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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on Apr 5, 2005 20:47:35 GMT -7
 This is just a general questionaire for anyone thinking of going. I have always wondered if we could work out a deal with group bookings-leaving from Calgary? 1- Getting there: plane, car , train or bus? 2- Where are you staying? 3- Ticket purchases in advance or on site? 4- Getting around...car or transit? 5- Other things to do, besides the Con? |
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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on Apr 5, 2005 21:32:52 GMT -7
I am still considering attending SDCC 2005...
So if I go...I go on the CHEAP.
1- I would fly down to LA. There are more flights getting there(West Jet).Take a cab or shuttle to the train station. The train down to SD, the station is central
downtown.
2- I would do a Motel instead of a Hotel this year.
I found I didn't spend that much time there and didn't take advantage of some of the upper-end services
(Internet connection, courier service) I would not do another hotel on the SDCC list- there is a hidden fee for the shuttle service whether you use it or not. I stayed at a Motel within walking distance of the site one year.
3-One of the advantages of being published
( or possible publication) the 'PRO's receive complimentary admission. You have to be able to proveyou have something published- or in the works.
This has to be done in advance-deadline is June 6th, 2005.
If you don't qualify, early registration saves you something. Picking up your badge is another thing...expect line ups and more line ups.
4- The "big things" happen at the Con center, some event spread out to the hotels and restaurants. they keep it pretty central and the shuttle is handy. Transit with a week or five day pass, gives you a little more mobility-if you don't have a car.
5- Other things to do, if you can stretch your time for a week? The BEACH: Coronado, Imperial & Pacific...further out Oceanside and Carlsbad (Legotown). Old Town. Balboa Park and the Museum. Disneyland is not too far away.
Last thing to add, buy your food OFF site. RALPH'S Grocery store is downtown, within walking distance from the CON. Better if you have a small cooler and water jug. A fridge and microwave in your hotel is a bonus. Very last thing, avoid taking every free trinket, poster,flyer,hat,etc... they offer you. You may end up throwing out half the stuff; keep it if you have extra room in your luggage.
Thanks.
GarseeYa!!!there…maybe?
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Post by Andrew on Apr 6, 2005 14:12:06 GMT -7
<I have always wondered if we could work out a deal with group bookings-leaving from Calgary?>
Good question...
<1- Getting there: plane, car , train or bus?>
Plane. That messes up the back bad enough as it is.
<2- Where are you staying?>
This year Tiina and I are at the Hyatt. Last time it was the Wyndham Emerald. First two times I went I stayed at cheap places, and I don't think I'm ever going to do that again. A place with an air conditioner that doesn't shut off after an hour is a bare minimum for me.
<3- Ticket purchases in advance or on site?>
I've always gone as a pro, so it's always been advance. Given the lines I see for people going other ways, I wouldn't want to do it any other way. As it was, there was an hour-long wait in the pro line last year.
<4- Getting around...car or transit?>
Mostly footmobile--I always stay within drunken stumbling distance of the con center. Last year, T and I took in some sights--we used the bus or train for that. I'm not big on driving when I absolutely have to--when I'm trying to have a good time and expecting to be drinking, a car is the last thing I want to worry about.
<5- Other things to do, besides the Con?>
There's an artist's colony next to the zoo, which is free and kind of interesting (I believe it's the homebase of the guy who does the freestanding rock sculpture/arrangements on the bank of the Bow River most years). Lots of museums in that area, as well. In the days leading up to the con there's usually signings and whatnot--last year there was supposed to be a gallery show opening for Donna Barr and Roberta Gregory, but it didn't happen abruptly. Supposedly it will this year...
Mostly, I go there to hang out with people I consider close friends who I only see face to face for a couple days a year, if that. And drink. Which I could do here, but it isn't the same. Except at Con-Version, when it's the same but better, because drinks in the Con-Suite are considerably less expensive than they are at the Marriott.
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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on Apr 6, 2005 22:49:34 GMT -7
Andrew, Yeah Wyndham Emerald was fun, nice green glow when you walk in at night. I missed out on the pool on the second floor though.( Like those little ketchup bottles too-room service.) My wife stayed there with me, one year. Bad for her, since she's not into comics. I usually broke up my days. Half at the Con and the rest of the day with my wife. Got bad when I got held up at parties...wouldn't do that again.  Did better on the next trip, she met me after the Con. Went up to La Jolla, Oceanside and Carlsbad. Great for walks on the beach, collecting shells and having a picnic. I promised my Son we would get to the beach one day. He'll enjoy it more when he's older. So we do the family thing in a year or two. We are all going to need a PASSPORT too. Thanks. GarSeeYa!!! www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/ There was a group of Calgarians that did the condo deal last year(2004)- some of them are members of MIC. If any of them are willing to share that experience? |
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Post by Temperance on Apr 7, 2005 11:45:39 GMT -7
Wah! I wanna go! stupid unemployment!
anyone need a Geographer... to uhhh... make maps or survey something?
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Chris
Full Member
Posts: 211
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Post by Chris on Apr 26, 2005 22:13:00 GMT -7
Honestly, Having gone to the Con 3 years in a row, a direct flight from Calgary to San Diego is the best.
What to do is book an all inclusive package with a travel agency. Flight and Hotel in one package almost a year in advance. That way, nothing has really been booked yet and you can probably book a good package on the down season. Second, everything is pre-paid months in advance in Canada and you don't have to worry about exchange and making sure you have enough to pay for the hotel, everything is paid for.
As far as tickets go, since I don't know if you know this, but you can get tickets for free as a Pro. All it takes is letterhead, (self)published comic and a business card and you've got free registration and can get into the pro lounge where they have doughuts coffee and juice ... but maybe you guys all know this.
I'd love to go as an exhibitor, but I don't have the money this year. I think I'm going to get a few comics done and try to set up a booth or work with others (like maybe you guys (gals)) to get a booth together.
the San Diego Con is my most favorite place to go. I haven't been there for about 8 years or so. I wonder if any of the guys remember me.
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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on Apr 28, 2005 21:42:29 GMT -7
westjet.com/WESTJET IS NOW FLYING TO SAN DIEGO!Departing Regular Fare $239.00 CAD Tue, 12 Jul 05 Flight WS 922 11:00 Depart Calgary, AB (YYC) 13:10 Arrive San Diego, CA (SAN) Returning Regular Fare $129.00 CAD Tue, 19 Jul 05 Flight WS 923 13:50 Depart San Diego, CA (SAN) 17:50 Arrive Calgary, AB (YYC) Total cost Departing Airfare per / Guest $ 239.00 CAD Taxes, Fees and Surcharges / Guest (details) $ 75.69 CAD Subtotal / Guest $ 314.69 CAD Multiplied by 1 Guest $ 314.69 CAD Fare Rules Departing - REGULAR FARES: - Change and cancellation guidelines are based on the fare which is being changed or cancelled. - After the day of booking, changes to this fare are subject to a minimum $30.00 CAD/USD change fee (plus tax) and any difference in fare, per person. Name changes are subject to a $30.00 CAD/USD fee (plus tax). - After the day of booking, all fares, taxes, and fees are non-refundable, however, they may be used as credit towards a future flight with WestJet. - Cancellations are subject to a $30.00 CAD/USD cancellation fee (plus tax) per person. - Credit files are created for the remainder of the funds, and will expire after one year. - Changes and cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours prior to flight, however, guests who do not show up for a flight do not receive a credit or a refund. Returning Airfare per / Guest $ 129.00 CAD Taxes, Fees and Surcharges / Guest (details) $ 43.45 CAD Subtotal / Guest $ 172.45 CAD Multiplied by 1 Guest $ 172.45 CAD Returning - SEAT SALE FARES: - Change and cancellation guidelines are based on the fare which is being changed or cancelled. - After the day of booking, changes to this fare are subject to a minimum $30.00 CAD/USD change fee (plus tax) and any difference in fare, per person. Name changes are subject to a $30.00 CAD/USD fee (plus tax). - After the day of booking, all fares, taxes, and fees are non-refundable, however, they may be used as credit towards a future flight with WestJet. - Cancellations are subject to a $30.00 CAD/USD cancellation fee (plus tax) per person. - Credit files are created for the remainder of the funds, and will expire after one year. - Changes and cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours prior to flight, however, guests who do not show up for a flight do not receive a credit or a refund. Total Cost of Flight $ 487.14 CAD GROUP BOOKING STARTS AT 10 PEOPLE. Deposit of $50.00 per person, names can be listed one week before departure. This is the best deal I've seen, but I can't go this year. If you are planning to go, take advantage of this. I would love to go again! ©2000 - 2004 Navitaire, ©2004 WestJet. westjet_2_1_0_release_33_1_0_114_2005_04_27_14_29_53_157
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FC
MIC AGENT
life is a journey, not a destination.
Posts: 77
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Post by FC on Apr 29, 2005 7:43:59 GMT -7
wow. that's an awsome price, compared to what alaskan air and air canada were asking (upwards of $7-800 CDN)
I've been thinking about cheap ways to go there, and this may well be in my reach. July 14-17 eh? I'll have to think about it.
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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on Apr 29, 2005 12:11:30 GMT -7
Just out of curiousity, how many people are thinking of going?
Is it possible to get a group rate, if we have more than 10 people interested. I would like to set this up with Westjet annually. (We actually approched them for sponsorship for 24HCD05-turned us down.)
Here is a LIST of " Thinking about it"so far.
1.GGG( tempting)
2.FC
Accomodation is the other major purchase.
Thanks.
GGG.
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Chris
Full Member
Posts: 211
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Post by Chris on Apr 29, 2005 14:13:52 GMT -7
Next year I can make it a goal. But not this year.  |
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FC
MIC AGENT
life is a journey, not a destination.
Posts: 77
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Post by FC on May 4, 2005 12:45:43 GMT -7
Eeep. fare totally jumped, unless i put it in wrong -
Departing
Regular Fare $239.00 CAD
Tue, 12 Jul 05
Flight WS 922
11:00 Depart Calgary, AB (YYC)
13:10 Arrive San Diego, CA (SAN)
Returning
Regular Fare $239.00 CAD
Tue, 19 Jul 05
Flight WS 923
13:50 Depart San Diego, CA (SAN)
17:50 Arrive Calgary, AB (YYC)
Departing
Airfare per / Guest $ 239.00 CAD
Taxes, Fees and Surcharges / Guest (details) $ 75.69 CAD
Subtotal / Guest $ 314.69 CAD
Multiplied by 1 Guest $ 314.69 CAD
Returning
Airfare per / Guest $ 239.00 CAD
Taxes, Fees and Surcharges / Guest (details) $ 51.15 CAD
Subtotal / Guest $ 290.15 CAD
Multiplied by 1 Guest $ 290.15 CAD
Total Cost of Flight $ 604.84 CAD
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Post by G. Gerald Garcia on May 4, 2005 17:46:25 GMT -7
Oh Well, guess we missed out.
Return trip at HALF price, was a limited time offer.
The price is still good. Comparisons should be made on flight/hotel package? Yeah...maybe next year?
GGG.
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Post by damian on May 11, 2005 16:02:26 GMT -7
YAY!! ;D Just got my table confirmation for San Diego...finally!!! now to panic and freak out about what i need to do before then...  |
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Post by Temperance on May 11, 2005 20:55:53 GMT -7
Ah fun!
A table... woo sounds scary!
The one thing I loved about San diego is: Everybody wants to be there and have a good time, and everybody is interested in comics, so I'm sure you'll have a blast.
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Post by damian on May 14, 2005 2:11:13 GMT -7
the people were pretty cool last time...sitting at a table for four days straight wasn't so fun though...but i did manage to sneak away and see some of the con.  |
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