tourney is still going on all day today

http://pinburgh.com/2016/live/

In short, because it is super expensive to attend. I would like to go, but when you have to pick and choose the events to attend based on vacation budget and time off form work then more expensive the trip the harder it is to justify.

Trip for wife and I would be over $1500 easy and a large part of that would be to get entry into a show we would likely not do anything at besides play pinball, combined with a large portion of the entry being to make a large prize purse (I understand it, but hard to justify a donation to one of the same top 10 players each year.)

It is nice to combine pinball trips as a bolt on with regular vacation as Pittsburgh is not really a place to visit aside from the pinball aspect.

They give away over 50k to the top 40 in A.
They give away less than 50k to the winners in all other divisions combined.

The vast majority of people are donators. I understand it. They want to be a premier event and funnel the expensive entry fee to a large prize pool. Just one of the factors that have kept me from going to the show.

I may hit it next year or the year after but reality is that it is a once in a great while show for me based on the cost/commitment vs what you get for value elsewhere. I prefer to go to PAPA and hope to return again for the next event. I am sure I will check out Pinnburgh eventually.

no need to bag on me guys. Eric wondered why people are not going bonkers to get to the show. I just shared my reasons.

Not every show is for everybody every year. I am sure I will check it off the bucket list at some point, but given the format, cost, and prize structure it is not high on my current list.

This year we checked off TPF and are doing Dory Hill as they both offer more bang for my personal buck.

so what is the most effeicent way to do Pinnburgh.

Looking for serious advice from those with experience.
What hotel to stay at?
Will I need a car rental if I fly in (limited PTO so driving burns 2 more days)?
When do tickets go on sale (I know it sells out every year)

Are there pre-activities that I should plan for? I think I saw something about a warm up event on Wed?

what is kennywood?

ok, what are dates for 2017?

Wife has to put in PTO a crazy amount of time in advance, so dates ASAP would be appreciated.

doe you have an Estimate of when you hope to confirm them? The more notice to plan, the better the chances of us being able to put in the time off and attend.

side note: when is PAPA this year?

thanks! Hoping this does not conflict with MGC again... fingers crossed.

do you think you will know in the next month? 3 months? thanks