York questions and advice

Get it booked as soon as possible!

That's really excellent advice!  Do a search for hotels in York on the Internet, lots of choices. 

I've stayed at the Wingate, the  Wyndham Garden York, the Comfort Inn & Suites, and the Four Points by Sheraton. 

I do NOT recommend the Comfort Inn & Suites, it's right on I83 and it was very noisy all night!  The other places were all fine, the Wyndham Garden York has a bar and restaurant, that may or may not swing the deal for you.

You often can get a better price if you book direct with the hotel (or chain), especially if you are over 65. I have found that doing this lets you cancel up to 24 hours before arrival with no charge at some hotels. 

We have stayed at La Quinta the last two Yorks. Breakfast, close, no bar, good cancellation policy, nice.

Bill Webb posted:

We have stayed at La Quinta the last two Yorks. Breakfast, close, no bar, good cancellation policy, nice.

And and they finally realized they could jack up their prices during that week.  My room rate went up $30 a night from the last 2 stays.  Needless to say I moved on.

We have used Best Western and are happy with them.   Lenny J

I just made my reservations the other day for my 3rd York. Always stay at 4 points.

Last stay I had minor problem that was resolved quickly with more than I expected?

Larry

I still have to book yet, wasn't feeling well last night so I wasn't on. On Saturday, I should check out in the morning I would think since I'm not staying over into Sunday. How long does it last on Saturday anyway? I figure as a rough guess that I would be departing for home in the afternoon but not sure 1, 2, or 3 or such.

Heck, I didn't even get on to get a TCA membership last night either. I will get that taken care of tonight. I guess I will need that stuff before getting my York tickets?

There are 2 really nice Holiday Inn Express's, super nice, really clean with free breakfast included....We stayed there in April....Highly recommended...Have Fun, make your reservation today....Enjoy.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

I still have to book yet, wasn't feeling well last night so I wasn't on. On Saturday, I should check out in the morning I would think since I'm not staying over into Sunday. How long does it last on Saturday anyway? I figure as a rough guess that I would be departing for home in the afternoon but not sure 1, 2, or 3 or such.

Heck, I didn't even get on to get a TCA membership last night either. I will get that taken care of tonight. I guess I will need that stuff before getting my York tickets?

Have you ever been to York before? If not you can show up Wednesday or Thursday morning and go as a guest of Eastern Division for 22 bucks and enjoy the whole show. Alternately you can become a TCA member and then pre register for the whole show for 14 bucks I believe, unless they raise the rate. If you don't pre register it will be 20 bucks at the door even if you are a TCA member.

As for hotels we stay at the Homewood Suites. Multi course breakfast plus dinner from Tuesday-Thursday evening including complimentary beer and wine. Keep that in mind when comparing room rates.

Pete

Since I'm typically out both of the evenings I'm there, free dinner is a moot point for me.  Another thing to keep in mind.

Yeah, a lot to consider. Never been to York before. I am 100% certain my Uncle Richard attended probably in the late '70's through the '80's. Next time I talk to him I'll have to ask.

Avoid the Super 8 on US30.

Although it is advisable to get your reservations now, I also suggest continuing to check for rooms up until a few days before the meet.  Due to declining attendance and the building of more hotels, it's much easier to find a room than it once was.  In April, I was able to re-book an existing reservation about a week before the meet and saved about $30 per night.

Motel 6, Super 8, etc. you get what you pay for!  If I can afford to spend three days in York, I can afford to pay a bit more for a decent room!

Well, last night I signed up for the TCA, just have to wait for that stuff to come in the mail. I haven't booked the hotel/motel stuff just yet, I need to look at things in a little more detail plus discuss with my co-worker who I will be bringing along as a guest.

When I pre-register, I would guess that I am registering myself and my co-worker(as a guest?) and would I need what would be my TCA Membership number or some such thing as well?

MartyE posted:

Bill Webb posted:

We have stayed at La Quinta the last two Yorks. Breakfast, close, no bar, good cancellation policy, nice.

And and they finally realized they could jack up their prices during that week.  My room rate went up $30 a night from the last 2 stays.  Needless to say I moved on.

Only $30 more?  I must have got a really  good rate a couple years ago.  It's within stumbling distance of Quaker Steak so I suppose it's still a good deal.  

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Motel 6, Super 8, etc. you get what you pay for!  If I can afford to spend three days in York, I can afford to pay a bit more for a decent room!

I decided to stay an extra night and booked a room at Scottish Inns in New Cumberland.  Cheap rates! 

Let's just say if my wife was with me I would have lost my non-refundable deposit.  It was barely passable for a bachelor.  Just barely.  

There's no cheap rooms in decent hotels for York week, just the way it work.  Try reserving a week before or a week later, the rates are vastly different.

Farmer_Bill posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Motel 6, Super 8, etc. you get what you pay for!  If I can afford to spend three days in York, I can afford to pay a bit more for a decent room!

I decided to stay an extra night and booked a room at Scottish Inns in New Cumberland.  Cheap rates! 

Let's just say if my wife was with me I would have lost my non-refundable deposit.  It was barely passable for a bachelor.  Just barely.  

I rest my case.   I'm as discerning as my wife, so I choose to spend a little extra and enjoy my time at York.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

There's no cheap rooms in decent hotels for York week, just the way it work.  Try reserving a week before or a week later, the rates are vastly different.

The LaQuinta is a nice newer hotel.  Before they figured it out the rate was pretty good considering York week. 

My TCA membership came the other day, plus I had to call AAA about my membership with them. The card came but my brother threw it out(he didn't realize what it was). So they gave me a temporary one through email and the new card is on its way. May be able to get a AAA discount on a hotel stay(at least that is what my sister said about them). See if I get time this weekend/coming week to iron this all out(time is running out).

I would say if I don't buy anything at York(which I know I will), that it would be just the experience that makes it all worth while.

I would print out maps of the fairgrounds before coming and drive around the grounds on Wednesday to familiarize yourself with the layout.  Also figure up the absolute most money you are willing to spend at York, then double it, and take that amount in cash in a mixture of large bills and small bills.  Bring two pair of comfortable shoes, a cheap poncho and some good sturdy shopping bags.   Keep a small ice chest with some drinks iced down and a variety of snacks to keep you going until it closes.  Make a list of what you want and research the prices using ebay COMPLETED sales with 2 or more bids.   You can walk the entire show on Thursday but you can't do a lot of stopping and talking. 

Relax and have a good time.  You probably won't find everything you want, but you will see more "O" and "S" than you will see in a lifetime of those "other" train shows.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

 if I don't buy anything at York(which I know I will), that it would be just the experience that makes it all worth while.

You are correct. I take issue with those who imply that you need to take "lots of cash". I have been to many Yorks where I spent less than $100. (however, I did spend $300. on one item this last visit).

You are correct. I take issue with those who imply that you need to take "lots of cash". I have been to many Yorks where I spent less than $100. (however, I did spend $300. on one item this last visit).

Lots of cash is a relative term. My idea of what constitutes a lot of cash is probably different than yours. When I am able to attend, I always bring as much cash as I care to spend. Sometimes I spend it all, other times, I've spent very little. Regardless, I've always had a good time and wish I was able to attend more often.

I do agree that folks shouldn't bring more than they are comfortable spending.

Four Points is nice, clean but kinda pricey.  We split the cost of the room, separate beds of course. So it works for us. We did return one evening to find the room had not been cleaned. So at 9pm the handy man was bringing us clean towels for morning.  Our comp was extra points towards another visit. Yes Cash, take as much as your willing to spend very few accept credit cards. Dealers with stores do. AND wear the most comfortable pair of shoes you own even if they are the oldest ones.

Joe Hohmann posted:

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

 if I don't buy anything at York(which I know I will), that it would be just the experience that makes it all worth while.

You are correct. I take issue with those who imply that you need to take "lots of cash". I have been to many Yorks where I spent less than $100. (however, I did spend $300. on one item this last visit).

You can do what I did.  There is a Santander (was Sovereign) bank right around the corner---2 minutes from the fairgrounds and that's only if you hit a red light waiting to turn left.  I opened an account at a local branch for my hobby money and just stop by the branch in York for money if I need it.  Works well as it makes me think about whether I really "need" the item I'm about to purchase but affords me the opportunity to access cash easily if I need it so I don't have to walk around with a lot of cash in my pockets.  

-Greg  

I have gone to York and spent $2500 and I've gone to York and spend $20, it really depends on what jumps out at me.

MartyE posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

There's no cheap rooms in decent hotels for York week, just the way it work.  Try reserving a week before or a week later, the rates are vastly different.

The LaQuinta is a nice newer hotel.  Before they figured it out the rate was pretty good considering York week. 

I stayed there in April for $140 a night and when I checked out they changed to a 3 night minimum for October.  If you're staying 3 nights I found my room to be very roomy and clean and the rate was on the lower side for the better hotels. It's a shame I don't stay 3 nights

- Greg

I hadn't heard that Greg, I only stay two nights, so that wouldn't work for me.

Since we live less than 1/2 hr. drive from the fairgrounds, I've often thought about talking my wife into turning our house into a B&B for York week - at (ahem) reasonable rates, of course.  

Of course, if you have an RV, camper or tent, staying on the fairgrounds is a steal at around $50 for the whole event.  I've stayed on the fairgrounds in a pop-up camper the last 6 Yorks and all but one were pleasant stays (the other was because of a wind storm that kept me awake one night - so 11 out of 12 nights is still pretty good to me).  I don't think I'd stay in a tent, but then again, I might just try it some time.

Andy

>>Since we live less than 1/2 hr. drive from the fairgrounds, I've often thought about talking my wife into turning our house into a B&B for York week - at (ahem) reasonable rates, of course

Be sure to check out all the  Guv'ment Regulations before you do!

Well, I finally got my hotel accommodations squared away, took all of 10 minutes. Sort of wish I could have taken care of it weeks ago(always get busy darn it). All is left now is to register for York. I suppose either tomorrow night or Thursday I will take care of that.

Now you are geared up for the York experience, you will see exactly what a lot of us say about attending York. The largest toy train show/meet in the country attended by about 12,000 toy train nuts from around the country and some from other parts of the world.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Well, I finally got my hotel accommodations squared away, took all of 10 minutes. Sort of wish I could have taken care of it weeks ago(always get busy darn it). All is left now is to register for York. I suppose either tomorrow night or Thursday I will take care of that.

A lesson I learned last year...

After booking my hotel months in advance, I went back and shopped for reservations a few days before the meet.  I discovered that I was able to book an identical room at the same hotel at which I already had reservations for about $20 less per night.  Not a lot of money, but a pretty good payoff for 10 minutes of work, and it paid for a purple or orange & blue box.

Rooms might not be as plentiful for the October meet, but you never know until you check.

I am mixing business with fun this trip, I will be staying in Towson Maryland and driving up for the show each day, what time should one arrive to find parking and still miss the mile long entry line?

Ron_S posted:

I am mixing business with fun this trip, I will be staying in Towson Maryland and driving up for the show each day, what time should one arrive to find parking and still miss the mile long entry line?

Take your pick.  The days of long lines and hard to find parking are gone.  If you preregistered you'll be good to go with little or no lines other than a bit more than standard York traffic.

Thanks for that info MARTYE, I was there back in the 80's and know the area will be vastly different from my last visit. I will have most of my business done by Tuesday, and plan on enjoying the halls and meetings. I am preregistered, printed out the fairgrounds map, and will program my GPS with all the places prior, so figure other than weather, I am ready other than withdrawing some cash to dicker at the vendors.