Is anyone here going to the big Con on Vegas this summer? Shatner and Nimoy will be together on stage, along with people from just about every show and then some! I have never been, and was just wondering what I can expect crowd wise, how entry lines are set up when you don't have reserved seating, and so on. Any alumni here?
Star Trek Vegas 2010
- Thread starter iluthradanar
- Start date
Never been, but I might go. I wanted to go last year but had too much other stuff going on.
I went two or three years ago. The overall experience was fun. I enjoyed meeting people, learning that fans in costume are for the most part just fans having fun and not the extremists that Trekkies would have you believe, and hearing stories from the actors.
What I did not like: Everything is expensive and all events are based on how much money Creation can get out of the fans.
What I did not expect: Slow autograph lines. I bought a gold pass and expected that to mean little time in line. I was towards the back of the Gold section and it took hours to get my autographs. Eventually I quit, deciding that the "included" autographs were not worth the time I was spending in line. I wish they had given an option to use those autograph tickets for pre-signed autographs.
What I enjoyed most: A day trip to the Grand Canyon. Forget the dessert party, gold party, etc... Put that money towards a trip to the Canyon. Bingo was fun. Wish I had won something.
What I did not like: Everything is expensive and all events are based on how much money Creation can get out of the fans.
What I did not expect: Slow autograph lines. I bought a gold pass and expected that to mean little time in line. I was towards the back of the Gold section and it took hours to get my autographs. Eventually I quit, deciding that the "included" autographs were not worth the time I was spending in line. I wish they had given an option to use those autograph tickets for pre-signed autographs.
What I enjoyed most: A day trip to the Grand Canyon. Forget the dessert party, gold party, etc... Put that money towards a trip to the Canyon. Bingo was fun. Wish I had won something.
Thanks for the very useful information. I had been to many Creation Cons back in the day, and they did not charge for anything but entry tix. Now I must resign myself to no photos, no autographs unless pre-signed, aand not meeting my faves in person. But I will enjoy seeing and hearing them. Who knows, maybe I'll meet some on the floor, walking about. It has happened before.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
I've been to the Vegas convention every year since 2002, plus other Star Trek and general Sci-Fi conventions in Vancouver BC, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City (I think around 45 or so in total since my first one in 1992). Here are my suggestions--
* Talk to people in line around you. I have met people from all over the US and from all parts of the world, including Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, Australia, Chile, Canada, Spain, Peru... A big part of the fun of the convention for me is just talking with other fans, and I see many of them again each year. If you have business cards, or just make some up on your home computer, it makes it easy to trade email addresses.
* Bring some snacks. There is food available in a sandwich/salad kiosk just outside where the convention is held (inside the Hilton convention area), but it can be kind of pricey. Farther away near where the Experience USED to be there is a Pizza Hut, and there is a nice buffet at the Hilton as well, but if you throw a few granola bars or whatever you like to munch on into a backpack, you can save money for things from the dealer's room The Hilton provides large jugs of ice water and plastic cups in the actual convention hall, in the dealer's room, and outside the convention hall, so you don't have to worry about bringing bottled water unless you really want to.
* Bring extra batteries and memory cards (or film) for your camera. Besides getting shots of the stars while they are on stage, you'll see a lot of folks in some cool costumes. Most of them don't mind at all if you take a photo with them.
* Dress up if you can-- it just adds to the experience. I'd say that at the Las Vegas convention, about 20% of the attendees wear a costume of some sort, or at least a uniform top with jeans. About another 20% wear a Star Trek t-shirt or baseball cap with regular casual clothes, and then the rest are mostly in shorts, jeans, and T-shirts. I like to bring a different costume for every day and really go all out. In the past, I've dressed like a Klingon, an Andorian, Mr. Data, and a Borg. This year, there will be an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for most Star Trek fans in costume gathered together.
* Despite being in Las Vegas in August, the actual convention hall tends to be on the chilly side because of the air conditioning. If you get cold easily, you might want to bring a sweater or a long-sleeve shirt.
* The Dealer's Room is large and has a nice variety of things, from actual screen-used costumes and props (these can get pricey) to models, toys, patches, fan-made uniforms, action figures, videos, books, art, t-shirts, 8X10 photos, posters, CDs, etc., and not all from just Star Trek. There is merchandise from Star Wars, the X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, etc. Most of the vendors are equiped to take credit cards, but having cash on hand doesn't hurt.
* I am not really into autographs or photo ops, but the lines for really popular stars can be REALLY long (sometimes over an hour). Photo ops and autoraphs can sell out quickly, so if there is someone you would really like to get, buy your ticket for them sooner rather than later.
* There are other supporting actors in the dealer's room, and generally you just walk up to their table if you would like a photo or an autograph. The Creation website has the price list for each person appearing.
If you have other questions, let me know :-)
* Talk to people in line around you. I have met people from all over the US and from all parts of the world, including Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, Australia, Chile, Canada, Spain, Peru... A big part of the fun of the convention for me is just talking with other fans, and I see many of them again each year. If you have business cards, or just make some up on your home computer, it makes it easy to trade email addresses.
* Bring some snacks. There is food available in a sandwich/salad kiosk just outside where the convention is held (inside the Hilton convention area), but it can be kind of pricey. Farther away near where the Experience USED to be there is a Pizza Hut, and there is a nice buffet at the Hilton as well, but if you throw a few granola bars or whatever you like to munch on into a backpack, you can save money for things from the dealer's room The Hilton provides large jugs of ice water and plastic cups in the actual convention hall, in the dealer's room, and outside the convention hall, so you don't have to worry about bringing bottled water unless you really want to.
* Bring extra batteries and memory cards (or film) for your camera. Besides getting shots of the stars while they are on stage, you'll see a lot of folks in some cool costumes. Most of them don't mind at all if you take a photo with them.
* Dress up if you can-- it just adds to the experience. I'd say that at the Las Vegas convention, about 20% of the attendees wear a costume of some sort, or at least a uniform top with jeans. About another 20% wear a Star Trek t-shirt or baseball cap with regular casual clothes, and then the rest are mostly in shorts, jeans, and T-shirts. I like to bring a different costume for every day and really go all out. In the past, I've dressed like a Klingon, an Andorian, Mr. Data, and a Borg. This year, there will be an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for most Star Trek fans in costume gathered together.
* Despite being in Las Vegas in August, the actual convention hall tends to be on the chilly side because of the air conditioning. If you get cold easily, you might want to bring a sweater or a long-sleeve shirt.
* The Dealer's Room is large and has a nice variety of things, from actual screen-used costumes and props (these can get pricey) to models, toys, patches, fan-made uniforms, action figures, videos, books, art, t-shirts, 8X10 photos, posters, CDs, etc., and not all from just Star Trek. There is merchandise from Star Wars, the X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, etc. Most of the vendors are equiped to take credit cards, but having cash on hand doesn't hurt.
* I am not really into autographs or photo ops, but the lines for really popular stars can be REALLY long (sometimes over an hour). Photo ops and autoraphs can sell out quickly, so if there is someone you would really like to get, buy your ticket for them sooner rather than later.
* There are other supporting actors in the dealer's room, and generally you just walk up to their table if you would like a photo or an autograph. The Creation website has the price list for each person appearing.
If you have other questions, let me know :-)
Everything Borg3060 said and I would second the snacks in the backpack. I know for a fact that there's a Vegas 2010 TrekBBS group going so check the meet-up forum and get to know those folks. They're very accepting of newbies and they're also crazy (in a good way). Most times, even with the Experience closed, people gather after hours at the Spacequest Bar for faux James Tea Kirks and Warp Core Breaches. That's a good place to meet up with the likes of Chase Masterson, Larry Nemecek, Garrett Wang and the like. Buy 'em drinks and they'll talk to you all night. 
There're also some regulars that hang there who used to work or go to The Experience. Also fun, also crazy (in a good way).
There're also some regulars that hang there who used to work or go to The Experience. Also fun, also crazy (in a good way).
I took breakfast bars and ate at the Pizza Hut a lot. What ever happened to "cheap Vegas food"? I ate the Hilton breakfast buffet a couple times. It was good, never crowded, and I'm used to getting up early EST. One morning I sat two tables away from George Takei. He was very gracious to everyone who said hello.
Two weeks ago I was searching for a camera battery in the bag I used for that trip and found a two year old breakfast bar that went to Vegas and back.
I'm planning on going. Family says they'll pay for my trip for my bday. Only thing is I'm Canadian and if none of my friends will come I'll be on my own. If I do end up going alone, any advice? Safety or otherwise.
I'll also be paying 40$ to get my picture taken with Andrew Robinson. Does anyone know if getting his autograph costs extra or is that another line up all together?
I've never been to any convention before.
I'll also be paying 40$ to get my picture taken with Andrew Robinson. Does anyone know if getting his autograph costs extra or is that another line up all together?
I've never been to any convention before.
I'd definitely look around for a good hotel deal--there's plenty of them out there. Even though the con is at the Riviera, there's a monorail that connects to some of the east side Strip casinos that drops you there--or you could stay at the Riviera and walk across Paradise to get to the Hilton. I'd expect to get a good rate at the Hilton, though--they need the business.
Safety--just be aware that you're in a major metro area, and take the usual precautions.
If you want a few general Vegas pointers, here's a visitor's guide that's only 2 years out of date. I keep meaning to update it but other stuff gets in the way.
I've never been to a ST convention before, but I focus on the Vegas Strip corridor for a living and have lived here for 9 years, so if you've got any questions, feel free to PM me, or follow up here. Depending on your age and interests, there's a lot of stuff to recommend (or not).
I'll need to bring a map. Thanks a lot for the tips/help. I'll be looking for really good hotel deals for sure. I like getting hotel advice from someone here rather then on the hotels website itself because that can be misleading...
Well, I'm 21 turning 22 but I look like I'm 14 turning 15. That being said, I'm ok booking stuff over the phone because my voice has matured with my age, but when I go there I tend to get my ID turned down because they think its fake. I have the curse of youthfull looks, kind of like how Vulcans don't always look their age. My intrests, well, I don't drink/smoke/party and I'm not good with people but I think I'll get along with ny fellow nerdlings. What I'm looking forward to the most is seeing the actors talk and any displys that might be there.
I'm going to go read that visitor's guide now.
Cool stuff-let me know if you have questions. Don't know where all the nerdlings are staying (), but you can't go wrong with staying at the convention hotel if you want to hang out with people from the convention.
Plus, if you're more into the convention itself than sampling the pools, clubs, etc, you're best sticking close to it. But there's lots of cool stuff out there that you should see while you're down here.
), but you can't go wrong with staying at the convention hotel if you want to hang out with people from the convention.Plus, if you're more into the convention itself than sampling the pools, clubs, etc, you're best sticking close to it. But there's lots of cool stuff out there that you should see while you're down here.
Thanks for the tip. I'm planning to go. I also endorse the suggestion to bring granola bars/breakfast bars.Everything Borg3060 said and I would second the snacks in the backpack. I know for a fact that there's a Vegas 2010 TrekBBS group going so check the meet-up forum and get to know those folks. They're very accepting of newbies and they're also crazy (in a good way). Most times, even with the Experience closed, people gather after hours at the Spacequest Bar for faux James Tea Kirks and Warp Core Breaches. That's a good place to meet up with the likes of Chase Masterson, Larry Nemecek, Garrett Wang and the like. Buy 'em drinks and they'll talk to you all night.
It is pretty safe, but as a former casino security officer, I can definitely recommend some precautions. For example, always use the hotel safe for your valuables, and pull your door closed behind you when you leave. Sometimes the air pressure keeps doors from closing completely, and thieves have been known to take advantage of this. This happened to some celebs at the Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood) a few years ago.
I tend to be a little paranoid about these things, but it used to be my job. Yeah, I feel like a security nerd telling people to make sure their doors are closed months before they come to town, but if it prevents even one person from having something bad happen, it's worth it.
Good luck with that in Vegas. Access to the actors is very strictly controlled. If you haven't paid for the privilege, you can pretty much forget it ... Still, Connor has been known to stop by the casino. I don't know whether he has a handler with him even then. I've no idea whether other stars gamble, too.
I (once again) second everything shatnerage said plus see my post about hanging at the Spacequest after Con hours. I stayed at the Riviera a couple of years ago and it was very...er...CONvenient. Also relatively cheap. I recommend Hotwire. The Hilton usually has decent Con rates as well but get them now because they do fill up.
Just reading the responses make me excited for this. I used to go to any Creation Con near my area, and have been to DragonCon, the biggest Con I've been to. But it has been 10 years since I've attended any Con so I'm very excited. I got the 4 day pass without reserved seating and haven't decided if I want to attend the Enterprise Breakfast or the Bingo Bash. I won't be that Con hotel, rather staying at the Springhill Suites across the street, and riding the monorail when I want to visit the Strip. There is someone I want to meet in the vendor's hall whom I met on twitter. www.thepumpkingeek.com Alex is a talented artist and a sweet guy so meeting him in person will be very cool. Thanks for the tips and keep 'em coming!
@jinx-01 maybe so in Vegas and that would be sad. I had met in a hotel cafe Majel Roddenberry and Jonathan Harris (Dr Smith of classic Lost in Space), and Richard Hatch of BSG fame in a hotel elevator. Impromptu hellos, fun times!
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