quote:

Originally posted by Nat:
Anyone have any hotel recommendations? knowing me I'll probably end up booking at some place an hour away...

The areas you want to look at are the Gaslamp quarter, and the areas around downtown San Diego. Other hotels to consider are in the Old Town and Mission Valley areas which are further, but are on the trolley lines which means you don't have to drive. In fact you don't want to drive as there are shuttles provided to guests to the various hotels. Natives avoid the immediate area when the connies come to town!

The Sheraton - Marina is on Harbor Island and is near the airport, which is not so far but is not in the immediate downtown area.

FYI- there's so much swag and stuff to get at the con, that you will be hauling loads of stuff so make whatever arrangements are easy on you and stay near the Convention Center or near hotels that either have trolley, bus,and shuttle lines close to eateries that you can afford if you are on a budget.

And thanks for the welcome Toser!

quote:

Originally posted by katiesman:
Febuary, thanks for the tip ScFiMon!

You're welcome.

quote:

Originally posted by NL:

quote:

Originally posted by Nat:
Anyone have any hotel recommendations? knowing me I'll probably end up booking at some place an hour away...

The areas you want to look at are the Gaslamp quarter, and the areas around downtown San Diego. Other hotels to consider are in the Old Town and Mission Valley areas which are further, but are on the trolley lines which means you don't have to drive. In fact you don't want to drive as there are shuttles provided to guests to the various hotels. Natives avoid the immediate area when the connies come to town!

I totally agree

Once again, I recommend the Doubletree in the Hazard Center (off of Hazard Center Drive), or any of the hotels in the hotel circle. There are tons of Travelodges, Best Westerns, etc there, all close to the Fashion Valley trolley stop, and yet not in the downtown area which will be mobbed and expensive. I personally think that the Hazard Center option is the best, or hotels/motels near there because everyone gets on at Fashion Valley, the next stop, but if you get on one stop up the line, you can always get a seat!

Thanks for the advice guys just a question, if people are taking shuttle buses does that mean there will be plenty of parking? one of my mates going actually lives an hour and a half away from the convention and he was considering driving us all there and back every morning and night to save on hotel costs.

quote:

Originally posted by Nat:
Thanks for the advice guys just a question, if people are taking shuttle buses does that mean there will be plenty of parking? one of my mates going actually lives an hour and a half away from the convention and he was considering driving us all there and back every morning and night to save on hotel costs.

That's still unlikely. The area around the convention center is pretty busy anyways, and it is crazy during the convention. Most likely you would drive to a trolley station and take the trolley in, unless you guys get there really early to get a spot in a lot and are willing to pay for parking everyday. Combined with gas costs, and it is going to be pretty expensive.

Good point. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out on these hotels come Feb, so perhaps we'll leave the driving as a last resort.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham:
I'm shopping for a hotel at the momemt. Has anyone here stayed at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina? It seems a bit distant on the map.

According to mapquest, 4.1 miles (not sure what that equates to in km)

I usually find a place in mission valley (hotel circle). Only 15 minute drive and will save you a lot on the pocketbook. Of course, this is only good if you have a car, or if you're close to a trolly stop.

quote:

Originally posted by H_Toser:

quote:

Originally posted by Batman:
It traditionally has been held on Friday morning prior to the opening of the show, between 8 and 10.

Yes, and I believe it will be the same this coming year.

Matt -- Hope you'll be able to make it!

Batmancity -- Sorry that you'll miss it but I hope to still see you at the show! Perhaps we can have an meet-up for those can't make Friday??? Glad to hear that you'll be able to make the show though. It's something every collector should experience at least once!

Hi
as i won't be able to make it on friday, i'd love to be able to meet some of my fellow cardtalk members at last !!! I'm scheduled to spend all sunday with my wife at the con, so i guess there will be a NSU booth somewhere where I could meet you guys !

NSU itself usually does not set-up, but the Inkworks booth is centrally located on the convention floor and is the 'unofficial' meeting place. At just about any time, you can stop by and find a card talker or two hanging out.

Thanks for the information, Batman !

HI all!

I just confirmation of the booth I will be sharing with Adam Hughes; so I'll be there!
~Allison

quote:

Originally posted by Nat:
Thanks for the advice guys just a question, if people are taking shuttle buses does that mean there will be plenty of parking? one of my mates going actually lives an hour and a half away from the convention and he was considering driving us all there and back every morning and night to save on hotel costs.

I attended my first Comic Con last year and did exactly what you are considering. I live about 70 miles away and drove back and forth 4 of the 5 days (including preview night.) I always arrived 60-90 minutes before the doors opened and never had a problem finding a prime parking spot in the closest parking garage across the street in the Gaslamp. Sure I had an early wake-up time but I preferred saving my money to spend on cool stuff instead of a hotel room. When I attend Comic Con 2008 I intend to do the daily commute again because it was so easy.

Awesome, so it can be done. See that was our reasoning too - without hotel costs, we can do much more spending at the convention.

quote:

Originally posted by Nat:
Awesome, so it can be done. See that was our reasoning too - without hotel costs, we can do much more spending at the convention.

Bit of a commute from Melbourne

quote:

Originally posted by Graham:
Bit of a commute from Melbourne

I'll be sure to leave extra early

I'll be attending all 4 days with the wife. Staying in a downtown hotel within walking distance of the convention center. I too live within driving distance but prefer to stay in a hotel because it is so easy. No driving back and forth and fighting for parking, which I have done. Also you can load up on all the swag and then simply make a run to the hotel and drop it off and start all over! LOL!

Also you can not beat the nightlife in the Gaslamp district as well as the many other attractions like Sea World. I'm waiting for Humphrey's By The Bay to come out with thier 2008 concert schedule. Hopefully we'll be able to catch a nice concert while we are there.

Also you know it would be nice if card talk members could agree on wearing something that would ID them as a card talk member. That way it would help those of you who are interested in meeting up, able to identify one another. Cause I'll tell ya...If you haven't been to the con...it is a total mob scene and you'll need all the help you can get! Even agreeing to meet in advance at like say the Inkworks booth is in my opinion at best a hit or miss proposition unless you already know one another.

Lastly...If you want a hotel then you better book now and not wait for a con discount. 99.9% of people who wait will be out in the cold!

The best place with meet up with all Card Talk members is at the breakfast, most all of the Card Talk members are there who are at the show.

hi
i'm trying to book 2 tickets on the comic con official site but they are only selling 4 day tickets. As my wife and I will be attending only on sunday, does anyone know how to book those 1-day tickets in advance ? thanks for any tips you may provide !!!

They will offer single day passes later on the site. I would not worry about the show being sold out now as it's way to early for that. Last year I purchased single day tickets in April off of the site but I'm not sure exctly when they became available but don't worry you'll get them. Just check back about once a week and eventually an option to purchase single day tickets will appear.

BTW...did you subscribe to the SDCC "Update" magazine? It gets sent out every once in a while and is a very handy source of information.

quote:

Originally posted by SoCal:
They will offer single day passes later on the site. I would not worry about the show being sold out now as it's way to early for that. Last year I purchased single day tickets in April off of the site but I'm not sure exctly when they became available but don't worry you'll get them. Just check back about once a week and eventually an option to purchase single day tickets will appear.

BTW...did you subscribe to the SDCC "Update" magazine? It gets sent out every once in a while and is a very handy source of information.

Hi, thanks for this valuable information
I was not aware of an SDCC magazine but i'll subscribe right away
thanks again !