I'm coming to FUN this January...Any Advice?

Dennis88 · October 18, 2008 5:18AM

Hi All,

I'm finally taking the chance of coming across the pond (I live in Europe) and go to my first major US coin show, FUN in Orlando, FL this January. With this being only my 2nd visit to the US and my first US coin show, I'm in need of a few advices.

I know that the official show dates are January 8-11, but I guess that there will be more pre-show activities going on. Although I probably won't have the funds to buy anything major out of the auctions, I do would like to have the opportunity to look through the auctions and learn, learn and learn. Learning is my first major goal for this show, besides meeting more people from the US numismatic world (I've only met a few when I was in California in June).

I currently have my flights set for January 5-13. I will be arriving at 7 PM on January 5, a monday and will leave the next Tuesday, January 13. Current plan is to spend 4 days at the show/auctions, and hanging out at Disney World/Sea World and with forum members the rest of the time. However, I have been thinking of rebooking my first flight to the previous Friday or Saturday to have a little more time to recover from my jetlag and discover somewhat more of sunny Florida before the actual show dates.

A little bit of advice on the auction schedules and days to be at the show is appreciated. I realize that the sunday will most likely be very, very slow and I will probably be out of cash by then, hence visiting some attraction like the next monday would be a good plan. Besides that I have no clue.

Thanks all for your help and it will be great fun @ FUN meeting all of you after spending 5 years on this wonderful forum

.

Dennis

STONE · October 18, 2008 5:40AM

Dennis, glad to see that you are going to make it to this show. This will also be my first FUN show, but not first US show

I really can't give you any advice about what to expect from FUN, because I've never been, but from what I've heard it is HUGE and lots of fun.

I will be at the show first thing Thursday (1/8/09) and most of the day on Friday. I really hope to meet you and see some of your Seated Half Dimes.

It sounds like you are going to have a great 8-9 day adventure with the coin show and Disney World, etc.

NHSBaseball · October 18, 2008 5:44AM

You will spend less money by spending cash at the coin show instead of going to Disney.

Just kidding-

It's cool that you are making the trip, and you should have a great time. As far as advice- I have none to give because I've never been to a major show. If I were lucky enough to be in your shoes, I'd try to meet up with someone from the Forum who will be there early so that they can show you the ropes.

Bochiman · October 18, 2008 5:49AM

<< You will spend less money by spending cash at the coin show instead of going to Disney.

Just kidding-

It's cool that you are making the trip, and you should have a great time. As far as advice- I have none to give because I've never been to a major show. If I were lucky enough to be in your shoes, I'd try to meet up with someone from the Forum who will be there early so that they can show you the ropes. >>

I've done both before...and, you aren't kidding

I did spend more at Disney than at FUN

kryptonitecomics · October 18, 2008 6:16AM

I live in Orlando and except for last year I have made it to the FUN show probably 5 or 6 years in a row. There is a ton to do and I can see it taking you a few days to take in all of the show but I have never lasted more than 2 days with funds so meeting up with forum members and talking coins and doing show and tells is the best way to conserve money. Finding locals that can get you discounts is always a great idea though sometime it can be a challenge. There are discount tickets available if you know the right folks....and discount hotels.....that could put some extra money back in your pocket that could be spent at the show.

I'll be there this year and I am sure I will be hooking up with a ton of forum members so I hope to see you there.

DoUPlayOnePocket · October 18, 2008 7:55AM

At the rate that Shane is buying toners, he probably won't have any funds left in January.

I live in South Florida, and this will be my 5th consecutive FUN show. (Shane, feel free to jump in and correct me if I'm wrong.) I believe that Thursday is the "dealers day" on the bourse and you can get in with a pass for $100. Friday-Sunday is free for the general public, and there will probably be 800-1000 tables. You must register to get into the major auctions to participate and/or view the lots. This year, the one that interests me the most is the Heritage auction of the Sanderson family collection of Morgan dollars. I won't be able to afford any of them, but I am curious to see how they will fare given the current economic state. There are also club meetings which usually take place over the weekend, and they are also open to the general public. I would suggest that you go online to the FUN website to check the schedule of events. Although this is my first year as a member at PCGS, I believe that they offer a complimentary brunch or lunch for some of their membership. I have attended those of other organizations in past years, and they have always been informative and give you the opportunity to meet some of the members in person.

As far as hotels are concerned, there are several very close to the convention center. Some attendees prefer to stay close by while others prefer to find lodging closer to the dining & shopping district. Regardless, there is an ample selection within 1-2 miles form the show. A MapQuest search can show you all of the possibilities. I don't know if you are a smoker, but be aware that Orlando passed a law that now bans indoor smoking at all of the hotels. If you haven't already done so, I would make the hotel reservations as quickly as possible. I don't know if the economic state will have an adverse effect, but January is near the peak of the tourist season, and hotels can fill very quickly.

I assume that you will have a rental car at your disposal. There is a $10 daily parking fee at the convention center. Be aware that the parking lot can fill very quickly. There are auxiliary parking areas in the outlying fields, but you may be faced with a very long walk. Last year, some enterprising young kids provided bicycle taxi service for the outlying parking areas. The worked strictly for tips. If you arrive early enough, 8-9AM, you shouldn't have a problem.

The last few years, the weather has been very accommodating. We get very little rain in January. Temperatures may vary, but you can usually expect them to be in the 70's during the day. You may want to have a jacket at your disposal just in case.

I hope this helps, and perhaps I will see you at the show.

Chris

Barndog · October 18, 2008 8:08AM

some simple advice:

you are taking a special trip to collect coins, so maximize your exposure to coins! Participate in the pre-shows and auctions to the maximum extent possible. Buy and use an early bird pass for the actual FUN show too. Plan to attend some of the educational sessions also, the FUN show has some of the best!

Dog97 · October 18, 2008 8:13AM

#1 Take lots of $$$. Last time I went I only took $100 and I spent all that on gas & food on the way down to FLA and only had $40 when I got there. First thing I found was a $3,000 1897 Barber Dime at the Pinnacle table I really needed. Luckily I was able to beg some $$$ from another well respected dealer to buy the dime and sleep in a cheap motel that night.
#2 Use the right exit. Flordia roads are designed for use by people with bifocals that drive slow. I don't drive slow or wear bifocals so I missed the exit on a toll road from I-10 and went to Tampa. The I got confused when I did exit at the convention center on the exit that goes round & round in circles & I ended up out in the country somewhere. Then when I was leaving I went the wrong way and making 3 right turns at Disneyland DOES NOT put you back on the interstate. Which was no big deal but I was on a motorcyle & it was dark & raining.
#3 If you go around to the back of the convention center you can get a non-english guard at a side gate to let you in for free & save $10 on parking.
#4 Don't drive around all over the parking lot looking for a close spot or the guards will stop you and ask why you're driving up & down all the aisles looking around.
#5 It's a large show and you can't look at everything in 1 day, don't even try. I wander around aimlessley getting a feel for the show and making mental notes for a while, then zero in tables that looked interesting. I check every table on every aisle.
#6 Use your board id on your stickum nametag and you'll meet lots of nice & interesting people and spend much time talking to them.

DoUPlayOnePocket · October 18, 2008 10:08AM

Dog, all the people who drive slow originally came from some other state, and the people who are wearing bifocals are trying to read their German/English dictionary to decipher the signs as they drive.

Chris

longtimecollector · October 19, 2008 2:01AM

My simple advice...........

Before you leave home, put all your clothes out on your bed.......... put your cash next to it.............

Now here comes the key part of my advice............

Take one-half the clothes and put them in the suitcase.......... then, take 3 times the cash !!!!!!!!!!!

RWB · October 19, 2008 2:12AM

Orlando. The Liverpool of Florida, but with more roaches and bugs.

coinkid855 · October 19, 2008 2:58AM

I now live in Orlando, (I attend the University of Central Florida) and this will be my 3rd consecutive FUN show. I don't really have any advice that hasn't already been stated, but I'm sure this show will be much bigger than any show you've ever been to, so I will reiterate, spend your money wisely! (Or bring a ton of it

)

Have FUN in Florida!

-Paul

ricko · October 19, 2008 6:01AM

"Take one-half the clothes and put them in the suitcase.......... then, take 3 times the cash !!!!!!!!!!!"

I am laughing.. but that is the best advice posted for such a trip....Cheers, RickO

Dennis88 · October 19, 2008 8:08PM

Thanks all. I'm planning on just learning, meeting people and buy a nice coin or 2...

As far as the auctions go, I plan to do the lot viewing and maybe attend 1 or 2. Any idea yet what day the Heritage Auctions will be? What about any other auction companies?

I'm also planning to attend the LSCC meeting. About these educational seminars, what can I expect? When will these be?

Thanks,

Dennis

messydesk · October 19, 2008 8:17PM

Most of the restaurants you'll see in the area are overpriced national chains with mediocre food. If you go to the evening live auction sessions, at least you won't have to worry about the overpriced part of eating.

Dennis88 · October 19, 2008 10:54PM

I will be in heaven with the prices in the US, even with the lower EURO/USD rate. It was even better in June (Levi Jeans for EUR 30 instead of the EUR 100 that they are here) but I still can't complain

.

Dennis

DoUPlayOnePocket · October 19, 2008 11:07PM

<< Thanks all. I'm planning on just learning, meeting people and buy a nice coin or 2...

As far as the auctions go, I plan to do the lot viewing and maybe attend 1 or 2. Any idea yet what day the Heritage Auctions will be? What about any other auction companies?

I'm also planning to attend the LSCC meeting. About these educational seminars, what can I expect? When will these be?

Thanks,

Dennis >>

Dennis, you can find much of the information you need, here:

www.funtopics.com/Fun_Shows/events_scheduled.html

Chris

TwoSides2aCoin · October 20, 2008 12:37AM

For a small fee I can give you telephonic instructions by using my GPS unit to get you where you need while driving.
signed
~Joe the Coin Geek capitalist philanthropist~

SilverBaron · October 20, 2008 1:37AM

Greetings Dennis..... If time gets tight... skip Seaworld...

It's over priced and many of the exihibits are close in January.

RedneckHB · October 20, 2008 1:46AM

Go to Universal and skip Sea World.

RWB · October 20, 2008 2:33AM

Dennis,
Don't pay more than $25 (about 20 euros) for a pair of jeans - unless there a cute blond in them....

Dennis88 · October 20, 2008 2:40AM

<< Dennis,
Don't pay more than $25 (about 20 euros) for a pair of jeans - unless there a cute blond in them.... >>

That's why I am buying most of my clothes in the US now a days... a good pair of jeans is over a $100 here in Europe.... I'm not that crazy anymore

...

Dennis

TwoSides2aCoin · October 20, 2008 2:40AM

No puedo traducir inglés-español

However , for a small fee, I can assist you telephonically using Yahoo's Babel Fish™ translator.

Longacre · October 20, 2008 2:41AM

<< Dennis,
Don't pay more than $25 (about 20 euros) for a pair of jeans - unless there a cute blond in them.... >>

This one was better than the packing joke above.

Seriously, I would spend more time at the show than at Disney World. No one loves The Mouse more than Longacre, but if I was in my late teens/20s, I would not want to hang out in the park with hundreds of thousands of screaming kids.

DoUPlayOnePocket · October 20, 2008 2:47AM

<< Dennis,
Don't pay more than $25 (about 20 euros) for a pair of jeans - unless there a cute blond in them.... >>

Go to WalMart! You can get Wrangler's for about $17, but you wouldn't want any of the blonds who work there to be in them.

Chris

Dennis88 · October 20, 2008 4:08AM

<< 

<< Dennis,
Don't pay more than $25 (about 20 euros) for a pair of jeans - unless there a cute blond in them.... >>

This one was better than the packing joke above.

Seriously, I would spend more time at the show than at Disney World. No one loves The Mouse more than Longacre, but if I was in my late teens/20s, I would not want to hang out in the park with hundreds of thousands of screaming kids. >>

Well that certainly is the main goal...with hopefully a few nice purchases.

If only that dollar would stay a little weaker...but for the worldwide economy its probably not that bad.

Dennis

Dennis88 · October 26, 2008 12:46AM

Just saw the entrance prices to Sea World and Disney...I better skip those parks to be actually able to buy something @ the show

Dennis

dpoole · October 26, 2008 1:23AM

Speaking of cute blonds, there's usually a surfers' convention running at the same time on the other end of the Convention Center. (It's usually pretty easy in the parking lot to figure out who's going to which convention

)

Anyway, when you get tired of coins, going over to the other convention and hanging around the entrance is a lot more entertaining than stoopid Disney World.

I'm coming to FUN this January...Any Advice?

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