I don't WANT this tournament to be in Orlando!!!

[shortbun]

Just found out that DS's national scholastic chess tournament
will be in Orlando at the Dolphin in December. Waaaaaa! I hate
that-they were crazy to set it there and here's why. Chess tournaments leave almost NO time to do anything besides eat
and play chess(some sleeping happens). The matches begin at
9am and are scheduled VERY loosely after that depending on how
quickly the staff/volunteers tally results and the last match in
each group finishes. You must be there watching and waiting to
see when the next match is posted. The matches are 90minutes for each player- meaning each match could and sometimes do take 3 hours, especially in the higher ranked categories. There are usually 2 matches the first night, 4 matches the 2nd day and 2 matches the last day with awards also given that afternoon-again at NO PARTICULAR TIME. The last two nationals, we hardly left the hotel and were exhausted each evening....one has to wait around to find out when and who they will be playing next based on the results of the prior matches. It's gruelling and should be held somewhere at an airport with very little to distract these kids and their parents who have travelled and are looking for national ranking. SO-the idiots(I use the term fondly as most are working for free) have chosen WDW! I for one know that my son,
knowing what's outside the door of the Dolphin will be trying to
squeeze in little bits of the magic and blow the chess matches.
So-I'm thinking of boycotting(quietly and politely) this tournament.
Last year DS and his 2nd grade team placed 4th. They were the
only public school kids to even come near placing and were bunched up in the top 4 with some very prestigous prep schools.
They figure to do better next year as this was there first rated
national and they were pretty agog at the goings on. Then there's the transportation difficulties of being at the Dolphin and
how that translates into not being able to get anywhere fast.
Geesh! Of course.......Mom could sneek off and get in some magic
all for herself.

 

[Growin'upDisney]

Concentrate on the chess and then enjoy the magic when the tournament is over. Look at it as a blessing. You'll already be in Orlando, at the Dolphin. Extend you stay if you can!!

 

[CarolA]

I would not boycott. That would hurt the rest of the team.

However, I would not consider this a "Disney vacation" I think it will be easy. There is very little at the Dolphin to remind you of Disney!

If you want too try and arrive a few days early or leave later for "Magic"

I can't see your logic on airport hotels. Normally they are not near any food or places to get to quickly either.

 

[DJBounce]

I am picturing the old SNL skit with Jim Belushi(not John) as a Bobby Knight-like Chess Team Coach.

"Why don't you just give him the king?!?"

 

[shortbun]

I'm not the chess player that has to focus. I've been to the
"world" so many times I can focus on something else. It's the
6-19 year old student chess players. Wish something as simple as saying "concentrate on the chess for now" would work.
Can't go early or stay late. DH and I both work for the schools
and at that(just before Christmas) time of year-personal time and sick time are frowned on big time....there's a two week vacation right around the corner. It's one thing to take off for a national
scholastic chess tournament with your child-quite another to
go to WDW. Hard to believe, ain't it!?

thanks for your thoughts
mimi