Gaylaxicon 2009, October 9-11, 2009 (Minneapolis MN) Options

[rick20625]

Here's the link for Gaylaxicon 2009 which is being held in Minneapolis, MN this year Oct 9-11, 2009

http://www.gaylaxicon2009.org/

[kujhawker]

I plan on attending!

[DHillMSP]

I plan on attending!

Eggs-cellent. It'll be great to meet personages that I see here on the boards (or elsewhere on the net).

I'm more than happy to serve as travel consultant beforehand and tour guide once people start arriving.

As for airlines, MSP has all of the majors, with Delta/Northwest and Sun Country hubbed here and Southwest flying from Chicago Midway and Denver direct (the Denver service is brand new - I'm wagering directs to/from Dallas, BWI and/or LAX may be in the offing by the time of the con). We also have Amtrak service via the "Empire Builder" (Amtrak's best service, from what I've experienced), which runs from Seattle/Portland to Chicago on a daily basis - it leaves here every morning around 7 a.m. and arrives around 10 p.m..

I look forward to seeing some of you up here come October.

[Spartan]

I'm going to talk about this at our next Production Meeting on Saturday.. With any luck we can wrangle some folks together and make a little road trip out of it!! It's only 12 hours right?? :-)

[DHillMSP]

I'm going to talk about this at our next Production Meeting on Saturday.. With any luck we can wrangle some folks together and make a little road trip out of it!! It's only 12 hours right?? :-)

You'd be correct. And to keep it simple, it's I-94 all the way.

[rick20625]

I may come.... not to attend Gaylaxicon, but just to get to meet and play with all of you. But David, I am NOT taking the train from Wash DC to Minneapolis! I'll leave the train travelling to Rob. I'll either teleport, or, if that hasn't been invented by October, then I'll just fly in.

[sabarwolf]

Barring major complications, the Wolves are also planning to attend.

[kujhawker]

If the Wolves and Rick come, doesn't that create power Vacuum in DC?

Looking forward to seeing people.

[dcnightwolf]

Well this town sucks anyway....

and besides the power vaccuum is with my mother while her broom is in the shop...

I am thinking an HFer party in our room one night or the bunch of us get together for a meal... we seemed to enjoy that last year...

Also, I would highly recommend those going to start finding roommate matches... Sabar and I are rooming together... it will save on cost...

[DHillMSP]

Well this town sucks anyway....

and besides the power vaccuum is with my mother while her broom is in the shop...

I am thinking an HFer party in our room one night or the bunch of us get together for a meal... we seemed to enjoy that last year...

Also, I would highly recommend those going to start finding roommate matches... Sabar and I are rooming together... it will save on cost...

One of the great things about living here is that we have a zillion restaurants (well, great for everything except my waistline ). Tho I'd have to do some research on places that do the shots like that one place I heard about at EB3....

The hotel rate is $140, but as I recall, it's a good hotel (and there are other options nearby that are a wee bit cheaper if need be - shoot me a line if you want to go that route and I can point you in the right direction).

And, sweetie...I just figured you two were going to room together...

[kujhawker]

One of the great things about living here is that we have a zillion restaurants (well, great for everything except my waistline ). Tho I'd have to do some research on places that do the shots like that one place I heard about at EB3....

The hotel rate is $140, but as I recall, it's a good hotel (and there are other options nearby that are a wee bit cheaper if need be - shoot me a line if you want to go that route and I can point you in the right direction).

And, sweetie...I just figured you two were going to room together...

What we all arent just staying at Dave's house?

[DHillMSP]

What we all arent just staying at Dave's house?

Very funny.

I'm under 15 minutes from the con site, depending on traffic. And the futon in my living room is actually larger than the bed I sleep on (unless I haul out the trundle, then I have a king-size in the bedroom). So I do have crash space, if needed. But I own a 700sf condo, so more than two people is probably not a good idea.

So maybe I need to decide if I'm going to do a lottery or an interview process.

[kujhawker]

Very funny.

I'm under 15 minutes from the con site, depending on traffic. And the futon in my living room is actually larger than the bed I sleep on (unless I haul out the trundle, then I have a king-size in the bedroom). So I do have crash space, if needed. But I own a 700sf condo, so more than two people is probably not a good idea.

So maybe I need to decide if I'm going to do a lottery or an interview process.

Well I hear that Rob has made some bunk beds - LOL

On a serious note I always have this issue with Con Hotels.

They always seem to be on the more expensive side, almost on puprose. I remember one time making a reservation at hotel and it was high that weekend because of the con coming in. Many times there are hotels around that are much cheaper. But then you aren't in the center of the action. For me I like the fact that I can take a break in my room.

I will probably stay at the hotel (have to remember to perserve). But always feel it is a cheat $140 a night, $10 for internet service , etc etc.

[DHillMSP]

Well I hear that Rob has made some bunk beds - LOL

On a serious note I always have this issue with Con Hotels.

They always seem to be on the more expensive side, almost on puprose. I remember one time making a reservation at hotel and it was high that weekend because of the con coming in. Many times there are hotels around that are much cheaper. But then you aren't in the center of the action. For me I like the fact that I can take a break in my room.

I will probably stay at the hotel (have to remember to perserve). But always feel it is a cheat $140 a night, $10 for internet service , etc etc.

Yeah, but the bunk beds need mattresses, or so I hear. Don't get me wrong, there's a part of me that views the ascetic monastic lifestyle as desirable, but in the end, my achin' back needs a decent mattress under it. Yet another reason I didn't join the active military.

I don't think it's on purpose. I've planned a global conference before (not a con, per se, but an event like this is just a different shade of grey) - you need to lock this stuff in about two years out in order to get the best possible rate. And bigger numbers means a lower rate, generally, especially for a somewhat older facility like this, which has probably been paid off by now and so is operating like a cash machine for Hilton. From what I've gathered, these particular cons get green-lighted about 12-18 months out, so they're really shooting themselves in the foot in their "organization".

As for this particular hotel, I just checked out their page. And you're right, the base room does not include Internet access - the "Deluxe" and "Suite" rooms do ($20 and $40 additional per night, in case you're wondering). It's a general rule that the higher the diamond/star level (this one's a three-star), the more you pay for "amenities". This is why you get free 'net with your $39 at the Motel 6, but pay for everything under the sun for twice the room rate at the Graves 601.

[dcnightwolf]

I was too busy at the last con to do much with the net, but I did enjoy just going upstairs and taking a break and there was that time with the hottie in the speedo at the pool...

also, don't tell them you are with the con and that you have AAA and you will get a better rate...

(of course i did put my reservation in two weeks after the last con so that might have helped)

oooo snot....

someone nominate HF and their shows for the awards show... they haven't ever been submitted if I remember right....

[rick20625]

David, can you tell us -- is this hotel out in the suburbs, where there is a free open parking lot, or will they charge people who drive to park there? If free and easy parking, and other more inexpensive hotels nearby, that makes it much easier if selecting another nearby hotel.

Thanks. And I second the recommendation to reserve early. Unless you are using one of those "non-refundable" rates, reserve your room early --- you can always cancel it in advance of the deadline if your plans change.

Rick

[DHillMSP]

David, can you tell us -- is this hotel out in the suburbs, where there is a free open parking lot, or will they charge people who drive to park there? If free and easy parking, and other more inexpensive hotels nearby, that makes it much easier if selecting another nearby hotel.

It resides within the boundaries of the City of Minneapolis. Barely. If you look at it, it appears to be in the adjacent 'burb of Saint Louis Park (which also adjoins my current city of residence). It is three miles to downtown, via I-394 (which is a spur line they ran out from downtown to the western 'burbs).

Parking is free.

As for hotels in the area, there are at least two within shouting distance that I can think of off the top of my head that are probably going to be lower-priced, including one that Pride works with on an annual basis (not everyone needs to stay downtown )

[Spartan]

Thanks for all the info! I've never been to Minnie before... (May have to swing by my Corporate Headquarters while I'm there.)

If the 'Osiris' team comes in we'll most likely be looking for a little more affordable option too seein as how we'd be driving and my truck is a bit of a gas hog.. V8 Dodge Durango was an awesome idea before gas prices went WAY up, least I can fit 8 people though! lol

Research this more I will.

[kujhawker]

Thanks for all the info! I've never been to Minnie before... (May have to swing by my Corporate Headquarters while I'm there.)

I am guessing he either works for Dhill's former employer that is a little BLUE for laying him off.
Or Spartan's Hair matches the color of his shirt he wears at work.

See Dave you need those bunk beds for his crew

Dave can you list some of the hotels nearby if you know them.

[Spartan]

I am guessing he either works for Dhill's former employer that is a little BLUE for laying him off.
Or Spartan's Hair matches the color of his shirt he wears at work.

See Dave you need those bunk beds for his crew

Dave can you list some of the hotels nearby if you know them.

I've been 'Turning on the Fun' here and there for the last 8 years... :-) I use the phrase lightly because there hasn't been a whole lot of 'fun' for a few months..

I'm going to do some research when I get home this afternoon and if I can come up with some more affordable options I'll post them too!

- J