Myself and 3 of my friends will be commuting to PAX everyday from Puyallup. We are trying to figure out the best way to do this every day since we won’t be staying downtown and have never been to PAX before. The way I see it is we have two options, take the Sounder Commuter train into the city or drive in and park in the parking garage at the convention center. What has everyone’s experience been with either of these options. I am not sure if the Sounder is operating all days of the convention and what hours it will operate. It would be nice to be able to stay as late as possible. That also brings up the question of how late the parking garage is open at the convention center. If we do park in the convention center about how early should we get there, will the traffic on I-5 be crazy and is there a chance of not having any space in the parking garage? I think you can buy parking passes for the garage in advance. I think this is everything, any advice would be great, thanks.
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You can park in the convention center parking lot, it closes at midnight, so if you want to stay later than that you'll just need to move your car before then, and there's usually plenty of street parking around downtown by then. Another parking option is the Benaroya Hall garage (my favorite!), but I doubt the convention center lot will be full if you get there early. I guess you could get an advance parking pass, but it has to be 30 days in advance and it's not worth it. Just get a ticket when you get to the garage, and you pay it on the way out.
Hope that helps, good luck!
Why is the Benaroya Hall garage better? It seems to be cheaper? Do you still have to be out of it around midnight? Do you get off at the same convention center exit to get to this other parking garage? Sorry too many questions.
So are you saying that you lift it by hand or something?
Oh right duh, as I slap my forehead.
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Getting into the parking garage is the tricky part. Parking fills up fast, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Nothing like driving around at two miles an hour looking for a space in a five block radius when a panel or event you want to go to is starting.
Gotta get there early. This will be really tricky this year as I'll have a house full of guests that are attending too.
Will be using the convention garage this year. Previous years I would park in a garage 3-4 blocks away, but their prices are the same as the convention center now.
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You're more likely to forego the late nights if you go early, so don't worry about the last train. At about 5 PM, ask yourself if you want to stay longer. If so, go get your car - this is typically a lull anyway. BUT, if you decide "screw it I'm too tired" at least you didn't waste the gas/time/money parking at the convention center.
Took it last year for the first time, heck I made friends on the train before we even got to PAX! Ended up hanging out together all weekend. Loads of fun.
+1
Though I should mention that the last train leaves Westlake Center at 12:50am, so it's not like you can't do late night stuff and still save time/money with this option.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion