We'll after a two year drought, I'm finally going back to Allentown,

I booked what I "thought" was a decent deal at the Days Inns for $49/night,
but I just "stumbled" on some reviews which are making me re-think my decision to stay there....


...and I quote...

�I would rather go to the bates motel!!!!! This place is SUPER NASTY!!!�

�Should be condemned!�

�Keep your shoes on at all times�

�Worst palce I've stayed in 30 years�

�Couldn't leave fast enough!�

�deplorable, god-awful, grim, sickening.......�

...and my personal favorite...

�Used Condom in Allentown, PA Days Inn�

See all the gory details here...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Sho.....nnsylvania.html#TOPC

So... has anyone stayed there ?

Surely there must be better options, ... but at what price... ?

Anyone ?


Steph

Steph,

Which Days Inn did you book???

There are TWO Days Inns in Allentown:

a) Days Inn Allentown & Conference Center on Bulldog Drive <22 & 309> (the 'bad' one according to tripadvisor)
b) Days Inn Allentown on Lehigh Street / I-78 (one review on tripadvisor...and a decent one too!)

I'm just hoping my friend who booked the room took 'B'...  

Mes deux cennes,
Frosken

      I'm staying at the Holiday Inn Express on Hamilton blvd....I've stayed at the Quality Inn just off the highway, and last year at the Howard Johnsons near Dorney Park. Both of those were fine, but I like variety!  Days Inn sounds like you're getting a little more than you bargained for for your $49!!! I'm leaving on the Wednesday and staying in Hartford, CT for a night, as I'm picking up my Harley Davidson machine there. Then 4 nights in A'town...

Quoted from frosken

Steph,

Which Days Inn did you book???

There are TWO Days Inns in Allentown:

a) Days Inn Allentown & Conference Center on Bulldog Drive <22 & 309> (the 'bad' one according to tripadvisor)
b) Days Inn Allentown on Lehigh Street / I-78 (one review on tripadvisor...and a decent one too!)
n

I'm in the "bad" one , ... on "Bulldog Drive"  no less  (...there's an omen ! )

Time to start looking around for another hotel...

Steph

Well, believe it or not, there is a chance I may be going... kind of a treat to myself from myself...

I got a call from work today and they asked me to show up tomorrow at 10:30am at the head office for some REALLY good news. There has been rumors of a promotion going around and I may be getting one, with a hefty raise. What better way to celebrate than to spend a shitload in A-town!!!

I will keep you guys posted, as well as asking if anyone knows of any vacancies in hotels, as well as if anyone wants to hitch a ride if I go...

Quoted from Steph

We'll after a two year drought, I'm finally going back to Allentown,

I booked what I "thought" was a decent deal at the Days Inns for $49/night,
but I just "stumbled" on some reviews which are making me re-think my decision to stay there....


...and I quote...

�I would rather go to the bates motel!!!!! This place is SUPER NASTY!!!�

�Should be condemned!�

�Keep your shoes on at all times�

�Worst palce I've stayed in 30 years�

�Couldn't leave fast enough!�

�deplorable, god-awful, grim, sickening.......�

...and my personal favorite...

�Used Condom in Allentown, PA Days Inn�

See all the gory details here...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Sho.....nnsylvania.html#TOPC

So... has anyone stayed there ?

Surely there must be better options, ... but at what price... ?

Anyone ?


Steph

....And here I am....thinking of asking you the hospitality for a night!!!!

Thanks, but no thanks....I'll sleep in my truck!!! I'll be safer.

There's still room for another soul!

Good luck, Steph!

tartagliag

I really wish i could go but my mother in-law is leaving on the 10 of may
Really nice woman does allot of the work here been a great help with the kids.
But i will be our last weekend in canada for a year or so i plan on doing something with her.
With kids and wife

I'm going back and forth on whether to go or not.  Ugh, I may be starting a new job by then too.  I'll know more.

Question #1:  If anyone wants to ride together, I'm always game for that
Question #2:  Apologies if I already asked this, can't remember.  Do I need a passport to cross the border, and if not, what do I need?

I'm staying like usuall at MIcrotelInn .. was there before..simple, nice and clean.

Steph

I re-booked at the Bulldog DI because it was simple, clean, cheap 8 minutes to the Agriplex and they serve free breakfast (load up on those Fruit Loops!) Frankly, you're going down to play pinball, go out for a pint in the evening, so basically you've got a bed to crawl back to and that's it. Don't expect special perks like Magic Fingers, a heart shape hot tub or chocolates on your pillow and you'll do just fine. With all that money you saved you can buy yourself a nice, shiny set of balls (and then some!)

Cheers

Alex

PS: Hopefully this year I'll be able to hang out with some of you regs! Last year I must have passed as a n00b or something... maybe I need to buy me one of those sweet MAACA T's to be 'in'  

Quoted from cheg

so basically you've got a bed to crawl back to and that's it.

... and I'm OK with that ... as long as there is nothing ELSE crawling in there with me !

No, I'm not expecting the RITZ, and I don't even mind water stains on the ceiling.
... I'll even skip the shower if the bathroom is that gross...

But I draw the line at finding cockroaches or used condoms...

Call me picky... !  

Steph

Take a black light with you and check for the stains that matter

Quoted from Steph

... and I'm OK with that ... as long as there is nothing ELSE crawling in there with me !

Well maybe just Giuseppe

Mike

Quoted from Hounddoggy

Take a black light with you and check for the stains that matter

I think I'll just bring my own pillow and a sleeping bag...  

Steph

Well... I'm out.  I was booked into the HoJo but my parents have decided to come into town that weekend.

I'll be there .. staying at the Crowne Plaza ($60/ night on priceline)

Probably just attending Saturday as we'll be getting in late on Friday ..

are there any plans of going back to the Pinball Parlour again this year ?

Quoted from SquidVicious

I'll be there .. staying at the Crowne Plaza ($60/ night on priceline)

Probably just attending Saturday as we'll be getting in late on Friday ..

are there any plans of going back to the Pinball Parlour again this year ?

I'd be in to the Parlour if we could have beer this year...nothing crazy...just enough to wind down

So I am stuck with a dilemna... I already have quite a few pins to fix up and that takes money... but I want to go to Allentown.

I would love to get a ton of parts at A-town but 2 nights at a hotel and 2.5 tanks of gas and meals add up a good 5-600$ to my costs...

Hmm... dunno yet.

[quote=5] and 2.5 tanks of gas [quote]

I think we can carpool, right folks? I'm heading down in a Tucson and leaving Friday at 8am. I can either take an extra person with one pin or two people. Let me know if anyone needs a ride from Ottawa. Also, I'll heading back right after the show closes on Sunday (around 4pm - I have to stick around that long to claim the pinball I will have won!)

I have been warned today.
Keep trying to convince the wife and she basically told me no to mention it again for a year
I would have tag with Cheg but I understand reasoning.

If anyone in the Ottawa area is willing to bring back a bunch of playfield glass... I'll buy two and Loafer wants one. Should only be about $25 each (pinballlife.com).

Quoted from tinyrodent

If anyone in the Ottawa area is willing to bring back a bunch of playfield glass... I'll buy two and Loafer wants one. Should only be about $25 each (pinballlife.com).

I might be able to help you out depending on cargo coming back. I also have a roof rack.

Alex

I dont think glass would survive the roof rack

Quoted from cheg

I might be able to help you out depending on cargo coming back. I also have a roof rack.

Alex

Cool!

Quoted from tinyrodent

If anyone in the Ottawa area is willing to bring back a bunch of playfield glass... I'll buy two and Loafer wants one. Should only be about $25 each (pinballlife.com).

Maybe a daft question.  Is pinball life attending Allentown && Bringing orders?

Cool on the glass, thanks!  BTW, in case anyone's missed this, no one answered

"Question #2:  Apologies if I already asked this, can't remember.  Do I need a passport to cross the border, and if not, what do I need?"

It's a little late for me to get a passport, is it needed?  If not, is the driver's license sufficient or do I need birth certificate? (Which I don't know if I can find... )

Quoted from The Loafer

"Question #2:  Apologies if I already asked this, can't remember.  Do I need a passport to cross the border, and if not, what do I need?"

It's a little late for me to get a passport, is it needed?  If not, is the driver's license sufficient or do I need birth certificate? (Which I don't know if I can find... )

I think the short answer is no .. but you will get less hassle if you have it.  Bring drivers license and birth certificate.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/chron-eng.html
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080328-2-eng.aspx

"As of June 1, 2009, Canadian and U.S. citizens will be required to present a valid passport or other acceptable document denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States at land and water ports of entry.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/planification/local.aspx?lang=eng#us

Travelling in North America
Canadians travelling to the United States
By land or water
Canadian citizens will not require a passport to enter the United States at land and marine ports of entry until June 1, 2009.

However, as of January 31, 2008, if you travel to the United States by land or water, a United States law will require you to present:

a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's licence
AND a birth certificate or a citizenship card;
OR
for persons aged 18 and under, a birth certificate or a citizenship card only;
OR
a valid passport.

Quoted from The Loafer

Do I need a passport to cross the border, and if not, what do I need?"

I don't believe you need a passport, but you need "some" kind of official ID.

I believe a driver's license "should" do, but a birth certificate would be better.


Cheers,
Steph

http://www.passport.gc.ca

*** I was 2 minutes late...entry requirements removed ***

You can get a passport in time (check website), but it'll cost you extra...
In addition, doing the 'online' application and bring it to your local office saves LOTS of waiting time (or it used to anyways)

Vendors for the 2008 Pinball Wizards Convention

Mayfair Amusement
South Jersey Pinball Club
Pinball Resource
Mr. Amusement
Pinball Parts Plus
Steve Hess
Pinball Pal
Pinball Barn
Let's Play Pinball
Brian Ray Wasenda
Nighthawk Games
Reeder Amusement
Ivan Lysykanycz
Gameroom Obsessions
BC's Pinball Amusements
Illinois Pinball
Marco Specialties
T E Machines
Classic Playfield Reproductioins
M&P Amusements
Joe McNeill

(Last updated on 01 April 200

Quoted from ethous

I dont think glass would survive the roof rack

You've never seen me pack!

I was thinking more like baggage and baby on rack and precious glass cargo inside...

Quoted from MrMikeman

Well maybe just Giuseppe

Mike

You bet.....I'm like a snake!!! sssssssssssss!

tartagliag

I guess that if I have someone with me to split gas and maybe even a room, I might go. Otherwise, I can't justify the expense.

Time will tell.

...And I have a van so transporting stuff is not a problem.

Thanks for the info, looks like I would at least need to find the birth certificate.  Ok, I'll see if I can find it tonight and get crackin', in case I decide to go .

I'm surprised Stern isn't on that list in an official capacity, or is that a given? ie: do they ever attend these?

Quoted from The Loafer

Thanks for the info, looks like I would at least need to find the birth certificate.  Ok, I'll see if I can find it tonight and get crackin', in case I decide to go .

I'm surprised Stern isn't on that list in an official capacity, or is that a given? ie: do they ever attend these?

Stern doesn't sell directly to the public, so there wouldn't be much point in them attending a hobbyist show like this. They attend the trade shows and leave the hobbyist shows to distribs like http://www.pinballsales.com.

I don't know, advertizement for their new games? Also the fact they're the LAST pin manufacturer... But yeah, good point.

Well, the odds of me going just went WAYYYYYYY up. I got an unexpected bonus from work. I guess they liked my work as a shop foreman, and I got a huge cheque. MORE than enough to cover for A-town expenses. Now all I will have to do is get a hotel room.

The 'other' days inn have rooms left...not as cheap as the 'skanktown days inn', but cheaper than a 4/5-star place

My Allentown trip has been compromised. My van started leaking engine oil fast in the bell housing. Looks like I will have to have the transmission taken off to fix it.

...There goes my bonus money/trip money...


...mess.


On the positive side, CPR is shipping me a Centaur playfield!!!!

Quoted from Sparky

My Allentown trip has been compromised. My van started leaking engine oil fast in the bell housing. Looks like I will have to have the transmission taken off to fix it.

...There goes my bonus money/trip money...


...mess.


On the positive side, CPR is shipping me a Centaur playfield!!!!

Well, good news... the repair on the van is less than 100$. But the sad part is that I spent a lot on parts and I still have to pay for a machine, so I won't be going. I'll just work on what I got now. Been lagging behind on the pin repairs lately anyways.

Quoted from Sparky

Been lagging behind on the pin repairs lately anyways.

What ?  Parental leave is not providing you with enough free time for pins  ?!?!?    

... I should know...,  I took two month's off last summer
when Baby #3 arrived,  and thinking I would get soooooo much stuff done...


Then, before you knew it, the summer was over
and I hadn't accomplished a thing !
(...well, I "did" finish the Robotron cocktail, ...but that was it )

Damn babies suck-up all your free time without you even knowing it !



Steph

My spirit go to Allentown with Mr Hide !!!  

Ian, my offer is still good