So it was a bit over 2 hours......
Sellout time seems to have been 2:11pm.
*** Edited 2:11pm ETDOWNTOWN HOTELS WITH ROOMS AVAILABLENone.
Thanks for posting updates here, funny-shaped dice!
Last year, downtown rooms sold out at 3:55pm. Based on tighter access times this year, I predicted they'd go at 2:45pm today. Actually sold out at 2:11pm.
_____________________________________ Alec Usticke, Fans of Gen Con Facebook Group
This is our first year going so I know this question may have already been asked. Do the downtown hotels ever open back up later like if someone can't go and if so how do we find out this information?
My group was able to get a spot downtown this year. That said I think I prefer the longer less-condensed thing they did last year. It just seemed more....chill.
1 - keep checking the portal. People do drop rooms from time to time. But you will have to invest a lot of time checking back.
2 - get a room at a hotel not in the block. There are hotels that don’t use the system, or higher cost rooms at block hotels. These are 400+ a night though.
3 - stay outside of downtown
Just saw someone comment on the Facebook group that "Uber" from Candlewood to the ICC is only $4. I don't know how true that is when *demand* kicks in *but* staying outside of downtown and using Uber / Lyft / whatever, can get you much of the same experience at a lower cost.
Last year was my first time staying downtown. Not lying: it was a nicer experience *primarily* because my wife and I could move on different schedules. I'm more "late night" and "hard core" than she is so when our schedules didn't line up, I'd make sure she got safely back to the downtown room and then go hang out with my buddies.
Every year prior to that, I've stayed out of downtown and, other than having to moderate any drinking even closer, the experience wasn't really any different *and* I saved a lot of money. Thankfully, I *hate* the feeling of being drunk so the bar scene isn't really all that big of a draw for me after hours. Mostly I like just hanging out with my friends (new and old) and chatting about gaming.
First timer,
Since downtown sold out, if I book a farther hotel n a downtown becomes available later am I able to switch to the more preferred hotel?
From our Housing and Travel Page.
MODIFICATION POLICY You can modify your room assignment as needed and free of charge, provided the assignment is not cancelled in its entirety. Free modifications include change of hotel, room type, stay dates, roommates, guest contact information, special requests such as ADA Accessible room, and credit card information. Changes can be performed from the time you receive the initial assignment acknowledgment through the close of housing registration on July 15, 2019.
To modify or cancel your room assignment, log into your Gen Con account, visit your "My Housing" page, and click the “Manage Room” link for the assigned room you'd like to change. The link will connect you with the online system where you can make the desired adjustments. Changes will not go into effect unless you click the “submit” button to confirm the change; closing your browser before submitting the change will leave the original assignment intact.
Note that if you book in-block and then CANCEL (not just switch to a different hotel), there's a $50 fee.
Thanks for doing the updates, Alec. It's VERY helpful.
Hopefully we'll have better luck next year!
My pleasure.
_____________________________________ Alec Usticke, Fans of Gen Con Facebook Group