Brothers and sisters, the madness that is The Cage is only 9 days away. Being that this is going to be my fifth year spent at The Cage, I thought I'd share some of the things that I've learned.
1.Buy your expo tickets online.
For one, it's now cheaper this year, and for two it will save you time. The line can get crazy-long, especially on Saturday. Plus, once you have your ticket all you have to do is get a wristband, which takes like three seconds.
2. Bring in food and water.
The expo center is hot and crowded, and you will get thirsty. Getting to a fountain or a concession stand can quite honestly be an ordeal, and while there normally is a water cooler in The Box, we're usually burning through almost as fast as I can slam a crave case of sliders...and that is fast. I recommend a gallon water jug with a handle. They're cheap, usually around a buck at the store, and you can refill it or just chuck it when it's empty.
Food at the expo center can be pricey. And again, the lines can get long and just getting somewhere can take quite some time with the crowds. And year after year it seems like the samples are getting fewer and smaller, so don't necessarily count on sustaining yourself on free stuff. On the plus side, you can bring in bags. Nothing beats a good old anabolic sandwich. Doesn't need refrigeration and it hits the spot.
3. Bring in a backpack.
Like I said, one of the great things about the expo is that you can bring in bags. It's a lot easier to carry all the cool Animal swag you pick up on your back then it is in a shopping bag, especially when it comes to navigating through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Plus, you can use this to carry your food and what not. And finally, it will give you that little extra space so you won't have some dude breathing on the back of your neck.
As for free bags, some of the booths hand out huge-ass bags that are great for carrying samples and what have you, and these come in handy. Some of them are pretty thick, so they hold up well. They can get heavy though, and it's a bitch to be weaving around people with one. So I usually just keep the samples in there and put the bigger stuff (shirts, etc) in my backpack.
4. Wear comfortable shoes.
You'll be standing and walking a lot. Duh.
5. Be ready for the crowds.
If you've never been, then you probably have no idea. Over 100,000 people come to the Expo, and I am not exaggerating when I say that it is literally a sea of people walking shoulder to shoulder. If there is something you want to see besides The Cage, go as early as possible. If you can make it on Friday, even better. The place fills up FAST and moving around gets to be a huge pain-in-the-ass, even on Friday. And popular stuff will sell out fast.
Hit up The Cage first thing, as the limited edition stuff goes quick. Hell, even the non limited-edition stuff moves like hotcakes. And from what I hear supplies of Rage will be somewhat limited, and I know that it is going to move quickly. Trust me. The Cage is the place to be, Animal is the shit, and everybody knows this.
6. The bathrooms.
They fucking smell.
Like I said, the Expo is one crowded place. And the bathrooms get pretty ripe. The staff bust their asses to do the best they can, but it is a Sisyphean endeavor to keep them clean. Plain and simple, they aren't. If you're a dude and you just have to take a quick piss, then it's not too bad. If you're going to drop a deuce, then my advice is to seek out one of the restrooms further away from the main hall. I myself have taken many an escalator ride to one of the upper floors to find a suitable throne.
As for the ladies, I have never been in those facilities, so I have no fucking idea what you may or may not be getting into. Sorry...
7. Bring cash
Most, if not all booths are cash only. There are ATMs, and if I recall correctly one bank has a booth where they have several set up. However, there are of course the dreaded ATM fees, not to mention potential lines, and as I already mentioned fighting the crowd in general. I have also seen several ATMs there run out of money, I shit you not. Save yourself the trouble and come with the greenbacks firmly in hand.
Well, that's about it. If you've been to The Cage before then this is probably old news to you. If this is going to be your first time going then I hope at least something in here will prove useful...and just know that you are in for the time of your life! Why do you think so many of us keep coming back?
See you all in Cbus!
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Originally Posted by Big C
