I've been bellydancing for seven years now and love it!
There are some great cheap online shops for coin belts etc, Aladdin's Cave used to do a good selection, and check out the JWAAD Fantasia festivals a couple of times a year where you can do workshops in everything from finger cymbals to flamenco fusion at all levels, with teachers from around the world teaching, including the Eqyptian greats sometimes! I learnt how to sword dance at one of them.
I actually taught a class briefly at The Intrepid Fox in London and would love to run a beginner's class again if there's interest, have been looking into venues if anyone has any ideas let me know.
I don't think its that bellydancers are "snobby" about burlesque, its just incredibly different culturally and you have to appreciate that...but the stage presence and how you project yourself is exactly the same, and both are great fun! I actually had a burlesquer turn up to one of my classes and leave because it wasn't what she was expecting (I started off with Egytian music and traditional moves which put her off, but later we danced to everything from Shakira to Rob Zombie...).
xxx