Questions on Arisia

[julieandrews]

I'm thinking about going to Arisia. I've never been before, but I've certainly heard about it. Anyone out there in lj-land have any thoughts, comments, advice about it? Should I go? It turns out it's more convenient to get to than Readercon was, and I can only assume it has better food possibilities.

The overflow hotel is cheaper and there's a free shuttle. Normally I'd try to stay in the con hotel, but just how inconvenient is it in this case?

Any thoughts on the guests, the panels, the atmosphere?

Comments

[chiieddy.livejournal.com]

I've been to Arisia on the past. They're at a different hotel now, but I did look at that particular hotel when I was looking at wedding venues. The overflow hotel is the Marriott near the Kendall Square T Station. We've walked through it to get to Kendall Square (where the art theatre is) before.

The con hotel is quite some distance down Memorial Drive in a location not easily accessed by public transportation. That's why they have the shuttle. There's a decent garage there as well. It is within walking distance of the BU Bridge. If you look at the hotel on the map you can scroll east to the Longfellow Bridge to see the location of the overflow hotel.

The con hotel is also within walking distance to the Starbucks where Carl trained. There's a Trader Joe's there as well. The overflow has a Starbucks in it. The overflow hotel is closer to cheaper food options as well (Au Bon Pain is near there).

The con hotel isn't as nice as the overflow hotel, actually. My company's holiday party last year was in the overflow hotel and the rooms are much nicer. :)

The atmosphere of Arisia is 'standard SciFi con'. It's old school.

You're probably actually better off in the overflow. It's cheaper and it's nicer. If they're shuttling you over, it's only about 5 minutes down Memorial Drive and if you really feel like hoofing it, you can cross MIT's campus as a short cut to get there.

[julieandrews.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Closer to cheap food is definitely a plus. Readercon was horrendous when it came to food. And the shuttle was nearly nonexistent. :P

Granted Wiscon _really_ spoils you for con food!

[tomomi.livejournal.com]

I agree about the Marriott being nicer, but I'd be leery of being dependent on a shuttle to go back and forth between the hotels. Maybe they are very organized and their shuttle is great. But... more often than not, that isn't the case.

Keep in mind that this is going to be Cambridge in the middle of January, and while the distance between the hotels is walkable, it's a LONG walk. Repeat: JANUARY. OUTSIDE.

I think you're better off shelling out the extra $30 for the weekend (less if you find a roommate) and staying at the Hyatt.