For those that are thinking of driving in for the day and then driving home, parking at the BCEC itself is only $10. It's a huge lot and it's not covered (will be cold to say the least) but it's the cheapest option around and you won't need to take the T to get back to your car (meaning you can stick around for the concerts).
This won't work, however, for people staying at the hotel (I don't believe you can leave the car there overnight/24hours).
The T is certainly cheaper than $10 to park the car, but it's a viable option if you want to catch a concert or are up for some late night gaming. The lot is behind the convention center, and you have to walk in open air to get to it.
I'm from the Springfield area, this is gonna be the first PAX for my brother and myself. I'm not too familiar with Boston. Can anyone recommend a couple of decent hotels within walking distance?
For those that are thinking of driving in for the day and then driving home, parking at the BCEC itself is only $10. It's a huge lot and it's not covered (will be cold to say the least) but it's the cheapest option around and you won't need to take the T to get back to your car (meaning you can stick around for the concerts).
This won't work, however, for people staying at the hotel (I don't believe you can leave the car there overnight/24hours).
The T is certainly cheaper than $10 to park the car, but it's a viable option if you want to catch a concert or are up for some late night gaming. The lot is behind the convention center, and you have to walk in open air to get to it.
Also, the Common garage is $11 flat rate on weekends (I can double check on the hours they offer it), plus it's underground.
I'm from the Springfield area, this is gonna be the first PAX for my brother and myself. I'm not too familiar with Boston. Can anyone recommend a couple of decent hotels within walking distance?
Connected to the BCEC is the Westin Boston Waterfront. Just across the channel are the InterContinental and Boston Harbor Hotel (which I've heard is bad). A bit further into town is the Hyatt Regency. Anything else is closer to the Common/Boylston St/Kenmore and, depending on the weather in March, probably not walkable.
Remember, even though it is off-season for hotels in March, it's still a hotel in a major city. It won't be cheap unless you're putting 4+ people to a room.
When you guys booked your hotels through the Travel Desk for East earlier this year (or Prime), did it end up being an advanced charge or non-refundable for the hotels?
I went to East but did not book my hotel through the travel desk. I was just curious what the terms were since I have already volunteered to be the one to pay for the hotel.
I've done all the research on the hotels in the area and my options/prices, but like most of you guys, I'm waiting to see what the travel desk offers. I can get an pre-pay, non-refundable room for around $1000 direct from Westin, but I have a feeling that will at least go down a little and maybe come with better terms.
Just wondering from past experience if anyone recalled. Thanks!
So while I may or may not make it to PAX East this year (stupid grad school) I figured I'd offer up a token of "where to stay" advice here. There are a few hotels right near the BCEC but if you want to stay a bit closer to interesting stuff and still be able to easily get to the convention center check out hotels near South Station. While some of them are the priciest hotels in the city (InterContinental) the way you get to the BCEC on the public transit system is to take the Silver Line from South Station.
The other public transportation piece of advice I can offer is that staying on the Red Line (say Cambridge near Kenmore, Central or Harvard squares) will be better than staying on the Green Line (Hynes, or Brookline) because you'll only have to switch trains one time.
(Don't stay at the airport, not that anyone would want to.)
(If I don't make it this year I promise to be extremely sad about it. Heck I'm constantly checking the PAX news for Prime which there was no way I was getting to.)
Maybe this is a dumb question but why not stay near the Logan Airport? I found a hotel with prices as low as $85 a night a it seems to be a hop, skip, and jump away from the BCEC on the silver line.
My guess is that this is a bad option because of the sound of airplanes zooming around you? Also, is it hard to walk/ get a cab late a night due to the bridges.
I really don't know much about Boston so this whole cheap lodging search is a mystery to me.
Staying at the airport will be cheaper but will be a more expensive cab ride back after the T is done. There is also nothing down there but the hotels and the airport (East Boston, ew). So it's a balancing act on what's more important to you.
Also, a good 90% of the people who I know stayed at hotels not from the travel desk had and they spent less.
For people who are going to Boston for PAX east, make sure to know your distance and directions to get to the Boston Convention Center. You can take the cab when it's raining, snowing or very chilly, but please take the subway, then walk there, if there is nice or warm weather, because the walking part takes 20 minutes to do so from South Station. For people who needs to know which subway/train/bus to go to Boston Convention Center, go to MBTA.com, and for the love of society, ask a local Bostonian where to go to, and stay away from the #11 bus, otherwise you just screw yourself.
It's a note that place is so HUUUUGE!!!!, It takes more than an hour to go around that place. The Exhibitions would really be downstairs, which can be entered from the sides, the back and the front entrance, and is really noticeable, that I can see it through my fifteen floor apartment right now.
Also, there are more than 3 floors, because there are more than a hundred rooms around, I actually got lost there, so remember to know the room numbers and what section you are on (yes, each floor will have their own sections, like you're at section B, third floor, trying to get to Section C, third floor. Grab a freaking map.
You need a huge suitcase and... yes I said "and", not "or", a backpack, b/c like I said, that place is so huge you need suitable traveling equipments to know where you are going. But water fountains are always provided everywhere in the convention, even the rooms.
The food will be expensive there, so eat somewhere else first, or bring your own food, unless you're rich or want to eat at Dunkin d:nuts the whole time.
For tourist attraction, I suggest go to Copley or downtown or Prudential Center, or cambridge galleria, basically to shop, but don't do it on the day of the Pax event
Lastly, if you need service, like taking care of bags and stuff that are not "efficient for going to the exhibitions", please bring an extra 5 dollars so you can give it to the Bags and Coats people. You can't seriously think you can carry all those stuff by themselves. If your items are lost ask sercurity, they'll be among us, especially the Enforcers, they volunteer to provide help for you.
Gotta be honest here, the last thing I want to do after a 15 hour train ride is haul my luggage around downtown Boston for a 20 minute walk.
No kidding, with games, computers, stuff for the pub crawl and everything else my duffel (no wheels there) can weigh upwards of 40 lbs. I'll pass on a freaking 20 minute hike and am guessing that most people will too.
EruditeAphrodite on
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Mrtheplague9224 year old Pax'er from PABethlehem PARegistered Userregular
edited September 2010
Buying tickets next week !! Cant wait!! Pax East 2010 was amazing.
Gotta be honest here, the last thing I want to do after a 15 hour train ride is haul my luggage around downtown Boston for a 20 minute walk.
No kidding, with games, computers, stuff for the pub crawl and everything else my duffel (no wheels there) can weigh upwards of 40 lbs. I'll pass on a freaking 20 minute hike and am guessing that most people will too.
40 lbs was my duffle at prime and the weight of my small luggage my last flight ( I didnt have a computer both times.. how you can get a computer and clothes to weight 40 lbs Idk). Its not my ideal walk even without the computer. lol
Take it from me, lugging crap around is a total ass pain. I'm just going to be bringing a carry on to the US this time around, hopefully with room for a small dominion/r4tg deck but definitely nothing else. Traveling light is tricky for BYOCers I'll admit, but otherwise a small bag plus laundry detergent and source books on yr DEVICE makes things even easier than you think it would.
I've been traveling for about 7 months out of the last 17, and have come to the conclusion that luggage is evil. Avoid it as much as you can. With forethought and attention to detail, one can travel quite comfortably for months with way less than 15lb (cabin baggage limit on Australian airlines) of luggage. Without being a stinky freak.
As far as hotels goes, I stayed at the Sheraton last East, considering it an investment in more fun. Which hotel will be the central hotel for the new convention center, if any?
Take it from me, lugging crap around is a total ass pain. I'm just going to be bringing a carry on to the US this time around, hopefully with room for a small dominion/r4tg deck but definitely nothing else. Traveling light is tricky for BYOCers I'll admit, but otherwise a small bag plus laundry detergent and source books on yr DEVICE makes things even easier than you think it would.
I've been traveling for about 7 months out of the last 17, and have come to the conclusion that luggage is evil. Avoid it as much as you can.
As far as hotels goes, I stayed at the Sheraton last East, considering it an investment in more fun. Which hotel will be the central hotel for the new convention center, if any?
Westin waterfront is the hotel attached to the convention center.
I'll be here again this year. Sans my beard though. Look forward to seeing everyone. This time, I will get proper sleep providing my current girlfriend doesn't snap her leg in roller derby like happened last year. Though, this girl isn't involved in roller derby so I suppose that shouldn't be an issue.
Pumped, stoked, excited, and so on are all proper descriptives for how I feel.
Never mind lugging the luggage for 20 minutes to get to the BCEC from the train station, then you have to lug it around once in the BCEC.
I'd be attending as a GM so I'm going to wind up lugging games around, but I have a luggage rack and I can't stress enough that it's worth the money if you're planning on bringing a lot of gear, for it's one thing to get it to the front door, but you usually don't know, until you get into the building and get the maps, which room you're going to be in, and it's usually on the far side of the building from where you entered.
A question worth asking:
I know the Hynes shut down at 2am. Is there an official closing time for the BCEC as well, and if so, what would it be?
So is there any ETA of when they'll have their hotel info up? My hubby and I are so excited to go, but we really want to get a hotel room so we can fully experience PAX in its fullest extent.
What about bringing bikes? I'm going to be driving up from Richmond, Virginia and I was just thinking about bringing my bike to ride around the city. From what I read you can bring your bike on the T during the weekends.
For people driving to Boston (and with the room to haul a bike) I think it's probably alot easier (and faster) than walking to and from the hotel/T to the convention center.
There is nothing more obnoxious than a bike on the T. Except for double-wide strollers. They take up the space of up to 4 people and usually end up blocking doors or walkways. On an empty train this isn't a problem but when it's busy it's really fucking annoying.
Also, we have very few bike lanes but lots of suicidal bike messengers so it can be interesting.
So is there any ETA of when they'll have their hotel info up? My hubby and I are so excited to go, but we really want to get a hotel room so we can fully experience PAX in its fullest extent.
This was posted on www.paxsite.com/east yesterday "our hotel system won't be online for a week."
I'm going, and I'm trying to coerce three of my friends to come along. I'm hoping to get a room in the hotel attached to the center so we don't have to worry about the subway. Plus, my grandparents live near there, so maybe I can park at their house and save money.
I got my room at the Westin with king at 80 dollars a night and then I might look for a roomie or two. I don't think the travel desk will do any better for me.
I've called twice once a few weeks ago and then yesterday to verify I have the room still. <lol
I got my room at the Westin with king at 80 dollars a night and then I might look for a roomie or two. I don't think the travel desk will do any better for me.
I've called twice once a few weeks ago and then yesterday to verify I have the room still. <lol
I got my room at the Westin with king at 80 dollars a night and then I might look for a roomie or two. I don't think the travel desk will do any better for me.
I've called twice once a few weeks ago and then yesterday to verify I have the room still. <lol
Damn, how did you get it for so cheap?
I think they gave me that rate before they got wind of the event coming. I looked yesterday that their booking for pax weekend compared to other weekends and they have already raised the prices.
I kind of took a guess on the pax dates and took a gamble with a cancellation fee.
But I have the growing concern they will somehow drop my reservation when they start getting full.
So is there any ETA of when they'll have their hotel info up? My hubby and I are so excited to go, but we really want to get a hotel room so we can fully experience PAX in its fullest extent.
This was posted on www.paxsite.com/east yesterday "our hotel system won't be online for a week."
I'm going, and currently working on roping a friend along with me. I think he'll enjoy the con, even though he doesn't read PA. I pitched it to him as the new E3 and he seemed to be very interested.
I purchased my badge today and friends are getting theirs soon. We went last year (12-14 hours from Ohio) and LOVED it. We vowed to be regulars. Hoping Travel Desk is up soon so we can discuss our options for lodging. See you all there!
Well, thats it! I'm coming I've bought my badge, booked a hotel room (Found a pretty good rate on a hotel about 20 minutes away.. i didn't want to risk waiting for the booking system!). Only thing left is the flights from London
RazorD on
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Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
I just registered for PAX 2011. I'm staying as close to the BCEC as possible. I've stayed at the Seaport hotel, but it's costly (almost $400 a night right now). The Renaissance is almost half the cost as the Seaport and I'm going there, but I haven't stayed there.
FYI: I'm a Massachusetts native (Lives in Salem, Works in Boston), so feel free to message me if you have any questions about the area
Is anyone else thinking about getting a room near last year's location? I really enjoyed the selection of restaurants and bars that was right across the street from the convention center. The new location doesn't seem to have as much. I love spending all day at PAX as much as the next guy, but I also like to do my best Anthony Bordain while walking local establishments.
Got my badges though. Looking forward to my second PAX.
Posts
Sure will! Their hours of 7am to 3pm aren't very good for me, so if I don't get a chance to call (read: remember) this week, I will this weekend!
This won't work, however, for people staying at the hotel (I don't believe you can leave the car there overnight/24hours).
The T is certainly cheaper than $10 to park the car, but it's a viable option if you want to catch a concert or are up for some late night gaming. The lot is behind the convention center, and you have to walk in open air to get to it.
Yahoo group GCIACST
If you have three people in your car it's actually cheeper to drive.
Also, the Common garage is $11 flat rate on weekends (I can double check on the hours they offer it), plus it's underground.
Connected to the BCEC is the Westin Boston Waterfront. Just across the channel are the InterContinental and Boston Harbor Hotel (which I've heard is bad). A bit further into town is the Hyatt Regency. Anything else is closer to the Common/Boylston St/Kenmore and, depending on the weather in March, probably not walkable.
Remember, even though it is off-season for hotels in March, it's still a hotel in a major city. It won't be cheap unless you're putting 4+ people to a room.
I went to East but did not book my hotel through the travel desk. I was just curious what the terms were since I have already volunteered to be the one to pay for the hotel.
I've done all the research on the hotels in the area and my options/prices, but like most of you guys, I'm waiting to see what the travel desk offers. I can get an pre-pay, non-refundable room for around $1000 direct from Westin, but I have a feeling that will at least go down a little and maybe come with better terms.
Just wondering from past experience if anyone recalled. Thanks!
My guess is that this is a bad option because of the sound of airplanes zooming around you? Also, is it hard to walk/ get a cab late a night due to the bridges.
I really don't know much about Boston so this whole cheap lodging search is a mystery to me.
Also, a good 90% of the people who I know stayed at hotels not from the travel desk had and they spent less.
It's a note that place is so HUUUUGE!!!!, It takes more than an hour to go around that place. The Exhibitions would really be downstairs, which can be entered from the sides, the back and the front entrance, and is really noticeable, that I can see it through my fifteen floor apartment right now.
Also, there are more than 3 floors, because there are more than a hundred rooms around, I actually got lost there, so remember to know the room numbers and what section you are on (yes, each floor will have their own sections, like you're at section B, third floor, trying to get to Section C, third floor. Grab a freaking map.
You need a huge suitcase and... yes I said "and", not "or", a backpack, b/c like I said, that place is so huge you need suitable traveling equipments to know where you are going. But water fountains are always provided everywhere in the convention, even the rooms.
The food will be expensive there, so eat somewhere else first, or bring your own food, unless you're rich or want to eat at Dunkin d:nuts the whole time.
For tourist attraction, I suggest go to Copley or downtown or Prudential Center, or cambridge galleria, basically to shop, but don't do it on the day of the Pax event
Lastly, if you need service, like taking care of bags and stuff that are not "efficient for going to the exhibitions", please bring an extra 5 dollars so you can give it to the Bags and Coats people. You can't seriously think you can carry all those stuff by themselves. If your items are lost ask sercurity, they'll be among us, especially the Enforcers, they volunteer to provide help for you.
No kidding, with games, computers, stuff for the pub crawl and everything else my duffel (no wheels there) can weigh upwards of 40 lbs. I'll pass on a freaking 20 minute hike and am guessing that most people will too.
40 lbs was my duffle at prime and the weight of my small luggage my last flight ( I didnt have a computer both times.. how you can get a computer and clothes to weight 40 lbs Idk). Its not my ideal walk even without the computer. lol
I've been traveling for about 7 months out of the last 17, and have come to the conclusion that luggage is evil. Avoid it as much as you can. With forethought and attention to detail, one can travel quite comfortably for months with way less than 15lb (cabin baggage limit on Australian airlines) of luggage. Without being a stinky freak.
As far as hotels goes, I stayed at the Sheraton last East, considering it an investment in more fun. Which hotel will be the central hotel for the new convention center, if any?
Westin waterfront is the hotel attached to the convention center.
Pumped, stoked, excited, and so on are all proper descriptives for how I feel.
I'd be attending as a GM so I'm going to wind up lugging games around, but I have a luggage rack and I can't stress enough that it's worth the money if you're planning on bringing a lot of gear, for it's one thing to get it to the front door, but you usually don't know, until you get into the building and get the maps, which room you're going to be in, and it's usually on the far side of the building from where you entered.
A question worth asking:
I know the Hynes shut down at 2am. Is there an official closing time for the BCEC as well, and if so, what would it be?
Yahoo group GCIACST
For people driving to Boston (and with the room to haul a bike) I think it's probably alot easier (and faster) than walking to and from the hotel/T to the convention center.
Also, we have very few bike lanes but lots of suicidal bike messengers so it can be interesting.
This was posted on www.paxsite.com/east yesterday "our hotel system won't be online for a week."
Now I just need to get a few things together...
I've called twice once a few weeks ago and then yesterday to verify I have the room still. <lol
Damn, how did you get it for so cheap?
I think they gave me that rate before they got wind of the event coming. I looked yesterday that their booking for pax weekend compared to other weekends and they have already raised the prices.
I kind of took a guess on the pax dates and took a gamble with a cancellation fee.
But I have the growing concern they will somehow drop my reservation when they start getting full.
Ahh, thanks!
Super Excited GET!
Steam: TheArcadeBear
Tickets will sell out eventually, they always do these days.
FYI: I'm a Massachusetts native (Lives in Salem, Works in Boston), so feel free to message me if you have any questions about the area
PAX East 2015: -Pass [X] -Hotel [X] -Time off[X]
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I'm driving from Richmond, VA. So I feel your pain! (plus 2+ hours more of it!)
Got my badges though. Looking forward to my second PAX.