HMS Exeter | 22 Jun 2019 2:18 p.m. PST |
My original plans for today having fallen thru, I followed a whim to do a dry run up to Lancaster to scout things out. It's about a 100 minute drive each way. Downtown traffic was heavier than I expected. Slow, but not too bad really. It was much more crowded than I expected. Lots of touristy types. Parking and Hotel access: There are 2 main parking lots we'll be using. One adjoining each of the downtown hotels. The Penn square adjoins the Marriott. Duke street adjoins the Holiday Inn. Penn Square has 4 floors. The first floor is all monthly parking. The attendant said those spaces stay reserved, even on the weekend. Of the 3 floors we can use, L2 and L3 were nearly full. L4, the roof deck, was deserted. So, all tolled it was about 55% full. This jibes with Joby's estimate from late May. Can't speak to how things are during the week. There is a covered ramp/walkway from the Penn to the conjoined Marriott/LCCC lobbies. It is a bit steep in places. So, loading in and out won't be subject to precip issues. The Marriott has large hotel carts. I don't know how they feel about them being taken to the garage. The Duke Street garage has 6 much smaller floors and was nearly empty. 15% full at best. Hotel access here is going to be a bigger issue. The covered walkway between the garage and the hotel is closed for construction. There are 5 spaces between the hotel and the garage, where you can park to register in the Holiday Inn before entering the lot, but they are 15 minute limited. I can't see registering and loading in in 15 minutes. Not single handedly. The hotel has carts near this side entrance, but even if they permitted it, getting a cart into the garage and up to your car would be difficult. The elevator area is pretty cramped. It's about 30 feet in the open from the garage to the side entrance. Construction There is still work going on at the Holiday Inn, but it seems limited the the lowest 2 floors, in the rear. It does not appear it will interfere much, apart from limiting access. There is no way (without cutting thru construction) to enter the hotel from the West or South. It looks like what they are working on is going to be amenities areas. Misc: I'm staying at the HI. My plan is to arrive early Thursday and park in Duke St. It'll be too early to check in, so I won't be bringing any edibles or sodas as they may be stuck in the heat a long time. Go to the con before checking in. Check in late afternoon and load in gradually after dinner. Load munchies into the room whenever. I'd bring a hand cart/truck. I'm going to. Better to have one and not need it… If you're a smoker at the Marriott, I guess you're out on the street, in the garage or the loading dock alley, unless they've made some provision I don't know about. At the HI there is a large open veranda off the mezzanine level of the lobby. It's probably a construction area, but the door wasn't locked, so… Both hotels have conspicuous ATMs and I saw another close by at a Wells Fargo. The Marriott/LCCC is a bit of a maze, but there is an interactive touch screen map in the hotel lobby. It's a 3 block walk between the hotels. It's not as level as it seems on Google Maps. There are tons of eateries. Don't know which are better/faster than others. For me, I won't be rolling the dice on Himalayan Curry. I was there from 11a to about 130p. I don't know what it's like later on. There is a Rite Aid between the hotels in case of needed incidentals. 18 days and a wake up. Eager? Me? Naaah. |
Hitman | 22 Jun 2019 7:55 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the update. This helps a lot. Regards Hitman |
holien | 23 Jun 2019 3:49 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the update,not long to go… Every venue has its own challenges let's hope this one is acceptable to everyone. (Ok you got me, to more folk than normal…) We will be getting into Lancaster on Monday staying at the Tru Hilton to do some sightseeing and shopping as my better half really enjoyed that area of Lancaster last year and happy to return. Looking forward to having a great holiday and some good games. |
vonLoudon | 23 Jun 2019 9:21 a.m. PST |
KPinder thanks. This is the kind of advance information we always need. Location, parking proximity, obstacles, walkways, and entrance points. Hope to see more from the powers that be real soon. Eighteen days will be here faster than we like. |
custosarmorum | 23 Jun 2019 1:56 p.m. PST |
Do we know which lots are participating in the HMGS discount? Looking at the map the Duke Street Garage also seems to be an option and maybe a bit closer than the Prince. I am guessing parking might be problematic given a recent Lancaster parking study says that on a weekday the baseline for off-street parking is just under 2/3 of capacity (and that is without an event like H-con. |
HMS Exeter | 23 Jun 2019 3:02 p.m. PST |
#Custosarmoran The main concern re parking is being able to get a space in the lot next to one's chosen hotel. If that doesnt happen, you're stuck either doing a mad dash load out, (if possible) then search for a space somewhere else. OR, park somewhere else, then hump your stuff "x" blocks across town. There are 1250 spaces between the Penn and the Duke. If there is 40% vacancy, that gives us 500ish spaces. The 2 hotels have 515ish rooms. We know both blocks were filled. With some guys car pooling, and vendors with oversized vehicles on Vine Street, and people ubering in, we could maybe hope for some wriggle room. I know one thing. If I get a space where I need it on Thursday, I ain't moving again 'til Sunday. "Our fondest hopes, and our greatest fears, are those things most seldom realized." |
custosarmorum | 23 Jun 2019 5:28 p.m. PST |
KPinder, I had the impression from the Lancaster Parking Authority's website that all of the parking garages are open to the public and their parking study estimates on a weekday that nearly 2/3 of all those spaces are taken at all the downtown garages. So I am guessing that spaces will be at a premium. As one of the greying members with "mobility issues," I am not looking forward to walking 3-4+ blocks just to get to the venue (and even less to the walk back!). Thanks for the information… I will keep my fingers crossed. |
Grumble87106 | 23 Jun 2019 7:58 p.m. PST |
There are tons of eateries. Don't know which are better/faster than others. For me, I won't be rolling the dice on Himalayan Curry. KPinder, Himalayan Curry and Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in Lancaster. I go there for my birthday every year when possible. Wish my birthday were more frequent. Best Indian food in town. The lunch buffet (weekdays only) is $11. USD BUT it is a small venue, and early arrival (11:30) or reservations are important. I have not eaten supper there. If you can't eat there, at least make a point of walking by and inhaling deeply when they're cooking. Yum! |
shthar | 23 Jun 2019 8:09 p.m. PST |
Duke Street? Wow! They're really going all out for us! |
HMS Exeter | 24 Jun 2019 5:35 a.m. PST |
Duke Street. Well there's Kismet for you. If only… #Custosarmorum. Evidently, I shall have to reconsider. I am actually rather partial to curry. Is carry out an option? Looks like Himalayan's back on the menu, boys! ALSO, when youse guys are planning your route in, be as proactive working out your exit route. Lancaster does not lend itself to just simply "back tracking." Nor does it seem interested in suffering fools. I came in 501, which merges with, and becomes, 222. 222 splits into a one way southbound 222/Duke Street, which leads straight to the garages. AOK. On the way out, northbound 222 is 2 blocks east, goes north about 10 blocks, then turns west for one block. Then turns north again. It's one of those unforgiving, (you better be in the correct lane, or else), deals. There is a woman in a blue SUV somewhere in Lancaster right now who still hasn't stopped cussing me out. Forewarned is forearmed. |
Grumble87106 | 24 Jun 2019 9:16 a.m. PST |
It's one of those unforgiving, (you better be in the correct lane, or else), deals. There is a woman in a blue SUV somewhere in Lancaster right now who still hasn't stopped cussing me out. Yes, downtown Lancaster was designed for carriages and farm wagons and has never really gotten into the 20th century -- let alone the 21st. Not that they don't try with new traffic patterns, but you can only do so much within the parameters of historic buildings and one-way streets. Keep an eye out for the alleys; they are often the best solution to a hopeless series of one-ways. That said, in my experience most Lancastrians are fairly courteous and forgiving. The blue SUV driver was, I hope, an exception. |
Grumble87106 | 24 Jun 2019 9:17 a.m. PST |
I am actually rather partial to curry. Is carry out an option? This is the carry-out from the Himalayan. Presumably you can get a lunch box on Saturdays, too, even though there is no lunch buffet on Saturdays. Closed Sundays. LUNCH BOX TO GO Select your choice from the Curries section of the menu. Comes with rice and naan bread. Chicken, $8 USD Vegetable, $7 USD Paneer, $7 USD Lamb, $10 USD Seafood, $11 USD himalayanlancaster.com |
Ploogak | 24 Jun 2019 9:32 a.m. PST |
The few parking spots that aren't part of the Parking Authority are Steinman Park Garage, the RRTA Garage (across from the Holiday Inn) and the few flat lots around. Also, there shouldn't have to be any humping stuff x blocks. Both downtown hotels have a place to unload your stuff for your room. If you're not staying at the Marriott you can unload your gaming stuff at the convention center. Wednesday and Thursday for load-in and Sunday for load-out we've reserved the 10 spots on Queen Street for our use. We'll have volunteers there to help facilitate loading and unloading and we have a few rooms/unused offices where we can store people's stuff. Travel in and out will require a learning curve but GPS has always worked well for me travelling into and out of downtown. I'm not saying people won't want to leave once they get there but they won't really have to either. I really think that once everyone is there the show and the facility will make up for the inconvenience if anyone had trouble getting in. You guys enjoy your Himalayan. It's not for me but fortunately there are dozens of other places downtown. Joby |
Mirosav | 24 Jun 2019 12:19 p.m. PST |
Joby, Will there be onsite food available at the the convention center? What is the LCC policy on outside food & drink (carry out from local restaurants)? |
HMS Exeter | 24 Jun 2019 1:06 p.m. PST |
Mirosav, excellent questions. |
shthar | 24 Jun 2019 10:19 p.m. PST |
Here's a question: Any ATMs in the place? |
HMS Exeter | 25 Jun 2019 6:03 a.m. PST |
One in the hotel lobby. When, as I expect, at some point, it runs out of dinero, there is another one 1.5 blocks north at a Wells Fargo, and another in the lobby of the Hotel Lancaster. These were the 3 I saw when I did a dry run this past weekend. I have to think there are more close by. |
Ploogak | 25 Jun 2019 8:22 a.m. PST |
Miroslav, The Marriott has a restaurant that features a "quick lunch" menu for about $14 USD and you get the food within 10 mins. There will be a couple concession stands with food in drink. At this point we're looking at having one in Freedom A and one outside the Heritage room on Level 3. I'm told there will be a bar with bar food at the top of the new tower that will be ready by the time we're there. It wasn't finished yet when I got to see it but they were pretty confident. As for outside food, the Convention Center is a little different than the Host. The Host was a self standing business that also wanted to feed us. The Convention Center is there to help stimulate downtown business. There's all kinds of food places available, some that deliver (at least a Jimmy John's and some pizza places). I don't know yet to what extent they deliver in the facility, but I've seen people carry food in. If you bring in outside food they ask you only eat it in your sleeping room, the lobby or prefunction space and don't bring it into the event rooms. Outside alcohol can be brought to your sleeping rooms to consume, outside alcohol is not allowed in the common areas. Joby |
Bowman | 25 Jun 2019 10:29 a.m. PST |
Thanks for your report KPinder. You are TMP's own Ranger. Some traffic questions: I'm coming from #30 from #283. It doesn't look like #501 or #222 have off ramps. It seems I have to end up in the right lane, just past Fruitville Pike and get on Chester Rd. This then gets me onto #501 south which merges with #222 south to become Duke St. I pass King St and turn right at Vine St. This gets me to Queen St and I'm golden! Is this correct? |
Grumble87106 | 25 Jun 2019 9:05 p.m. PST |
When, as I expect, at some point, it runs out of dinero, there is another one 1.5 blocks north at a Wells Fargo, and another in the lobby of the Hotel Lancaster. PNC on Duke Street 1/2 block north of King, and a Santander right on King and Duke. |
Grumble87106 | 25 Jun 2019 9:09 p.m. PST |
Some traffic questions:I'm coming from #30 from #283. It doesn't look like #501 or #222 have off ramps. It seems I have to end up in the right lane, just past Fruitville Pike and get on Chester Rd. This then gets me onto #501 south which merges with #222 south to become Duke St. I pass King St and turn right at Vine St. This gets me to Queen St and I'm golden! Is this correct? Spot on, Bowman. Chester frontage road is what you want. The exit off 283 is clearly marked to take you to Fruitville Pike and eventually to Lititz Pike (501). And you go the rest of the way exactly as you describe. |
Bowman | 26 Jun 2019 6:21 a.m. PST |
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HMS Exeter | 26 Jun 2019 6:25 a.m. PST |
#Bowman Grumble covered it. Chester Frontage appears to have been built/co-opted as a service byway to reduce the interchange load on 30 through this stretch. From 283 you want to choose the Fruitville Pike lane when it starts to merge with 30. This will put you on Chester Frontage. I find it enormously helpful to go to Google maps. Put the yellow guy in the bottom right on the map and click the arrows to rehearse my route. Its easy to get lost thru this spaghetti junction. We used to go to cons at the old Penn Harris. We'd been at the Host maybe 3 cons and on the way home I got complacent. I manage to miss the 30 turnoff and stay on 283 instead, headed for Harrisburg. It's some time before I realize my mistake. I figure, OK, I'm north of the river. I just need to find a route that looks big enuf to warrant a bridge across the river. Just outside Harrisburg I cross the river. I climb this big hill, look over and here's the Penn Harris. Well, at least I know the way home from here. Dooh! |
Bowman | 26 Jun 2019 9:32 a.m. PST |
Well the driving around Lancaster isn't too bad but the driving around Harrisburg is way too cluttered given the size of the city. I come from the north and come down #15 along the west side of the Susquehanna River, (which is a beautiful drive, btw). But the drive around the eastern edge of Harrisburg is a bit numbing. |
dapeters | 01 Jul 2019 10:23 a.m. PST |
Being that I am use to roasting at Historicons how was the air conditioning? Will us with damaged thermostats need long sleeves? Or if one shows up in shorts and tea shirts will we freeze? |
HMS Exeter | 01 Jul 2019 12:48 p.m. PST |
The AC was fine, but the facility was empty and it was a mild day. I was wandering around outside in a sweatshirt, and perfectly comfortable. Translation: I have no idea. |
dapeters | 02 Jul 2019 2:01 p.m. PST |
Thanks, I guess that if you were there on a mild day and it was freezing might mean they have real control over things. |
HMS Exeter | 03 Jul 2019 5:24 a.m. PST |
Or, it was such a nice day that they turned their gizmo off altogether. If you have a wonky thermostat, at least until you come and get a read of their systems in action, I'd pack clothes for both possible extremes. Fortune favors the prepared buns. |
Bowman | 03 Jul 2019 8:00 a.m. PST |
I think once all the bodies pile into the rooms the AC will be just what we need. Putting on a long sleeve shirt is much better than wanting to take a shirt off. But I'm from Canada, so too cold is preferable to too hot. |
dapeters | 03 Jul 2019 8:07 a.m. PST |
LOL guys I was trying to be optimistic my wife will tell you that's a stretch for me. Bowman I guess I am getting old the cold bothers me more now. I work in a place that everyone wears jackets or sweaters in the summer though it's in the 90's outside. |
HMS Exeter | 03 Jul 2019 1:12 p.m. PST |
Maybe this year's HMGS thanks for coming to the con gimme shouldn't be a figure, or a lanyard, or a tape measure, but a bottle of Geritol. |
47Ronin | 03 Jul 2019 4:24 p.m. PST |
Some of us who have toured the new location believe that the food choices will be a major upgrade from what has been available at The Host the past few years. I doubt the Hall Pig will be missed. We'll see. |
HMS Exeter | 03 Jul 2019 8:59 p.m. PST |
Yes, but no sauerkraut. Well, probably not. |
Grumble87106 | 04 Jul 2019 11:06 a.m. PST |
Maybe this year's HMGS thanks for coming to the con gimme shouldn't be a figure, or a lanyard, or a tape measure, but a bottle of Geritol. Or maybe a nice light windbreaker, in some day-glo color, that says "I came to Historicon and survived the HVAC" on the back. Or, who knows -- they could be sold in place of the T-shirts. |
HMS Exeter | 05 Jul 2019 6:26 a.m. PST |
I'm not sure, but I may shortly be DAWGHOUSED. If you post an inquiry and I don't respond, that may be why. JSYK. |
Bowman | 05 Jul 2019 3:00 p.m. PST |
Need a cake with a file in it? |
HMS Exeter | 05 Jul 2019 3:33 p.m. PST |
Looks like a false alarm. But, if I do ever end up in there, what I'm really gonna need are a set of sound deadening headphones. Have you ever played the video in there. Land o' Goshen! |
vonLoudon | 06 Jul 2019 9:46 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the updates KPinder. So you think that Penn garage is not going to be either close enough to Holiday Inn or that it won't take long to go from HI back to the Convention Center or not have spaces in the Penn? I need to offload but I don't think it's an option on Friday if I read Joby right. I am trying to get into HI and scrap my outside reservations and I will be doing the Wally's basement. Any advice. If I'm lucky my map skills will improve considerably before then. Thanks. |
Ploogak | 06 Jul 2019 11:25 p.m. PST |
von, offloading is an option on Friday, we just don't expect heavy traffic by Friday. You'll still be able to unload on S. Queen or Vine St. Keep in mind the Vine St. entrance comes right smack into the middle of Wally's so please, if you're using that entrance, try to schedule to not drop off during a session. If you come during a session please use the S. Queen St. entrance. Driving to the HI is quick from the Convention Center. It takes a little longer to drive back to the Convention Center and really isn't much faster than walking once you factor in finding a spot, etc. If you haven't gotten the email yet, you're in at the HI. People staying at the HI can park for free in the Duke St. garage. I'm leaving for Lancaster in the morning. There'll be more parking info added to the website tomorrow or early Monday before the badge bar code emails go out. See you all soon. Joby |
HMS Exeter | 07 Jul 2019 5:44 a.m. PST |
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vonLoudon | 08 Jul 2019 2:28 p.m. PST |
Joby, thanks for the option on the reservation. I've verified with HI. You and others have kindly pretty much answered all my questions for now. Much obliged. Now to find a parking spot closer than Harrisburg or Philly! |
Grumble87106 | 08 Jul 2019 9:18 p.m. PST |
Now to find a parking spot closer than Harrisburg or Philly! I think there were a few in Reading last I checked. |
vonLoudon | 09 Jul 2019 6:38 a.m. PST |
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WarWizard | 09 Jul 2019 11:18 a.m. PST |
Got my Badge Bar code email today 7/9. Thanks HMGS. |
holien | 09 Jul 2019 2:40 p.m. PST |
Just trying to find entrance to Marriot car park, is it South Christian Street? Hopefully clearly marked as the hotel car park? |
holien | 09 Jul 2019 2:44 p.m. PST |
Or looking at this thread is it actually the Penn Square car park? So I should be looking for different signage? |
holien | 09 Jul 2019 2:54 p.m. PST |
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vonLoudon | 10 Jul 2019 6:27 a.m. PST |
The parking map and the street map are looking good. Look for the arrows on the google street map for direction of the traffic. In google maps I clicked on a satellite map that was interactive and literally took me around the convention area on South, Vine ,and South Duke street, but not inside garages. If you haven't been there, like me, it is a great way to familiarize yourself with the area. Looks like Fruitville Pike is a good way to come right downtown from 30. I think there is a thread here on that and Route 222. |
vonLoudon | 10 Jul 2019 6:33 a.m. PST |
Check KPinder's thread on here on 26 June about coming off 30. |