Hey Everyone,

Just a few reminders from Tafo-Dad *puts on Dad hat*. Here’s some advice on traveling to a national.

Transportation

Hotel Address:

Clarion Hotel Empire Meadowlands Hotel
2 Harmon Plaza
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: (201) 348-6900

Driving –  If you are driving to Apex, please try to come earlier. There is some snow that is coming in on Friday, which may cause for traffic and delays.

Airport Transportation:

Newark Liberty Int’l Arpt. (EWR) –

Public Transportation
1. From your Airport Terminal, take the Airtrain to the Newark Airport Railroad Station
2. Take the Northeast Corridor line from Newark Airport Railroad Station to New York Penn Station
3. At the station, walk to the Secaucus Junction
4. Take the Bus to Meadowlands Pkwy at 10th St (~19 stops) [or you can take a cab]
4. Walk to the Hotel (2 Harmon Plaza)
Estimated Cost: $14. Estimated Time: 1 Hr

Alternate Methods
1. Split a Taxi/Cab with a bunch of Smashers to go directly from an Airport to the Hotel (Address listed above)

John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) –

1. Take the JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station.

From there, there are two ways to go, do whichever has a train coming earlier:

2: Take the E line towards World Trade Center, get off at 42 St – Port Authority.
3. Find the bus terminal at this station and take bus 129 towards Secaucus and get off at the Meadowlands Pkwy at Harmon Plaza stop.
4: It is a 2 min walk to the hotel from there.

OR

2: Take any of the following lines to NY Penn station: Babylon, Port Jefferson, Long Beach, Ronkonkoma.
3: From there, take the Northeast Corridor train towards Trenton and get off at Secaucus Junction.
4: From there, take bus #2 towards Jersey City and get off at the Meadowlands Parkway at 10th St stop.
5: It is a 2 min walk to the hotel from there.

What to Pack?

Clothing
1. Deodorant
2. Underwear/socks for 4 days
3. Pants/shirts/etc normal clothes for 4 days
4. Jacket/outerwear (It is cold)
5. Swimsuit (If there is a jacuzzi)
6. Gloves – if you go do Prog’s Snowball Fight!

Toiletries
1. Deodorant
2. Towel (If you are cramming people into a hotel room)
3. Tooth brush/Tooth paste
4. Shampoo/Soap (If you are cramming)
5. Shaving stuff
6. Deodorant

Electronics
1. Deodorant
2. Multiple Gamecube controllers (just in case your main one breaks)
3. Laptop/Tablet + Charger
4. Cell Phone Charger
5. Gameboys/Cameras etc…
6. Portable Cell Battery

General
1. Pocket Money
2. ID
3. Deodorant

Nice to haves
1. EmergenC/Vitamins
2. Granola/Cereal/Healthy snacks

While You’re at Apex

1. Have Fun!
– You paid great money to get here. Make the most out of the experience. Enjoy playing friendlies with people from around the world. Be liberal in meeting new people and introducing yourself to everybody.

2. Stay Healthy
– Nationals are a breeding ground for germs. Make sure that you drink plenty of water, eat fruits, and sleep well. Although, you’ll be spending most of the time hanging out with people, make sure to budget in some sleep, so that you are able to have energy throughout the weekend. Also, make sure to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth with your arm when you sneeze, and wear deodorant.

3. Get Excited
– 1000 Players. The largest Melee tournament of all time. Hype Top 8. Most of the Top players. Salty Suite. There is plenty of action to go around. Grab a seat early before the Salty Suite, so that you can be in the crowd when things happen. Do not steal the Zhu seat though.

4. Be on Time!
– This is a large tournament. The tournament organizers will be running a tight ship to ensure that everything finishes on time. Please make sure to know when your pool is

5. Make sure to understand the Code of Conduct

– Everyone wants to have fun. Please take some time to briefly read the Code of Conduct so that everyone else has a good time as well.

6. Wear Deodorant

Food Options

5-10 mins walking distance from the venue
Dunkin Doughnuts – 20 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Wendy’s- 16 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Subways- Swan Plaza Shopping Center, 10 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ 07094
15-20 mins walking distance from the venue
KFC – 83 Plaza Center, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Blimpie- 1277 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094
China Chef – 1322 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094
(Also, several Asian and Middle Eastern Cuisine Options)

20-30 min walking distance from the venue at the The Plaza at Harmon Meadow where most of the really good food choices are.
Tokyo Hibachi
Chipotle
Chill’s
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Red Lobster
Houlihans
Outback Steakhouse

VERY FAR BUT WORTH IT

Buffalo Wild Wings – 40 min walk from venue – 470 Harmon Meadow Blvd, Secaucus, NJ 07094

R U Hungry ( THE IMFAMOUS FAT SANDWICH SPOT) – 132-162 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(For Delivery: 732-246-2177 or 732-246-2158)

*Food Options courtesy of Sled