National advice

[mrreality68]

for less crowd Sunday Afternoon potentially more deals but also potential miss out on alot of cards that sold the prior days
pack a lunch but keep it simple and good shoes/sneakers is a must

[tram4hof]

Thanks all for the info, advice, and tips. Much appreciated and gives me a lot to think about for planning my trip this summer.

[isiahfan]

I always go Wed and Thursday to avoid the weekend crowds. Though 2023 in CHI was a cluster F....and last year parking/traffic was a joke in CLE on both days.

If anyone here is going this year and wants to split an early entrance pass ($150/5 days)...and will be going F-Su...let me know. I'd happily pay $5/day more to get in ahead of the rest of the mongrels.

[tulsaboy]

I took a backpack loaded with empty 660 ct boxes, one touch holders, 2 or 3 bottles of water, and several granola bars and other snacks. Then I was pretty good to go until dinner, since I don't mind refilling water bottles. I didn't spend a penny on concessions, nor did I have to stand in a line to do so. More time and money for cards!
kevin

[Jewish-collector]

Since Covid, the National has gotten ridiculously more crowded each year, where it's now long lines for admission, food, restrooms, etc,... and it becomes very uncomfortable trying to maneuver within the isles with so many people. I would suggest Wednesday and Sunday would be the least crowded. Everyone goes for different reasons. The responses on here are from predominantly vintage baseball card collectors, so you'll get a different perspective on other card forums, message boards, YouTube, etc,...

Definitely, do the evening activities (Net54 dinner, etc,...) to meet other fellow collectors & dealers.

[Rich Klein]

If you see your "white whale" and it's priced reasonably do not shop around, just pay the $$$$

I can't tell you how many stories I've heard of well I noted it and went back an hour later to see it was gone.

Now, if your white whale is a PSA 8 1977 Topps Bruce Sutter RC well centered -- yeah that you can figure out how to wait and shop around as 1214 have been graded PSA 8

If your white whale is a... PSA 7 1971 O-Pee-Chee Al Weis, well I would grab that card if priced right because only 5 cards have been graded PSA7 or higher.

[Exhibitman]

+1 on snacks. I pack a bunch of nuts, meats, etc. and just munch on that stuff all day long, basically skip lunch. I also load up on a big breakfast each day. BYO water bottle too.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

and last year parking/traffic was a joke in CLE on both days.

It would have been funny if I didn't know just how frustrated people were, but every morning I was amazed at all the people waiting for an hour to get into the front entrance to the lot, when 1/4 mile down the road behind the building there was another entrance that had zero wait all week.

I know the National may not go back to Cleveland, but if it does, I sure hope people realize the other entrance exists. It would have made people's experience sooo much better and alleviated many of the complaints people had.

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

It would have been funny if I didn't know just how frustrated people were, but every morning I was amazed at all the people waiting for an hour to get into the front entrance to the lot, when 1/4 mile down the road behind the building there was another entrance that had zero wait all week.

I know the National may not go back to Cleveland, but if it does, I sure hope people realize the other entrance exists. It would have made people's experience sooo much better and alleviated many of the complaints people had.

I was lucky as well as Park Corp was a client of mine back in the day so I knew to go around the traffic where lanes opened up. Also the parking and entrance was a COMPLETE joke...as I mentioned before I just flashed my ticket in the VIP lane both days and had free parking...also walked in the place for free on Wednesday...could have done the same Thursday if I didn't need to sell my Wed ticket and walk in with the buyer.