Getting the Full PAX Experience If You Are Already in Western WA

steve-o99

hehe, I'm pretty sure this is the first OP I've ever done on PA, so i'm like, nervous...

Anyway, this summer will be my first PAX (Almost went last year know some friends who did) and I live in the 'burbs about 20 minutes from Seattle. Unfortunately I won't be starting at UW until a month later, so I'm stuck commuting to PAX from what I can tell. I've been lurking this section of these forums a lot, reading the FAQ etc., but almost all of the posting here has to do with traveling to PAX, partying in hotels during PAX, and all the massive groups of travelers coming to PAX from around the world. So I've started to get almost worried about PAX from the point of view of the Seattleite. We're not gonna be in the hotels or travel groups, so how do we get in on the party?

Anyway, I'm asking for some insight from some of the PAX veterans. I know it seems like we have it easier, being that we don't have to fork over the dough to fly in, but remember, when you leave the WSTCS to party all night in the surrounding area, some of us might be stuck just going... well, home for the night.

BigRed

WSCTC*
(Washington state convention and trade center)

The best advice I can give is to just make friends at pax (lines, pax activities, and events) and you will probably fall into some kind of room party or something that is going on.

Thats not really the "Full PAX expereince" thats just hanging out all of pax, doing as much as you possibly can, then going to pass out for a few hours to get back up and stand in line for pax opening to start it all over again :P

whypick1

Not to be a square or anything, but your post hints that you are 18 or 19. Do not expect to get into any after parties that are 21+. Sorry, but none of you youngins are worth the wrath of Johnny Blue. Besides you'll have plenty of time to rack up your fair shares of MIPs while you're in college (P.S. if you see Greek letters anywhere on the building, get the hell out).

dyaballikl

being from issaquah and attending my fifth year, my best recommendation would be to make sure you get to the dinner and movie before pax. like whypick1 said, though, if you're not 21, it really sucks for the afterparty, but on the bright side, you won't even get 8 hours sleep if all you do is attend pax.

Dionysos911

I was kinda wondering the same thing as the OP. This will be my first PAX and I live in Seattle. I do have the benefit of being 21+ as well as the time off work to fully partake. Hopefully I come across some fun adventures.

Moe Fwacky

Well, just because you live in seattle, there's no reason you can't get in on the travel groups. That and the Pre-PAX dinner are good ways to meet people. But, if it's partying you're looking for, you either need a designated driver, get a ride to/from at ungodly hours of the wee morning, live on a bus line that runs uber late or be willing to fork up the dough for a taxi. If you get lucky enough, you might end up partying all night and can just head right for the PAX line the next morning, but that's never guaranteed.

JCRooks

Go with friends? Last year was my first PAX. And yes, I'm local (well eastside). I went with a bunch of friends from work. Additionally, I kept running into other folks I knew from work and the area at PAX, it was pretty cool. We went out and ate, drank, etc. later. If anything I would like to meet/greet with more PAXers from around the world.