I think I am going to fly in for the show also. Never been to Texas. What is the cheapest way to get from Dallas air port to the Hotel? Is there a shuttle bus?

Uber and Lyft also operate in DFW, so you could try one of those services instead of a cab as well

in Texas... the Stage Coach. Just keep an eye out for natives.

TPF2015-coach-1.jpg

How much is a taxi ride? Would I be better off renting a small car?

Probably less than my qualifying tickets will end up being

Realistically, it's something like a 40-minute drive from the airport to the convention center, so expect $75-$100 one way.

That much really come on. On the TPF web site it said it was only 25 min from the air port. I might as well rent a car at that price.

You can always take a shuttle from the airport for a fixed price. Super shuttle etc. if you must know in advance, call the hotel or go to the airport web site.

Taxes for car rentals at DFW in my experience have been some of the worst. Avis using our corporate discount, looks to be $150 for a Thursday to Monday stay, for a standard car. Plus another $82 for "surcharges and fees". This does not yet include any optional insurance (my regular car insurance covers me). If I paid for their insurance I'd look at $50-60 a DAY depending on which insurance bits I opted for. Since the boss isn't paying for this trip, I'm gonna say no to Avis.

UberX can't pick up at DFW; only UberBlack and UberSUV. UberBlack runs $3.45/mile.
https://www.uber.com/cities/dallas . UberX for drop off (from reading forums) appears to be OK, and pretty cheap.

I've never used ExecuCar.com for DFW; but I've used them a *ton* for SFO. Rates look to be $90 one-way for a meet and greet at DFW, sedan ride to the hotel. $110 for a SUV ride. Same price for the return trip. I've found them to always show up early but never knock until the right time; never had to worry about them arriving soon enough to not miss my flight.

If I were pinching pennies, I'd use google maps to figure out a route from DFW to Embassy Suites in Frisco. Looks like 3 hours that way; no idea on cost. dart.org isn't being helpful right now. I have a hard time imaging anyone flying in, and paying for TPF + hotel, would go this route..

Ah, also, I guess more reasons to skip the rental car: Bone Daddy's BBQ and Pappadeaux Seafood are great places I always try and visit. And are ~10 minutes away by car. And .. I don't want to be the designated driver.

FYI.... Called tonight about getting another room reserved... They said they had sold out already...

Your experience may be different....

Just letting everyone know that hasn't reserved yet.......

NT>

DFW is 24 miles from the hotel via a toll road (121). It's a direct straight shot, and honestly there's no decent way to get from the airport to the hotel/Frisco with any sort of speed.

Regarding DART, it'll take you three and a half hours, but it's doable. I suppose. You'd end up taking the TRE over to downtown Dallas, then three different bus changes up to Frisco.

Your best bet is to just eat the cab fare. There's gonna be plenty of people making their way from the airport to the hotel, it may work out nicely to just plan on paying a cab then start trying to carpool a cab trip in February. Or.... Arrange for someone local to pick you up - and as someone who had a friend fly in for Saturday last year, this plan isn't too bad. I picked him up in the morning (and missed the swap meet, booo) and he took a cab back to the airport late Saturday evening. It worked out well for us.

Ain't that the truth! We hit it last year on our way up from Corpus and nearly burned up the brakes from the traffic. We're gonna add a day this year and drive straight up to WinStar on Wednesday for a night of drinking and gambling. Thursday we'll make a leisurely trip back down to Frisco on the back roads for offload, etc.

Looks to be bigger and better than ever this year. Can. Not. Wait.

Are all the hotel rooms really sold out?

Contact the hotel?

for anyone on the fence about going to TPF, i just have to say... this was probably the most relaxing and fun weekend i've had all year. 2 thumbs up for an incredibly well managed event !

Don't forget about the Happy Hour Club.

I need to get that stupid art finished.

Good to know then.... At the 121 rate?

Maybe our phone conversation got crossed up...

NT..

I'd get on it tonight NicToria, it has filled up fast.

I had so much fun at TPF with my son last year that we are flying in next year too. Definitely a pin event worth visiting even from far away

Go Yellow Checker, 30$ van ride from airport to hotel one way.

https://yellowcheckershuttle.hudsonltd.net/res

Went in 2013 ... Was a BLAST!
My wife, son and I had so much fun - great family event.
We missed last year BUT I just BOOKED our room for 2015 !!!!!!

TPF ROCKS !!!! Can't wait !!!

The new venue makes it even better! The swap meet is much bigger now too! Ive been looking forward to TPF since last March.

I would like to attend this year...is there a local opinion on the Hotel, Aloft Frisco?

Aloft hotels are nice - haven't been in that one but I'd trust it is very similar to the others. Not a bad second choice if you can't get into the embassy.

We stayed at the Aloft last year, it was pretty nice. Basically identical to every other Aloft I've been at, and I'd choose Aloft over most other brands. Easy walking distance to the convention center as well.

Thanks! With a little luck, I will be there! Excited!

For fun, or as a vendor?

Fun....too beat up and bad health to work shows anymore...
...but Ill buy the drinks! Thats better!

Something was missing here...

333871-pin.png

Here's a load of pinball machines on their way to Texas Pinball Festival.

We'll have to check and tighten all screws, reseat connectors, and check if any bulbs fell out during transport.

wagontrain-pinball-transport.jpg
.

Good thing they started their journey now. With the cold winter blizzards, illness and frostbite it'll take em til March to get there.

Not to mention dysentery.

Just purchased my TPF Pre-Register Show Tickets before the deadline ends to save $20 per weekend pass! I AM SO EXCITED !!!

Pintastic New England will be represented at the TPF this year. Just booked my room....flight....and tickets. Looking forward to meeting a bunch of new people! Very excited!

Nice..

Maybe the new Wrestling pin be featured at the show.
I know the release date is in March which would cut it close.

It's been the trend for every most-recently-new stern to show up at TPF in the tourney area...so no doubt, if it's off the line and can get to Texas by then, there will be two of them at the show in the tourney area.

So in that case are you thinking the moderns would be WrestleMania, TWD, MMr and AFM?

MMR was used last year along with Metallica and Mustang.

I could see Wrestlemania, The Walking Dead, and Attack from Mars this year. America's Most Haunted will be at the show too, so there's another possibility.

I'm curious, who has to travel the furthest? I'm only 4 miles away.

Correction. MM was used. MMr was not used.

One of the MM machines was Ed's built from Scratch game, but those kind of games are not considered MMr.

Marcus

I'm hoping Dutch Pinball makes a showing.

Frax and I are 17.5 miles away.

+1

Chuck, myself and the PinHeck board designer Parker Dillman (from Houston) will be there!

We won't buy a Presidential suite full of white Russians, but you're more than welcome to try and outdrink us at the bar

I am an idiot. Damnit. Damnit. Damnit.