Botcon 2011- First Block of Rooms Already Sold Out!

I booked mine at the hotel PRIOR to the official TF blocks of rooms opening up - didn't care bout the dicount. Soon as I saw that info tweeted - I went and booked within an hour of the announcement.

That block sold out like within minutes of it going up..i remember i thought i would be able to make it time but the time it took to get my laptop out, fire it up and go to the site it was already sold out..I'm talkin within minutes...

And a quarter of those will re-open when people have to cancel because Bot-Con 2011 is 3 weeks away and registration still isn't up I kid I'm sure it'll be fine this time

chuckdawg1999 wrote:And a quarter of those will re-open when people have to cancel because Bot-Con 2011 is 3 weeks away and registration still isn't up I kid I'm sure it'll be fine this time

Oh yeah, me too.

This block of hotel rooms was announced during the awards ceremony dinner at Botcon 2010. The name of the hotel was never verbally announced, just posted online. Everybody with access to the internet at that dinner had an unfair advantage to seize the discounted price. I was lucky enough to reserve a room at the regular price on Monday, but was appalled to learn that a "block" even existed rather than giving the discount to anyone who can prove that they booked their stay to attend Botcon 2011. This was very unprofessional on behalf of Funpub. But me being the newcomer, I should have known to expect unwanted surprises after the Botcon 2010 online regristration fiasco.

STOP
HAVING
BOTCON
ON
THE
PERIPHERY
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES

Just how exactly are us Midwest folks, with children and limited finances, supposed to attend this pinnacle event?

2011: CA
2010: FL
2009: CA
2008: OH (thrown a bone)
2007: RI
2006: KY (close)
2005: TX

Chicago? St. Paul? Detroit? St. Louis? Omaha? Milwaukee? Indianapolis? CHICAGO?!?! Instead they go to Expensive-ifornia two times in three years? Hell, the same CITY?!? I'm sorry to rant here (yes, I've emailed "Fun Publications" with this complaint) but I'm very disappointed that yet again I am not able to take my young son to Botcon. South Cali has SDCC...have the TF convention somewhere else.

AutobotTrainer wrote:STOP
HAVING
BOTCON
ON
THE
PERIPHERY
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES

Just how exactly are us Midwest folks, with children and limited finances, supposed to attend this pinnacle event?

2011: CA
2010: FL
2009: CA
2008: OH (thrown a bone)
2007: RI
2006: KY (close)
2005: TX

Chicago? St. Paul? Detroit? St. Louis? Omaha? Milwaukee? Indianapolis? CHICAGO?!?! Instead they go to Expensive-ifornia two times in three years? Hell, the same CITY?!? I'm sorry to rant here (yes, I've emailed "Fun Publications" with this complaint) but I'm very disappointed that yet again I am not able to take my young son to Botcon. South Cali has SDCC...have the TF convention somewhere else.

I hear you homie...

I used to make the same complaint on this website for almost a year because I felt Miami needed a Botcon....and next thing you know BAMMM !!! Botcon in Orlando

My advice is to keep pressing the issue until they give your region some representation. Just recommend cities that have tourist value. There not going to hold it in a small town where theres little to do. Just be persistant and hopefully it will pay off.

AutobotTrainer wrote:STOP
HAVING
BOTCON
ON
THE
PERIPHERY
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES

Just how exactly are us Midwest folks, with children and limited finances, supposed to attend this pinnacle event?

2011: CA
2010: FL
2009: CA
2008: OH (thrown a bone)
2007: RI
2006: KY (close)
2005: TX

Chicago? St. Paul? Detroit? St. Louis? Omaha? Milwaukee? Indianapolis? CHICAGO?!?! Instead they go to Expensive-ifornia two times in three years? Hell, the same CITY?!? I'm sorry to rant here (yes, I've emailed "Fun Publications" with this complaint) but I'm very disappointed that yet again I am not able to take my young son to Botcon. South Cali has SDCC...have the TF convention somewhere else.

Movie trumps all.

Paramount studios was a big draw, looks like we're going back.

i think its time for botcon to come to pittsburgh pa at the david lawrance convention center. one its bloody huge and most likely have enough room for the transformers community. i am tired of it going to florida and california. its totally rediculous its time for areas like ohio, pa, michigan, ny to have botcon.

Counterpunch wrote:Movie trumps all.

Paramount studios was a big draw, looks like we're going back.

How about shooting location visits in Chicago/Detroit/Milwaukee? Have a "Relive TF3 Experience!" A sort of cosplay for us weird TF fans. Hello? Anyone out there? *grumble*

AutobotTrainer wrote:STOP
HAVING
BOTCON
ON
THE
PERIPHERY
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES

OH Boo-friggin-HOO!
I'm coming in from SOUTH KOREA!
Botcon is a global event now - not just some US residents only thing.
I GARAUNTEE I will spend more than you just on travel.

PLUS****************
Due to the time difference, I have to take MORE vacation days from work to make sure I can see the whole event!

Am I complaining?
HECK NO!

I hate it when people whine bout BOTCON's location!
SO FRIGGIN SELF-CENTERED! GROW UP! LEARN TO SAVE!

Rated X wrote:Everybody with access to the internet at that dinner had an unfair advantage to seize the discounted price.

Not entirely true.

While in SOUTH KOREA, I was watching the BOTCON twitter feed and found out as everyone else in that room.

So, my advice - subscribe to the BOTCON tweets.

Psychomud wrote:
OH Boo-friggin-HOO!
I'm coming in from SOUTH KOREA!
Botcon is a global event now - not just some US residents only thing.
I GARAUNTEE I will spend more than you just on travel.

PLUS****************
Due to the time difference, I have to take MORE vacation days from work to make sure I can see the whole event!

Am I complaining?
HECK NO!

I hate it when people whine bout BOTCON's location!
SO FRIGGIN SELF-CENTERED! GROW UP! LEARN TO SAVE!

The premise of your argument is totally wrong. You are coming in from an overseas location, so whether it is in Pasadena, Chicago, Orlando or Nanuvut it wouldn't matter, as it is a long flight no matter what.

My argument is since it IS a U.S. event (and arguing that it isn't is ridiculous) you can vary the location of the event in a logical and systematic way to ensure that fans from all over the country have the ability to attend at least once every few years.

While I did use a some melodrama to make my point (isn't that what you're supposed to do in formus on the interweb?) it boils down to the fact that Funpub could do a better job of location rotating.

BotCon has historically been a convention that varies it's location every year. Yet, the trend as of late is that it sticks to the coasts. If BotCon wants to permanently be in Pasadena, that is fine. SDCC does it, and it works well for them. Just say so and those of us impatiently waiting for a Midwest/Great Lakes location can finally stop waiting with baited breath every summer.

Either rotate your location throughout the U.S., or don't.

Call me a whiner, complainer, or WTF ever else you can think of. I know many of us in the Central Time zone/Great Lakes area feel the same.

For what it's worth I remember reading that Bot-Con had to be held in areas that are easily accessible by various forms of transportation and easy navigation of points once there. Also, and this I find odd, cost is an issue.

Maybe a little has to do with just plain simple pride of where you're from. I'd love to see BotCon in Denver - beautiful views, lots of places to see, lot's of things to do, a big convention center downtown. But, I won't hold my breath. Instead, I'll go to California next June and attend my first BotCon and I'm sure I'll love it!

I've been checking the website for that new block to open up - based on what I've read on this forum, maybe it's best to call the hotel every days and pester them! I really don't intend to miss out this time!

Stormer wrote:Maybe a little has to do with just plain simple pride of where you're from. I'd love to see BotCon in Denver - beautiful views, lots of places to see, lot's of things to do, a big convention center downtown. But, I won't hold my breath. Instead, I'll go to California next June and attend my first BotCon and I'm sure I'll love it!

I've been checking the website for that new block to open up - based on what I've read on this forum, maybe it's best to call the hotel every days and pester them! I really don't intend to miss out this time!

You could just subscribe to the Botcon feed on Twitter. THey will update you whenever they have something worthy to post, like a new block of rooms, a new hotel, etc.. Just saying.

tigertracks 24 wrote:You could just subscribe to the Botcon feed on Twitter. THey will update you whenever they have something worthy to post, like a new block of rooms, a new hotel, etc.. Just saying.

It's an option - I knew Twitter was gonna get me one way or the other!

AutobotTrainer wrote:Chicago? St. Paul? Detroit? St. Louis? Omaha? Milwaukee? Indianapolis? CHICAGO?!?!

Or Denver.

I love how people ask for a Midwest city then continue to ignore the western reaches of the Midwest entirely.

Of course, I'm biased because Colorado Springs is only 60 miles from Denver.

Stormer wrote:It's an option - I knew Twitter was gonna get me one way or the other!

Not really. I don't have a twitter account but I can subscribe to the feed via my gmail account (rss feed - per google reader). So there is ways around it.

Midnight_Fox wrote:I love how people ask for a Midwest city then continue to ignore the western reaches of the Midwest entirely.

EXACTLY!

No matter where FunBub puts the 'Con, some people on limited budgets will continue to see themselves as getting 'shafted'.

This is my point.

How about instead of complaining, those individuals should come to terms and either SAVE MONEY or WAIT till the con rotates closer to their individual location?

This whole "I'm a victum attitude" is SO VERY missdirected. Point the finger at YOURSELF for once. Be responsible!

If saving or waiting is not an option - how bout taking on another job? If that's not even possible (in today's economy), how bout spending LESS on TF merchandise and use that money to BUDGET for going to the Cons?

You know who ONLY has a legit gripe?
1. People who have been seriously injured/hospitalized do to unforseen circumstances.
2. Deaf or Blind people.
3. Non-english speakers.
4. People who have jobs that DEMAND their presence at the timeframe of the Con.
5. Dead people.
6. MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING IN WAR ZONES!

@AutobotTrainer:
Look, it could be worse. I am only arguing from the standpoint that you mentioned earlier related to COSTS.
In fact it costs me more (up to a grand in some cases) to fly to New York City - as opposed to LA.
It costs me LESS (overall) if the 'Con takes place in Chicago - I am from there! I could stay with family and save on hotel charges.

***COST*** of travel (and/or lodging) is NOT a reason to complain.

Put yourself in the shoes of the deaf - I personnaly have never seen someone signing at the panels (though I have not been to every con - this has been my experience).
How about the Blind? How unfair is it to them not be able to see the slide shows of the upcoming releases?
How about a soldier? How unfair is it that you have to fight and risk DYING in a GOSH-FORSAKEN DESERT instead of being able to take vacation in that timeframe to come check out the franchise they love?

Fact is, we all know the Con DOES change venues every year! Or tries to.

SHAME on anyone who complains about the COSTS due to the Con's location!

-----------

Edit:
Let me leave you with this, I have nothin against you personnally. I like you, but - 'It could be worse'.

Sorry for the rant. But I am passionate about this specific COST issue. I have dead veteran friends who were TF fans.

Psychomud wrote:Not really. I don't have a twitter account but I can subscribe to the feed via my gmail account (rss feed - per google reader). So there is ways around it.

That's great to know! Of coarse, I'm already on twitter! hahahaha! Great...I'll check that out anyway!

Midnight_Fox wrote:

AutobotTrainer wrote:Chicago? St. Paul? Detroit? St. Louis? Omaha? Milwaukee? Indianapolis? CHICAGO?!?!

Or Denver.

I love how people ask for a Midwest city then continue to ignore the western reaches of the Midwest entirely.

Of course, I'm biased because Colorado Springs is only 60 miles from Denver.

....or Colorado Springs! I like the Springs!

I've got almost a year to plan and budget and pay a few things off so that I can make this work out for next year. I'm so excited about going - I really don't care where it takes place. So, no new socks for awhile!

Stormer wrote:....or Colorado Springs! I like the Springs!

I've got almost a year to plan and budget and pay a few things off so that I can make this work out for next year. I'm so excited about going - I really don't care where it takes place. So, no new socks for awhile!

Yay! Another Coloradan!

I'm getting to go not just because I'm saving up(which has the unfortunate side effect of less figures building up to it), but because my wife is super awesome. She feels guilty for going to Europe for 2 weeks with her friends(in fact, she's there right now!), so she's helping me out immensely in repayment: she's paying for flight, hotel, and probably entrance fee(which is, of course, going to be the Iacon package), maybe even some boost my saved up spending cash(2 weeks in Germany and France plus spending money is EXPENSIVE).

I've convinced my friend to go, too, so it's gonna be a great time!

Midnight_Fox wrote:Yay! Another Coloradan!

I'm getting to go not just because I'm saving up(which has the unfortunate side effect of less figures building up to it), but because my wife is super awesome. She feels guilty for going to Europe for 2 weeks with her friends(in fact, she's there right now!), so she's helping me out immensely in repayment: she's paying for flight, hotel, and probably entrance fee(which is, of course, going to be the Iacon package), maybe even some boost my saved up spending cash(2 weeks in Germany and France plus spending money is EXPENSIVE).

I've convinced my friend to go, too, so it's gonna be a great time!

How cool that you and your wife get to go someplace you really want to go to!

I've bribed a friend to go with me too - I'm pretty sure she has no idea what she's agreed to...

My hubby always gets to go to Sturgis and hang out with his kind of people, so it's only fair I get to BotCon next year and hang out with my kind of people! I guess I'll see you there!

Stormer wrote:
How cool that you and your wife get to go someplace you really want to go to!

I've bribed a friend to go with me too - I'm pretty sure she has no idea what she's agreed to...

My hubby always gets to go to Sturgis and hang out with his kind of people, so it's only fair I get to BotCon next year and hang out with my kind of people! I guess I'll see you there!

She doesn't want to go, unfortunately, she's just willing to pay for me to go. But we're also going to Chicago together 2 months before, so we have our together vacation as well.

The friend going is my former room mate, so we know we can get along. We lived together for 2+ years and went to several cons together already, but then I moved here, so kinda a reunion. He's also a big TF nerd like me.

Looking forward to meeting you and a bunch of other forum people!

Midnight_Fox wrote:
Looking forward to meeting you and a bunch of other forum people!

Me too! Until then, see you on the boards!

Psychomud wrote:

Midnight_Fox wrote:I love how people ask for a Midwest city then continue to ignore the western reaches of the Midwest entirely.

EXACTLY!

No matter where FunBub puts the 'Con, some people on limited budgets will continue to see themselves as getting 'shafted'.

This is my point.

How about instead of complaining, those individuals should come to terms and either SAVE MONEY or WAIT till the con rotates closer to their individual location?

This whole "I'm a victum attitude" is SO VERY missdirected. Point the finger at YOURSELF for once. Be responsible!

If saving or waiting is not an option - how bout taking on another job? If that's not even possible (in today's economy), how bout spending LESS on TF merchandise and use that money to BUDGET for going to the Cons?

You know who ONLY has a legit gripe?
1. People who have been seriously injured/hospitalized do to unforseen circumstances.
2. Deaf or Blind people.
3. Non-english speakers.
4. People who have jobs that DEMAND their presence at the timeframe of the Con.
5. Dead people.
6. MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING IN WAR ZONES!

@AutobotTrainer:
Look, it could be worse. I am only arguing from the standpoint that you mentioned earlier related to COSTS.
In fact it costs me more (up to a grand in some cases) to fly to New York City - as opposed to LA.
It costs me LESS (overall) if the 'Con takes place in Chicago - I am from there! I could stay with family and save on hotel charges.

***COST*** of travel (and/or lodging) is NOT a reason to complain.

Put yourself in the shoes of the deaf - I personnaly have never seen someone signing at the panels (though I have not been to every con - this has been my experience).
How about the Blind? How unfair is it to them not be able to see the slide shows of the upcoming releases?
How about a soldier? How unfair is it that you have to fight and risk DYING in a GOSH-FORSAKEN DESERT instead of being able to take vacation in that timeframe to come check out the franchise they love?

Fact is, we all know the Con DOES change venues every year! Or tries to.

SHAME on anyone who complains about the COSTS due to the Con's location!

-----------

Edit:
Let me leave you with this, I have nothin against you personnally. I like you, but - 'It could be worse'.

Sorry for the rant. But I am passionate about this specific COST issue. I have dead veteran friends who were TF fans.

Um...uh...*chuckle*...okay.

I've apparently hit a nerve here. I bow to your persistence and perspective.

Guess what?
The BotCon Website now has a link for a new block of rooms available for BotCon.

I just booked it. teeheehee!

Stormer wrote:Guess what?
The BotCon Website now has a link for a new block of rooms available for BotCon.

I just booked it. teeheehee!

Thanks and congrats. WE did news it, it's in the story that includes the ever important, Punch/Counterpunch update too.

tigertracks 24 wrote:Thanks and congrats. WE did news it, it's in the story that includes the ever important, Punch/Counterpunch update too.

aha! So you did...looks like the Punch/Counterpunch news was much bigger!

Why is it when I click the link it says the room rate is $139, but when I put in my dates the cheapest rate is $179?!

UltraPrimal wrote:Why is it when I click the link it says the room rate is $139, but when I put in my dates the cheapest rate is $179?!

I was wondering the same, especially since other sites are giving cheaper rates...

Midnight_Fox wrote:

UltraPrimal wrote:Why is it when I click the link it says the room rate is $139, but when I put in my dates the cheapest rate is $179?!

I was wondering the same, especially since other sites are giving cheaper rates...

Hmmmm...weird! On my confirmation is says $139/night. I booked Thursday - Sunday and the tax was $63.

I dunno if this helps anyone, BUT:

I registered prior to the 'special botcon rate' (the moment the info was tweeted via the botcon twitter page) and the normal rate is only $10 a night more than the discount rate.

At the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, I'm paying $149.00 per night with $22.45 in taxes, so it's $171.45 a night total.

I didn't care bout the discount so I didn't wait.

For anyone else waitin on room blocks to open up - check back at the Sheraton and just pay the extra $10 - IF they are not booked up.

As I understand it, then a 'block' of rooms is set aside - it doesn't mean the whole hotel is reserved.

I'm just puttin out some info for those still waiting on rooms or curious about full price.

Psychomud wrote:I dunno if this helps anyone, BUT:

I registered prior to the 'special botcon rate' (the moment the info was tweeted via the botcon twitter page) and the normal rate is only $10 a night more than the discount rate.

At the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, I'm paying $149.00 per night with $22.45 in taxes, so it's $171.45 a night total.

I didn't care bout the discount so I didn't wait.

For anyone else waitin on room blocks to open up - check back at the Sheraton and just pay the extra $10 - IF they are not booked up.

As I understand it, then a 'block' of rooms is set aside - it doesn't mean the whole hotel is reserved.

I'm just puttin out some info for those still waiting on rooms or curious about full price.

At every single hotel site I've looked at(Hotels.com, Expedia, Priceline, etc.) the Sheraton has either been removed as an option all together or states that they're completely booked for that weekend(at least when I've checked the past week).

Take that as you will.