I was going to make a couple of specific threads for that tomorrow, if you think it would be helpful.


So I've never managed to make it into the GenCon houseing block before. Is it really going to fill up in a matter of hours?

So I've never managed to make it into the GenCon houseing block before. Is it really going to fill up in a matter of hours?
I have to be honest, yes. 8 years ago, you could come on the day AFTER and get a hotel. Downtown. No problem.
Gen Con has become SOO much more popular, and that's great, but of course it makes getting housing downtown much harder.
We've had crazy increased demand the past few years. I honestly would not be surprised for all rooms in the block, downtown, and not downtown, to be "sold out" within a few hours.
Now, I put "sold out" in quotes, because people always overbook, and have to drop rooms later. If you keep an eye on the forums, and on the hotel website, and be persistent, you have a good chance of getting something.

So I've never managed to make it into the GenCon houseing block before. Is it really going to fill up in a matter of hours?
Downtown hotels, yes. Outlying hotels, no.

I was going to make a couple of specific threads for that tomorrow, if you think it would be helpful.

So I've never managed to make it into the GenCon houseing block before. Is it really going to fill up in a matter of hours?
If I remember correctly, last year the downtown hotels filled up in 90 minutes. However, a number of people discovered a glitch in the system (if you signed up for your badge after the housing portal opened, you were given immediate access) that reportedly has been fixed, so it may take a little longer this year, but don't expect there to be any downtown hotel rooms available after 2 PM Eastern. There should be posts here and on GenCon's Facebook page when the downtown hotels are filled.
As Austicke said above, the problem is only with downtown hotels. I don't think any of the other hotels ever sell out - certainly not in the first day that the portal is open. Keep in mind, however, that if you don't have a car with you, those non-downtown hotels are all a rather expensive taxi ride away (assuming the stories about there not being a shuttle service this year are true), although if you plan it right, you can get a hotel near a bus stop, which is only a $1.75 trip to downtown, but you should check the schedule at IndyGo.net, as that hotel that's 20 miles away might be on a bus route that takes an hour to get downtown.

Are the parking fees for the downtown hotels per overnight or for the entire stay? Do they generally have in and out privileges?
Parking fees (overnight) are listing on the hotel page.
And as to which have in/out privelages or not, i would best check with the individual hotels..

How does the VIG hotel block work for those that did not buy hotels at pre-registration? Are they a subset of all the campuses? Same type of lottery with assigned times after noon?

Did the definition of skywalk change, or did they build more skywalks? Seeing a few places on the "map" page (spoiler: it's not a map, it's a list) that used to have a distance in blocks (I think) that now say Skywalk**.

Did the definition of skywalk change, or did they build more skywalks? Seeing a few places on the "map" page (spoiler: it's not a map, it's a list) that used to have a distance in blocks (I think) that now say Skywalk**.
No and No. What are the specific hotels you have questions about? Here's a nice skywalk map:

Did the definition of skywalk change, or did they build more skywalks? Seeing a few places on the "map" page (spoiler: it's not a map, it's a list) that used to have a distance in blocks (I think) that now say Skywalk**.

Just a comment: I bought 5 "adult" badges for my family (3 teens, ranging in age from 12-18). The thought of having rooms in two separate hotels strikes fear into this mom's heart. With luck--and fast typing skills--on my side, I hope get two rooms in the same location. What happens if I fail?

Just a comment: I bought 5 "adult" badges for my family (3 teens, ranging in age from 12-18). The thought of having rooms in two separate hotels strikes fear into this mom's heart. With luck--and fast typing skills--on my side, I hope get two rooms in the same location. What happens if I fail?
If you fail to get both rooms in the same hotel, it shouldn't be too bad - All you'd need is to find someone willing to switch rooms, and there's a whole subforum dedicated to that sort of thing.

Just a comment: I bought 5 "adult" badges for my family (3 teens, ranging in age from 12-18). The thought of having rooms in two separate hotels strikes fear into this mom's heart. With luck--and fast typing skills--on my side, I hope get two rooms in the same location. What happens if I fail?

How does the VIG hotel block work for those that did not buy hotels at pre-registration? Are they a subset of all the campuses? Same type of lottery with assigned times after noon?

How does the VIG hotel block work for those that did not buy hotels at pre-registration? Are they a subset of all the campuses? Same type of lottery with assigned times after noon?

I've only used the "quick and the dead" system of old and didn't go last year due to fear of the lottery. Do I need to hit refresh repeatedly at go time like years past or will it just automatically pop up? (I watched the youtube tutorial but wanted to clarify). Thanks!

No, it will change automatically.

No, it will change automatically.

I'm not sure that's an assumption I'd be willing to make. GO Express Travel is listed on the Gen Con homepage among the sponsers as "Official Shuttle Provider".
Do we know where the notion of no shuttle this year came from? Sounds like rumormongering to me.