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[alpacasforlunch.livejournal.com]

i need help!

i've never been to Arisia before. i'm not very familiar with Boston. my friend and i are coming in from NYC friday (the 13th) night, first dropping off stuff at a friend's dorm at MIT... so my first question is, how do you get from MIT (Random House) to the con hotel? what train, and then what direction from there? how long does it take? is there anything important i should know (about the trains, the hotel, whatever)?

second question: do the trains stop running at any point? in other words, if we want to go back to the dorm at 3 AM, will we be able to get there (and safely)?

food! where do con-goers usually eat?

i'm also a bit worried because i've never been in control of the logistics of going to a con... how exactly does registration and everything work? is it better to register online or should i just do it there? will we be totally confused (i get confused easily)?
basically what i need is a "Going to Arisia for Dummies" book.

if you answer any of these questions i will be deeply in your debt. thank you, and seeya folks at Arisia (if i don't get lost on the way).

Comments

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

Exit Random, turn left, and walk a few blocks until you come to the stairs down into Central Square T stop. Then you take the train inbound towards Downtown Crossing. Get off at Park St. Station and transfer to the Green Line (NOT going towards Lechmere), and take it to Arlington. At the street level, walk south along Arlington Street. The hotel is two blocks down on your left.

You may find this link helpful:
http://2006.arisia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=62

Also, this link:
http://www.mbta.com

The last train leaves Arlington at 12:30ish, but I don't know if you'd be able to make your transfer at Park station to get back to Random from there. The trains start running again shortly after 5 a.m.

You might also want to check to see if MIT's Safe Ride stops anywhere near Arisia's hotel. Safe Ride runs later than the T, till I think about 3 a.m.

[lensman.livejournal.com]

Hi and welcome to Arisia...

From MIT the train to take is the RED line with a switch to the GREEN line. Random is about half way between Kendal Sq Sta. and Central Sq Sta. on the RED Line your friend will probably show you how to get to one of them. You can find out more from the MBTA web site www.mbta.com the Arlington Street Sta is the closest stop to the hotel.

The Boston Train System begins to shut down at 12 midnight and the last trains pull out of the midtown stations at about 12:30am. The last buses pull out of their stations around 1am.

The best way to get back at 3AM would be to take a cab (about $10-$15)

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

i need help!

i've never been to Arisia before. i'm not very familiar with Boston. my friend and i are coming in from NYC friday (the 13th) night, first dropping off stuff at a friend's dorm at MIT... so my first question is, how do you get from MIT (Random House) to the con hotel? what train, and then what direction from there? how long does it take? is there anything important i should know (about the trains, the hotel, whatever)?

For directions to the hotel, see:
http://2006.arisia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=62

Approximate directions, ask someone at MIT for directions to the nearest Red line subway station (Kendall Square). From there, take the Red Line inbound (towards Ashmont/Braintree). Make sure you pick the proper entrance, you can't cross between the platforms. At Park Street Station (two stops) change for Green line and take an outbound train two stops to Arlington. Go up strairs, look for the exit that says "Park Plaza", go up to the street level and walk to the hotel (you'll see it in front of you).

second question: do the trains stop running at any point? in other words, if we want to go back to the dorm at 3 AM, will we be able to get there (and safely)?

For subway hours, visit http://www.mbta.com/
The last trains go through downtown Boston around 12:30am Friday and Saturday nights (don't forget this is Boston, not NYC). In the downtown area, the trains are usually quite safe.

If necessary, you should be able to get a taxi from the hotel to MIT. It's only a mile or two.

food! where do con-goers usually eat?

We'll have a restaurant guide available at the Info Desk (and probably Registration).

i'm also a bit worried because i've never been in control of the logistics of going to a con... how exactly does registration and everything work? is it better to register online or should i just do it there? will we be totally confused (i get confused easily)?

If you register online, you'll just have to show a photo ID to get your badge (and possibly stand in line) when you arrive.

basically what i need is a "Going to Arisia for Dummies" book.

if you answer any of these questions i will be deeply in your debt. thank you, and seeya folks at Arisia (if i don't get lost on the way).

I hope this helps.

If you have more questions, try exploring the Arisia website (http://www.arisia.org/). If that doesn't help, come back here and ask another question.

If you would like to repay your debt, please volunteer (http://2006.arisia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=94). It's a good way to meet people, and learn a bit more about how cons work.

[ceo]

Note that at Park, you want to take the stairs to the "westbound" platform. There are 4 Green Line branches, but they all serve Arlington station, so any train is fine.

[dda.livejournal.com]

basically what i need is a "Going to Arisia for Dummies" book.

Others have handled the directions stuff so I'll chime in and point out that Programming has you covered:

From the preliminary schedule (http://2006.arisia.org/prelimsched.html): Fri 7:00 PM Fan Interest 311 So This Is Your First Convention

I strongly suggest you get to that panel as it should cover things like the 5-2-1* rule and where to eat and how to not only survive but enjoy Arisia. :-)


*Get 5 hours of sleep, eat 2 meals and take 1 shower per day

[zarhooie.livejournal.com]

Hey, you can get by with one shower on Sunday morning thankyouverymuch!

Also, that panel is REALLY good. I went last year. :)

[xdaemon.livejournal.com]

In addition to DDA's advice, I'll cover some of the rest of it.

Registration is very painless, except for the part where they separate your money from your wallet (that's NEVER painless). At this point, I don't think it matters if you do it online or at the door - either way they'll print you a real badge. They've done a great job at automating things - if you reg at the door, you'll be doing it at a terminal into the same system as if you do it online.

There are a number of restaraunts in the area, there will be a restaraunt guide at the information desk... which is across the mezzanine from registration. Ask reg, they'll know where it is.

I'll also note that only one person who has responded up to now (including me) is NOT on the committee. Geez...

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I'll also note that only one person who has responded up to now (including me) is NOT on the committee. Geez...

I guess we're all just a helpful bunch. :)

At con, the same thing applies, if you have a question, feel free to stop and ask someone wearing gopher (or higher rank) ribbon. If you're on the Mezz, there's always the Info Desk. They'll have maps, restaurant guides, public transit schedules, schedule updates, ....

Speaking of updates, always snag a copy of the at-con newsletter to find out about updates and happenings at the con.

[ckd]

Another option for getting to the con hotel from Random would be the MBTA #1 bus toward Dudley Square, then change at Hynes/ICA for any inbound Green Line train.

Problems: it's a bus, you have to wait outside, and there's no free transfer between bus & train. Red Line to Green Line is a better bet, but knowing the bus option can come in handy at times; the bus runs later even without the late lamented Night Owl service, though not a whole lot later.

[c1.livejournal.com]

Especially at this time of year and compared to Gotham, Cambridge and Boston are fairly safe cities. Usual rules apply— keep your wits about you, be vigilant of your surroundings, don't flash the bling. Around 2am (which is last call in this town) it can be hard to catch a cab, but if you're persistent, you'll get one eventually.

[alpacasforlunch.livejournal.com]

Around 2am (which is last call in this town) it can be hard to catch a cab, but if you're persistent, you'll get one eventually.

wait, does this mean there are no cabs after about 2? i'm looking forward to Rocky Horror on friday night, and if that ends at 3AM, will i be able to catch a cab back to the dorm?

thanks.

[persis.livejournal.com]

Regarding where do I eat, there will be some finger food available in the con suite to tide you over until you get a proper meal...

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

I know that to get back to Davis (which is on the same line as MIT) your hard limit for leaving Arlington is about 11:45. You might want to plan on taxis if you intend to attend parties, since they usually are just getting interesting about then.
As for food, you can hardly walk out of the hotel without tripping over a restaurant, and there's a list at the registration desk. To get you started, there's an Au Bon Pain and a Ben and Jerry's if you go out the hotel's front door and turn right :>

[sothe.livejournal.com]

Well, since folks have answered the directions/travel questions... I'll just put in my 0.02, which is that i usually take a cab. the fare from the Hotel to Random should not bee all that much, especially when split several ways.

Now, as to food. My personal fav is eating in Chinatown, it is cheap (usually), and an easy walk from the hotel. The only hint about that is... if you want to eat Dim Sum, don't do it on Sunday, because that when all the tourists go to eat Dim Sum, so the restaurants change their menus and the places are crowded and noisy. But if Chinese is not your food of choice, there are plenty of other restaurnats in the area.

Also, in the area of Random Hall, within just a few blocks there are scads of restaurants that serve food in any price range and any country... there's also a grocery store less than 3 blocks from Random.

Hope this helps in the food dept anyway.

[seaya.livejournal.com]

Do you know of any restuarants open late?

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Don't forget, if you become a volunteer, You'll get munchies and sometimes real food in the gopher hole (volunteer headquarters.)

And I think most everone else covered transportation issues and such. basically, figure, if you paln to leave the con between about 11:45PM and 5AM plan to take a cab. It would be a long cold walk across the river.

[zarhooie.livejournal.com]

If you hit Registration early-ish (between two and five on Friday) look for the cute girl with the namebadge Kat. Say hi and I'll take a quick break to show you around. :)

[alpacasforlunch.livejournal.com]

i probably won't make it to the con until at least 8:00, but thank you for the offer!

[pisicutsa.livejournal.com]

Heya! I've never been to Arisia before but I know my way around Boston and I'm also coming from NYC - we should look for each other. :)

[alpacasforlunch.livejournal.com]

definitely! if you see a girl with the badge name Lily and probably two messy braids and horns, and perhaps wings too if i feel like dealing with them, then that's probably me. the friend i'm going with is more noticable, extremely tall with bright green hair (though i guess that doesn't stand out as much in a con), badge name of Lima most likely.

how are you getting to boston (bus, car..)?

[bobquasit.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Arisia! I've been at every Arisia since it started, and I've got to say: it's a great con.

You didn't mention if this was your first convention, or just your first Arisia. On the off chance that it's your first con, I just put up a slightly revised copy of a piece I wrote five years ago: Con Survival 101 (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bobquasit/213314.html). I hope you find it useful.

Most other stuff has been well covered here. Is it okay if I plug the LJ panels? I'm on "LJ As A Social Medium".

Oh, one more thing: I don't know what your specific interests are, but try to see the Masquerade on Saturday night. That's always the high point of the con.

[bobquasit.livejournal.com]

A couple more points I forgot to mention:

If you become a program participant you get access to the Green Room, with hot food - yum! So if you're inclined, you might want to consider becoming a panelist (if you have expertise in an appropriate area) or a Masquerade contestant.

Also, there are a TON of things to see at the con - a weekend really isn't enough time, unfortunately (almost everyone I know would like to see a monthly con, actually). Don't miss the dealers and games on the fourth or fifth floor...many of them are open all night. Read the program early on, and you'll be amazed at how many cool events there are, round the clock.

[spotweld.livejournal.com]

A couple of tips:
1) Take advantage of the coat check. It gets hotter than you would expect in the convention space with all those folk milling around, but be sure to make note of when they close.

2) Take photos, cosplayers and costumers live for it. But do take care not to block high traffic areas. Arisia has a layout that is a little more crowded than most other conventions so it might be good to duck into a corner or side hallway before setting up your pose. (This also eliminates the chance of your picture being ruined by someone waling through.)

3)As with all conventions, being a volunteer is a good way to get a feel for things. Chances are good you meet up with some folks who know where the good food places are. (Though you can always ask at the info desk as well.)

4)Dealers. Two locations to get swag at Arisia. The dealer's room and dealer's row. The dealer's room is your standard convention set up. A ballroom is laid out in a grid of stalls and tables. A good array or DVDs, book, t-shirts, artwork, armor, and sundry are available. The dealer's row is a block of rooms set aside for folks to sell out of. It's a little more walking, but I've found you'll come across a more unique assortment of merchandise. (Check for signs by the elevators for which floor to go to).

That's all I can think of at the moment. Good luck and enjoy the con!

PBJ is your friend.

[leenah.livejournal.com]

this may be really silly, but i've found that a few PBJ sammiches packed in the backpack (because you need a place to carry stuff, like the crap you bought, etc.) taste mighty good when you're hungry enough. i like to save restaurant attendance for when i have a group, and i sit and find a spot to eat by myself otherwise - saves the legs a bit, gives you a breather.

if you see me ('leenah' is the name on the badge) there, don't be shy. i never bite unless asked to.

[mdg1.livejournal.com]

I usually have Friday night dinner at Legal Seafood. It's close, relatively inexpensive, and very filling :)

[jasra]

I think they're gone now. :(