event before I book a hotel. I havent seen that yet in the Botcon website provided.Where do I purchace tickets to attend Botcon ??? I would prefer a phone number I can call rather than a website. Once I have confirmed that have tickets then I will feel comfortable to make reservations for the hotel.

You can purchase tickets from their website. There are different packages, if you want access to all the seminars and stuff, you have to fork out some money. You can also buy a basic entrance ticket only, which gets you into the dealer room. That can be bought at the show. Also, n terms of booking a hotel, it is best to do it now as they sell out quick, or this might be the year they actually trick us and hang a big sign outside that says "Nerd Convention" and point and laugh as we all show up to nothing but an empty convention rooms and jocks giving wedgies to everybody.

2. I did some research on Botcon 2009 and saw the price was about $300 a person which includes a set of exclusive figures. Are there different packages you can purchace if you wish to attend the events but not get the exclusive figures if you dont like them ??? I know they show them in advance. Or are packages available if you wish to not attend certain events ??? I just wanna know all my options ???

Yes, they will release a package brochure. Hopefully it doesn't involve boxer/briefs.

3. There was a typo between the 2 sites as one said Botcon was from Monday through Sunday and the main website said it was June 24th-27th. I guessing this is the actual duration of the event. (4 days) am I correct ???

I'd trust BotCons website.

4. Is there any dress code to attend any particular funtion at Botcon ??? Dinners, ceromonies. etc. Im a hip hop fan so I tend to dress causal unless told otherwise.

Business casual for the seminars. Metrosexual for the dealer room.

5. What can I expect besides tables from companies showcasing future products and dealers selling both new and used figures ??? Ive never been to any kind of convention before. Clue me in.

My favorite part is the laser light show set to the music from the G1 episode "Carnage in C Minor".

Also, watch for that fellow Seibertronian who streaked the dealer room floor.

6. How are the prices on used transformers ??? Ive never been a fan of keeping figures "in the box" and I would like to know what are my chances are of snagging a few figures I want for fair prices. Is the "for sale" section kind of like a Hasbro flea market ??? Do the sellers bargin for cash ???

[/quote]
Yes and no.

Thanks my friend, this bit of info really helps.

I think Ill just fork over the $300 and see what everything is all about. I just hope that the tickets are easy to get a hold of and no limits. Kind of weird that they want a fax first. Is this some kind of screening or is the fax to put youre credit card information ??? Usually that kind of stuff is done online...

Thanks once again

DecepticonKing86 wrote:Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Do not skip out on purchasing the box set. This is the definition of regret.

Counterpunch wrote:

DecepticonKing86 wrote:Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Do not skip out on purchasing the box set. This is the definition of regret.

Alright, I trust you guys, so I guess I'm gonna have to start saving up every little bit of money.

I feel you homie. Ive saved up plenty this year so I can afford to make this happen. I just feel funny reserving a hotel before the ticket is in my hand...

Rated X wrote:I feel you homie. Ive saved up plenty this year so I can afford to make this happen. I just feel funny reserving a hotel before the ticket is in my hand...

It's better than having a ticket in your hand and no place to stay.

Counterpunch wrote:

DecepticonKing86 wrote:Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Do not skip out on purchasing the box set. This is the definition of regret.

My first BotCon was 2007. I was pretty broke and opted for the Protoform Package. No boxed set. No Saturday night awards dinner. I speak from experience, it is indeed the very embodiment of ultimate regret.

Plus the Primus Package holders will make fun of you.

Counterpunch wrote:

DecepticonKing86 wrote:Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Do not skip out on purchasing the box set. This is the definition of regret.

This is a powerful statement.. I forsee a box set in my future..

Counterpunch wrote:

DecepticonKing86 wrote:Has anyone who has been to a previous BotCon bought a smaller package? I don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars.

Do not skip out on purchasing the box set. This is the definition of regret.

I didn't "skip" the 2008 figures, they were sold out by the time I registered. They had actually just sold out moments before receiving my faxes. I didn't try to get them at the show either when I thought I didn't overly want them. Two years later and I'm kicking myself for having not tried. I'm hoping I find someone selling them at the con for either a small fortune or a large fortune and the kindness of lube. God, I wish I'd gotten them then when it was possible to do so.

Rated X wrote:I feel you homie. Ive saved up plenty this year so I can afford to make this happen. I just feel funny reserving a hotel before the ticket is in my hand...

when I booked they said that I have until 5 days before to cancel without penalty, so go for it, if there are any rooms left to book.

If not, I am sure you can get onto Disney property at one of the "cheaper" hotels and take disney transport over to the site.