Wincon 2015 Thursday Outing
Hello, Wincon attendees!
It's eight weeks until the con, so it's time to announce our official Thursday Outing! First, a little background information for new and returning attendees about the Thursday Outing, and then we'll announce where the con is planning to go this year. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.
What is the Thursday Outing?
The Thursday Outing is an off-site activity, meaning that we leave the hotel and venture into the host city for some local fun. In fact, the outing takes place before the con has even begun. The trip is organized by Wincon attendees, for Wincon attendees, but it is not officially part of the con, so the cost of the event is not included in your registration and the trip is not considered a con space.
As we announced previously, you are welcome to submit your own off-site activities through our website. Deadline to be listed in the program is August 28th, but we will advertise all eligible submissions on our website, provided they're submitted prior to the start of the con.
Who should attend the Thursday Outing?
EVERYONE. No, really. For first-time attendees, it's a great opportunity to get to meet some fellow fans before the whirlwind of Wincon officially picks up. For Wincon vets, the outing is great way to see some of the city! Once the con starts, it can be hard to tear yourself away from official programming-the panels and the Fandom Lounge are just that enticing-so getting to the con a little early to make the trip (if you can) is well worth it.
In past years, the outing has included visits to aquariums, wax museums, Universal Studios, and other tours, so we try to cover a variety of interests when planning things, too.
When is the Thursday Outing?
This year, the Thursday Outing will take place on October 15th. We will be leaving mid-morning on the 15th from the hotel, so you may want to get to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to attend!
Where is the Thursday Outing this year?
Well, there are a lot of awesome things to do in Pittsburgh, so it was a tough choice, but this year we're going to be visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium!
About the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
The Zoo is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the United States. Located in Highland Park, the zoo sits on 77 acres of park land where it exhibits more than 4,000 animals representing 475 species, including 20 threatened or endangered species. The Zoo has been around for over 100 years, and is divided into seven sections: Kid's Kingdom, the PPG Aquarium, Asian Forest, Tropical Forest, African Savanna, Bears, African Ravine, Water's Edge, and The Islands. You can find out more about the zoo at their website, here.
Pricing
$15.00 per person
You can pay in advance online, or buy your ticket at the gate on the day.
Transportation
ETA: Because the cost of a shuttle from the hotel to the zoo would be astronomical, our recommendation is that people get together to share rides via Uber. Feel free to use the comments of this post to find ride buddies.
If you are driving into Pittsburgh and plan to drive to the zoo, please let us know in the comments below if you're willing to take additional people with you, and how many will fit in your car, if so. Parking at the zoo is free.
Time
We will meet in the hotel lobby in the seating area in front of reception at 11:00am for an 11:30am departure for the zoo. The zoo staff said the whole thing can be done in 1.5-2 hours, including the aquarium, so afterwards, we could have lunch at the zoo, or head back downtown for lunch.
Food
There are two food court-type options at the zoo (chicken tenders, fries, pizza, etc.) People are permitted to bring their own outside food if they have dietary restrictions, but no glass bottles or anything that requires a heat source.
There are also plenty of restaurant options in the vicinity of the hotel, so lunch after we return is an option. If you have any suggestions for food, please leave them in the comments. Depending on group size, we may go with eating at the zoo for convenience; this will be announced closer to the con.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Leave 'em below!
It's eight weeks until the con, so it's time to announce our official Thursday Outing! First, a little background information for new and returning attendees about the Thursday Outing, and then we'll announce where the con is planning to go this year. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.
What is the Thursday Outing?
The Thursday Outing is an off-site activity, meaning that we leave the hotel and venture into the host city for some local fun. In fact, the outing takes place before the con has even begun. The trip is organized by Wincon attendees, for Wincon attendees, but it is not officially part of the con, so the cost of the event is not included in your registration and the trip is not considered a con space.
As we announced previously, you are welcome to submit your own off-site activities through our website. Deadline to be listed in the program is August 28th, but we will advertise all eligible submissions on our website, provided they're submitted prior to the start of the con.
Who should attend the Thursday Outing?
EVERYONE. No, really. For first-time attendees, it's a great opportunity to get to meet some fellow fans before the whirlwind of Wincon officially picks up. For Wincon vets, the outing is great way to see some of the city! Once the con starts, it can be hard to tear yourself away from official programming-the panels and the Fandom Lounge are just that enticing-so getting to the con a little early to make the trip (if you can) is well worth it.
In past years, the outing has included visits to aquariums, wax museums, Universal Studios, and other tours, so we try to cover a variety of interests when planning things, too.
When is the Thursday Outing?
This year, the Thursday Outing will take place on October 15th. We will be leaving mid-morning on the 15th from the hotel, so you may want to get to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to attend!
Where is the Thursday Outing this year?
Well, there are a lot of awesome things to do in Pittsburgh, so it was a tough choice, but this year we're going to be visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium!
About the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
The Zoo is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the United States. Located in Highland Park, the zoo sits on 77 acres of park land where it exhibits more than 4,000 animals representing 475 species, including 20 threatened or endangered species. The Zoo has been around for over 100 years, and is divided into seven sections: Kid's Kingdom, the PPG Aquarium, Asian Forest, Tropical Forest, African Savanna, Bears, African Ravine, Water's Edge, and The Islands. You can find out more about the zoo at their website, here.
Pricing
$15.00 per person
You can pay in advance online, or buy your ticket at the gate on the day.
Transportation
ETA: Because the cost of a shuttle from the hotel to the zoo would be astronomical, our recommendation is that people get together to share rides via Uber. Feel free to use the comments of this post to find ride buddies.
If you are driving into Pittsburgh and plan to drive to the zoo, please let us know in the comments below if you're willing to take additional people with you, and how many will fit in your car, if so. Parking at the zoo is free.
Time
We will meet in the hotel lobby in the seating area in front of reception at 11:00am for an 11:30am departure for the zoo. The zoo staff said the whole thing can be done in 1.5-2 hours, including the aquarium, so afterwards, we could have lunch at the zoo, or head back downtown for lunch.
Food
There are two food court-type options at the zoo (chicken tenders, fries, pizza, etc.) People are permitted to bring their own outside food if they have dietary restrictions, but no glass bottles or anything that requires a heat source.
There are also plenty of restaurant options in the vicinity of the hotel, so lunch after we return is an option. If you have any suggestions for food, please leave them in the comments. Depending on group size, we may go with eating at the zoo for convenience; this will be announced closer to the con.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Leave 'em below!