PAX West 2016 Information, FAQ, and Q&A Thread (Ask Questions Here!)

whypick1

Use at your own risk. Some of the expo lines are fairly narrow so you might wind up taking too much space. You should also be ready to move at a moment's notice. The theater Enforcers will periodically compress their lines; they're not doing it to be jerks, but to get a better idea of how full the panel will be.

Hoboking006

whypick1 wrote: »

Use at your own risk. Some of the expo lines are fairly narrow so you might wind up taking too much space. You should also be ready to move at a moment's notice. The theater Enforcers will periodically compress their lines; they're not doing it to be jerks, but to get a better idea of how full the panel will be.

Thank you, the tripods are about a foot and a half long and can fit in a bag, so space/mobility shouldn't be a problem.

zerzhul

A general thing that I have noticed (and just makes sense due to the nature of panels and lines) is that the closer to the beginning of a thing, the less likely you will be able to use a stool. The lines are compressed more often and more aggressively as the event draws nearer, for the reason(s) whypick1 mentioned. If you are waiting way before the start of something and the line is pretty sparse, space will be (temporarily) less of an issue.

Sterica

It's also important to remember that stools are something you have to carry around, and while they may seem light now, you may resent them when your pack is full of various other things and you've been walking around the convention hall for miles.

oldskoolboarder

For you N fans. Bummer, I don't arrive till Fri PM.

http://gonintendo.com/stories/263685-noa-pr-nintendo-brings-games-and-fun-to-pax-west-in-seattle

pogoplay

oldskoolboarder wrote: »

For you N fans. Bummer, I don't arrive till Fri PM.

http://gonintendo.com/stories/263685-noa-pr-nintendo-brings-games-and-fun-to-pax-west-in-seattle

Worth mentioning that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won't be there.

Hoboking006

Bobkins Flymo wrote: »

It's also important to remember that stools are something you have to carry around, and while they may seem light now, you may resent them when your pack is full of various other things and you've been walking around the convention hall for miles.

Oh, I've already used it at SDCC, weights definitely not a problem.

the y3k bug

I have heard something about poster tubes being a desired thing at previous PAX Cons. Is this true? If so what size would one recommend?

YoungFrey

the y3k bug wrote: »

I have heard something about poster tubes being a desired thing at previous PAX Cons. Is this true? If so what size would one recommend?

If you have any plans to buy a poster, bring a tube. Full stop. I consider it negligent that the places that sell posters don't have tubes to buy for them. Basically any poster bought that doesn't go into a tube will get beat up to some degree, and I've seen many just be wrecked. I'd say 18" will probably cover most any poster (assuming the tube isn't too narrow). A quick survey of Fangamer didn't turn up any that wouldn't fit in an 18". You might have trouble trying to buy one around downtown if you don't pack one in.

Scunosi

the y3k bug wrote: »

I have heard something about poster tubes being a desired thing at previous PAX Cons. Is this true? If so what size would one recommend?

I will say I wished I'd had one my first year (either '10 or '11, can never remember which) as it seemed almost every booth was handing out posters. As the years have gone on I've acquired less and less posters every time, so I feel if you don't plan on actually buying posters (just taking whatever's free) you probably don't absolutely need one.

I do have a rather nice poster tube though with a strap, I may bring it anyway just to collectively protect everyone's posters in the hotel for my group. The best poster tubes come from art stores in my experience, the ones you find elsewhere are typically just for mailing so they're more annoying to carry without a strap.

Sterica

One thing I was curious about: has West adopted check-in security measures similar to East? I know East is unique given what happened in Boston, but I was wondering if that was adopted by every PAX or just something Boston is doing.

aleph0

Bobkins Flymo wrote: »

One thing I was curious about: has West adopted check-in security measures similar to East? I know East is unique given what happened in Boston, but I was wondering if that was adopted by every PAX or just something Boston is doing.

South this year had bag checks, but it's business as usual at West. West is probably too disperse for them to adopt bag checks and not be an extreme inconvenience.

Pavio

It would be inconvenient but they could do it if they need to. And it's not so bad at East. But, I don't think they are this year at least because there wasn't a mention of it in the letter that came with the tickets iirc.

IncreaseBlue

Anyone ever have any luck going to a panel in one room, then filing out and netting a seat for another panel in the same room right after?

Just realized that the Gwent and Mafia panels are scheduled this way and I'd really like to hit up both but I'm not sure if I remotely have a chance on the second one.

zerzhul

IncreaseBlue wrote: »

Anyone ever have any luck going to a panel in one room, then filing out and netting a seat for another panel in the same room right after?

Just realized that the Gwent and Mafia panels are scheduled this way and I'd really like to hit up both but I'm not sure if I remotely have a chance on the second one.

It's doable, but the difficulty increases with the popularity of the second panel. I wouldn't bank on it being successful, but it can't hurt to go back out and see if there's still room in the line for the next one.

IncreaseBlue

zerzhul wrote: »

It's doable, but the difficulty increases with the popularity of the second panel. I wouldn't bank on it being successful, but it can't hurt to go back out and see if there's still room in the line for the next one.

Thanks! I figured it doesn't hurt to try since it's literally a matter of 5 ft. Guess we'll see how hyped folks are about Mafia then!

krae_man

I've done that before, it's entirely doable sometimes. Other panels, you gotta start lining up the second the panel before it starts filling in.

rkenshin

Will there be bag checks at this PAX since East and South are doing it?

whypick1

Bobkins Flymo wrote: »

One thing I was curious about: has West adopted check-in security measures similar to East? I know East is unique given what happened in Boston, but I was wondering if that was adopted by every PAX or just something Boston is doing.

Pavio wrote: »

It would be inconvenient but they could do it if they need to. And it's not so bad at East. But, I don't think they are this year at least because there wasn't a mention of it in the letter that came with the tickets iirc.

Sideburns77

I am from Vancouver and want to drive up to Seattle for PAX, not really sure how it works. I figured everything would take place at one venue, but there are two specific panels I really want to see, at two different locations - one at the Grand Hyatt and one at the Westin... Wha? Is it expected, or normal for people to be driving around to different hotels for panels they want to see? My bad if this question is a dumb one - never been to one of these types of conventions.

nixter

Sideburns77 wrote: »

I am from Vancouver and want to drive up to Seattle for PAX, not really sure how it works. I figured everything would take place at one venue, but there are two specific panels I really want to see, at two different locations - one at the Grand Hyatt and one at the Westin... Wha? Is it expected, or normal for people to be driving around to different hotels for panels they want to see? My bad if this question is a dumb one - again, never been to one of these types of conventions.

Don't drive from hotel to hotel. It's all within walking distance. I usally either park at a Park-and-Ride and take a bus in, or I park at Pacific Place. You can park at WSCC too, it's just more expensive.

Sideburns77

nixter wrote: »

Sideburns77 wrote: »

I am from Vancouver and want to drive up to Seattle for PAX, not really sure how it works. I figured everything would take place at one venue, but there are two specific panels I really want to see, at two different locations - one at the Grand Hyatt and one at the Westin... Wha? Is it expected, or normal for people to be driving around to different hotels for panels they want to see? My bad if this question is a dumb one - again, never been to one of these types of conventions.

Don't drive from hotel to hotel. It's all within walking distance. I usally either park at a Park-and-Ride and take a bus in, or I park at Pacific Place. You can park at WSCC too, it's just more expensive.

Good to know they are all within walking distance. Many thanks, much appreciated!!

whypick1

This shows all the theater locations (although you should enter the Sheraton from Pike instead of Union).

Even if they were more spread out, I would not recommend driving in downtown Seattle at all if it can be avoided.

Bluemeane

Is the medical badge queue going to be in the sky ridge lobby again? This was the best place it has been and I'm hopping it is there again.

Also, is will call/medical badge pickup in the same place again? Sheraton hotel right? Or was it the Hyatt? Lol

whypick1

1. Yes
2. Medical badges are with registration, which has moved back to the ticket windows on WSCC 1.

ImJaycee

I'm going to be picking up my badges on Thursday. Is there anything in particular that I need to bring other than ID? Are there extremely long lines when picking them up?

whypick1

Photo ID and confirmation page (with barcode) of your purchase.

Photo ID must match person on the receipt

Dreamwriter

I picked mine up on Thursday last year, no long lines at all.

Bluemeane

Dreamwriter wrote: »

I picked mine up on Thursday last year, no long lines at all.

Seems as though it is in a different place this year?

Can someone tell me where the 'Ticket windows' are at the WSCC? Please don't say it is in the tunnel thing that goes under it is it? As that is always a huge mass of people when I drove through that on Thursdays lol.

Bluemeane

Double post.

whypick1

Bluemeane wrote: »

Dreamwriter wrote: »

I picked mine up on Thursday last year, no long lines at all.

Seems as though it is in a different place this year?

Can someone tell me where the 'Ticket windows' are at the WSCC? Please don't say it is in the tunnel thing that goes under it is it? As that is always a huge mass of people when I drove through that on Thursdays lol.

That would be the place.

Pavio

whypick1 wrote: »

Photo ID and confirmation page (with barcode) of your purchase.

Photo ID must match person on the receipt

None of my confirmation pages have a barcode--should there be one? I have a couple e-mails confirming, and the charge to my card.

whypick1

That might be a change from previous years then. As long as there's an order number and billing address present you should be fine. They just need enough info to look up your purchase.

havok978

whypick1 wrote: »

That might be a change from previous years then. As long as there's an order number and billing address present you should be fine. They just need enough info to look up your purchase.

I think they mean that QR code box, but yeah I would think as long as you have an order number or something it should be fine.

acyama

Hello - prepping for our first PAX experience! The first event we hope to attend is at the Main stage Saturday morning. Do we need to go to the convention hall first or go straight to Benaroya to stand in line? Thx

The Aviatrix

acyama wrote: »

Hello - prepping for our first PAX experience! The first event we hope to attend is at the Main stage Saturday morning. Do we need to go to the convention hall first or go straight to Benaroya to stand in line? Thx

Should be able to go straight to Benaroya

MrBroadstone

Go to Benaroya unless you have to pick up your passes from will call or something. The line for main theater is at main theater.

bacon_avenger

whypick1 wrote: »

Bluemeane wrote: »

Dreamwriter wrote: »

I picked mine up on Thursday last year, no long lines at all.

Seems as though it is in a different place this year?

Can someone tell me where the 'Ticket windows' are at the WSCC? Please don't say it is in the tunnel thing that goes under it is it? As that is always a huge mass of people when I drove through that on Thursdays lol.

That would be the place.

EDIT: Ok, checked with #PAX and found out where it is (road named Convention Place). For some reason, I was thinking the road went into the parking garage or a ramp to I5

Facepalm

wolfemancs

New email from PAX seems to create an interesting situation.
1) PAX Arena has moved to the Expo Hall
2) For the Watch happens in the PAX Arena on Friday at 6:30 PM
3) Expo hall closes daily at 6:00 PM (Not in the email, but stated many other places)

Anyone know how this is going to work? Or just figure it out when we get there?

CKing

So, due to some crappy happenings, the boy and I will not be getting in until tomorrow morning now. Earliest we can reasonably be there is 12:30pm (more than likely it'll be later). Would I still be able to get medical badges (I have my form and such), or is that too late? If I can, where do I get them?