I just returned from an impromtu first time trip to Vegas (from Toronto) and was surprised to find out how easy and affordable it could be. I even ventured to the Hilton to see the old haunt. On my way past the massive convention centre on the monorail, I realized I had to make it to the convention this year.

The guest list is outrageously awesome, but the $700 price tag for tix is a bit high. Any idea when cheaper tix will be available, how much they'll be, and when I should start thinking about booking a room at the Hilton?

You can get the cheaper tickets right away from their website. There are some events that are "Gold" only, but in actuality, you can usually get separate tickets for almost all of those events (the desert party is usually the exception). The other thing included in the "Gold" ticket is sitting closer, and a bunch of autographs.

It's very possible to have a lot of fun, do nearly all the events, without spending a lot of money.

Under normal circumstances, booking the Hilton as early as possible is a good thing, the rooms used to fill up fast. However, as bad as Vegas is hurting now, I can't imagine book early is needed. I would also see about room rates the hilton outside Creation reserved rooms. When I went a couple of years ago, I booked rooms cheaper directly through Hilton than the rate Hilton was giving Creation. Hilton was totally ripping of Creation, and Creation was advertising their "special rate" as if it was cheaper than street value and it wasn't. Another reason Creation should move away from the Hilton and either go to another strip hotel, or go to Freemont.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't been able find cheaper tickets, just tickets for some galas and autograph sessions. I'm assuming other packages will become available closer to the event...

Hmm, it looks like the single day and weekend general admission will not be available until closer to the convention, but the Captain's chair packages are available. That is unusual. The economy is tough these days, and their gold ticket prices did go up, I don't know what the expect.

Incidentally, while expensive, I liked the Gold and Captain's packages, because the first couple of years I liked sitting close and getting pictures (general admission is kind of in the back of the auditorium), and I had never collected autographs before, so the ones included were great. Also, the Gold and Captain's chair people get to line up first for autographs (if you're into that sort of thing) for the free and paid ones. This is huge from a scheduling point of view. Otherwise you're last to be called and you miss lunch events and other events.

If you're not into autographs, and dont care about sitting close to the stage, waiting for the general admission tickets is a great way to go, and you can always get party tickets separately.

I liked the lunch and breakfast events the best. You get to meet the actors up close, even for a little while, ask real questions (and not the usual unimaginative whats your favorite episode questions), and you get to meet other conventioneers in a different setting.

I remember asking Quinto if looking like Nemoy helped him land his role. He was honest and instantly said yes, ofcourse that helped. Incidentally, when a TV personality asked him the same question earlier this year, he said no, that didn't play a role.

I've only been two two conventions (until the Emerald City Comic Con this weekend) and they were both in Vegas Trek. I had a blast. You're in Vegas, and everyone around you is a Star Trek Geek/Nerd/Fan (whatever everyone calls themselves) and super friendly and accepting.

Aaron Douglas of BSG game was tweeting this weekend from ECCC and slamming Creation events. I don't know why. I had never heard bad things from any of the actors before. They are expensive from a fan point of view, but well worth it, imo, especially since Gold and Captain's chair packages are not necessary.

Last year was my first Las Vegas convention, though I am quite familiar with Vegas, and have been there many times; the one mistake I made last year, was not in waiting to purchase tickets - it was in waiting to purchase autograph tickets; I bought my con tickets first, and then by the time I had set aside the money to purchase autograph and/or photo ops tickets for William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, both were sold out way before the convention...I intend to NOT make the same mistake this year.