BotCon 2011 is back in Pasadena!

[griffin]

And I expect to see all of you there with me next year... :p

Just got out from the Hall of Fame awards dinner, and they did something never seen since the 3H era of BotCon - announce the dates and location of the next BotCon.

As from the title, the location is back at the Pasadena Convention Centre (same place as last year), during the weekend of June 2-5, 2011.

Tomorrow should have a link on the botcon site to the hotel, for reservations (always good to reserve a room, then decide on if you can go, as it doesn't cost anything to make a reservation).

http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2011/ (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2011/) is the link.

The date is a month before the TF3 movie release, so like last year, we might be too early to see an advance screening. But sounds like Hasbro are planning similar or better events and features as last year.

Those who went will attest that it was a real blast - and on the West Coast of America will mean cheaper, quicker travel next year.

[optimus1]

Great news :)

I want to try and make it next year for my 1st ever Botcon!! But June 2-5 could be a problem, I'm not sure if this will fit in with Uni exams :(

[1AZRAEL1]

Man as much as I want to go next year, I don't think I can save up enough money for the trip. Hoping the year after though.

[Paulbot]

I am tempted to go, but a lot can happen in 12 months.

I'm curious to see what the hotel's reservation cancellation policy is. If it's not too expensive to cancel I may reserve a room.

[griffin]

If that link above isn't the actual link, just go to the main botcon.com page and see if it lists it there (or just check this topic, as someone here is bound to mention it).

I decided to ring up the Sheraton Pasadena anyway, and found out that the rate and dates are in their system, but availability is unconfirmed as I had trouble trying to work out the exact dates available. As far as I can tell, the discount rate is available from the 30th or 31st of May (Mon or Tue), until the 6th (Monday - not sure if that includes Monday night, or checking out monday). The rate was the same as last year - US$139 per night, plus tax.

When the hotel is officially announced, I will ring them back with my confirmation number and check over the details (with someone who knows what is going on).

[griffin]

I am tempted to go, but a lot can happen in 12 months.

I'm curious to see what the hotel's reservation cancellation policy is. If it's not too expensive to cancel I may reserve a room.

Cancellation shouldn't have any penalty if done (usually) within 24 hours of the first check-in night. That's why it is recommended to reserve a room while they are available, then when you decide later, you can keep or cancel the room (but always check the cancellation policy).

[Sleeve]

Information will be on their website shortly, eh? So, around December? :p

There should be no cancellation fee if done with 24-48 hours usually. I had no cancellation fee when I rang and cancelled my Florida room once I figured I wouldn't be able to attend this year.

Definitely going to reserve a room for next year just in case. I figure instead of trying to budget for a three-week holiday as planned this and last year, I'll only go for Botcon. And Pasadena is a great location, cheap for us Aussies. A shame the dealer room is so cramped there though.

[gamblor916]

Great news, I might go to this one.

[griffin]

Apparently some American fans are upset about having to travel 3-4 hours to BotCon next year...

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-location-revealed-170064/page2.html

Spoilt brats... complaining about how inconvenient it is (to have the convention in their own country) travelling such a 'great' distance...

Even next year being a 'close' location, fans here have to travel a minimum 13 hours and spend 1-2 grand getting there.

At least it's just a vocal minority.

[griffin]

Great news, I might go to this one.

You didn't go to the last one... :p

[1AZRAEL1]

Apparently some American fans are upset about having to travel 3-4 hours to BotCon next year...

Big babies :p

If only I had the money to go. If there was one here in Oz every year, I would travel to wherever it is. But that's coz it won't cost as much as it would to travel over to the US :p

[Paulbot]

There are cheaper room rates currently available on the hotel's website, but they will charge a one night fee for cancellations.

Are the rooms at the convention rate usually 2-bed rooms?

[Sleeve]

There are cheaper room rates currently available on the hotel's website, but they will charge a one night fee for cancellations.

Are the rooms at the convention rate usually 2-bed rooms?

If I remember correctly it's either one or two bed rooms, shouldn't matter. Last year I opted for one king size. That bed was bigger than my unit.

[Paulbot]

I think sharing a room (to save costs) might go better with two beds. :o

[Sleeve]

No spooning? :(

[griffin]

oo oo, pick me, pick me... :p

[Sleeve]

Dude, that'd be like ladle-to-teaspoon. I am a big guy, remember? :p

[griffin]

To answer Paulbot's Q - hotels usually offer the option of one or two beds, but it can sometimes depend on what block of rooms have been allocated to the 'discounted' rate.
I wasn't asked at the reservation what bed choice I wanted, so I'll have to ask about it when I ring back later.

As Paulbot noted, if you are comfortable sharing with someone else (that you trust), get a room with 2 beds, just in case. I think they are 2 doubles, but even 2 singles would do me - very little sleeping gets done during the convention, and when you get a few hours, you're too tired to care what sort of bed you're standing on.

[gamblor916]

You didn't go to the last one... :p

Touché :D

I might get a hotel room this time and go for the 3 days, plus enter a certain bot in the customs contest ;)
It's too early to confirm anything so consider me a 'maybe'.

[Zippo]

I just tried to book via the website, but it told me it was all full.

Not that I can afford to go. Again..

[Paulbot]

Likewise. That filled up very quickly.

It's still possible to get rooms in the hotel (about $US 90 per person if you share). Might need to think about it more or wait for a second release?

[griffin]

The link was mis-quoted.

http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2011/ (http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2011/)

People are finding that the sunday is booked out, which is preventing bookings that include that day. If necessary, try different days withou the sunday (or other days if that doesn't work), and then later add to the booking if they open up more rooms (or just add on full-rate days).

[griffin]

Checked my reservation online, and I did actually get the 7 days (check in Monday 30th, check out Monday 6th).
Doesn't mention anything about the number of beds, so I will have to chase that up later.

If you are still having problems with the online booking, find the reservations number on that site (or the hotel number) and phone in a reservation - so that you can actually have someone looking through their system to verify if certain days are booked out.

So exciting... room already booked, and the online registration 'should' only need minor tweeking to be ready early this time.
Early pre-payment on stuff gives me more time to save up in the lead up to the convention.

[griffin]

Apparently, so many others booked rooms straight after the awards dinner, that they had some nights booked out by midnight (2 hours).

The organisors said that they should have more rooms up later in the week, and should announce it. But expect the Hilton to have discount rooms later as well, or just stay at one of the cheaper hotels if you don't need to be 'onsite'.

[Sleeve]

Done and done, booked from the May 31 to June 5. You were right, it's the Sunday night that's booked up. As soon as I took it off my reservation went through fine. I didn't stay the Sunday night last time but this time I'll make sure I do somehow. Too frantic in the final hours of the con trying to get everything packed and to the airport for my night flight. If push comes to shove, I'll crash on grif's floor. :p

[sanbot]

Oooo very tempting to attend! A friend of mine lives near the convention. Sometimes wish we migrated to US instead of Australia.... :p

[Seraphim Prime]

While great to know the date ahead of time, I will unfortunately have those dreaded Uni exams as well - final year! (Finally!)

Hopefully they will be just as prepared next year so that I can plan a BotCon trip in my post-uni 'round the world adventure! (Still in concept phase)

[Paulbot]

I'm trying to plan what to do with my life next year, and several months overseas (using my long service leave) seems very attractive.

I am considering making BotCon my last stop before I come home except it means delaying my trip until April at least.

[kaiden]

hey griffin,

how much did you end up spending on airfare, accommodation and meals this year?

if possible could you break down the total into each one?

[griffin]

From my BC10 report, first page (http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10intro.html), just above the map.



Costs this year (AU$) - Airfares $2305, Registration $475, Accomodation $713, spending money $1900 - Total $5393.

[kup]

I'm trying to plan what to do with my life next year, and several months overseas (using my long service leave) seems very attractive.

I am considering making BotCon my last stop before I come home except it means delaying my trip until April at least.

I would suggest making Botcon your first trip. When one is travelling for a while, exhaustion will eventually kick in even if you have been enjoying yourself every step of the way. By the time you reach Botcon, you may be to tired to fully enjoy it.

[autobreadticon]

i think its been said many a times but this Botcon i think will have an awesome array of toys , given the release of the generation toys, but i can't speculate which molds will be used , apart of Ritochet as a repaint of Jazz

[SamLoi888]

Can you just turn up to Botcon and buy tickets at the door or do you have to register?

[Demonac]

Yes, you can just show up at the door, but you will will out on all of the Botcon toys.

And I would recommend Botcon as the final destination of a holiday, as you don't have to worry about all the toys.

[SamLoi888]

Yes, you can just show up at the door, but you will will out on all of the Botcon toys.



But the Botcon toys are a rip off aren't they? Like $90 for a deluxe or something?

[tinyJazz]

But the Botcon toys are a rip off aren't they? Like $90 for a deluxe or something?

Yep. Because they are pretty pretty exclusives. They usually make 1500 of each figure.

If you don't like repaints it's not worth it of course. ;)

[Tallestblue]

Unless you want Thundercracker, then you have to make some sort deal with something horrible. (Like Fun publications!!)

[GoktimusPrime]

...come on Hasbro... give us Generations Thundercrackah!!

[gamblor916]

Not really sure I can make this one. I'll have to hope the following 2012 is on the east coast then I can aim for that one.