AGDQ 2014 Hotels - We're going with the Crowne Plaza.

Ribbedkilla

2013-08-14 08:25:48 pm

YHG

Just throwing my name out there to show interest in going to AGDQ. That being said I'm liking the Crowne Plaza.

Yagamoth

2013-08-15 04:44:29 am

INTJ

Not sure if that's the right thread here - Is there going to be another Travel thread? I have never traveled this far and I would like to know how/where/when as soon as possible. I assume there are others like me, but just throwing that out there.

Alko

2013-08-15 06:17:03 am

Caution: This user contains Kana ^_^

Yagamoth: To the best of my knowledge I expect there to be a travel thread, but also for it not opening until way after game suggestions and signups.
Trying to think of any people from your part of the world that have gone to previous *GDQs, but the closest I can remember is Sweden and/or UK. You might be able to get help from any of them (Edenal, Kenny, Jinny, Robo, Flicky and many more that are just not on the top of my head). Or you could PM me, I've been to C4L, and I'm closer than both of them xD (remember though, that the states are still slightly different than Canada ^^')

EpiclyEpic

2013-08-15 10:47:11 am

Are there typically a lot of people that come in a day early? Not sure if I want to try to fly out the day of or the night before, or when I want to leave...

Cool Matty

2013-08-15 10:50:35 am

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Quote from EpiclyEpic:

Are there typically a lot of people that come in a day early? Not sure if I want to try to fly out the day of or the night before, or when I want to leave...

The first "day" is setup day (4th). That's when many people arrive. The marathon doesn't start proper until the following day. I would highly recommend not coming in on the 3rd, as you won't get a group rate for that day, and no one is going to be there.

EpiclyEpic

Edit history:

EpiclyEpic: 2013-08-15 10:59:06 am

2013-08-15 10:52:04 am

Quote from Cool Matty:

Quote from EpiclyEpic:

Are there typically a lot of people that come in a day early? Not sure if I want to try to fly out the day of or the night before, or when I want to leave...

The first "day" is setup day (4th). That's when many people arrive. The marathon doesn't start proper until the following day. I would highly recommend not coming in on the 3rd, as you won't get a group rate for that day, and no one is going to be there.

Yeah thats what I meant, on the setup day. Thanks for the reply.

EDIT: Also whats the best airport to fly into?

Cool Matty

2013-08-15 11:31:14 am

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Yea, it's mostly up to you whether you want to be there on setup. As the name implies, it's almost entirely nothing but people setting up equipment, picking people up from airports, and such. It is the most serious time part of the marathon, very little gaming going on that first night.

You want to fly into the Dulles International Airport (IAD). It's around 5 minutes away from the hotel.

EpiclyEpic

2013-08-15 03:30:52 pm

Quote from Cool Matty:

Yea, it's mostly up to you whether you want to be there on setup. As the name implies, it's almost entirely nothing but people setting up equipment, picking people up from airports, and such. It is the most serious time part of the marathon, very little gaming going on that first night.

You want to fly into the Dulles International Airport (IAD). It's around 5 minutes away from the hotel.

Alright cool, thats what I was thinking. Thanks for the replies Matty. I guess Ill aim for the 4th to the 11th(if I can get a later flight), don't want to miss too much Cheesy

thadarkman78

2013-08-15 06:06:56 pm

Dulles is ideal since the hotel will be providing free shuttle from there. I'm not sure if pick ups will be arranged at other airports (it won't happen at BWI if it's even possible for you to fly in there judging on past marathon decisioning) given that the free shuttle is being offered.

mikwuyma

Edit history:

mikwuyma: 2013-08-15 09:42:14 pm

2013-08-15 06:30:46 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Okay some more info about the Crowne.

The 89/night applies whether you have 1 or 4 people in your room. (as in the room, not per person)

Reservations work like the Sheraton where you don't have to make a deposit, but they do put your card on file for a reservation for incidentals (such as room service).

Cancellation is 48 hours in advance.

Other airports: I know there's a shuttle (that you have to pay for) that takes you from National to Dulles airport.

BWI is even farther away from the Crowne Plaza than it is from the 4-H Center so if you take BWI you're on your own.

DarkFrog

2013-08-15 08:09:15 pm

Speed Run games at 20% coolness

I have a question, this is my first AGDQ and I was woundering it's the best to get a room with others to keep the cost down? Also it's the best date to come on, sometime doing the 4th of Jan?

Cool Matty

2013-08-15 08:19:48 pm

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Quote from DarkFrog:

I have a question, this is my first AGDQ and I was woundering it's the best to get a room with others to keep the cost down? Also it's the best date to come on, sometime doing the 4th of Jan?

To the former question: yes, that is what almost everyone does.

To the latter question: Read my posts above.

Synaww

2013-08-16 03:03:11 pm

Quote from Yagamoth:

Not sure if that's the right thread here - Is there going to be another Travel thread? I have never traveled this far and I would like to know how/where/when as soon as possible. I assume there are others like me, but just throwing that out there.

I'd be travelling from the UK so equally as far, I'm just wondering do I just turn up on the day and see if there is anybody with a spare sleeping place for the rooms, as 80 dollars on my own seems a tad expensive and paying 20$ would be much more reasonable.

And yeah also it would be awesome if there was another travel thread for people travelling from overseas?

Thanks

-Synaww

LLCoolDave

2013-08-16 03:09:31 pm

You will be able to look for roommates on this marathon forum ahead of time, it's how we've always handled it. However, that's for when signups actually start proper.

Cool Matty

2013-08-16 05:34:39 pm

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Quote from Synaww:

I'd be travelling from the UK so equally as far, I'm just wondering do I just turn up on the day and see if there is anybody with a spare sleeping place for the rooms, as 80 dollars on my own seems a tad expensive and paying 20$ would be much more reasonable.

Yeah, as LLCoolDave said, we always have a roommate arrangement thread when signups begin for this. Please, PLEASE do not come without arrangements. You will likely not find a place to stay if you do so.

Wallcrusher

2013-08-19 09:53:51 pm

Dogi the wallcrusher

So about $210 per person for 7 nights with 4 people in a room. $300 if everyone stays for most of bonus stream days?

Trying to figure out how much money to save up since I plan on actually attending this year instead of just watching from home. 4th-15th flights all seem to be ~$300 right now, which isn't too bad. Will there be another thread after you iron out the deals with the hotel to give us the clear on booking flights?

Cool Matty

Edit history:

Cool Matty: 2013-08-19 10:19:33 pm

2013-08-19 10:18:04 pm

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

I'd save about $50 extra just to cover whatever the conference rooms will be. And of course, don't forget to save for food, emergency funds (like if you need a taxi), etc. $25/day is usually enough for people for food.

And yeah there will be the signup thread coming up. Once that's posted, the deal with the hotel is confirmed and you can go ahead and make reservations + flights.

Wallcrusher

2013-08-19 10:20:17 pm

Dogi the wallcrusher

Well, I have more than enough money available right now. Just need to know how much cash to bring since I don't usually carry much. Looking up flight related stuff right now since I've only flown once and my friend did all that setup for me back then

UraniumAnchor

2013-08-19 11:30:56 pm

Not a walrus

I'm sure there's an ATM in the lobby. Probably better to eat a few fees than risk carrying a bunch of cash around, but that's just me being paranoid.

mikwuyma

2013-08-20 03:22:02 am

My feelings on The Demon Rush

I can confirm that there is an ATM in the lobby.

Synaww

2013-08-20 12:51:33 pm

Quote from Cool Matty:

Quote from Synaww:

I'd be travelling from the UK so equally as far, I'm just wondering do I just turn up on the day and see if there is anybody with a spare sleeping place for the rooms, as 80 dollars on my own seems a tad expensive and paying 20$ would be much more reasonable.

Yeah, as LLCoolDave said, we always have a roommate arrangement thread when signups begin for this. Please, PLEASE do not come without arrangements. You will likely not find a place to stay if you do so.

Great, thanks for the reply Smiley

Looks like you guys might need to allocate some more seats this year :p?

Cool Matty

2013-08-20 02:52:26 pm

Crawlathon WR, get down on my level.

Quote from Synaww:

Looks like you guys might need to allocate some more seats this year :p?

Not sure what you mean?

If you're talking about hotel rooms, not really, we don't "allocate" anything so to speak. The hotel gives us a group discount, and people are responsible for reserving their own rooms. And they are responsible for finding roommates to split the cost of the room, if they wish to do that. We just provide a thread where everyone can easily find roommates, that's all.

If you mean literal seating for the marathon room, yeah, it's always bigger each year.

mikwuyma

Edit history:

mikwuyma: 2013-08-21 05:50:07 pm

2013-08-21 05:46:57 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Okay I have made my decision, and it's the Crowne Plaza.

Like everyone said, the location is too good to pass up. The Crowne is near a lot of restaurants, a grocery store, and a coin laundry.

The internet, prices, and rooms are similar in both hotels, but the location just really tips it over. Also, Cool Matty had a concern about the wired internet, but it turns out it's on a separate network from the wireless so it's not a concern.

Also, it looks like the Crowne is willing to bypass attrition, which is a great relief for me because I don't have to worry about overbooking.

We don't have a group rate yet because the person who drafts the contracts won't be in the office until Monday, so expect the group rate to be up by either the very end of August or early September.

And yes, you're safe to buy plane tickets now. I'm gonna try to get the same United deal we got last year if you can sit tight for a week or two.

Countneko

2013-08-24 10:16:04 am

Quote from DarkBluesZX:

Quote from Countneko:

I'm assuming the shuttles are only for airport pickup? I'm taking a bus there, most likely, since I'm close (New Jersey).

I myself am from NYC. if youre taking a bus there, how much distance are you covering roughly?

Sorry for the late reply. I'd be going from South Jersey. Probably from Atlantic City.

I've no idea how to get around DC/Virginia, since the last time I was there was a grade school trip. XD So I hope I can work something simple out.

presjpolk

2013-08-24 02:00:00 pm

HELLO!

In another thread I posted a bunch of info about getting there from places.

https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/agdq_2014_hotels_the_final_report._read_the_first_post_68.html

Hope this helps.