I cant tell you weather or not a trip during none cup times would be better but I have been to 4 cups including the last 2. What I liked is with your judes pass you get special deals and free samples. The last Cup, I got about an half OZ of serious dank the moment I picked up my samples. Their were alsoother samples I got for free but had to pick them up at different cafes. It was a weed/hash hunt the first 2 days. It was good cause we walked and rode our bikes throught the entire Central all the way down to Von. Park, got to know the area preatty good and picked up another quad of herbs and hash for free. Also with your judges pass you get deals, on other things. I needed a small glass pipe to smoke with and I got one for real cheap with my judes pass, like 20% off or sumthing. It was the same with herb and hash some places give you special deals off price, or they will have a judes special hour or a judges special strain. it was not like this everywhere but the places it was like this it was a cool thing. I did go to the museamus the first time I was their and I do recomend these things too. Also the red light district is expensive, so be prepared for this. Vegas is still more expensive but not by much