Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Mayhem wrote:Looks like I might just have to get myself to the Con next year... seeing as the other cons I go to in the US are not happening in 2006. So, do I start making plans now already btw?

Colin Solan wrote:I was watching a Star Wars documentary the other day and they talked about going to SDCC in '76 to promote the movie. Amazing how far it's come.

One of these days I'll have to get out there but for now I'll have to content myself w/ Stan's Long Is appearance.

Todd Shogun wrote:I'd recommend searching for hotel rooms NOW. They sell out quick and increase their rates as you get closer to the Con. The Horton is already charging $750/night for Jul 20-23. Another thing you can do is book with a hotel now that may not be the best price or location, and wait until the hotel of your choice opens up rooms (if no rooms are available now). That's what I do and it works out great. You can always cancel.

Mayhem wrote:So it's pretty much select a hotel you want (the closer to the con the better), and then on the day in question get it there?

Which leaves the following Qs having had a look at the site...

1) How do I register if I live outside the US? There only appears to be a form, and that's really set up for US citizens.

--I know that there are plenty of international attendees. I knew someone that came from Australia one year from our TMNT message boards, and some from the UK from the LotR boards.
The registration form has an area for country (if not USA) and country mailing code. So you would just ignore the parts that don't apply and leave them blank for your address.
And if you can get your money submitted through any of their accepted payment forms, you should be all set by just filling it out and mailing it. Or you could have a trusted friend in the USA fill out the form for you with all of your country code information, and mail it in for you. I don't think the Con would freak out over that? As long as the information was correct and payment was legit....
The badges are not mailed out, but they do send out a confirmation mailer with your registration number. The convention's badge pick-up is incrediably sophisticated and fast, so even if you don't get that confirmation mailer or lose it, all you need is a form of legal identification (passport should work fine) and remember the name you sent your registration in as.


2) By the looks of things, you can only buy a 4 day pass, nothing else?

--Right now they are just selling the 4-day memberships.
They will sell single day passes as the convention gets closer, and you can just buy the days you want. I seem to recall seeing them sell them through early registration forms, too?
You can also just buy the passes when you get to the con itself, if you choose. You don't have to pre-register at all, if you don't want to.
Keep in mind that it is *sometimes* cheaper to get the 4-day pass with Preview Night access, and then just not go to the convention every day or all day if you've planned something else for the day. If you've got a block of vacation time set up for San Diego, you can wait until you see the programming and autograph schedule, and then pick which days or times you want to be at the con. Then go to the zoo, the beach, museums, shopping, etc. as you please.

3) A list of the hotels that are used by the Con? I couldn't find it... must be blind probably

--It says they are negotiating with the hotels right now, check back in January for more information. That will include your answer to #4.


4) The date on which booking for these will open up?

--see above.

5) How far the Con location is from SD airport? The map location thingy didn't seem to work for me