Super-Fam Meetup Post #4!

[htbthomas]

So it looks like we will definitely be going to Chicago. Those of you who are planning to attend, go ahead and make travel plans to fly, drive, rail or bus in on Thursday evening, June 13, or during the day on Friday, June 14. The movie will be Friday evening, with discussion/visiting/whatever after! It would be fun to do something on Saturday

Comments

[htbthomas]

I definitely want to share with at least one other person. I'll be coming by bus and arriving at Union Station OR driving on Friday, most likely. I prefer bus to avoid parking hassles and such. I would want a room for Friday night and probably Saturday night.

[athenesolon]

I'm looking for a roommate so that might be a possibility. I'm looking to do pretty much what you are doing (taking the train in, that is). I'm actually kind of looking forward to using the L (if needed) again (I was in Chicago back in December.)

[htbthomas]

Let's go ahead and tentatively pair up, all right? I like to use priceline - I'll start looking at what rates are average for that weekend.

[athenesolon]

Sounds good to me. I may ask hubby about what sites he uses to get good deals on the rooms we often stay at (admittedly chicago was not one of them but that was after determining the price of parking negated the benefit of Priceline and found a different option, that may be an option here if you're not driving.)

[spiletta42]

When I stay in Chicago I like to stay out of town in Oak Brook, which has several excellent hotels for far less money than downtown and also a kickass comic book shop. This would only work for someone who was driving, of course, but I thought I'd throw that out there in case anyone finds that information useful at all.

Have fun, meeting up with fandom people is the best thing in the entire world. :)

[htbthomas]

Thanks for leaving that suggestion! I'm sure some people will be driving.

It totally is! ♥

[routhfan1]

Oakbrook mall area is nice, not too far from where I grew up. Hindsdale, Downers Grove, Napperville, Wheaton have little down towns with some nice resteraunts that are less of a hassle than downtown Chicago, and less pricey. Downtown La Grange and Western Springs are closer to the city and also have no shortage of resteraunts to choose from.

[thrace_adams]

I hope you all have LOADS of fun :D

I'll literally be ON A PLANE while you are doing this LOL.

[htbthomas]

Well, safe travels to you anyway! We'll be thinking of you. :)

[kalalanekent]

It's looking like Anissa and I are going to make a weekend of it. Fly through O'Hare in Thursday and get a car, may be staying in St Charles and coming in to meet-up, and we'll leave out Sunday afternoon. Looking at a package deal and still need to see what and if we still have a roommate.

Thanks for the update, Mom!

[routhfan1]

Have you been to Chicago before? You might want to consider flying into midway instead if you have the option. Midway is the airport I prefer over OHARE. There seem to be less delays, it is much closer to the main part of the city and since it is the smaller of the two airports it takes less time to get in, out and get your rentl car. OHARE is just...ugh. Plus, if you decide not to rent a car, the orange line of the el picks up right at midway and can take you downtown with going through way less sketchy neighborhoods. The blue line is at OHARE, and goes through some way nasty parts of Chicago before getting into the loop downtown.

If you guys happen to have family in the northern or northwest burbs though, I can understand why you would fly into OHARE, though. When I go visit my sister we regrettably fly into OHARE since she lives in Schaumburg.

[kalalanekent]

Honestly, the main reason for OHare and St. Charles is because we're getting an incredible deal on it [and yeah, we've been doing research on it, too] and those are the best options for time considerations and room quality in the package.

And we're also going to rent a car. It's just easier with us coming in early and likely staying late. Going to keep all of this in mind, though.

Thanks! ♥

[routhfan1]

Yeah it is way cheaper to stay in the burbs. I haven't really sent much time in st Charles but have heard it is nice. The Chicago area is just...huge, I mostly stayed in the southwestern / western suburbs. Naperville is also a good area too, I grew up in a town about 20 minutes east of Naperville. Lots of nice resteraunts in Schaumburg in the Woodfield mall area, which is more in the OHARE and st charles area. Woodfield itself is a big tourist draw, largest mall in Illinois. Not my favorite mall, though. Personally I like the area around Oakbrook mall in Oakbrook better, it is an outside mall. Well lots of things to do in the area, it just depends on how fast you want to part with your money!

Can always pm me of you guys are looking for fun areas of the city to enjoy some night life that isn't a giant tourist trap.

[routhfan1]

Yay! My home town! I'll try to convince hubby it is a good time to go up there to visit my family. Won't need a hotel to share, as I would be staying with family somewhere. However I dread the concept of staying with my mom because number one, I hate her house and is a stair nightmare for my daughter, but she drives me nuts, her and her husbands diets are so awful I know they would have zilch healthy foods in the house, and she lives way the hell out past civilization and I literally have to drive through cornfields for a half hour before I get to the freeway...but last time we were there I stayed with my dad, which she was pissed about so I'm kind of doomed, that the next time we go up there I'm pretty much stuck. Plus they have zero stuff for my two year old to play with

[htbthomas]

I found a couple decent hotels in the Grant Park area, which is close enough. I may able to get an even better rate once I actually book. But if I can't get under the price I want, I'll definitely consider farther out if there's good transportation to and from. :)