Don't wait for the guest list to buy VIP they will sell out fast. 2nd the big complaint is Dragoncon is massive and many 501st do dragoncon also and have for years. Many in the Con community plan all year for Dragoncon. Dcon is the south's version of Comic Con with over 30,000 people attending the 4 day event. So imagine having to decide on an event you have gone to for years(dcons 25th Anniv is this year) and going to Celebration. I mean school part is just silly as some schools aren't even in then. Doing these cons for some people is a huge undertaking not counting vacation time. How many people plan on traveling to an event every year outside of Orlando? But people travel from all over the country every year for Dcon, they have made friends that they only see that time of the year. People plan costumes ( i have seen some who bring 6-7 of them) so for them they have to make a choose they are upset so you will see piles of complaints out there on other message boards.
Let me give you a little idea of cost The 4 guest hotels for Dcon average 180.00 a night plus 30 dollars for parking, food, gas not counting any photos, autographs or memorabilia you buy. Also in Atlanta that weekend in normally a college footaball kickoff game (this year Georgi vs Boise State) Nascar Race, Gay Black mens convention and most years and an Atlanta Braves baseball game. So hotels charge a premium rate and rooms are hard to find in a 20 mile radius of Atlanta. So that is another reason why all the complaining.