This is my 2nd year back and I can say without a doubt that this is not the triathlon you want to start with. I've broken down the sports - pros and cons to be fair.

PACKET PICK UP: You have the option to pick up the day before at the YMCA or at the race. I do love that they gave us an option as the early packet pick ended at 6pm and I wasn't able to get off of work to drive an hour away.

SWAG: Tech Tee, tons of brochures, small drying towel (this year seemed cheaper), and swim cap for the race (color-cded).

RACE DAY: You do have to get your number tattoeed and though they were more efficient this year, this usually causes a long line. It also leaves the sticky residue on your skin, though easily removed with oil I heard.
Transition area is open and is large enough so that you're not squeezed in ridiculously small spaces. It is also closed and only for athletes.

SWIM: Water has been warm enough both years so that you don't need wetsuit. But it is full of seaweed and if you're squeamish, you may want to wear one. But the water really is warm (this coming from someone who hates even lukewarm pool water) so you'll have to decide it'll be worth the heat you'll undoubtedly feel during the swim. The last bit of the swim is the worst - the seaweed gets tangled in your arms and when you finally stand up, it will squish under your feet.

BIKE: The volunteers and police officers are awesome. They really make the bike course somewhat bearable, especially at the end when you just want to die. The course itself is insanely difficult. I've done Chattanooga half ironman and this is no "rolling hills". After the first 3-4 miles, you are going to be hit hard with a hill that seems to go up high and continously. Once you finish enjoying the downhill, you're going to be faced again and again with the same type of hills. From what I saw, mini marathoners turned after the first monster of a hill and can't speak for that distance. I've done both the short distance (last year) and long distance (this year) and they were worse than I remembered.
They do have some water stations along the way.

RUN: BRING YOUR WATER BOTTLE and FUEL. They only offer water at the stations - I believe there were about 3 or 4? You do hit one twice, if you run the 6.2 (long distance). There's hardly any relief from the sun and it's pretty much an out and back.

FINISH - this is the most disappointing part. I'm a middle of the pack athlete - so it wasn't that the race was ended by the time I finished the last portion of the race. As I was heading back from the bike and then out for my run, I could hear them annoucing the people coming to the finish line. This is always a great boost and I look forward to it with any multi-sports (or any race, really). But by the time I came to the finish, there was no one there. I was handed a cold water cloth and a water bottle. That was it.
They already started doing awards for the short distance top finishers.

Save the money and the frustration -- spend it elsewhere. This race isn't worth it. It's a very clique-y race and so unsupportive.