2015 Magical Mystery Tour (Wed&Thurs prePAX adventuring) SCHEDULE?

punzie

2015 Magical Mystery Tour of Seattle!
Twitter: @PAX_MMT

Who: You! And me. And other PAX peeps. AKA your future friends.
What: Visit interesting places in and around Seattle.
Where: Schedule posted below.
When: The two days before PAX: Wed 8/26 and Thurs 8/27. Traditionally runs from 9am to 5pm but you don't have to do the whole thing. (Follow the twitter feed for live updates of where we are.)
Why: See something of Seattle other than the convention center and your hotel. And do it with cool people!
How: Seattle's public transit.

Schedule
Wednesday:
09:00a meetup at Pike Place Market (under the giant sign at the end of pike st)
09:30a Market Walking Tour $0
10:30a travel time
11:00a lunch @ Uwajimaya
11:30a travel time
12:00p CenturyLink Field $12
02:00p Wing Luke Art Museum
04:00p travel time
04:30p Pie Bar

Thursday:
09:00a meetup and Pike Place Market (under the giant sign at the end of pike st)
09:30a travel time (#5 bus)
10:00a Woodland Park Zoo $20
12:00p travel time (#5 bus)
12:30p lunch at Westlake Center
01:30p monorail! $2.25
01:45p Seattle Center- choose your own adventure and price

Voting
Is done for this year. Thanks for opinionating at me.

Potential stops:
Here is the current list of places we may visit. Read them over, visit the websites, form an opinion, discuss their merits in this thread. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST NEW DESTINATIONS!
Items in bold are places we went last year 2years ago.
-Add-a-Ball

What: Vintage arcade. From the website: "We have the largest collection of vintage coin operated arcade machines in the city, along with a stunning line up of pinball machines."
Price: free to enter, pay to drink/play
Hours: 4pm - 1am
Website: http://add-a-ball.com/
Additional Notes: 21+

-Alki Beach

What: A long beach strip that runs from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. There are picnic tables, a bathhouse housing an art studio, and a restroom at the south (Alki Point) end of the beach, and there you'll find the monument to the arrival of the first white settlers on November 13, 1851.
Price: Free!
Hours: 4am - 11:30pm
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445

-Archie McPhee's

What: A toy shop for the weird and unusual.
Price: Free to enter
Hours: 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com/

-Ballard Locks

What: Locks between Puget Sound and the freshwater canals. Do you like boats? Or watching fish climb ladders?
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/TOUR/locks.htm

-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

What: Learn about some innovative philanthropy.
Price: free!
Hours: 10am - 6pm
Website: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Visitor-Center

-Boehms Candies

What: 45 minute tour of a chocolate factory sampling opportunities.
Price: $5
Hours: 10:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm
Website: http://www.boehmscandies.com
Additional Notes: Tours by reservation only. People with disabilities may have trouble (stairs, gravel walkways, etc), but they will do factory-only tours for those with mobility concerns.

-Boeing factory tour

What: A tour of an airplane factory. See how planes are built.
Price: $18 ($20 at the door)
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, tours on the hour (last one at 3pm)
Additional Notes: 25 miles north of Seattle. No one under 4ft tall. Handicapped people require advance notice so they can make proper accommodations.
Website: http://www.futureofflight.org/

-Bullitt Center

What: 1 hour tour of the greenest commercial building in the world.
Price: $5 (+$1.17 service fee)
Hours: private tours by appointment
Website: http://bullittcenter.org/

-Chocolate Indulgence Tour

What: 2 hour guided walking tour of several local chocolatiers with tastings.
Price: $50 (+$0.99 ticketing fee)
Hours: 11am and 11:30am
Website: http://www.savorseattletours.com/tours/chocolate/
Additional Notes: Pricey and walking-intense. Max of 16 people per tour.

-Duck Tour

What: Tour Seattle by land and water on a WWII amphibious landing craft! (90 minute tour)
Price: $29 plus tax
Hours: 9:20am - 7pm from Seattle Center, 9:30am - 6pm from Westlake Center
Additional Notes: Boats are NOT wheelchair accessible: must be able to walk up 8 steps (with handrails on both sides) onto boat.
Now Strip Search approved.
Website: http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/

-EMP/Sci-Fi Museum

What: Museum for music, pop culture, and science fiction. Current exhibits include Star Wars and the Power of Costume, What's Up, Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones, and Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction.
Price: $25 ($22 online)
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://www.empmuseum.org
Additional Notes: The Star Wars exhibit costs $8 extra.

-Fremont

What: The most artsy part of Seattle. Visit the Fremont Troll, Statue of Lenin, the Rocket, universal signpost or just do some shopping.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.fremont.com/

-Full Tilt Ice Cream

What: An ice cream parlor with pinball machines.
Price: Free to enter, pay to eat/play.
Hours: 12pm - 11pm
Website: http://fulltilticecream.com

-Gas Works Park

What: public park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, located on the north shore of Lake Union.
Price: Free!
Hours: 6am - 10pm
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=293

-Greenlake

What: Park with tennis court, basketball court, bike/jogging paths, and a view of the lake.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307

-Ice Cream Cruise

What: 45 minute narrated tour of Lake Union.
Price: ~$30
Hours: call to schedule
Website: http://www.seattleferryservice.com/
Additional Notes: They changed this to be on Sundays, so we'd have to charter a special tour, hence the price. Ice cream, coffee, and soft drinks are $2-$4 each.

-Japanese Garden

What: 3 1/2 acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida. Tours available.
Price: $6.00
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://www.theseattlejapanesegarden.com/
Additional Notes: Group tours available with advance notice and guide reservation fee.

-Lakeview Cemetery

What: The resting place of Bruce and Brandon Lee.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime (?)
Website: http://www.lakeviewcemeteryassociation.com/

-Monorail

What: The nation's first full-scale commercial monorail system, it runs between downtown Seattle and Seattle Center.
Price: $2.25
Hours: 7:30am - 11pm
Website: http://www.seattlemonorail.com/

-Mount Rainier

What: Visit the scenic outdoors. Would take a whole day, but the views and nature are amazing.
Price: $15 per vehicle or $200 flat rate for the group if we rent a bus
Hours: Anytime. Museums and visitor centers have varying hours.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Additional Notes: 1.75 hour drive from downtown Seattle. Not accessible with public transit.

-Museum of Flight

What: One of the largest air and space museums in the world.
Price: $20
Hours: 10am -5 pm
Website: http://www.museumofflight.org/

-Museum of History and Industry

What: Largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington. MOHAI collects, preserves, and presents the rich history of the Pacific Northwest.
Price: $17
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.seattlehistory.org/

-Old Ballard Liquor Co

What: Tastings at a distillery owned by a fellow PAX forumer.
Price: free!
Hours: 4pm - 8pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OldBallardLiquorCo

-Olympic Sculpture Park

What: Outdoor sculpture Park on the Waterfront.
Price: Free!
Hours: sunrise - sunset
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park

-Pacific Science Center

What: Science! Geared a bit to the younger crowd.
Price: $19.75 IMAX and planetarium cost more.
Hours: 10am - 6pm
Website: http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/.

-Pier 57 Ferris Wheel

What: Big Ferris wheel on the edge of Puget Sound.
Price: $13 plus tax
Hours: 10am-11pm
Website: http://seattlegreatwheel.com/

-Pike Place Market

What: A Market. Wander around, do some shopping, watch the fish throwers, marvel at the gum wall. This is always our meetup place, so you're practically guaranteed time to walk around.
Price: Free to visit.
Hours: 6am - 1:30am
Website: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=true

-Pioneer Square/Historical District

What: Seattle's original downtown.
Price: Free to wander.
Hours: anytime, but not suggested after dark
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/tour/pioneer.htm

-Public Library

What: A library. With some cool architecture.
Price: Free!
Hours: 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.spl.org/

-Qwest Field (now CenturyLink Field)

What: 90 minute tour of this football and soccer stadium.
Price: $12
Hours: 10:30, 12:30pm & 2:30pm
Website: http://www.centurylinkfield.com/tour-centurylink-field/
Additional Notes: Arrive ~30 minutes early. Groups need advance warning. Tour can be wheelchair accessible.

-Safeco Field

What: 1 hour tour of Mariners home stadium.
Price: $10
Hours: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30
Website: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ballpark/safeco_field_tours.jsp
Additional Notes: Group tours/rates (20+ people) available with advance notice.

-Seattle Aquarium

What: An aquarium. Otters, octopi, fish, anemone, etc.
Price: $22.95
Hours: 9:30am - 5pm
Website: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/
Additional Notes: Group rates (20+ people) available if purchased in advance.

-Seattle Art Museum (downtown location)

What: Culture! Look at the art!
Price: $19.50
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
Additional Notes: Group rate (10+ people) with advance purchase.

-Seattle Asian Art Museum

What: Culture! Look at the art, Asian-style!
Price: $9
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/asian-art-museum
Additional Notes: Group rate (10+ people) with advance purchase.

-Seattle Center

What: In addition to the big things already on this list (EMP, Pacific Science Center, Monorail, Space Needle), there are a number of smaller museums, gardens, and shops. (Like the Chihuly Garden and Glass.)
Price: Free to wander, some spots (like the museums) have their own admission prices.
Hours: Outside is always open. Shops and museums will have their own individual hours.
Website: http://www.seattlecenter.com/

-Seattle Harbor Tour (Argosy Cruises)

What: 1 hour narrated tour of the harbor.
Price: $23
Hours: 11am - 6:30pm, departing every 75min
Website: http://www.argosycruises.com/publiccruises/harbor.cfm

-Shorty's Pinball Bar

What: Full service bar with pinball and arcade machines.
Price: Free to enter, pay to eat/drink/play.
Hours: 12pm - 2am
Website: http://www.shortydog.com/
Additional Notes: 21+

-Smith Tower Closed This Year

What: Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, you can now visit the observation deck for 360 degree views. And you get to ride an old-fashioned manually operated elevator. (Less famous than the Space Needle, but also significantly cheaper.)
Price: $7.50
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://smithtower.com/observe/observation-deck-info-calendar/

-Space Needle

What: Icon of Seattle. Go up and look down on all the little people-ants.
Price: $24
Hours: 8am – 12am
Website: http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Additional Notes: Group rates (15+ people) available.

-Theo Chocolate

What: 1 hour tour of a chocolate factory with samples.
Price: $10
Hours: 10:30am - 4:30pm, departing every 30 minutes (except 1:30)
Website: http://www.theochocolate.com/
Additional Notes: Max group size for private tour is 25. No one can wear any perfume or cologne, must wear closed-toe shoes. Not recommended for children under 7.

-Underground Tour

What: 90 minute tour of Seattle's old city streets, now under the current ones.
Price: $19
Hours: 9am - 7pm
Website: http://www.undergroundtour.com/
Additional Notes: There is also the debauchery-filled adult version of the tour at 8 or 9pm. 21+, $25, 1 cocktail include with admission.

-University of Washington

What: A college. Tour the campus, or take in one of the museums and exhibits. Arts UW, Burke Museum, Henry Art Gallery, The Jacob Lawrence Gallery, Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, UW Botanic Gardens, UW Libraries Exhibits, Gallager Law Library, UW Fish Collection
Price: Free to wander, but some exhibits may have a fee.
Hours: Varies depending on what you want to see.
Website: http://www.washington.edu/discover/visit

-Walking Tours

What: walking tours of various Seattle areas.
Price: free! (pay what you want)
Hours: Pike Market 9:30am & 2pm, Seattle101 11am
Website: http://seattlefreewalkingtours.org/

-Wing Luke Asian Art Museum

What: Nation’s only museum devoted to the Asian Pacific American experience
Price: $14.95
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Website: http://www.wingluke.org/home.htm
Additional Notes: Includes all-day pass to gallery exhibitions & guided tour of the 1910 Historic Hotel and Yick Fung Company.

-Woodland Park Zoo

What: A zoo. Makes faces at the animals.
Price: $19.95
Hours: 9:30am - 6pm
Website: http://www.zoo.org/

Nfan10039

Interesting. May join up depending on what time my flight gets in.

Solelron

If you have never done the MMT, its a great way to socialize and interact with a group of the PAX attendees before the show, plus see some of the neat sites of Seattle.

angelicstubborness

What exactly does it do? Do we need to bring extra money for this?

LerlertHerb

angelicstubborness wrote: »

What exactly does it do? Do we need to bring extra money for this?

It's basically the touristy stuff that you might want to do in Seattle, but now with new friends! You'll want to bring money for things like travel(usually public transit) to and from different locations, as well as any entrance fees that might be required and any food or beverages you might want along the way. Here is the thread for last year which should give you an idea of what the schedule can be like. forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/192069/2014-magical-mystery-tour-of-seattle-wed-thurs-prepax-adventures

Desert Leviathan

Definitely going to try to check this out on Thursday. Maybe Wednesday too, if I'm not too worn out from travel to go hunting for it in progress.

Solelron

The Hanged Man wrote: »

Definitely going to try to check this out on Thursday. Maybe Wednesday too, if I'm not too worn out from travel to go hunting for it in progress.

There is a twitter feed to follow so you can find their location easy enough, plus there will be a rough schedule as it gets closer. Punzie may not live there, but I think she knows the downtown area as well as any of the locals!

Decius

As a repeat offender on the MMT, I strongly recommend doing it if you're in Seattle for the two extra days. Lots of great things to see, and many friends to be made.

ClannMorgan

Looking forward to doing the MMT on Thursday.

Malgaras

I'm back by unpopular demand. See you all in ~48 days.

angelicstubborness wrote: »

What exactly does it do? Do we need to bring extra money for this?

What does it do? What DOESN'T it do?!

The MMT is an opportunity to partake in a variety of amazing activities before PAX such as:

• Meeting crazy cool people.
• Going the wrong direction
• Visiting various touristy type places (museums, various tours, landmarks, etc.)
• Following a flag around like a lemming
• Eating delicious food
• Arriving just as the bus leaves
• Visiting less touristy but still cool places
• And MUCH MUCH MORE!

As for money, as was mentioned before, you will want extra money for food, transportation, admission to things etc, but also keep an eye on the thread as there are occasionally certain stops that need to be (or are at least preferably) paid in advance if you want to attend.

tofulynn

Yay, I am in for the MMT. I am unsure about which day I am able to attend though.

zeale

Woohoo, my first MMT in Seattle! I had a blast with you guys in San Antonio and Boston. I'll be getting in late morning so once I check into my hotel and stuff, I might see you guys Wednesday afternoon. Absolutely will be there Thursday!

Beigh

Can't wait for more details! The wife and I arrive in Seattle on Tuesday, so we'll be looking to do touristy things until the con starts.

Doombrinqer

1st Pax, 1st time in Seattle and should hopefully be able to make it out on the Thursday (though I may miss the beginning depending upon flights). Sounds like a good time.

punzie

I got into the old thread and copy/pasted the first post. Now you can all more easily peruse the destinations. Note that admission prices may be incorrect at this time because those are last year's prices and I haven't checked the sites to verify them yet.

ClannMorgan

Boehms, Boeing, and museum of flight have my vote for Thursday...wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

YoungFrey

It should be noted the current exhibitions at the EMP & Museum of History & Industry are out of date.
MH&I looks like it will have no special exhibit at the time.
EMP has: Star Wars & The Power of Costume (costs $8 extra, so $33 ). You can book group tickets (GroupSales@EMPmuseum.org ).

Solelron

done the emp several times, but this exhibit will be worth a repeat.

Also, for those who have done MMT before, I'm thinking of doing the repeat Voodoo Portland delivery.

forbiddenvoid

I would very much like to do the EMP on Thursday. The Star Wars costume exhibit looks outstanding.

Edit: My wife agrees.

ClannMorgan

Boehms Boeing, and museum of flight and EMP: Star Wars & The Power of Costume have my vote for Thursday...wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Beigh

This tour hitting Star Wars & The Power of Costume is like peanut butter and chocolate. MAKE IT SO.

Nullthread

Is it cool to come by for a few events? I live here, but haven't really done the touristy stuff, so would be cool to do it with like-minded people!

I also want to follow a flag like a little lemming.

I would also like to pitch biking on the Burke-Gilman Trail (rent Pronto bikes for those out of town), renting a boat at the Center for Wooden Boats, going to the Disguise exhibit at the SAM, hiking at Discovery Park, taking the ferry to Bainbridge.

zerzhul

yes, it's always cool to drift in and out

monkosh

I am planning to attend the tour after lunch on Wednesday and Thursday.
I will vote against EMP simply because I plan to go to it on my off-PAX day (Saturday) with sister and aunt but do not change it for me.

Solelron

Giving this the bump it deserves plus adding on:
I am once again offering my services to deliver VooDoo donuts the hungry people prior to PAX.

Voodoo, for those unaware, is 'famous' for making some scarily creative donuts that people RAVE over. However they only exist in Portland (and Denver now I think..)

If anyone is interested in this, PM me directly with your order. Donut prices between 4-10 apiece depending on which one you want, and I do have limited space.

I should be adding rough pricing soon (haven't had time to call them this year).

This year however, instead of trying to haul these things down to pikes, I will try and make early morning arrangements to have people pick them up at/near my hotel (Camlin, near paramount, westin, and olive 8)
Ideally I will be doing these at cost, but if you want to donate to the gas offset fun I won't be offended LOL (I also barter in Pinny arcade *grins*)

The Donuts will Come up Tuesday evening and be available anytime between then and Thursday night. After that anything else is subject to subjugation or disappearing (that's why I don't accept pre-payment: reimbursement works better)

Thanks all.

Donut orders closed. My Car is getting cozy I will be sending messages to try and setup delivery times

jamsyarbots

Did I miss a post somewhere about voting? Did that happen already?

zerzhul

It did not.

punzie

I hope to have voting up for this weekend.

punzie

I did a thing. That thing is get the voting up. For weather and transit issues at East, I changed up the voting a bit. I liked that it made us do some new things we hadn't ever done on the tour before, so I'm doing it again now: Instead of listing everything on the voting form, I've made a couple groups of things. You're now voting on an area you want to visit. We'll hit a couple spots in the top 2 areas, based on what I find the easiest to coordinate there. (And tbh, personal preference will play a part.) And if there's something you SUPER want to see, there is a write in spot.
Click this ugly link to vote: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R-k3N4yfUGVYFZln4USQfp7twlVvvdq1KFUkzvQJyO0/viewform?usp=send_form

punzie

Also, I decided the walking tour of the market would be cool to do, so that's the first thing we're doing on Wednesday. It is free, but you still have to sign up (because it caps at 20 people). If you'll be there at 9:30 on Wednesday, go reserve your ticket: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-market-experience-930am-tickets-17393647869?ref=ebtn

punzie

So far, most people are interested in the international district stuff. Voting closes tomorrow night and then I'll try to put together a schedule ASAP.

ClannMorgan

Before I vote for Thursday I just have a question...is the EMP Museum a possible stop in any of the choices?

Solelron

EMP is at seattle center. I think she's bucketing that into the afternoon.

monkosh

I think EMP Museum is part of Seattle Center. So the plan is that to visit it on Thursday.

punzie

Yep Thursday afternoon we'll go to Seattle center and you can visit the emp, space needle, pacific science center, chilly garden, or whatever else tickles your fancy in that area. So you're just voting on a morning activity.

Solelron

punzie wrote: »

Yep Thursday afternoon we'll go to Seattle center and you can visit the emp, space needle, pacific science center, chilly garden, or whatever else tickles your fancy in that area. So you're just voting on a morning activity.

its almost like we know you Punzie!

ClannMorgan

thanks, ballot submitted.

forbiddenvoid

Does anyone know if you can still get the Star Wars add-on from the EMP museum if you buy tickets through CityPass? Or should I call the museum to find that out?

Solelron

forbiddenvoid wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can still get the Star Wars add-on from the EMP museum if you buy tickets through CityPass? Or should I call the museum to find that out?

Per their website, you pay an additional 8.00 at the museum if you use a citypass

forbiddenvoid

Solelron wrote: »

forbiddenvoid wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can still get the Star Wars add-on from the EMP museum if you buy tickets through CityPass? Or should I call the museum to find that out?

Per their website, you pay an additional 8.00 at the museum if you use a citypass

Ah, okay, I found it now. I looked for about 10 minutes, but couldn't find any info earlier. Thanks!

Solelron

Solelron wrote: »

Giving this the bump it deserves plus adding on:
I am once again offering my services to deliver VooDoo donuts the hungry people prior to PAX.

Voodoo, for those unaware, is 'famous' for making some scarily creative donuts that people RAVE over. However they only exist in Portland (and Denver now I think..)

If anyone is interested in this, PM me directly with your order. Donut prices between 4-10 apiece depending on which one you want, and I do have limited space.

I should be adding rough pricing soon (haven't had time to call them this year).

This year however, instead of trying to haul these things down to pikes, I will try and make early morning arrangements to have people pick them up at/near my hotel (Camlin, near paramount, westin, and olive 8)
Ideally I will be doing these at cost, but if you want to donate to the gas offset fun I won't be offended LOL (I also barter in Pinny arcade *grins*)

The Donuts will Come up Tuesday evening and be available anytime between then and Thursday night. After that anything else is subject to subjugation or disappearing (that's why I don't accept pre-payment: reimbursement works better)

Thanks all.

Heads up to those going I'll be closing this list late next week (still haven't been able to get pricing, but if they haven't changed much they are between 4 and 10 (10 is for things like the big combos and CNB)

-Jason