GenCon US

Well, I'm looking into the possibility of attending. It's not gonna be cheap but, well, if I can manage it, I'd like to. Currently, BHX-MKE (Birmingham International to Milwaukee) is about 550 quid (yikes!), though I have a friend looking into LHR-ORD (London Heathrow to Chicago) where he believes that a few "cheap" flights may turn up at some point, suggesting that a train to Milwaukee or something like that would be fine, it not being terribly far from one place to the other. I'm trying to work out what on earth goes on with accommodation etc. though, because the Wizards site is particularly appalling to find any details of that on. Can anyone who has done the entire GenCon US thing before provide something remotely like details? -- James Coupe (Prince of Mercia, England) Vampire: Elder Kindred Network http://madnessnetwork.hexagon.net http://www.zephyr.org.uk

>>Can anyone who has done the entire GenCon US thing before provide something remotely like details? << Accommodations are very difficult to obtain at GenCon. It is a well-attended conference but there are few large hotels in the downtown Milwaukee area. The past couple of years, I have actually driven from Chicago to Milwaukee and back on the days I've attended. Last year, the folks from my gaming store got a room (like about 4 to 1 room) and that room was quite a distance away from the center (a taxi ride away). I have also understood that Wizards actually buys up a large quantity of hotel rooms in the greater Milwaukee area, which further reduces supply. I'm afraid I can't offer much more info than that. Madman -- Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway - http://www.talkway.com - Talk more ways (sm)

In order to get accomodations in downtown Milwaukee for an event you have to go through the "Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau". They dole out rooms using a lottery system - sometimes you get one downtown, othertimes you get one out in the boonies and have to take a shuttle bus into town. If you don't go through the GMCB, you *may* be able to get a hotel room, but at "full" price (often $250+ / night). Another option is to rent an automobile and get a hotel/motel room at one of the airport hotels. These are relatively cheap ($40-$60 / night). The only downside is their distance and the fact you can't get one if the State Fair is being held the same week as the Con...by the way - it IS the same week as the con this year (Aug 3 thru Aug 13). You can get more info at: www.milwaukee.org Bruce "James Coupe" <ve...@zephyr.org.uk> wrote in message news:mfxqvhAP...@obeah.demon.co.uk... > Well, I'm looking into the possibility of attending. It's not gonna be > cheap but, well, if I can manage it, I'd like to. Currently, BHX-MKE > (Birmingham International to Milwaukee) is about 550 quid (yikes!), > though I have a friend looking into LHR-ORD (London Heathrow to Chicago) > where he believes that a few "cheap" flights may turn up at some point, > suggesting that a train to Milwaukee or something like that would be > fine, it not being terribly far from one place to the other. > > I'm trying to work out what on earth goes on with accommodation etc. > though, because the Wizards site is particularly appalling to find any > details of that on. Can anyone who has done the entire GenCon US thing > before provide something remotely like details? > [ quoted text not captured ]

James Coupe <ve...@zephyr.org.uk> wrote: > Well, I'm looking into the possibility of attending. > > I'm trying to work out what on earth goes on with accommodation etc. > though, because the Wizards site is particularly appalling to find any > details of that on. Can anyone who has done the entire GenCon US > thing before provide something remotely like details? I just received the Gen*Con Pre-reg book. Under "Where to Stay" (pg 65) it has the following: To receive a housing application form you must first register for the show. When your registration has been processed, you will be mailed a confirmation letter and a blue housing form. You must fill out that form and mail it back to Wizards of the Coast for processing. Prior to May 1, all housing forms are to be sent to Wizards of the Coast Event Management for registration verification. The forms are then sent to the Housing Bureau in Milwaukee for assignment. Hotels are assigned based upon room availability. Due to the size of Gen Con and the number of other citywide events, all housing applications must be processed through the Housing Bureau. After May 1, all housing applications are to be sent directly to the Milwaukee Housing Bureau. All registered and non- registered applications will be taken at this time. Due to the high demand and limited availability of downtown hotel space, we encourage everyone to register early. Historically, only the dorms are left after May 1. -- Hotel Phone # Blocks Park Sngl Dbl Trpl Quad All(414) Away /day Hyatt 276-1234 1 $9 $105 $105 $115 $125 Hilton 271-7250 1 $9 $105 $105 $115 $125 Holiday Inn CC 273-2950 1 free $115 $115 $115 $125 Ramada Inn Downtown 272-8410 2 free $97 $97 $107 $117 The Park East 276-8800 12 free $95 $95 $105 $115 The Pfister 273-8222 9 $8.5 $125 $145 $185 $205 UWM - Sandburg Halls 229-4068 3 mi $5 $33 $49 $77 $93 Holiday Inn Express 778-0333 10 mi free $89 $89 $89 $89 Milwaukee Radisson 764-1500 10 mi free $90 $90 $90 $90 Best Western Woodsview 671-6400 10 mi free $90 $90 $100 $100 Hotel Wisconsin 271-4900 2 free $105 $105 $115 $125 Milwaukee River Hilton 962-6040 7 mi free $99 $99 $99 $99 The Plaza 276-2101 12 $2 $82 $82 $90 $90 The Ambassador 342-8400 13 free $72 $92 Clarion Hotel 481-2400 10 mi free $99 $99 $99 $99 Best Western Inn Towne 224-8400 2 $6 $89 $179 Wyndham 276-8686 5 $10 $132 $132 $132 $132 Marquette University 288-7208 12 $2 $48 $60 $75 $95 Sheraton Four Points 481-8000 15 mi free $95 $95 $105 $115 Courtyard Marriott 291-4122 2 $9 $109 $109 $109 $109 Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.