First I want to say that I live in California. I mentioned the show to my wife today and she said "wow sounds great Let's go"
So now before I book a room I thought I would ask for help from people that have been to this show in the past. I have been to Toronto & the Hockey Hall of Fame but I still feel like I would more enjoy staying near that area instead of out by the airport near the convention. I probably would attend the show on Friday and maybe go back Sunday looking for people wanting to move product at a discount.
I do not collect autographs, I would mainly be looking at C55/Maple Crispettes misc pre war hockey.
So my question is what am I in for?
Long lines?
Is transportation easily available if I don't rent a car?
Hotel suggestions?
Restaurant suggestions?
Thanks for any help and I hope to see you there........

Having attended about the last 20 or so shows Jim so I think I can help you out. The airport strip has at least a dozen hotels all within minutes to the show by cab. You are about 30 mins from down town Toronto so for that you might want to rent a car. The expo website has a deal for a hotel at the quality suites. Its where I have always stayed and its very nice. If your want to stay downtown The Harbour Castle is right on the lake in prime area.

Line ups for the show are not like they used to be in the prime card era but it helps to know a dealer there that could get you a dealer pass to get in early.

Favorite restaurants close to show: Mother Tuckers- Great buffet place. Mandarin- Great chinese buffet
Jack Astors-Awesome Ribs. The Keg- Great steakhouse. There is a nice Greek fast food place near the show called Zet's. Downtown there are many more!!!.

Jim. Stay downtown. Since you are making a trip of it and bringing the wife, you will both have a much better time and have a much easier time getting around. I'm a little biased, I live steps from the HHOF, but there is nothing else to do in the area where the show is, your wife will be bored to tears and you will either have to rent a car or spend alot on cabs to get around. A cab to the show is around $50 each way or there is a train that will get you right there from Union Station which is about a block from the HHOF. Friday is the day to be at the show for the best selection and sleeper deals, I think there's a slim chance that going back on Sunday will get you any deals on the type of stuff you are looking for. Hope this helps. Jim.

I echo Jim's thoughts - there's nothing really near the airport for you to do when you aren't at the show, and there's so much more to do downtown for the both of you. Though I`m not sure what train Jim is referring to that goes from Union Station to close to the show. You will likely be cabbing it or maybe rent a car. What type of restaurants are you looking for?

There will definitely be lots of pre war hockey to look at, just be prepared to pay show prices not ebay prices.

Ray

There is a train stop right on the property of the Toronto show, on the far west side, actually you get off in the parking lot of the show and walk for a few minutes to the show. I think the rate is 20 dollars to downtown, so for 2 it is going to be $40, maybe best to take a cab for convenient sake.

Downtown is great but the hotels will cost more, at the airport the hotels are about $100 per night, nice hotels, downtown might be closer to $175.

Lots to do downtown not much to do at the airport really, unless you like strip clubs!>

Right now I think downtown is where I want to stay. Also I think I will take in the Toronto Maple Leafs game on Saturday night.

Show prices not ebay prices? - what does that mean?
I was expecting to walk around with a stack of 100 dollar bills in my pocket which should be a good bargaining chip to avoid the fees of ebay. Are the guys there all high on their prices?

I think what he meant about Show prices compared to Ebay prices is.
Show prices are Higher jacked prices as the same dealers have the vintage cards marked a bit higher every year were as Ebay you could get the same card lower on an open auction.
Just my guess.

There are some deals to be had but the experience is well worth it. Nice to actually put it in your hand and look at it. Some dealers will barter some wont.