TOPIC: how are you getting to True Dungeon this year?

Picc wrote: 7 hour drive Tuesday night, then a 15 minute walk from our B&B (which is also where we leave the car =)

Ooh, B&B a mere 15 minute walk! I'm betting it's cheaper than the hotels near the conference center, too. If we ever decide to make GenCon a more "romantic" experience, seems like a good way to go, although I still have my eye on the fancy railway cars at the Crowne Plaza.

Man, I wish I could get my wife to go!

The best solution - park your car in the middle of a road outside the convention center - a 1 minute walk gets you to your hotel and/or the con.

At the end of the con, hitch a ride to the Auto Release desk. The kind folks in blue will have valeted your vehicle to a secure gated lot. For a nominal fee, and proof of registration, your car will be promptly returned

Assuming it was not crushed...

bpsymington wrote: Man, I wish I could get my wife to go!

Speaking as an "other half" who actually has some interest in gaming, I highly recommend if you convince her to come that you schedule time together and help her have a full schedule of things she wants to do. There is nothing worse than finding yourself completely alone surrounded by thousands of people you do not know and with nothing to do. As it turns out, if you're not obsessed with gaming, the dealers' hall gets boring pretty quick.

If there's another less-gaming-inclined person to go with, the zoo and conservatory are within walking distance and absolutely worth it.

In all honesty, I started volunteering with TD for exactly these reasons. These are huge blocks of time when my guy can go and game whatever system and with whomever he pleases without my feeling left out. It makes a difference to have something that you enjoy to do. A big difference.

Deaterrae wrote:

Picc wrote: 7 hour drive Tuesday night, then a 15 minute walk from our B&B (which is also where we leave the car =)

Ooh, B&B a mere 15 minute walk! I'm betting it's cheaper than the hotels near the conference center, too. If we ever decide to make GenCon a more "romantic" experience, seems like a good way to go, although I still have my eye on the fancy railway cars at the Crowne Plaza.

Its fairly comparably priced once you add in the cab but it does come with breakfast, a wake-up call, and a place to park so we like it. And ya we've had our eye on those railway cars since we found them a few years back, so freakin cool.

Picc wrote:

Deaterrae wrote:

Picc wrote: 7 hour drive Tuesday night, then a 15 minute walk from our B&B (which is also where we leave the car =)

Ooh, B&B a mere 15 minute walk! I'm betting it's cheaper than the hotels near the conference center, too. If we ever decide to make GenCon a more "romantic" experience, seems like a good way to go, although I still have my eye on the fancy railway cars at the Crowne Plaza.

Its fairly comparably priced once you add in the cab but it does come with breakfast, a wake-up call, and a place to park so we like it. And ya we've had our eye on those railway cars since we found them a few years back, so freakin cool.

I know there are some railway cars in the Crown Plaza hotel as well

Picc wrote: it does come with breakfast, a wake-up call

I am the opposite of a seasoned traveler, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Do most places charge for wake-up calls?

Druegar wrote:

Picc wrote: it does come with breakfast, a wake-up call

I am the opposite of a seasoned traveler, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Do most places charge for wake-up calls?

Nope.

Ten hour drive for me to get to Indy. Flew the first year I went (2011), but I prefer driving.

Druegar wrote:

Picc wrote: it does come with breakfast, a wake-up call

I am the opposite of a seasoned traveler, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Do most places charge for wake-up calls?

Most hotels the wake up call is now automated. You can set it from your room phone and at the time it will call you in your room and you get a automated message.

Deaterrae wrote:

bpsymington wrote: Man, I wish I could get my wife to go!

Speaking as an "other half" who actually has some interest in gaming, I highly recommend if you convince her to come that you schedule time together and help her have a full schedule of things she wants to do. There is nothing worse than finding yourself completely alone surrounded by thousands of people you do not know and with nothing to do. As it turns out, if you're not obsessed with gaming, the dealers' hall gets boring pretty quick.

If there's another less-gaming-inclined person to go with, the zoo and conservatory are within walking distance and absolutely worth it.

In all honesty, I started volunteering with TD for exactly these reasons. These are huge blocks of time when my guy can go and game whatever system and with whomever he pleases without my feeling left out. It makes a difference to have something that you enjoy to do. A big difference.

For the non gaming spouse there are many options:
The Zoo is a good choice
Shopping at Circle Center.
Museums - The Eiteljorg, The Childrens Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (and its Museum)
The Indians might be playing
The Colts - who I really hope do not have an exhibition game during GenCon
Oddly enough, Crown Hill Cemetary. Some interesting monuments and famous people buried there. Famous if you grew up in Central Indiana at least.
The Symphony might be playing at Clowes Hall.
If you are up for some driving, the outlet mall at Edinburgh or the Architectural tour of Columbus
You are only about two hours from Kings Island north of Cincinnati.
And if they are up for the drive to Cincinnati, the Museum Center there is excellent as is the Zoo.

For me its the same as it has been for the last many years. Get in the rental van cram-packed with everyone's gear. Head north and west for about 14hrs.

What is tricky is this. Hotels hate it if you try and check in early normally check in time is around 4pm. Volenteers need to be at check in at 5pm so this is a very narrow window for someone driving 14hrs to hit. Too early and we're sitting around with a van full of stuff, too late and I'm in trouble