VGL Louisville Meetup - pics pg 22+

[big giant circles]

Sorry I've been slammed lately, guys.

I'm really not near a phone (and thinking of it) during the day, and by the time I get home, the dang ticket office is closed. Anyone else mind calling to see what the group-rate odds are?

[big giant circles]

K, I called, there's no group discount. I guess we'll shortly procede with buying the $48 tickets. I'll keep y'all posted.

[Nekofrog]

S'what I figured. Let me know when we need to buy.

[big giant circles]

I've actually got a fairly busy week/weekend ahead of me--I've got a big family shindig down in Atlanta this Fri-Sun, so I'll try to get the paypal info up pronto.

But everyone's had time to prepare, so be ready to pay within the week.

[dPaladin]

About that... I've got the money, but I've never used Paypal. I set one up and I've verified my bank account with it, but Paypal itself says it doesn't have any of my money. If I try to send you some, will it draw it automatically from the bank or do I need to transfer it over in advance?

[big giant circles]

Guys, I regrettably have had too much on my plate lately to handle this. Two jobs plus a whole slew of personal stuff has really interfered with my ability to make any progress on this. I still need to set up a paypal account, but I'm about to go out of town for some personal family reasons and I won't be back until Monday.

I'll try to get things done soon, but bear with me through the delay, which will hopefully only be a minor one.

[MechaFone]

I can't make it. My work schedule changes during the summer, and I'll have just started that new schedule in the middle of June. Boss needs everybody during that time, and he can't give me the time off. It was a nice thought to meet some of you guys, but maybe something'll work out later in the future.

[Sinewav]

We ARE still planning on doing this, right?

[Sinewav]

...right???

[CC Ricers]

LOL no

j/k

No, I'd really wish I can go and meet some of you people, but I lack a car and I'm not thinking of paying for a bus trip to go there at the moment. I know some people that have a car, but you know, this is how I imagine the short conversation to carry out:

"So what are your plans this weekend?"

"Well, I'd probably want to go to out of state to Louisville, gonna meet some people I know online there."

"......."

[ifirit]

Tell you what BGC, I can take over handling arrangements for the Louisville meet-up. Since I live in Lexington, thus being one of the closest people to Louisville going to the concert, I think I can handle it. I really want to see this trip happen.

As such, it seems to me that we'll be getting the $48 tickets for the show, but not with group seating packages. This may not be a problem since there are still tickets available. I'm thinking that if it's okay that I handle things, I can make the purchase of tickets at one time to ensure that the seats are as close together as possible.

I can set up a paypal account for this trip if necessary.

I've asked around some and I've heard that the hotels in Louisville have shuttle services available for their guests. Some can even pick-up guests at their desired locations and take them to various locations around town, which would provide for transportation to and after the concert. This could simplify the meet-up location and arrangements by having everyone meet at the hotel, parking there if needed, and then going to the concert together via the shuttle.

I can get a list of the hotels that provide shuttle service and confirm the service by phone call, if requested. I can also get a list of rooms and rates as well.

Let me know if this is O.K. with you guys.

[Sole Signal]

I'm sure bgc won't mind at all; he'll probably be relieved. I'd say you're good with setting up the paypal account and making plans, but just check with him to be sure.

[big giant circles]

that is fine with me. sorry again for my recent unavailability to carry through with my intentions.

i've updated first thread. ifirit, let me know when you get that paypal set up and I'll put it in first post.

[dPaladin]

Sounds good, ifrit.

[ifirit]

Okay, I've set up a page for purchasing the tickets, which are for Orchestra Seating (Section AA - S). These are the $48.00 tickets, but I've also included the $5.00 ticket fee that the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts charges per ticket, totaling to $53.00. (I tried to add that information onto the PayPal page, but for some reason it's not showing up.)

PayPal Page for purchasing tickets

I think I'd like to go ahead and set-up the purchase-by date for Monday, June 16, 2008. This will allow everyone at least one working pay-period of opportunity for me to collect money for their tickets. Please also PM me after you purchase your tickets so that I can confirm who has purchased tickets.

I'm currently working on finding hotels that offer shuttle service in the Louisville area, along with rooms and rates. I'll list my top choices once I've narrowed it down. Those of us who want to split the hotel cost can then decide where, how, and any other details. I can also set up another PayPal page for the hotel, if needed.

Everyone should go ahead and tell me if you do or do not have transportation to Louisville, KY.

I'll provide maps and parking instructions for those with transporation as the date approaches. Please let me know also where you are traveling from to help co-ordinate directions. (If requested, I can also let you know of a couple of cheap gas stations in the Bluegrass Region.)

For those that do not have transportation, tell me your pick-up location and I'll give you the name of the closest person to you. You'll have to contact that person yourself and make travel arrangements with him/her, but I'll help in any way I can.

Guys and gals, this is gonna be an awesome meet-up!

[Nekofrog]

My car is broken down, but it should be more than up and ready in time for the July trip. Should also not be a problem sending the money on the 13th (payday).

[big giant circles]

1st thread updated. Big thanks to ifirit for taking point on this.

[Sole Signal]

Make that Audix +1. Got a buddy who's coming along.

Hopefully buying tix on June 16 is enough in advance; I would think it would be.

[ifirit]

Okay, I've searched around for hotels, in-town transportation and movie theaters. I've tried to co-ordinate things to be as simple as possible, but I've left a lot of room for adjustments.

After looking into the idea of using a hotel shuttle for in-town transporation, this is what I've found. The hotels only offer direct shuttle service to the airport and Six Flags from 6am to 11pm. After 11pm, pick-up service is available to these hotels, but drop-off service is not available. This means that while we could get a shuttle to take us back to the hotel after the concert, travel to the concert and afterwards is not available from the hotels. Additionally, the majority of the hotels that offer shuttle service are located near the airport, which is 15 miles away from the downtown area, where the concert is being held.

So, here's the plan. Since shuttle service from the hotel to the concert and movie theater, restaurants, etc. is not available at the times we need it I'm thinking that it be better to look for a hotel in the immediate area of the Kentucky Theater for the Performing Arts. We could meet there, get food from the tons of restaurants in the downtown area and then walk over the concert. After the concert, those who want to return to the hotel can, those who want to go to the movie theater can take the bus, taxi, trolley, or drive to the movie theater and there's no pressure to follow the group. Things can remain informal and relaxed.

Since the closest movie theater is located on Bardstown Rd. as are the majority of other attractions, we can also go there to eat after the concert. Those who are 21 can head to the bars in the area after the movie as well.

I've narrowed my choice of hotels in the immediate area of the concert hall (less than 5 blocks away) to these four:

1) Galt House Hotel

140 North Fourth Street (1.5 blocks away)

$121.50 per night (4 person room, $30.38 per person)

Description: A very traditional, upscale hotel endorsed by Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. This is the closest hotel to the concert hall, though largest in size (1300 rooms), containing shops, restaurants, a gym, a liquor store and exibition hall. Ammenities are at a minimum (though free WiFi access is included), with charges applied for additional services.

Room Type: 2 Double Beds

Parking: On-site ($12 per night); Valet ($18 per night)

Check-in: 3pm

Check-out: 11am

2) 21c Museum Hotel

700 W. Main St. (2 blocks away)

$159 per night (4 person room, $39.75 per person)

Description: A hotel within a museum, with world-wide recognitions. Though older than any of the other hotels, it is no less clean and modern. Posh and ecclectic, this hotel is rife with ammenities, such as complementary iPods (!), free WiFi access, business center with 42 inch LCD television with cable hook-ups (perfect for multi-player gaming), silver mint julep cups, complementary daily newspaper and bathrobes, and high quality bedding and toiletries. Has the shortest check-in/check-out time.

Room Type: 2 Double Beds

Parking: Valet ($18 per night); Restaurant Parking ($4 Mon - Sat after 5:30pm)

Check-in: 4pm

Check-out: 11am

3) Courtyard Louisville Downtown

100 S. Second St. (3.5 blocks away)

$119.00 per night (4 person room, $29.75 per person)

Description: This bare-bones hotel offers the bare minimum in accomodations. However, its close promiximity to the concert hall and cheap on-site parking. Wired internet access is available, but WiFi is restricted to the lobby and common areas. Rooms do offer pay-per-play videogames. Guest capacity is restricted to 5 people.

Room Type: 2 Double Beds; Single King Bed + Pull-out Sofa Bed ($169.00 per night)

Parking: On-site ($6 per day)

Check-in: 3pm

Check-out: 12pm

4) Hyatt Regency Louisville

320 W. Jefferson St. (4 blocks away)

$110.00 per night (4 person room, $27.50 per person)

Dscription: Located four blocks away from the theater, it is the cheapest of the four hotels. Though not as large as the Galt House or Hilton hotels, the Hyatt has larger rooms, containing a work-space area and separate changing room in the bathrooms. Intended for business clientele, this hotel provides more convinient and efficient services, such as electronic self-check-in/check-out and porter/bellhop service. T-Mobile Wifi access is available at a fee.

Room Type: 2 Double Beds

Parking: Guest Parking ($9 per day*); Daily Parking ($11 per day*); Valet Parking ($18 per night)

Check-in: 3pm

Check-out: 12pm

*In-&-Out privileges are available, i.e. pay for the day, no additional fee to re-enter.

My pick is the 21c Museum Hotel, because, overall, it has the best location, accessibility, parking fee ($4 at restaurant), ammenities and guest rating among the four. However, if pricing is a major factor, the Hyatt Regency would be my second pick. Let me know what you guys think.

[Nekofrog]

2 blocks is good. Girlfriend will have her walker so the shorter the distance the better.

[Sinewav]

21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY is the first of its kind — a 91-room hotel dedicated to world class luxuries, Southern-style hospitality and contemporary art from living artists, exhibited throughout its galleries and public space. Among the many upscale offerings: iPods with a wide variety of music for guests' listening pleasure, award winning design and décor, poster art, 42" HDTV flat screen televisions, WiFi, 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets imported from Italy crowning the exquisite bedding, silver mint julep cups, gourmet coffee makers, mini-bar refrigerators, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, and nightly turn down and Concierge services. The hotel also offers a full exercise facility with a steam room, sauna and spa services. And, of course, penguins.

Of course.

[big giant circles]

I'll get first post edited tonight with hotel options

[Sole Signal]

Great work on the hotel info, ifirit. I'm good with any of those hotels, though that Museum one seems like it could get kinda pricey when you consider everything.

Anyway, I'll be sending my cash this weekend for ifirit; it's the last weekend we have, guys. You don't want to miss this!

[EdgeCrusher]

Damn, neko and his "companion" are going? Damn you work!

[ifirit]

There's only two days left before I purchase tickets for VGL. If you want to sit with the group, then make sure you send in your money via the Paypal page in the first post.

Also, it may be unclear how I determined the hotels costs, as Audix pointed out to me. The costs that I posted above are based on four people sharing the hotel room together, since that is the largest room that you can reserve online. If there are more than 4 people willing to share the room, then individually the cost will be less. If there are fewer than 4 people willing to share a hotel room, then I can provide information about smaller rooms, which may or may not be cheaper. However, considering the number of people who have already expressed an interest in sharing a hotel room, I'm not expecting this to happen. I also highly suggest that as many people carpool that can, which is why I offered to co-ordinate rides for people, especially considering that gas prices are expected to reach $6 per gallon by mid-July.

As such, I'm currently planning on the group using the various Louisville public transits to get around town, considering how cheap and convenient it is in the downtown area. I'll post those transportation options after I've purchased everyone's tickets on Monday.