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-Sean
I would guess at least 2 more years, more like 3. ACE does not do these trips often (The last ACE one was well more than 3 years ago....wasn't it more than 5 years ago?). But, if they do want to do another one soon, I doubt it would be possible (or best) to do next year.
My guess, either '04 or '05. So, don't expect info soon. Be sure to check their wesite every couple of months if you're really interested.
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- Peabody
*** This post was edited by Peabody on 11/9/2002. ***
The trip was announced well over a year in advance -- at the 2001 Con we were given some tenative details like expected parks. I knew even then that I wanted to at least do the first week, if I couldn't swing both. Turns out, that's exactly what I did.
From what I've heard (nothing official), Mexico City will be 2004, and after that the next big trip would be a return to mainland Europe (probably to hit parks that were NOT part of the 2nd week of this year's tour). A 2-week tour that hits the UK and mainland wouldn't be for a quite some time, if it happens again (I don't know if anyone's going to want to plan such a beast ever again ;) )
Personally I'd love the next BIG trip to be Japan.
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--Oat Boy
My page
I hope they go to Bakken next time as it's such a historical landmark (worlds oldest amusement park). Anyway, have fun ;)
Personally I'd love the next BIG trip to be Japan.
Hey Greg, are you part of the ECC???? I was just wondering, because they have a Japan trip in the works at the moment, obviously nothing is confirmed yet, but if they can get the price down to a reasonable amount, it will go ahead in 2004 probably in the first 2 weeks of June. If the Japan trip doesnt go ahead, they will do another trip to America probably on the East Coast.
And oh yeah, one park that they said WOULD be on the Japan Trip is the one building that amazing Intermin Hyper Coaster(The one that goes through the Ferris Wheel) WOW :)
PaulD said:
but if they can get the price down to a reasonable amount
That's going to be REALLY tough. I don't think there would be any way around that. Japan cost me a LOT, and I didn't have to pay for a place to stay and most of my meals, and most of my transportation!
I hope the ECC can pull it off, but it will cost a fortune either way (Wish I could go again!)
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- Peabody
*** This post was edited by Peabody on 11/10/2002. ***
Paul, thanks for the heads up -- I've been meaning to join ECC anyway.
Like Peabody said, cost is the big issue, but if it's even remotely reasonable, I'd be all over it.
--Greg
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--Oat Boy
My page
That's going to be REALLY tough. I don't think there would be any way around that. Japan cost me a LOT, and I didn't have to pay for a place to stay and most of my meals, and most of my transportation!
Well Personally I think the club are asking for too much, I mean Japan is the most expensive country in the world, and I would be very suprised if they can get it down to a good amount. They say they have some good contacts out there, so we will see, basiclly if the cost is £2000 or under, they will do it, anything over that and they wont, plain and simple.
Personally I would love to go to Japan as well, but I wont be too disapointed if it doesnt go ahead, because I do understand it would be terribly expensive anyway. Anyway I think an announcement will be made mid next year if it goes ahead, so I will keep anyone posted if they wish to know??
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SFNE Central- Online Six Flags New England Resource
http://sfne.com
Devoted Intamin Lover for Life!
PaulD, please do keep us posted! I've had Japan in mind for a few years now. My daughter is heading there next summer for collage, and we were thinking of flying down to visit. But, if we can do the trip with a club, we'll wait a year. The "visit" is really just an excuse to go there anyway. It's not just the parks, either. It's an amazing culture.
I'll be looking forward to your updates, if you would be so kind.
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Without the chaindog, you'd never get up the lifthill...
For the cost of the european trip, here's a somewhat breakdown for the two complete weeks:
$410-Registration, $1200-Hotel and Transp. Double Occup. Plus airline $900.00. Total $2,510 just to register and fly. If you want a single hotel, add an extra $400. You should also set aside $400-$500 for extra food and souvinors, depending on each individual. However you may be able to get away with less than $200. So you have to figure $3,000 at bare minimum. It was worth every penny, believe me.
I noted several people who want a trip to Japan, as I do too. If someone were to set up a trip for two weeks, the same situation as the Odyseey figure in about $5,000 or more. As much as I would love to go to Japan, most likely a return to mainland Euorpe is most likely.
Ken's breakdown is about right. My airfare was a bit less, and I did only the first week, but I probably still spent close to $2000 on this trip when all is said and done. (I haven't done the full calculation because I don't want to depress myself ;) )
Yes, it was worth every cent.
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--Oat Boy
My page
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SFNE Central- Online Six Flags New England Resource
http://sfne.com
Devoted Intamin Lover for Life!
Well, think about it. 2 weeks worth of hotels, transportation, park admission, meals. Even with group discounts, that adds up. And it didn't include the airfare, which that time of year is expensive.
I was amazed how inexpensive it was!
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--Oat Boy
My page
SFNE Freak said:
Oh my god, I don't know if its worth that much... I was expecting in the $1000 range.
Sorry man, you couldn't even get airfare and ground travel for that much! Let alonelodging, meals, admission, etc.
Japan will be much worse. While I didn't have to pay for my airfare ( :) ), it was still $1000 for a round trip, non-stop flight from Chcago to Tokyo/Narita. And that was CHEAP, through a Japanese agent. All American travel agents/websites were around $1600-$2500!
That's just to get you to the most expensive country on earth. I would be surprised if anyone could arrange an ACE or ECC coaster trip where you would come back spending less than $5000 when it's all said and done.
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- Peabody
The last ACE trip to Eurpore was 1996 if my memory serves, so that is a 7 year gap.
As has been mentioned there are several considerations.
Planning such a big convention where you know almost everybody is going to need hotels, transportation, et all in lands that they aren't familar with, besides working with the parks.
Turnover - Let's face it, as fun as the trip was, how many people are going to want to go every other year or every thrid year, given the costs (I'll get to that later). I'm sure that was one of the considerations, we need enough turnover to garner enough interest to make having the trip worthwhile.
Costs - Foreign travel is expensive, there is no way around that. That said, I thought ACE's fees were very reasonable
$410 Registration - This got you admission to 16 parks, countless ERT sessions, and some meals. (On average $25.62/park, which seems fair)
$1200 - Hotel and Ground Transport package. If I recall the trip was 17 days, this would work out to $70.58/day for your transportation plus hotel. Was there any included foodservice at the hotels?
$1,610 for the trip before airfare is $94.70/day + air. So for a bit shy of $100/day you had your hotel, transportation, some food, ERT sessions, and the services of a professional guide to haul you around and guide you. I budget DOMESTIC trips at $100/day. Having recently flown to Europe I can safely estimate $900 for the airfare, which gets this trip up to $2.510 or $147.64/day for European travel. Quite the bargain if you ask me.
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Reference Point - 11/01 - 10 day trip to Italy - $2,525 = $252.50 per day. (To be fair this includes Airfare, breakfast and one other meal each day served in really nice restaurants, hotels, bus, english speaking guides, travel insurance. As with the ACE trip any snacking, additional meals, additional attractions, and the obligatory souvenirs, etc all added to the trip
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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
Coasterville Dave said:
$1200 - Hotel and Ground Transport package. If I recall the trip was 17 days, this would work out to $70.58/day for your transportation plus hotel. Was there any included foodservice at the hotels?
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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
Yes, we got a hot breakfast at all of the hotels(buffet style). And, at Pontin's Prison Camp, we even got cheese sandwiches and boxes of orange "drink" for lunch/dinner.
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Sue Barry
CoasterSue@aol.com
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