"Cold Wars 2025" Topic

Just back from Cold Wars this year. I had much fun. Hosted two games and played in two. Saw many old friends but some were absent.

Vendor area was sparse, and attendance overall was down IMO. I think this was due to early con date and the kind of last-minute nature of Cold Wars after a several year hiatus.

The venue is still very nice. The IKE ballroom was well laid out with room to move around. The other, newer ball room was not used probably because there was a card show there on Sat. The hotel had several food areas open on Fri and Sat, serving the usual con faire.

Stayed in the Aspire side of the hotel and the rooms are large and comfortable. I heard we sold out the room bloc.

My main gripe was there was the hotel no longer ran a shuttle between the Ike and the All Star Complex where the vendors, flea market and tournaments were held (as in past cons there). You either hoofed it or drove from the hotel to the parking area. Doable this time without losing your parking space because of the light attendance. No gonna work if we stay there and Cold Wars gets back to its normal crowds. Us oldtimers need some help!

Overall, I had another great time. If it's held here next year, I'll be back and you should come, too.

PS Thanks to the volunteers who ran the show, always helpful as usual, and things seemed to run smoothly!

Missed it, if would have been in KoP wouldn't have even with my tight work schedule.
Won't miss Historicon come Hell or high water

Oh, come on. I've done that walk. I've stood in longer lines than that walk. As long as it's not raining…

Might need something for the wheelchair and walker attendees, I'll grant you.

But I wouldn't expect Cold Wars to grow a lot while it's at the Ike. Fall In didn't grow much there. It's a workable site, but it seems to have a fairly low upper limit.

I was just happy to have Cold Wars back. Thanks to the BOD for working so hard to bring it back.

Having a second convention in the other ball room while we were there meant we got 2 for the price of 1! Since there was apparently no admission fee for the card show, I wandered in just to see what was up, and immediately got sticker shock. If war gaming is an expensive hobby, then card collecting is like tossing your retirement fund in a dumpster and lighting it on fire. Cards in the 4 and 5 figure range, yikes!

On a positive note, since I was in the Stillwell room next to the Aspire check in, I was able to talk to people going to the sports card show who wandered by looking at games in that area and got to talk and explain the hobby to them, including lots of kids and younger people.

Flea Market and Dealer Hall were light, and yet I still managed to find enough treasures and trinkets to spend $600. USD

Games looked up to the usual good quality, Friday night to Saturday evening was packed in the Ball room. I had a full game for my Saturday afternoon WW2 tank battle.

A lot of old faces I'm used to were nowhere to be found, I think there was a bunch of people who sat this one out to see how it went. Hopefully we have CW again next year and turnout improves.

Gettysburg, being the tourist attraction that it is, had no shortage of places to eat that catered to different tastes. I didn't eat from the onsite places, so I can't speak to the quality there.

Bathroom situation seemed adequate, no messy bathrooms, broken toilets, or bad plumbing. We've experienced this before, so no horror stories this time.

If the Con can move to mid March that additional two weeks would probably be helpful.

Overall experience a 7/10. Not a memorable con for me but still a good one and I will go again next year.

I also had a decent time this year.

Saw folks I only get to see at the cons. Sold some stuff in the flea market. Ran two games (only had people for my second game on Saturday, though)

Overall, it was good.

Thanks to Frank and everyone else for a great weekend.

Eric

I attended Cold Wars 2025 and had an excellent experience. Nice time to be in Gettysburg, no crowds, plenty of parking. Weather was nice and cool.
My room in the Aspire was very clean and comfortable.
Nice having a microwave and minifridge in the room.
I ran 1 game and played in 4 others. Fantastic convention!
Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who make this happen.
If Cold Wars is held in Gettysburg next year, would I attend, YES.

Feedback is good and the convention ran well. Congrats to the staff and BOD. Looks like Tabletop Events, did it's job.