Well done for raising the importance of hygiene - definitely my biggest bugbear at cons. There is simply no excuse not to shower nor bring more than one t-shirt to these things
Love "no backpack." They are a scourge at GenCon. Why does it seem that the same people who wear those backpacks are also the people who don't shower? Also - no open gaming?! ??!!! Wow. Looking forward to your updates. Have a safe and fun trip!
Spiel is more of a dealers fair than a convention, so that is the reason for no open gaming spaces. You could say there are loads of open gaming, as the whole city kind of turns into Spiel!
About how to carry the games: usually at hall 7 there is a special storage room where you can leave any bag (trolley, suitecase, just huge bag or whatever you like). It cost 5 EUR per bag. The nice point is that you can come and re-fill it at any moment for free. So, no need to carry the boxes all the day with you.
Nice list, so cool to see other's opinions, I only thought of 4 of the things you shared. One thing I definitely would advise to others is figure out your mobile data plan in germany. There's no wifi at spiel. Also is the con still cash only I haven't been since 2019
We miss you every year! Hope to see you again some day 🤩 There is still a lot of cash (cannot believe I forgot), but there is more and more card payments as well!
Holiday Inn near Limbecker platz is pretty good. I guessyou are thinking of Gelsenkirchen for the escape rooms, but there are also escape rooms on ketwiggersrasse in Essen, not far from your hotel, though we havent tried those. Oberhausen is about same distance as Gelsenkirchen, and has a Lego discovery center and a large aquarium, as well as Europes largest shopping mall. If the weather is nice, the Grugapark next to the messesenter is quite beautiful.
Yes, Gelsenkirchen is correct! There is a few rooms in Essen, but none that I have heard especially good things about (not bad things either, just haven't heard of them) Thanks for sharing your tips for things to see :D
Thanks for this list! This year is going to be my first time at Essen so I will have these things in consideration. Have you thought about doing some kind of meetup with fans? I hope I can see you during the fair; if you stop by DG booth I will make sure to make the secret sign
I hope you'll love your first time! It can be overwhelming, but it's also one of the most fun weeks of the year! We will not be doing a formal meetup this year, but maybe we'll be able to another year :) We'll try to stop by for sure :D
eating, taking breaks, and punching things - two out of three of my favorite things.... the only thing I've done like this is a Lego convention - fun, but chaotic, and crazy, and I and my family are not crowd people (is anyone really?) I like that you mentioned checking out some new/not popular things and making those people's day - that was super awesome!
People clogging up the busy hall corridors with big suitcases, trolleys, handcarts, ...are equally annoying as large backpacks. Travel light at Spiel and use the storage options or (as we do) enjoy a bit of fresh air while going back & forth to the car filling up the trunk.
We have one suitcase with us each day, and it doesn't take a lot more space than just me walking normally! I understand what you mean, but it's the better of two (or more) things that takes space :)
You are talking about the Alma Park in Gelsenkirchen - that has an escape room. Also Gruga Park which is right next to the Messe hall is nice to take a walk in nature and relax a bit.
I only pre-ordered for pick up 5 games and definitely will be punching them to reduce the weight. :) Three of them are small - Underwater cities promos, Bitoku expansion and Boonlake Expansion. I was tempted to toss the box for both expansions but..I have a 3d insert for Bitoku and I am 100% sure the expansion won't fit. I have Tabletop Together Tool but am also using the Essen Spiel app. And yes, the app has a navigation tool. I"m directionally impaired so will likely be using it. hah
Lots of good tips here, although I am starting to find your number one sort of laughable. I work in fashion and love people watching and observing how people dress. I see so few people today not wearing comfortable shoes, i.e sneakers/trainers, that this hardly a thing anymore. Anyway, I'll be doing my seventh Spiel in my shoe of choice, leather soled oxfords. Couldn't be more comfortable, but that's me. And yeah, the gaming table situation sucks. Of course most of my "neighbours" who attend Essen don't get this because they just return to their homes. I'm going to try and say hello (secret hand sign) to you guys at one of the booths. Or maybe I'll see you at the Dice Tower, if you stop by, where I will be volunteering half my day each day. Have a great Spiel.
