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I'm not new to conventions, but am an Adepticon virgin taking the plunge this month.
We want to enjoy it, not regret mistakes.

Any and all advice desired.

Including:

temperature inside venue
good cab companies (we are staying 6 minutes away by car)
places nearby to get great Chicago-style deep dish pizza
registration upon site tips (to get badge).

Any other advice appreciated. Share your wisdom to help those of us have a good experience.

Cheers and thanks!

Pre-book the games/events/seminars etc you want to participate in ASAP as it unlikely there will be space for walk ins on the day (especially the really fun stuff)

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
Pre-book the games/events/seminars etc you want to participate in ASAP as it unlikely there will be space for walk ins on the day (especially the really fun stuff)

Already done! Thank you.

Our favorite Chicago deep dish is Giordano's. Some people will argue this place or that, but most are pretty good.

It was fairly warm in the hall (lots of players). Late march can get really cold outside. If you have to step out for a smoke, dress warm.

I get my badge and stuff on Wednesday evening since I usually have Thursday morning events.

 kronk wrote:
Our favorite Chicago deep dish is Giordano's. Some people will argue this place or that, but most are pretty good.

It was fairly warm in the hall (lots of players). Late march can get really cold outside. If you have to step out for a smoke, dress warm.

I get my badge and stuff on Wednesday evening since I usually have Thursday morning events.

Not in until late Thursday afternoon Sadly.

All helpful tips, however. Thanks a bunch and keep 'em coming folks.

Cab company: install the Uber app and use it. It's cheaper than cabs, the cars are cleaner, drivers are nicer (you can rate them and too many bad reviews get them removed; this ALSO works against crappy riders!!), you can just "summon" one nearby and see the price before you even get picked up, and your card gets charged, instead of pocket cash (use cash for tip though; you can't put it on card).
I haven't used a cab once since discovering Uber. It's superior in EVERY single way. I haven't found a single point of superiority in the favor of cabs.

Shrapnelsmile wrote:I'm not new to conventions, but am an Adepticon virgin taking the plunge this month.
We want to enjoy it, not regret mistakes.

Any and all advice desired.

Including:

temperature inside venue
good cab companies (we are staying 6 minutes away by car)
places nearby to get great Chicago-style deep dish pizza
registration upon site tips (to get badge).

Any other advice appreciated. Share your wisdom to help those of us have a good experience.

Cheers and thanks!

-I've been there for the last few years and I can't recall what the temp was. In pics of the events I ran I was wearing short sleeves though so it must have been reasonably comfortable.

-Uber or Lyft are great for cabbing it. Affordale and fairly available in the suburbs.

-If you're already registered, then you just have to walk up and get your badge. It's always been quick and easy for me but I've not arrived early in the week.

Also I'm running a massive Mecha game (Mech Attack!) on Saturday. We have one spot left....

kronk wrote:Our favorite Chicago deep dish is Giordano's. Some people will argue this place or that, but most are pretty good.

Heresy! Giordano's is good pizza but the best deep dish is Lou Malnati's. Lou helped invent the stuff at the original Uno's PIzza (not the best deep dish) back in the day. There are two Lou's within a couple miles of the convention center.
https://www.loumalnatis.com/chicagoland#schaumburg%2C%20IL;10

Enjoy it and stop by and say hi on Saturday if you're free!

 timetowaste85 wrote:
Cab company: install the Uber app and use it. It's cheaper than cabs, the cars are cleaner, drivers are nicer (you can rate them and too many bad reviews get them removed; this ALSO works against crappy riders!!), you can just "summon" one nearby and see the price before you even get picked up, and your card gets charged, instead of pocket cash (use cash for tip though; you can't put it on card).
I haven't used a cab once since discovering Uber. It's superior in EVERY single way. I haven't found a single point of superiority in the favor of cabs.

Uber is good too, yes indeed -- just need to install it. Thanks for the reminder.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Eilif wrote:

Shrapnelsmile wrote:I'm not new to conventions, but am an Adepticon virgin taking the plunge this month.
We want to enjoy it, not regret mistakes.

Any and all advice desired.

Including:

temperature inside venue
good cab companies (we are staying 6 minutes away by car)
places nearby to get great Chicago-style deep dish pizza
registration upon site tips (to get badge).

Any other advice appreciated. Share your wisdom to help those of us have a good experience.

Cheers and thanks!

-I've been there for the last few years and I can't recall what the temp was. In pics of the events I ran I was wearing short sleeves though so it must have been reasonably comfortable.

-Uber or Lyft are great for cabbing it. Affordale and fairly available in the suburbs.

-If you're already registered, then you just have to walk up and get your badge. It's always been quick and easy for me but I've not arrived early in the week.

Also I'm running a massive Mecha game (Mech Attack!) on Saturday. We have one spot left....

kronk wrote:Our favorite Chicago deep dish is Giordano's. Some people will argue this place or that, but most are pretty good.

Heresy! Giordano's is good pizza but the best deep dish is Lou Malnati's. Lou helped invent the stuff at the original Uno's PIzza (not the best deep dish) back in the day. There are two Lou's within a couple miles of the convention center.
https://www.loumalnatis.com/chicagoland#schaumburg%2C%20IL;10

Enjoy it and stop by and say hi on Saturday if you're free!

I will make that effort, and thank you all again. This is going to make for such a nice smooth trip.

Bring ample cash for the Friday and Saturday night Bitz Bash. You can pick up some great deals from fellow gamers looking to unload extra stuff they don't want. Don't be afraid to negotiate. And make sure you have extra space in your bags...or possibly an extra piece of luggage...for the swag you'll be probably coming home with. Don't forget Forge World will be on site and the call of the resin Siren must be heeded.

For nosh, as mentioned, 'Lou Malnati's' is the way to go for Deep Dish pizza. Giordano's...sorry Kronk...is for the tourists. Get the Deep Dish "The Malnati Chicago Classic", just as it's listed on the menu...trust me. Also, for another meal, I'd recommend you grab a ride over to 'Kuma's Corner' in Schaumburg for the best burger on the planet. It'll be a wait, but it's worth every minute of the wait.

 BigWaaagh wrote:
Bring ample cash for the Friday and Saturday night Bitz Bash. You can pick up some great deals from fellow gamers looking to unload extra stuff they don't want. Don't be afraid to negotiate. And make sure you have extra space in your bags...or possibly an extra piece of luggage...for the swag you'll be probably coming home with. Don't forget Forge World will be on site and the call of the resin Siren must be heeded.

For nosh, as mentioned, 'Lou Malnati's' is the way to go for Deep Dish pizza. Giordano's...sorry Kronk...is for the tourists. Get the Deep Dish "The Malnati Chicago Classic", just as it's listed on the menu...trust me. Also, for another meal, I'd recommend you grab a ride over to 'Kuma's Corner' in Schaumburg for the best burger on the planet. It'll be a wait, but it's worth every minute of the wait.

All solid advice bar the Lous because thirding tomatoes and throwing them on pizza is not sauce

 Ustrello wrote:

 BigWaaagh wrote:
Bring ample cash for the Friday and Saturday night Bitz Bash. You can pick up some great deals from fellow gamers looking to unload extra stuff they don't want. Don't be afraid to negotiate. And make sure you have extra space in your bags...or possibly an extra piece of luggage...for the swag you'll be probably coming home with. Don't forget Forge World will be on site and the call of the resin Siren must be heeded.

For nosh, as mentioned, 'Lou Malnati's' is the way to go for Deep Dish pizza. Giordano's...sorry Kronk...is for the tourists. Get the Deep Dish "The Malnati Chicago Classic", just as it's listed on the menu...trust me. Also, for another meal, I'd recommend you grab a ride over to 'Kuma's Corner' in Schaumburg for the best burger on the planet. It'll be a wait, but it's worth every minute of the wait.

All solid advice bar the Lous because thirding tomatoes and throwing them on pizza is not sauce

He's a suburbanite...don't pay him no mind.

I think we should have a pizza contest on Saturday night.

You know. To be sure.

They're both fine for deep dish pizza. The thing about "touristy" restaurants is that they became a destination for a reason.

If you can get away from the con, getting a deep dish pie is a good idea (I usually go every other year). It's also worth trying an Italian Beef.

Give yourself time to just wander around, and take it all in. there are demos, a big (and growing) vendor hall, and a ton of great looking armies to see.

It will be dry (humidity-wise) and warm; stay hydrated. Also, the main hall is straight concrete; wear VERY comfortable shoes.

I can second Kuma's.

Food available at the hall is, in my opinion, pretty reasonable (other opinions will vary); it was $10 a meal (for the 'deal') last year.

I believe that, technically, only 'beverages' purchased at the hall are allowed, but it's been my experience that a very blind eye is turned toward people bringing their own.

Ah: Get the Guidebook app! Once you have it, add the AdeptiCon event. There is an option to have Guidebook keep track of your itinerary (don't know how it works).

If you're rolling in Thursday afternoon, there will be no wait for you to get your badge, etc. If you're buying your badge on site, it still shouldn't take long.

See you there!

--DCannon

use Lyft/Uber - literally a $6-8 ride instead of the normal cab fair

DCannon4Life wrote:
It will be dry (humidity-wise) and warm; stay hydrated. Also, the main hall is straight concrete; wear VERY comfortable shoes.

I can second Kuma's.

Food available at the hall is, in my opinion, pretty reasonable (other opinions will vary); it was $10 a meal (for the 'deal') last year.

I believe that, technically, only 'beverages' purchased at the hall are allowed, but it's been my experience that a very blind eye is turned toward people bringing their own.

Ah: Get the Guidebook app! Once you have it, add the AdeptiCon event. There is an option to have Guidebook keep track of your itinerary (don't know how it works).

If you're rolling in Thursday afternoon, there will be no wait for you to get your badge, etc. If you're buying your badge on site, it still shouldn't take long.

See you there!

--DCannon

I can't say anything about Kuma's, I'll have to try it out when I'm there as well.

They do have food there in the at the back of Adventure Hall, if they are calling all the rooms the same from last year. Decent price for that short break between games or events if you have some stacked. I brought my own stuff in last year, drink wise, never had anyone say anything to me.

I second comfortable shoes, there are chairs, but you tend to use them to sent books and other stuff on, and not yourself.

Guidebook App, is great, easy to use, and you can set an alarm to let you know what is coming up next for you. If you go to the Adepticon Site, you can find out more about it.

Since Shrapnelsmile is from California, you could go to any Chicago pizza place and have a great pizza, compared to what he is probably used to. My two cents, Aurelio's Stuffed Pizza, its actually a made like a pie. I haven't had Lou's so I can't compare it, I'll give them a try when I'm up there this year.

 DarkKnights44 wrote:

DCannon4Life wrote:
It will be dry (humidity-wise) and warm; stay hydrated. Also, the main hall is straight concrete; wear VERY comfortable shoes.

I can second Kuma's.

Food available at the hall is, in my opinion, pretty reasonable (other opinions will vary); it was $10 a meal (for the 'deal') last year.

I believe that, technically, only 'beverages' purchased at the hall are allowed, but it's been my experience that a very blind eye is turned toward people bringing their own.

Ah: Get the Guidebook app! Once you have it, add the AdeptiCon event. There is an option to have Guidebook keep track of your itinerary (don't know how it works).

If you're rolling in Thursday afternoon, there will be no wait for you to get your badge, etc. If you're buying your badge on site, it still shouldn't take long.

See you there!

--DCannon

I can't say anything about Kuma's, I'll have to try it out when I'm there as well.

They do have food there in the at the back of Adventure Hall, if they are calling all the rooms the same from last year. Decent price for that short break between games or events if you have some stacked. I brought my own stuff in last year, drink wise, never had anyone say anything to me.

I second comfortable shoes, there are chairs, but you tend to use them to sent books and other stuff on, and not yourself.

Guidebook App, is great, easy to use, and you can set an alarm to let you know what is coming up next for you. If you go to the Adepticon Site, you can find out more about it.

Since Shrapnelsmile is from California, you could go to any Chicago pizza place and have a great pizza, compared to what he is probably used to. My two cents, Aurelio's Stuffed Pizza, its actually a made like a pie. I haven't had Lou's so I can't compare it, I'll give them a try when I'm up there this year.

Excellent. Note to those of you having any trouble with Guidebook App -- keep trying. it's buggy apparently. Finally registered for me.

shoes, inserts and layers checked off the list.
as for Pizza, we have some great options out here, but Chicago style is the way to go. My buddy and I are hitting it right after hotel check - in on Thursday.

Question:
Does venue have ample charging stations / outlets to beef up phone battery, or should I bring a few disposable rapid chargers? Our hotel is not walking distance, so phones will need to be on for extremely long days / early mornings.

 DarkKnights44 wrote:

Since Shrapnelsmile is from California, you could go to any Chicago pizza place and have a great pizza, compared to what he is probably used to. My two cents, Aurelio's Stuffed Pizza, its actually a made like a pie. I haven't had Lou's so I can't compare it, I'll give them a try when I'm up there this year.

Aurelio's makes a good pie (certainly better than Cali' 'za), but it's not "Chicago Style Deep Dish".
Just saying...

One other thing to mention, you may not have time or transportation, but from the convention center you're only about 7 miles from one of the best Game stores in the nation "Games Plus". If you can swing an Uber or get some fellow gamers to carpool, it's well worth the effort.
http://www.games-plus.com

"Ample" charging stations? No. You'll be juice-mooching all weekend, so bring the portable chargers.

Step 1. Get into the GW Studio preview.

Step 2. Make like a stereotypical Japanese tourist in some god awful 80's movie and keep taking photos. Lots of photos. All the photos. Do your best to capture all the light in the local area from the sheer volume of photos you take.

Step 3. Report back to Dakka to the adoration of your fellow Nerds as our bringer of info.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Step 1. Get into the GW Studio preview.

Step 2. Make like a stereotypical Japanese tourist in some god awful 80's movie and keep taking photos. Lots of photos. All the photos. Do your best to capture all the light in the local area from the sheer volume of photos you take.

Step 3. Report back to Dakka to the adoration of your fellow Nerds as our bringer of info.

I'll take lots of pics and post. Thanks everyone.

Mind annoying the FW staff about Fires of Cyraxus for me? Thank you. <3

Adepticon was amazing. I'll try to post some pics tonight. In addition, i have hotel advice for future visitors.

So glad you enjoyed it! Looking forward to seeing your pics.

Greetings Dakka crew,

As promised, here finally are a few choice pics from Adepticon 2017

When we arrived, the first night after some incredible Chicago pizza we hit the halls Thursday night.

Here's some massive 40K action, and my buddy Joe admiring the view:




After a few shots it was time to register for the X Wing Tournament. Here's the line, a massive amount of players. FFG ran it without a hitch (at least from my buddy's perspective) over the next 2 days.



Then we spotted the Bitz dealer -- all organized by army or type. I spent a more than a bit of time here (no pun intended) the following day while Joe piloted his Imperial vessels.



Thank you all so much for the advice about the Convention -- more pics to follow and all questions answered.

Please let me know folks if the pics are not interesting enough -- I won't take time to post the rest, but am happy to if you're digging them.

Cheers

If you've got pics of lots of interesting armies, then go for it.

Sounds good. My favorite types of eye candy as well.

Saga Hall -- where the tournament was being played. Demo table was outside the door; I tried it with a buddy and we loved it.

This was eye catching as people walked by.




And a Death Metal Viking army, band included:



more next week, enjoy...

Here are 4 pages of mostly HH armies from 2017 Adepticon.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-18698-54819_Adepticon%202017.html

My favorite:

Those look really great