Glad I Got There Early

[kevin_standlee]

The latest information from Denvention Three is that the Crowne Plaza is full. Thank goodness I was on top of things yesterday morning (and that D3's housing team were on the ball) when the gates opened. I don't know how large the room block in that hotel was, but it looks like lots of people made calculations similar to mine (intersection of low price and convenient location) and piled in on that hotel.

This is no Comic-Con, where the entire city books out in about five seconds after booking opens, but it is the fastest I recall a Worldcon hotel filling out. There are still rooms in most of the other hotels, although apparently the Courtyard is full for the night of August 6.

Comments

[cmdrsuzdal.livejournal.com]

Wow. One day, huh?

I'm really glad I was speedy for a change. Thanks for helping with the decision.

[n5red.livejournal.com]

The hotel rates are high enough that I'm considering not going. I think I already have an attending membership as well.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

The room rate I'm paying -- $129 at the Crowne Plaza -- doesn't seem that bad, particularly compared to the rates last year in Japan. I don't think we're likely to see under-$100 rates ever again, save maybe in dorm-style housing like Interaction had in one facility. The only way you'll get cheap hotels is to rent a car, stay miles away on the periphery, and commute. But you'll probably end up spending more money that way (rental, gas, parking), even if the value of your time is zero.

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

I can't find anything at this point. Except at the distant hotels. I guess that ends the question of going to Worldcon. *sigh* Hyatt appears to be sold out, too.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

Housing's saying

"If you're unable to book any room or continue to have housing problems, please email us at d3-housing@denvention.org and we'll do our best to help you.

TR Renner
Housing Staff
Denvention 3"

Apparently there are still glitches in the system and there are actually rooms available.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

No, that can't be right. I don't think they would have sold out that fast. It's probably a bug of some sort, like what was afflicting the Crowne Plaza yesterday. Or maybe there's one night that's peaked and it's blocking bookings that include that night. Write to housing@denvention.org explaining what you were trying to get and see if they can help you. The D3 team have been very good at chasing this stuff so far.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

And also read johno's comment below, which indicates that he has two reservations right now. Possibly whichever one he won't use, you could arrange to get from him, rather than risk releasing the reservation back into the wild.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

You're right in your other comment about the under $100 rooms coming to a rapid end. I just took a look at Montreal and the standard room DELTA CENTRE-VILLE MONTRÉAL rates for August this year are CAN$209. I'm betting the con rate will be more than half that.

It'll be interesting to see if it has a more than anecdotal effect on attendance.

But I'm skipping Montreal to save for Aus.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

Well that puts to an end to even toying with the idea of going. And Australia was never on my radar. It might as well be on the moon given how much it costs to fly halfway around the world.

[johno.livejournal.com]

We got a King at the Crown Plaza, but really need a double...


...so we also have a reservation at the Adams Mark for a double Deluxe Queen.


If the CP comes through after everything settles down, we'll drop the Adams.

If the CP doesn't come through, we'll drop the CP and stay at the Adams.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

You've written to housing@denvention.org with your room type change request, right? And seen trinsf's "I can't get any room" comment above?

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for a king at the Crown plaza, for 5-11. I have a Hyatt King, and a 2 night reservation at the Adam's Mark.

[barry-short.livejournal.com]

We opted for the Ramada Downtown - a few blocks down Colfax, but enough less expensive that we can either pay the $12/day to park or buy bus passes (if we can't find a free shuttle) and still end up well ahead. Or walk if we feel like it.

All this does beg the question, what ever happened to the 'traditional Labor Day weekend'? Everything I know about dealing with hotels tells me that much of the appeal of that weekend is that business hotels generally have lots of available rooms that they're happy to discount. Yet Montreal will make five consecutive Worldcons taking place in early August (and I'd be surprised if Australia pays any attention to US holidays, so that would make six). Is this some 'greying of fandom' thing where WSFS now leans toward convenience over cost?

[johno.livejournal.com]

As I understand it there are two main reasons many worldcons are moving off the labor day weekend.

Labor day weekend is no longer the dead zone for hotels it used to be for various reasons.

Schools used to start after labor day, now many start anywhere from 1-3 weeks before the holiday.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

All this does beg the question,...

No it does not. Go look up the definition of "begging the question."

what ever happened to the 'traditional Labor Day weekend'?

As johno said, Labor Day is no longer a dead zone in all markets. Denver bid the weekend it did because Labor Day was already full, and that was before the DNC selected Denver.

With more and more schools starting in mid-to-late August, if you hold Worldcon over Labor Day, then US and Canadian families and teachers are going to have to skip Worldcon.

Dragon*Con moved to Labor Day. This has had some impact upon Worldcons, particularly among professionals and people who make their living in the field in one way or another. If commercial considerations are paramount, people will go where the money is. They might prefer to go to both events if they can.

A factor affecting the West Coast is Burning Man, held over Labor Day, which seems to draw off a lot of conrunning talent. I know that we lost quite a few talented people who would have worked on ConJose, but who said, "I always go to Burning Man," the way I say, "I always go to Worldcon."

Montreal will make five consecutive Worldcons taking place in early August

I take it you don't think L.A.con IV and Nippon 2007 were Worldcons? Or does "early August" mean "any of the days of the convention were in the month of August?"

To be less oblique:

2004: North American Labor Day Weekend
2005: First weekend of August
2006: Last weekend of August (weekend before Labor Day Weekend)
2007: North American Labor Day Weekend
2008: First weekend of August
2009: First weekend of August
2010: Not yet decided, but see below

I'd be surprised if Australia pays any attention to US holidays, so that would make six

There are no holidays around that time of year in Australia, as I recall. However, the 1999 Worldcon in Australia was on the first weekend of September, for a different reason than holidays: weather. Remember, the seasons are reversed Down Under, and August is the last full month of the southern hemisphere winter. Melbourne's climate is mild, but the later in the winter they can hold the convention, the less likely that they'll have bad weather. However, I have no inside information on this. You might want to contact the Australia in 2010 bid and ask them what dates they prefer.

Is this some 'greying of fandom' thing where WSFS now leans toward convenience over cost?

Well, a site that isn't available isn't going to be cheaper than one that is. And if the dates are such that you can't attend, then it's not cheaper to you, is it?

Actually, the members had a choice of dates as well as sites in the 2008 election. I know I heard people say that the proposed dates were their deciding factor. The 2008 race was so close that little things like that may have made the difference.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, there are still sites that would be a better deal for Labor Day. San Jose, for instance, continues to court the business, because their business climate is such that the facilities are fallow around that time. But we're not bidding, so keep those $20 bills in your wallet.

Still, the voters have shown a preference for early-August bids over Labor Day Weekend bids when they've had a chance. Admittedly, there are other factors than the date, but in the past decade, Labor Day bids have lost every time they've bid against a non-Labor Day bid. And WSFS is a democracy; anyone willing to join can vote.

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm stumped. The updated con page says the Hyatt Regency is available, but the link they provide says the Hyatt Regency is not available. I can't call right now because I'm having a breathing problem due to a respiratory infection. *sigh*

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Better write to D3's Housing team and see if they can help. Or did you do that already and I didn't understand your reply earlier?

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

As they say. Contact housing.

[tkunsman.livejournal.com]

Do not forget that there are two other mundane con, both of which I think might have a larger attendence then us will be going on at the same time as the Worldcon. Now, I do not know when or if those cons have released their hotel blocks for their members to reserve, but all of this might lead to a quick booking. Just a thought.

[mzmadmike.livejournal.com]

and Pennsic is early August. A lot of people and merchants go there.

Thanks

[peanut13171.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting about Denvention hotels being open for reservations! And I appreciate you mentioning that you had problems with the online system, 'cause I did, too, and ended up calling.

I was thinking about driving, but the parking is $18/day!

You are a very useful (and nice) person!

[katster.livejournal.com]

Looks like I'll be staying with a (Denver-local) friend and using light rail to commute in and out. (Said friend's going to Worldcon too, so it's not like the end of the world.) It's a heck of a lot cheaper than getting a room, I'll admit that, although commuting to any con is brutal.

Sad thing is, I really want to go to Australia, so I might have to end up skipping Montreal (doh) in order to save the money. I'll have to see how it plays. If I do well at this job and get a better one next year, then things might work out.

-kat

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

So, FYI, the con wrote back and said they're trying to figure out what's up with the Hyatt Regency too, and they'll get back to me. (And also that they have held back some rooms for people with mobility issues.)

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

YAY. I hope. fingers crossed.