SDCC--Tomorrow is the BIG DAY

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:25 -0700

If you are thinking of attending Comic-Con International: San Diego, aka San Diego Comic-con, and are thinking of getting a hotel room at the comic-con rate, the reservation desk will be open Wednesday, February 6 at 9 am Pacific Time. Expect hotels adjacent to the Convention Center to be fully booked by 9:30, and all hotels to be booked by noon.

Because rooms are very difficult to get, the con has started a housing blog.

http://www.comic-con.org/cci/

Reserving rooms are undoubtedly the most frustrating part of the SD Con--even worse than the crowds there. Good luck.

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 18:50 -0700

I can't wait to find out what happens...I remember last time it went down pretty crazy. Luckily I got my hotel already.

Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:50 -0700

I'll be there on the dot hussling with the rest. Still not 100% sure I'll be attending yet, but better to prepare in case than worry about it later

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:04 -0700

Sensei i have a question you will stay in SDCC all the 4 days? because i only go for 1 day or you'r going to be only 1 day if is the last one wich day you'll going to be for go that day ?????

thats my question (sorry for my english)

Abayo,
Marchino

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:27 -0700

Marchino wrote:Sensei i have a question you will stay in SDCC all the 4 days? because i only go for 1 day or you'r going to be only 1 day if is the last one wich day you'll going to be for go that day ?????

I will be there all 4 days, and Preview Night.

Make sure you pre-register for the con, because there will not be any on-site registration this year. They are anticipating a complete sell-out.

Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:58 -0700

I honestly think this booking process is more stressful that the Con itself at times

Still I'm in... just! Right at the end of the confirm process for my first choice, something went awry and it just wouldn't accept. I had to go through the whole thing again by which time all the rooms in my first choice hotel (and all my secondaries) were gone. Managed to grab a room in the last hotel with rooms that is on the shuttle service. Phew... that part over. Now to organise that I'm definitely coming, booking my flight and an attendee pass...!

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 14:43 -0700

Mayhem wrote:
Right at the end of the confirm process for my first choice, something went awry and it just wouldn't accept. I had to go through the whole thing again by which time all the rooms in my first choice hotel (and all my secondaries) were gone.

That was happening to quite a few people. The confirmation window would open then everything would crashed, losing the confirmation. A friend called me after his first crash, then his second. He finally got a hotel after his third try, but for all nights.

Here's Heidi (Scoop) MacDonald's blog detailing some of the snafus:

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog ... /#comments

If you've gotten your room, you've already jumped over the biggest hurdle.

Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 15:46 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:That was happening to quite a few people. The confirmation window would open then everything would crashed, losing the confirmation. A friend called me after his first crash, then his second. He finally got a hotel after his third try, but for all nights.

Yep, exactly my situation and according to the blog you just linked to, exactly the time (9:50PST or 12:30EST) I was just in the final stages of confirmation myself.

One comment is interesting... I was using Firefox at the time and he suggests that could have been an issue. I had no problems when restarting when I used IE instead...

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 14:08 -0700

Housing reservations are harder and more stressful every year. Still, it is better to pay $250 for a room than the $400 regular rate. That's about $1000 savings over a week. This year, the con let exhibitors book a room early, so I am set.

Last year the closest I could book was more than a mile away. I had to ask a favor of a friend who is on the Hyatt VIP list, and he got a room for me at the Hyatt for less than the con rate.

I've been attending Comic-con for going on 30 years, and I remember a time when they were encouraging attendees to book their rooms through the con so they would get credit for it. Now, they're encouraging folks to make their own arrangements.

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 17:36 -0700

hi!! excuse me what i need to get that pre-registration ?????

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 17:55 -0700

Marchino wrote:hi!! excuse me what i need to get that pre-registration ?????

Here is the link to the pre-registration page for Comic-con. Right now, they just have 4-day memberships available. Hopefully that will change later, and you will be able to buy one day membership.

http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_reg.shtml

You have to pre-register to get into the convention. They will not sell memberships at the door. They sold out 3 of the 4 days last year, and they are expecting a complete sell-out this year.

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 18:18 -0700

ooo man i want the only 1 day reservation, when do you think they going to sell it????

abayo,
Marchino

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 19:47 -0700

Marchino wrote:ooo man i want the only 1 day reservation, when do you think they going to sell it????

abayo,
Marchino

Keep checking the site, or subscribe to their "RSS News Feed", which sounds like an e-mailed newsletter.

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 19:52 -0700

ok ,i will do it because i dont want to lose my first oportunity to see Sensei !!!!

Abayo,
Marchino

khyron82 · Post by **khyron82** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 21:40 -0700

Hi Stan!

(Hey, first post here!)

Like everyone else, had a very nervewracking experience yesterday morning, but managed to get the hotel of my choice for all days within an hour (with much pushing of the refresh button). This will make my 10th SDCC and hopefully I'll be dropping by the UY table on Preview Night (assuming it's not too much of a madhouse).