FUN SHOW REFLECTIONS

Dug13

Had plans to attend my first FUN in 2021....granddaughter was to perform with her high school marching band at Disney the same week as FUN, it was going to be a 2-for-1 trip, but then the world shut down due to Covid.
4 years rolled by and the stars aligned, I was able to make arrangements to attend this years event.
The show was everything I had expected it to be. I had done all my research in the weeks leading up to FUN.
I could sense the excitement in the air mingling with fellow collectors in line for registration. Everyone was courteous and respectful. The volunteers at the registration booths had the patience of Job.
Spent Thursday & Friday at the show.
Over the 2 day period I purchased a total 3 coins, 2 of them from fellow forumites/dealers.
Also consigned 4 coins with GC and submitted 1 coin to Eagle Eye for Photo Seal consideration.
A lot of ground to cover. The first day my stepper tracked 4 miles. Second day 2-1/2 miles. Advice to those who are thinking about attending in the future, bring your best/most comfortable walking shoes you can get. You will be glad you did at the end of the day.
Ran out of steam by Friday afternoon.
Could have bought all 3 coins online from the comfort of my living room and saved just shy of $2000 in travel expenses.
But it was a fantastic experience, was glad to be there. Had a great time meeting fellow members.
Also, I ended up with 2 calendars (wife picked up one also). If anyone would like to have it, reach out to me and I'll mail it to you for postage.

Sanddollar

I remember when national coin shows might be half a tank of gas and cheap hotdogs/beer.

Now it's, give or take, 2K?

keyman64

@Sanddollar said:
I remember when national coin shows might be half a tank of gas and cheap hotdogs/beer.

Now it's, give or take, 2K?

It was a 2.5 hour drive for me on the way there and 2 hours on the way home at night. ~3/4 of a tank. $0 money on food/drinks since I packed my lunch. Parking was $21.50.

Mizzou

@Sanddollar said:
I remember when national coin shows might be half a tank of gas and cheap hotdogs/beer.

Now it's, give or take, 2K?

Disney $1800.00
Coin Show $200

Walkerguy21D

@Sanddollar said:
I remember when national coin shows might be half a tank of gas and cheap hotdogs/beer.

Now it's, give or take, 2K?

Yeah, they moved all the national shows to remote locations about 50 years ago 😉.
I recall someone on the forum once complaining that they should move the FUN show around the country to different locations to give more people a chance to attend…
As for me, this national show was a half tank of gas, and was home in time for $2.50 happy hour craft pints at our local restaurant.

To the OP, glad that you were able to attend and that you had a wonderful experience!

U1chicago

Thanks for the report! Congrats on making it to one of these shows-it’s a worthwhile experience!

kaz

I enjoyed your report! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

MFeld

@keyman64 said:

@Sanddollar said:
I remember when national coin shows might be half a tank of gas and cheap hotdogs/beer.

Now it's, give or take, 2K?

It was a 2.5 hour drive for me on the way there and 2 hours on the way home at night. ~3/4 of a tank. $0 money on food/drinks since I packed my lunch. Parking was $21.50.

Unless the lunch you packed was found, stolen or given as a gift, your “$0 money on food/drinks” was probably a bit on the low side.😉

Desert Moon

Nice seeing you @dug13!

GoldFinger1969

@Sanddollar said:
Now it's, give or take, 2K?

I went to FUN 2020 and for a variety of reasons haven't been able to get back. I desperately want to for FUN 2026.

I live in the NY area and I got there on Wednesday and stayed un til Sunday (4 nights). I took the train down there (21 hours) and flew back coach. With hotel...and food....I think I spent about $1,000 on the travel and meals part. I probably would have chosen a pricier location closer to the venue but I didn't know that at the time I booked.

Since I treated it like a vacation...and since I spent about $12,000 in coins ....I figured the overhead was worth it.

Dug13

Our trip included;
5 nights of lodging,
5 evening meals
2200 miles of driving,
$22 a night to park the car in the hotel's parking lot.

Back in the day when we had kiddos in the house, a typical vacation started about 9:00 at night with the kiddos in pj's, bedded down in the back seat. Would drive all night and get somewhere the next afternoon.
We carted store brand snacks & store brand soft drinks.
When we arrived I crashed for a 4 hour Power Nap while wife and kiddos shopped lunch meat, cereal, and instant oatmeal.
Always stayed a budget motels. (oh the stories I could tell you about those places)!
We always had a wonderful time with great memories.

I have paid my traveling dues!

We treated this as an adult retreat.
3 of the 5 nights we stayed in an upscale hotel (3500 rooms).
3 of the 5 evening meals we're at fine dining establishments.

Sure we could have ran the economy route, but we lived it up a little!
We enjoyed ourselves.

lilolme

@Dug13 said:
Could have bought all 3 coins online from the comfort of my living room and saved just shy of $2000 in travel expenses.
But it was a fantastic experience, was glad to be there. Had a great time meeting fellow members.

>

This. I often won't purchase anything but I go because I still enjoy hanging out at the show and walking, looking and visiting. I am starting to get less tolerant to the flying hassles but still making it.