Tomimouse:

Last year we arrived on Wed. and left on Monday - something about a 10 hour drive that kept us there an extra day.  We had such a good time last year, that the pleas have been quietted by us arriving on Monday and starting gaming on Tuesday night - again leaving on Monday. 

Last year on Sunday our group all met at the Ram after the hall closed and we talked about all of the things we saw, what we did and what we'd do different next year.  The funny side of that gathering came when we were ordering food - The Ram was really close to being out of everything - in fact a cheer from the staff went up when (I'm guessing Dave) announced that they had survived another GenCon and that they were closing early as they were also out of food. 

After this we went back to the hotel room - packed, kicked up our feet and started wishing that the Con was just getting ready to begin.....

Pretty much what I'm doing this year except I'm arriving on Tuesday. Why so many cut their Con short and rush out Sunday is beyond me. Take the extra day and get a good night's sleep and travel Monday.

Well, I can't speak for anyone else--but we are also leaving Sunday to make the 5-6 hour drive home, so that our son can be back in school by Monday.  Also, there are those little things like hotel cost for one night not having to be spent, a little thing called Summer Slam coming in, and did I mention total exhaustion before lol? We ARE traveling with a 6 year old with Autism...see: Atomic Ball of Energy.

A blessing and a curse. I have a son with extreme hyperactivity, attention deficit, oppositional defiance (or something very similar, can't remember the exact phrase). He's been kicked out of schools and daycares for it. Long story, not for this thread...

I only have to drive 3 hours, and I'll be by myself, so I might go find somewhere nice to eat if there aren't any pick-up games readily available (assuming I don't have to go out of state like last year.)

Tomimouse:

Last year on Sunday our group all met at the Ram after the hall closed and we talked about all of the things we saw, what we did and what we'd do different next year.  The funny side of that gathering came when we were ordering food - The Ram was really close to being out of everything - in fact a cheer from the staff went up when (I'm guessing Dave) announced that they had survived another GenCon and that they were closing early as they were also out of food. 

Heh, we were there at that same time!  It was such a great way to wind down, eat what remaining foodstuffs the Ram still had (they found one last piece of Mint Mudpie for us), and watch Highlander on that huge sportsbar TV!  The geeks were still ruling downtown!

One of the highlights of last year, I gotta say...

WildeEnchantress:

Well, I can't speak for anyone else--but we are also leaving Sunday to make the 5-6 hour drive home, so that our son can be back in school by Monday.  Also, there are those little things like hotel cost for one night not having to be spent, a little thing called Summer Slam coming in, and did I mention total exhaustion before lol? We ARE traveling with a 6 year old with Autism...see: Atomic Ball of Energy.

One thing about Sunday is that you don't have to pay the rip-off Con prices for the room. I got a connected hotel Sunday night for $67.00. Well worth it to me to be able to fully enjoy the last day of the Con and then travel in the daylight and after a full nights sleep.

facade:

Pretty much what I'm doing this year except I'm arriving on Tuesday. Why so many cut their Con short and rush out Sunday is beyond me. Take the extra day and get a good night's sleep and travel Monday.

I agree, when you are exhausted from gaming all week - the road can hypnotize you pretty darn fast.  Plus, having down time to digest everything that happened without having to keep an eye on all the other drivers is nice as well. 

WildeEnchantress:

Well, I can't speak for anyone else--but we are also leaving Sunday to make the 5-6 hour drive home, so that our son can be back in school by Monday.

Luckily for us, school doesn't start until the following week and anyone not a Freshman starts the day after the Freshman get their "feet wet" in the High School.

Ripley:

Heh, we were there at that same time!  It was such a great way to wind down, eat what remaining foodstuffs the Ram still had (they found one last piece of Mint Mudpie for us), and watch Highlander on that huge sportsbar TV!  The geeks were still ruling downtown!

One of the highlights of last year, I gotta say...

I totally agree, it was pretty sweet to see the crew and their reaction to the "all mighty voice" announcing that their 36 hr days were over (I say this as it probably felt that way to them anyway) ;-)  On top of this, the staff was so nice and really helpful even though almost every shred of food was gone from the pantries.   

And yes, the Geeks were still running the town - hum, now that I think about it, even though there was a limited selection of  food  - we just might do that again this year. 

atstepchild:

A blessing and a curse. I have a son with extreme hyperactivity, attention deficit, oppositional defiance (or something very similar, can't remember the exact phrase). He's been kicked out of schools and daycares for it. Long story, not for this thread...

Not to get way off topic, but has he been tested for Asperger's Syndrome?

I asked, more than once, to his psychologist and psychiatrist, and they both said no. He's been through a bunch of tests on it, so the jury says no. I don't think Cathy is good about giving him his medicine, either, which doesn't help. Without it, you can just see the burn in his eyes.

I've thought of bringing my kids, but my girls have no interest in board games (they tend to make up their own rules anyway... and I can never follow what those rules are), and the boy does not do well in large, busy settings like that. I would love to see them show an interest, but they show none at all.

atstepchild:

I've thought of bringing my kids, but my girls have no interest in board games (they tend to make up their own rules anyway... and I can never follow what those rules are), and the boy does not do well in large, busy settings like that. I would love to see them show an interest, but they show none at all.

ah yes, don't we all wish we could have an SO and Kids who loved gaming as much as the rest of us.That would only rock 

You could always pull the uhh trick "Play the game or no christmas!"..now why does that just sound weird?

For the sake of staying on topic, I thought about staying until monday but didn't want to go it alone, maybe next year! I usually walk around the dealers hall the last day, I think first year I did a board game. But due to saturday night partys im not sure ill be up in time to do anything.
Sunday probably could use a pick me up, it seems the week (tuesday gaming, and wednesday) is getting more popular though.

We'll stay through the Dealer Hall closing on Sunday and may stop to get something to eat before we leave town.  Then again, it's only a two hour drive back to the house so it's not that bad.

 We usually wake up, load up the van, check out by around 10. Then we head back to the dealer's hall if anyone has any last minute stuff to pick up. We try to be leaving town by noon so we can get back home around 6 or so.

 Sunday definitely has that "day after Christmas" feel to it. It'd be awesome if we could all afford the extra hotel cost and extra vacation time to stay in town an extra day, but that's not the case. It'd be nice to relax the last day and leave town at our liesure rather than rushing out of town in a cloud of dust. One day, perhaps...

Sunday probably could use a pick me up, it seems the week (tuesday gaming, and wednesday) is getting more popular though.

Maybe due to people taking that week of work. I wonder if it would work to change the 'Best 4 days of Gaming' to wed-sat.

This year we are taking off mid-day Saturday so I can be back to work on Sunday.  In the past I have had a Sunday morning game, then combed the dealer's hall, or stayed for the reveal on True Dungeon the years I played it.  But Sunday is usually a day of lighter gaming and lighter shopping (just because I've already spent my money  ).

Sunday is a difficult day to make work because some have to be at work Monday, others want to stay and game, dealers and exhibitors are on the downhill side of slogging through working retail during what for other companies would be their Christmas rush, attendees and event folks who have been there since Tuesday or Wednesday (or before) are tired, and those who are there just for the weekend are still geeked about it all.

I'm not sure shifting to Wed-Sat would help, because how many people are only able to attend on the weekend?  I know the line to the dealer's hall seems longer on Sat am than on Thurs am. 

Well realy it may be time for expansion, like origins did. Charge more and make weds a real gameing day.

No need to charge more.  Just have the Wed events in place and the Dealer's Hall would still only be open Thu-Sun.

 The great thing about the KFG and others is the willingness of volunteers to make Wednesday a full day of gaming!  For free!!