I understand that $25 would be a lot for the casual collector, but for guys like us, I still think it is a bargain. It's the biggest show in the country, it only occurs once a year, and you see some of the best stuff in the hobby in-person. I certainly get $25 worth of enjoyment out of the day. You can always do a park and ride with the bus/train if you are strapped for cash with parking. And my thought is that if you can afford to travel across the country and stay in a hotel just to go to a card show, the $25 probably won't sink your trip. If the price at the door bothers you, just wait til you see the pricing on the merchandise.
Anyway, just my opinion.