- * - Official CheeseVention SeVen Thread! - * -

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

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Welcome everyone to our annual thread dedicated to our yearly Fan Event, CheeseVention! THIS YEAR J, Cheryl, myself, and our Location Co-Host Richard pleased to present -

" CheeseVention SeVen"

The Ofificallly Un-Official Chuck E. Cheese's and Showbiz Pizza Place Fan Convention

June 18th - 19th - 20th 2010

NEW YORK CITY


This year we are not only celebrating our 7th gathering, BUT we are ALSO celebrating the 30th ANNIVERSARY of The Rock-aFire Explosion! Our theme is "THINK BIG, BE BIG" and boy oh boy do we have some BIG PLANS in mind for the Big Apple!

So let me now reveal all the info one could want or need related to this years' chosen Location.

First off, i would like to send a shout out to our Location Co-Host Richard ( better known on this Forum as 'Rapid T. Rabbit). Richard has been instrumental in helping J and myself get the insights and info we needed in these crucial planning stages to validate all the things needed to pull off a successful CV. He has amassed years of valuable knowledge from his experience living in the NYC area, and there is no better connection or guide to have to this area of the country. So a big thanks for helping make Cv SeVen a reality, Richard!

Okay....so let's get started!

The 'Official Hotel of CV SeVen' will be
The Hampton Inn , in Secaucus, NJ



Link - http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/h...tyhocn=SCMNJHX

This Hotel is 20 mins from downtown NYC. It was decided to stay outside of the immediate city to avoid the high room rates or outrageous local 'room stay' taxes ..not to mention expensive parking fees on top of all of that! The Hotel chosen has none of those issues.

The Hampton has free parking, a free breakfast buffet ( with more then just bread and coffee!)...and more. It is also located in a pleasent area, next to a shopping plaza with nice resturants, shops, and a movie threatre.
Read the above link for all the good info. Those fans who may have attended last year's CV in Chicago will remember the Hamton Inn, and the nice little breakfast buffet.

Prices per night - $129 ( not including taxes). I priced my room for two nights, with the $38 in taxes included, and it was roughly $269-ish for the two weekend nights.

- * - RIGHT NOW the Hotel is running a JANUARY SALE and one can book a room for $103 ( not including taxes). If you know you are definately coming, you can book IMMEDIATELY and SAVE!
PLEASE NOTE however -
The discounted room rate is NON REFUNDABLE in any way, and must be paid in FULL at time of booking, and NO changes can be made once booked! The regular $129 rate CAN be changed/cancelled/refunded however, so the choice is up to
you.

THIS OFFER ENDS JANUARY 31st. I know..not much time, but the Hampton Inn often runs special offers throughout the year.


Again, use the link above to price out your room.

The regular $129.00 rate is a really good deal considering the location, and the enemities. Either way, all things considered, i think Attendees are getting a nice price.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

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Here is a small list of some great Location-related websites to help Attendees make their travel plans, and learn all they need to know about visiting New York !


I Love NY .Com - Great overview of all things NY!

http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx

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NYC.com - Info about Broadway shows, valid travel tips, resturants, attractions and more. Well worth a look!

http://www.nyc.com/

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NYC's MTA public transportation website. All you need for traveling by train, subway, and bus within and around NYC.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/

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Travelocity.com - Wonderful place to search for airline tickets. Search rates here, and then book at the respective airlines' website to avoid service charges.

www.travelocity.com

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[Shiney Happy Jenn]

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The Schedule of Activities is coming along nicely, and we have a rough idea of what we may do during CV SeVen. As always, ideas and suggestions are ALWAYS WELCOME!

For the moment, here is a brief overview of what is planned for the weekend. Please keep in mind that this is a early draft and it is possible things will change. For now however, this looks to be a solid framework. Again, your imput is considered and appreciated.

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Friday, June 18th -

Attendees arrive and check into the Hotel, relax, and enjoy their own planned activities that evening. There are no scheduled CV related group activities slated until the next day, so Attendees can enjoy their first night in NYC on their own.


J, Cheryl, and myself plan on seeing 'WICKED' on Friday Night. If anyone would like to join us, you are of course welcome, but please be aware that this is not a group event and you will have to secure tickets and transport on your own.

Here is the official website for 'WICKED' on Broadway - " The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz"

http://www.wickedthemusical.com/


Saturday, June 19th -

This is the main CV SeVen day. We will all meet up at the Hotel at some point in the morning ( 9 or 9:30 target area) in a designated Meeting Room. This may be a actual Meeting Room we will book at the Hotel ( similar to last year), or, i will book a larger hotel room and we will use this. We have some neat plans and already have a SPECIAL GUEST slated in to appear, plus a videotaping session for local NYC television planned...so we are looking into getting a actual Meeting space. More info when i have had a chance to talk to the Hotel about a space.

After the official 'Welcome' and entertainment segments, the group we depart the Hotel and head over to a local CEC for Lunch. The Location has not been finalised this early in the game, but there has been talk of hitting Union, NJ's location or another one close by.

After Lunch, the plan is to take a road trip up to 'AdventureLand Theme Park' in Long Island, NY. The driving time will be roughly and hour, possibly more depending on traffic conditions. This park has a Classic Rock-aFire Explosion show operating for the public to view...and last i heard was in great condition. This place is your basic amusement park, with rides and games and other delights. Check out their official website below -

Website for 'AdventureLand'

http://www.adventureland.us/themepark/

There is also talk of stopping by 'Funzone' which is a amusement center/arcade 10 mins down the road from 'AdventureLand'. No animatronics, but still something to consider.

'Funzone' website

http://www.funzoneamusements.com/

After visiting these locations, the plan is to drive back to either the Hotel or head directly to our next planned stop - 'Mars 2112'

'Mars 2112' is a very cool OUTER SPACE themed resturant right in the heart of Times Square. J has personally been there and vouches it is very neat and definately worth checking out! This is where we plan to have Dinner for the evening.

Here is their website ...check it out!

http://www.mars2112.com/

After Dinner, folks are welcome to tour the 'City That Never Sleeps' and view the amazing, famous lights of Broadway and Times Square.



Sunday, June 20th -

Traditionally, this is when the Attendees meet up for Breakfast at a nearby resturant and then part company. Some folks head home, some stay on to partake in their own activities.

Richard, J, Cheryl, and myself plan on visiting Central Park before we leave for home.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

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Here is a list from Richard of some suggestions for those looking for fun things to do while in New York -


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Broadway or Off Broadway Shows - Disney's standout shows 'Mary Poppins' or 'The Lion King', plus 'Wicked' and numerous other offerings. Also 'Avenue Q' (cute, funny, and with puppets but VERY adult content in many respects. NOT for kids!)

Circle Line cruise around Manhattan..full trip 3 hrs or half trip 90 min.

Roof views...Empire State or GE Building (Rockefeller Center) . Prepare for a long wait time.

Staten Island Ferry...free view of NY Harbor & Statue of Liberty (w/o going to statue which would take all day)



Strolling through Central Park. Lots to see here..apart from the lovely greenery and ponds. Place of interest include he famous Central Park Zoo, antique operational Carousel, horse carridges, Strawberry Fields, and MORE. Depending on what side of the Park you are on, 5th Ave ( with all the world famous shopping destinations) and the Dakota apartment building ( home of John Lennon in his later years) are nearby.




Coney Island - the famous seaside amusement resort of bygone times. The place today is in transition though....so do not expect a lot of choices in entertainment options here.


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I will add to this Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and all the world renowned museums. Definately something to offer everyone no matter what your interests are. One could spend a week here!

[Isabella Price]

Mmmm New York. My home!

...too bad I live in California now! Aaaaughhh.

I'd really like to make it this time, and I can't resist a reason to get my butt to NY (and eat at Roll n' Roaster, mmmmmm), but college is most likely going to interfere. We'll see.

[CEC3066]

Hey Jenn, I plan to join you for "wicked" that weay my dad & I will know where it is for when we see it the following sunday.Speaking of that sunday if possible maybe we could pitch in & help pay for breakfast for any dads who are there,after all it IS fathers day

[Rapid T Rabbit]

Correction....the Rockafire is at Funzone, not Adventureland though the two places are near each other.

[CEC3066]

Have a GREAT time &"Wicked" I'm seeing it on that Sunday w/ my dad

[dook97]

Can someone save a CV7 plush this year? Sorry, can't catch a ride to NY.

[Rapid T Rabbit]

The photograph of Times Square that Jenn posted above is a little out of date. The Virgin Megastore closed last Summer but that will become the location of the new Disney Store opening late this Fall.

Speaking of stores, would we be visiting the flagship Build-A-Bear store with Jenn over on 5th Avenue?