Cheaper "Hotel" Option + Idea for Thursday Night

[Bolt the Super-Pony 62]

Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is about a 30 minute drive from the convention. I'll be staying there Thursday night to minimize traffic en route to BABSCon Friday morning, and to get to explore the area a little before the con. The cost is SUPER cheap at $30 a night for a shared room (which includes a $30 Hostel International daily fee).

 

If you're interested, you can visit their website and their Yelp page for more details. I hope to see you there, and if not, than I'll see you at BABSCon!

[Simon 4,554]

I'd really discourage anybody from staying outside of the convention hotel to be honest.  I've said this in other threads but one of the things that really made the whole convention experience for me was being surrounded by bronies all weekend.  You couldn't ride an elevator or go to a restaurant without being surrounded by the fandom, and it was absolutely amazing.

 

Plus Thursday night at the con hotel is only $115, so if you split the room with 3 people it's actually cheaper than $30 a person.  And it's a higher end hotel near the airport, so it's just a really wonderful hotel... I just think it's worth it to spend the convention there.

 

Also, if you can get to the convention hotel on Thursday, it'll make registration a lot easier.  Since check in at most hotels is about 2-3 pm, you probably won't have a room on Friday until a little later in the day.

 

Anyway just something to think about.  I just personally think it would be a lot more fun to try and get a convention room with a few roommates for Thursday instead.

[Scootaloo Is Best Filly 576]

I have to agree with Simon here. I have never been to a Babscon but, take it fromeone who just went to a Bronycon and I would imagine its just about the same way. I didn't have a on site hotel either and NOW, I sort of regretted it, here's why having a hotel at the cons hotel might be a better idea.

 

1. You get to stay later without worrying about a certain time frame you need to walk back to your hotel.

 

2. Surrounded by Bronies and much more of a chance to gain a whole lot of friends.

 

3. Much more of a chance to get your favorite VO's autograph. ( remember I went to Brony con, and I missed the chance to get both autographs from Germain like 4 TIMES and Corlett because of the huge lines and them running out of the cards. And if I could have waited in line before doors opened like I could have, if I stayed at that hotel, things might be different) I am def. staying at the hotel next time if I can afford it.

 

At 115 a night, I would do it, I spent more than that for a hotel close to the con. But, that's just me.

[easymac 106]

Scootaloo I agree and disagree with you. 
I agree staying at the con hotel is usually the way to go, but for something like bronycon (which in my mind is now a big convention). staying at other hotels is not a bad thing at all. In fact I have heard how awesome it was at the Marriot this year and i wish I could've stayed there (I was at the Renisance Inner Harbor). It probably doesn't hurt that I am used to walking around cities at night.

[Diva Pony 345]

I can't say for BronyCon because I haven't had the pleasure of attending yet.  But from what I hear of the setup there, the hotel is connected to the convention center and the con is not actually located in the hotel.

 

For Babscon I can't speak more for rolling out of bed, getting dressed and taking the elevator down to the con.  It's convenient and fun.  And BEST thing is that if you have 30 minutes in between things you want to do you can go lie down for a few minutes.  Or if you spend too much in the vendor room as I usually do, it's an elevator ride away to drop off your packages.

 

Convenience is always a plus for me.

[Bolt the Super-Pony 62]

I'd really discourage anybody from staying outside of the convention hotel to be honest.  I've said this in other threads but one of the things that really made the whole convention experience for me was being surrounded by bronies all weekend.  You couldn't ride an elevator or go to a restaurant without being surrounded by the fandom, and it was absolutely amazing.

 

Plus Thursday night at the con hotel is only $115, so if you split the room with 3 people it's actually cheaper than $30 a person.  And it's a higher end hotel near the airport, so it's just a really wonderful hotel... I just think it's worth it to spend the convention there.

 

Also, if you can get to the convention hotel on Thursday, it'll make registration a lot easier.  Since check in at most hotels is about 2-3 pm, you probably won't have a room on Friday until a little later in the day.

 

Anyway just something to think about.  I just personally think it would be a lot more fun to try and get a convention room with a few roommates for Thursday instead.

 

 

I have to agree with Simon here. I have never been to a Babscon but, take it fromeone who just went to a Bronycon and I would imagine its just about the same way. I didn't have a on site hotel either and NOW, I sort of regretted it, here's why having a hotel at the cons hotel might be a better idea.

 

1. You get to stay later without worrying about a certain time frame you need to walk back to your hotel.

 

2. Surrounded by Bronies and much more of a chance to gain a whole lot of friends.

 

3. Much more of a chance to get your favorite VO's autograph. ( remember I went to Brony con, and I missed the chance to get both autographs from Germain like 4 TIMES and Corlett because of the huge lines and them running out of the cards. And if I could have waited in line before doors opened like I could have, if I stayed at that hotel, things might be different) I am def. staying at the hotel next time if I can afford it.

 

At 115 a night, I would do it, I spent more than that for a hotel close to the con. But, that's just me.

 

 

I can't say for BronyCon because I haven't had the pleasure of attending yet.  But from what I hear of the setup there, the hotel is connected to the convention center and the con is not actually located in the hotel.

 

For Babscon I can't speak more for rolling out of bed, getting dressed and taking the elevator down to the con.  It's convenient and fun.  And BEST thing is that if you have 30 minutes in between things you want to do you can go lie down for a few minutes.  Or if you spend too much in the vendor room as I usually do, it's an elevator ride away to drop off your packages.

 

Convenience is always a plus for me.

 

All of these are reasons are why I'm staying at the hotel for the actual convention (I'm saving up enough money to get my own room). I agree with all of you; it's WAY more fun and convenient to stay at the actual event hotel since my room is just a few steps/a short walk away from everything, and I run into people everywhere and I get to meet a TON of people (this year I ran into Dana Simpson [creator of Heavenly Nostrils] in the elevator, and WeAreBorg [second in command at Ponyville Live] in the hallway while walking to my room!). One of the most interesting encounters I've had was with someone who was not even part of the convention, but was staying at the hotel for a ballroom dance-like event. She thought the whole pony thing was interesting, and I was rather amused with the "clash" of events (especially since I thought that we were the only convention there for that weekend). All of that took place from Saturday night to Sunday. THis year I get to stay the full weekend and I can't wait to see who I'm going to meet this year!

 

Anyways, it's Thursday night (only) that I will be staying at the hostel as it's going to be a new experience for me, the views are supposed to be wonderful (you're right on the shore) and I get to explore a different area and make the most out of my trip. Plus, being that it's Thursday, there's not likely to be a whole lot going on since the convention hasn't actually started yet.

[easymac 106]

Anyways, it's Thursday night (only) that I will be staying at the hostel as it's going to be a new experience for me, the views are supposed to be wonderful (you're right on the shore) and I get to explore a different area and make the most out of my trip. Plus, being that it's Thursday, there's not likely to be a whole lot going on since the convention hasn't actually started yet.

You will miss some Day Zero Parties, I would know. I hosted one and it was fun. 

[Bolt the Super-Pony 62]

You will miss some Day Zero Parties, I would know. I hosted one and it was fun. 

 

Are they night parties or day parties? Because I can stay at the hotel and party (since it's only a half hour drive from the hostel), just not too late. Meanwhile, I'll consider adding on another date (Thursday) to my hotel reservation and moving my hostel stay to Wednesday.

You will miss some Day Zero Parties, I would know. I hosted one and it was fun. 

 

Also, what typically happens at Brony parties (besides socializing and meeting new people of course)? I didn't get to go to any last year (I was too tired at almost three in the morning, and my parents advised me not to, since I had never been to anything like BABSCon before).

[easymac 106]

Are they night parties or day parties? Because I can stay at the hotel and party (since it's only a half hour drive from the hostel), just not too late. Meanwhile, I'll consider adding on another date (Thursday) to my hotel reservation and moving my hostel stay to Wednesday.

 

Also, what typically happens at Brony parties (besides socializing and meeting new people of course)? I didn't get to go to any last year (I was too tired at almost three in the morning, and my parents advised me not to, since I had never been to anything like BABSCon before).

They are night parties, all con parties are. 

 

It depends on the party itself, but most will have drinking. Some will have Cards Against Humanity, Video Games, Music, Pony videos, it really depends on the event.

[Doc Slide 14]

Every time I've gone to a con (three BronyCons and BABSCon), I've used the day before opening ceremonies to do a little sightseeing. I don't go in for parties much, so this gives me a very handy alternative to chew up a lot of otherwise-free time and see a few things I might otherwise miss.