Blackpool 2010

[etp777]

I see packages mentioned on BP's site for $2300/person.  Hopefully I can find something ab it cheaper or that's not likely to happen.  :/

[etp777]

280GBP for hotel for all week.  Flight as low as 465 USD with one stop (only 65 minutes), or 829 direct. 

Now, those are just rough numbers, first hotel I found on blackpool's website for 28th-4th, and flight from Chicago to London on same dates.  Now, since a lot of those cheap fligths are overnight, means you'd not actually get there until 29th.  So as I said, rough numbers.  There's train service from London, and believe there are other options.  Certainly a lot cheaper than the package, at first glance, though not sure what all was included in the package.

[Medira]

I need to apply for a passport before I think about leaving the country. 

You should go ahead and do it; now's the time, when you don't have any immediate plans.  It can take several months.  Once you get it, it's good for ten years.

10 years?!  Yeesh, the Canadian ones are only good for five.

[Medira]

When I went this year, I flew overnight and it worked out so well for me.  Then again, I have no problem sleeping on a plane (it's a well-earned skill) so I got a good, solid 8 hours of sleep.  I highly recommend it if you're able to sleep on a plane.

As for places to stay, we booked the Hilton, which is a decent walk away from the venue (15-20 mins) but we were staying on points, so I wasn't complaining.  There are a ton of little seaside motels and B&Bs around, that might be worth looking into as well.

[etp777]

I'd definitely concur with Medira on this one.  Fly overnight, take half a tab of dramamine to help you sleep and deal with any air sickness.  works great.

[elisedance]

I need to apply for a passport before I think about leaving the country. 

one day. one day

nah, you can leave - you just can't come back...

[MusicChica]

That means I can't travel by air during that time, which doesn't work for my current schedule.

Not even within the country?  You don't have to have a passport to travel inside the country, just an ID.

[Dora-Satya Veda]

You will always loose a day when flying to Europe (from the west coast 10-12 hours, from the east cast about 8 hours). Depending how well you sleep on a plane, you can choose a flight that arrives early in the morning (giving you the whole day to shop ) or arriving later giving you time for dinner and then go to bed. I like arriving early into London then going shopping in M&S and Boots. So I spend one or two days in London shopping and enjoying my time relaxing before going up to Blackpool for a stressful week.

I normally then either fly to Manchester and rent a car or drive up from London. I like having a car so that I am able to get around.

The train is a real hassle, if you have any amount of luggage with you. You have to change train in Preston, carrying the luggage from one platform down the stairs, then up the stairs onto the other platform. I only took the train once and swore never ever to that torture to myself again. The second time I did the train ride was from Blackpool back to London but without any luggage so that was easy. It did however take the same time as it took to drive the distance.

I guess after making the trip every year since 1985 it has become very much of a routine. 

If any of you have questions feel free to PM me. I will be glad to help.

DSV

[etp777]

I suspect Blackpool won't happen until at least 2011 for me.  Right now my goal is jsut to keep adding more comps every year.  This year will be 11 or 12 that I attend or compete in.  Next year I'll just shoot for 12 or 13, and so on.  Hopefully next year i can do OSB and USDC (well, still a slight chance of that this year, but I doubt it will happen).

[Medira]

That means I can't travel by air during that time, which doesn't work for my current schedule.

Not even within the country?  You don't have to have a passport to travel inside the country, just an ID.

Because I'm Canadian on a TN work visa, I need to show my passport, since that's the only form of ID that US Customs and Immigration will accept.

[Medira]

You will always loose a day when flying to Europe (from the west coast 10-12 hours, from the east cast about 8 hours). Depending how well you sleep on a plane, you can choose a flight that arrives early in the morning (giving you the whole day to shop ) or arriving later giving you time for dinner and then go to bed. I like arriving early into London then going shopping in M&S and Boots. So I spend one or two days in London shopping and enjoying my time relaxing before going up to Blackpool for a stressful week.

I normally then either fly to Manchester and rent a car or drive up from London. I like having a car so that I am able to get around.

The train is a real hassle, if you have any amount of luggage with you. You have to change train in Preston, carrying the luggage from one platform down the stairs, then up the stairs onto the other platform. I only took the train once and swore never ever to that torture to myself again. The second time I did the train ride was from Blackpool back to London but without any luggage so that was easy. It did however take the same time as it took to drive the distance.

I guess after making the trip every year since 1985 it has become very much of a routine. 

If any of you have questions feel free to PM me. I will be glad to help.

DSV

This year, we flew from Paris to Manchester and picked up J's car there.  It worked out REALLY well, especially because we had a day trip to Edinburgh in the middle as well.  I can't imagine having to to a long haul like that by train, especially because airfare is so cheap over there.

[elisedance]

Is it too late for tickets?

[Dora-Satya Veda]

Is it too late for tickets?

The tickets forms are send out in June and the application are to be send in and paid for in July. Now that is for seats. I am sure you will still be able to get tickets without seats even now.

DSV

[elisedance]

thanks dsv.... I looked for the foms in june but could not find any - the links did not work on the blackpool web page.  Do you have to get on a mailing list?

[Dora-Satya Veda]

thanks dsv.... I looked for the foms in june but could not find any - the links did not work on the blackpool web page.  Do you have to get on a mailing list?

I was going before it became computerized so I have been on the mailing list for a long time. So I would say yes, you have to be on the mailing list to get the ticket application send to you.

DSV