Chicago TARDIS: questions

[ghost2]

I know Chicago TARDIS isn't until November, but I'm thinking things through well ahead of time. I've never been to a convention, and I'm sick of saying, "Maybe next year." At that rate, I'll never get anywhere. I live only a few hours from Chicago; getting there is an attainable goal. It still might not happen, but I'm at least going to try this time.

So... I'd love to hear from anyone who went to Chicago TARDIS in previous years and/or plans to go there this year. What it's like? Do you recommend it? Anything special to keep in mind?

Comments

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

It would definitely be nice to save money. This is going to be my one splurge for the year. Since my birthday is in early November, I'll probably get some money from relatives that I can put toward the convention, but it's still going to add up.

I was just trying to figure out travel schedules. They're giving me a headache. I could get the Greyhound to Milwaukee and then take Megabus from there to Chicago, except the online Greyhound scheduler sucks and doesn't say where exactly in Milwaukee the Greyhound stops. I have to phone to find out. Once I know that, I can figure out if it's feasible, time-wise, for me to get to the Megabus station for the rest of the ride to Chicago.

No matter how I get to Chicago, once I'm there I somehow have to reach the hotel. Did you take the Megabus to Chicago last year? And is the convention hotel the same as last year (Westin Lombard Yorktown Center)? If so, how did you get from the Megabus stop in Chicago to the hotel?

[prof-pangaea.livejournal.com]

oh, yes, i should have mentioned that the megabus stop is... right outside the greyhound station. :D they are a very very cheap company and don't have stations, just a spot outside where they pick people up and drop them off, and they seem to always make sure it's right near a major train/bus station (this is also why they only go to major cities). so getting from the station to the megabus stop outside should take about three minutes. hurrah!

the megabus stop in chicago is across the street from union station. the con is taking place at the westin lombard again this year, which means it's not actually in chicago proper. but you can do what i did last year (and will presumably be doing this year); take the megabus into town, then take the metra train from union station out to the stop nearest the hotel. the hotel is awesome and will send a free shuttle out to the station and take you back to the hotel so you don't have to worry about getting a taxi -- just call the hotel once you're on the train and tell them when you should be getting to the appropriate station, and they'll have the shuttle there waiting. i am forgetting the names of the stops but i'll be looking them up before i leave so i can share the infos with you. and depending on how things go for me with scheduling maybe we can share some bus/train rides together?

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that sounds like it might work out really well for me. Down the line, we can see if our schedules mesh and go from there. :)