Gencon for newbies

Pre-registration is a must for those who hate standing in lines. The first morning of GenCon you can pretty much expect at least an hour wait if you're registering at the event. Pre-registration is cheaper as well.

A much larger issue is lodging. As of this date all the rooms blocked by GenCon have been taken already! They may block off more, you'd have to contact them to find out or keep checking back. Usually rooms blocked by GenCon come at a reduced rate. I'd advise anyone who plans on staying at GenCon Indy to get their reservations in asap. Right now anything resonable ($105 a night or lower) in the immidate area is taken. You'll probably have to plan on staying by the airport (about 8 miles away but an easy drive) to find a similar rate. Be aware that if you drive and want to park downtown you can plan on $15-$20 a day for parking fee. Even some of the downtown motels charge their clients an additional fee for parking (those in the heart of downtown)

While you most often pay for each game you play, the price is very reasonable from what I've observed in my 5 years attending the event. I'd suggest eating outside the venue though, there are numerous resturants with a wide variety of menus close by. The venue food is expensive and limited.

The convention floor is huge of course and you could spend a full day easily if not more going through all the exhibts, shopping, learning to play new games, etc. The convention floor though isn't even half of the convention! You'll find two major halls of TCGs, additional rooms for miniatures, board games, poker, and just about every other game under the sun. There are gamer parties at night, costume parades, dances, auctions.......they don't call it the biggest 4 days in gaming for nothing!