"So any new updates on the Host?" Topic

I took some outside pics which I would post if I could figure out how. I didn't go in because frankly I couldn't tell how to . The front is still under major construction. There is no access on the right side of the barn/dealer hall and the left side is still very unfinished. Still have a month to go but it was disheartening. I was hoping to go in and look .

As Double G said , " if you show that front entrance pic people will stroke out".

I still have my fingers crossed.

On a more positive note, I was down that way on a business trip. My meetings went really well.

Like I said, as long as the local television stations aren't displaying emergency evacuation routes out of Lancaster we will attend Cold Wars.

"On a more positive note, I was down that way on a business trip. My meetings went really well."

Oh well as long as things worked out for you, then ok……………….

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DILLPICKLE ROOM?!?!?!!!?

Think of the children you applehead.

I bet the Dillpickle Room is fabulous. Just hope we can get in to see it.

"Fingers crossed for the appearance of a good curry luncheon buffet."
Mrs. Carp and I have been jostling the elbows of the management everytime we are there to have a nice "Indian home-cooking" option for the restaurant: simple curries/dals/with rice or naan, samosas, Indian pickle, chutnies, you know, the basics. Oh, and Indian sweets for those with sweet teeth. Tooths. Whatever.

You wanna interduce Indian food to a bunch of 400lb men with bad bathroom habits?…..the Host is gonna have more than a bed rep!!!!

I conducted a site visit at the Wyndham Lancaster (Host) on Friday, February 15th with members of the Cold Wars staff. There are photos posted here – click the New Photos link to jump to the new section – hmgs.org/page/Wyndham

The renovations are moving forward. The front of the building looks a bit intimidating as they are creating a whole new area with a second floor lounge and a changed driveway so there is framing and fenced off areas. The entrance to the building is still through the new doors into the Lampeter room as it has been. The Lampeter will be one of the last rooms redone as part of the front entrance area but there are new windows and doors facing the parking area and we'll have full use of the area. There are new stairs going in from the Lobby to the Lampeter room near the front bathrooms.

The new elevator (down to Distelfink/up to 600 level) is in, inspected and ready for us to use. It's larger and doesn't to that great lurch at the bottom anymore.

The Distelfink room is nearing completion. There is new lighting, new drop ceiling and new carpet. They are finishing up the crown molding and it will be fully available to us for Cold Wars.

They've moved many of the storage containers in the parking lot and will be moving more before the show. Parking will be improved but not perfect. We will have use of the Dutch Wonderland parking lot for overflow parking as well as parking attendants onsite to assist with attendee parking.

If anyone has any concerns, please feel free to contact me directly, I am in communication with the facility frequently and we are working hard to make this a great show. director@coldwars.org

Thanks Heather. That adds a lot more color to what I saw. The front did look a little intimidating.

But as I related to Double G, when it's done I bet it'll be really nice. Sounds like they'll be mostly ready for us. Did they say anything about dealer hall access ?

We will be running a cart shuttle to and from the Expo Center. We are also going to be using the top door as an entrance with a marked path for attendees. I am doing everything possible to make it as smooth as possible for attendees and exhibitors.

Very appreciated !!

Thanks Heather for the update. Looking forward to the show.

The shuttle is an excellent idea.
Is it true that there was a shuttle at the last fall in? The reason I ask is I saw several people struggling getting to and from the expo center then heard after the fact there was a shuttle.

there was a shuttle…but from the snippets i heard, i think it was poorly set up.

Other than the mold, mildew, bad plumbing, tight parking, and less than gourmet food of yesteryear, wasn't it pretty close to what we needed all those years? Should be better when finished right? Or do we bring down the curtain on the Old Lady? Location anyone?

Other than the mold, mildew, bad plumbing, …….

Please use the proper TMP terms. It's " Killer Mold" if you please.

Glad to hear there is a shuttle to the expo center, one of my friends is a little mobility challenged right now and almost didn't come to the show because of it.

+1 Bowman

The Convention Director and most of the senior staff arrived today. I haven't heard any reports yet, but they are probably busy sizing everything up.

We drove around the property and walked around the main interior areas this evening.

In the exhibitor hall, the staff was busy laying out the pipe & drape for the dealers and no issues were observed.

In the gaming areas, the tables were all set up and lighting was very good. Once again, no issues.

But the parking was a mess. The grass around the exhibition hall was caked with dried mud, so parking a vehicle there with a low ground clearance would not be a good idea. There were 40' steel shipping containers, JLG lifts and other equipment and impediments all over the property that took up many parking spaces. A large area in front of the building was closed off by construction activity and plastic tarping.

If any of you plan to attend in groups, it might be a good idea to carpool it from your off-site hotel to the convention site.

We drove around the property and walked around the main interior areas this evening.

In the exhibitor hall, the staff was busy laying out the pipe & drape for the dealers and no issues were observed.

In the gaming areas, the tables were all set up and lighting was very good. Once again, no issues.

But the parking was a mess. The grass around the exhibition building was caked with dried mud, so parking a sedan there with a low ground clearance would not be a good idea. There were 40' steel shipping containers, JLG lifts and other equipment and impediments all over the property that took up many parking spaces. Many of the spaces in front of the building were closed off by construction activity and a large tarped area.

I don't want to leave everyone with all these negatives, so let me offer some positive constructive advice; if any of you plan to attend in groups, please carpool it from your off-site hotel to the convention site.

"But the parking was a mess. The grass around the exhibition building was caked with dried mud, so parking a sedan there with a low ground clearance would not be a good idea."

Good to know, I'll be sure to pack my hip waders.

There were 40' steel shipping containers, JLG lifts and other equipment and impediments all over the property that took up many parking spaces.

I thought it wasn't supposed to be as bad as it was at Fall In? So much for that.

Oh no!

I now foresee 2 more pages of "Sturm und Drang!

Oh no!! Lemme grab my popcorn.

I thought it wasn't supposed to be as bad as it was at Fall In? So much for that.

I dunno, I saw more containers at Historicon than at some cargo terminals. Fall-In! seemed like a tiny improvement. I'm hoping our general disappointment is that SOME of them are still there, not ALL of them.

I for one don't mind the walk from Dutch Wonderland. Fond memories of playing Frogger across 30 to the Continental before the light was installed.

What? No gloom & doom reports yet from those who have already arrived?

Check in was a major FUBAR as the computer was down.

The whole building lost water between 8:30 and 9:30. It just came back on.

Otherwise no problem.

Stephen

I took a quick lap around the gaming areas and was pleasantly surprised by the completed work. Distlefink, for example, looks great.

I stand corrected, after a quick drive around the parking lot, things are a LOT worse. Go directly to Dutch the Wonderland.

I'd recommend an extra hit of deodorant

Distelfink lighting is great if a little reminiscent of Logan's Run.

"The whole building lost water between 8:30 and 9:30. It just came back on."

Good to know, I'll bring my water decontamination kit.

Looking forward to seeing some games photos and reports.

Glad the snow and Ice has stayed away for folks…

Hope you guys and gals had fun. I decided to save my pennies for HCON. The difference for a room booked last fall and today was $40 USD=$50 for my Historicon booking at an offsite hotel. But I buy cancellation now for all my hotel stays. Had to use it a couple of times in the past.

I enjoy this show every year, and did again this year. Issues-the parking, as has been stated, and Wallys basement-I give the sellers credit. Must be my old vision, but the lighting was so bad I only gave a quick walk thru. Some people even brought table lamps from home to give more light on what they had to sell.