It's probably fine, but you can call Q rooms if you want to make sure.

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I don't see this as any worse than the previous system. That system rewarded preparation initially, and then rewarded someone simply signing up and then putting in no effort afterwards (a wait list). And in fact, the 'preparation' of the previous system simply involved finding a fast connection, being ready at one time, and then being lucky.

This current system makes everyone just as lucky (ignoring the 'preparation' of having a fast connection...which takes little effort at all), and rewards effort later on.

This current system is actualy more rewarding to people who put in effort.

I can't afford to get my badge until my next paycheck, which means that I haven't been able to look at the GenCon Housing portal yet.  Are there any rooms left for reasonable rates, or am I SOL?

On the Housing webpage it states, "Reservations created in the official Gen Con 2016 housing block are not guaranteed until confirmed by the hotels via electronic room confirmation email message, which will be transmitted to guests by the hotels after the Gen Con housing period has ended. Purchase of a Gen Con badge does not guarantee hotel room availability within the official housing block."

What is the approximately date the Gen Con housing period ends and we should expect our confirmation message from the hotel (if I'm interpreting that correctly)? Not worried about losing my room, but am interested in contacting the hotel and asking a few questions. Thanks!

The reservations are transferred to the hotels about a week before Gen Con.

Hey all, please forgive if this has been posted, but has anyone stay at Residence Inn on the Canal?
Please share you impressions of the place if you have. Thanks!

Regarding the Residence Inn on the Canal, we stayed there about 4-5 years ago, and it was really nice. Great breakfast variety, huge room with a kitchen and pull out couch, and a manager's reception each weeknight, one of which was a full cookout with grilled burgers and hot dogs and picnic food.

Parking was a flat weekly fee, which was much cheaper than the nightly rates we're seeing at the Embassy. 

I'd stay there again with no hesitation.

Thanks much, Divachelle, good to know. :-)

You're welcome.

It is, however, a bit of a long-ish walk to the Con, like 20 minutes or so. This was reminded to me by my husband.

Not a question, but I just wanted to give a "thank you" to Frida, the woman on the GenCon hotline that helped me today with my downtown room transfer. The whole process went incredibly smoothly and didn't take long at all, and now I've got a room right in the middle of the action.

I'm pretty happy right now :)

I might have asked this in the wrong area before; sorry for the repost, but "Official Questions Thread" looks official....:)

I picked up a Westin room from a forumite; but it's only Thursday-Sunday (three nights). I'd like to add Tuesday and Wednesday but both are Xed out for the shoulder wait list  (oddly; it looks like a King is open on Tuesday with a wait list on Wednesday; but I need the double beds for four folks).I keep checking but the wait list just hasn't appeared for those nights. If I know it never will I can stop looking and go with plan B to simply call the Westin when the reservations are transferred and see if they can help.

TL;DR, do wait lists for shoulder nights ever open up, or once they are closed they stay closed?

Thanks!

edit: formatting.

Scratch thatl thank you SO much Mike Boozer from Gen Con for getting me waitlisted for those night!

Truly appreciate that!

In my case a family member became really ill and was in the hospital at the time of the housing lottery.   I was not able to be at a computer during my time and to be truthful it was the last thing on my mind at the time.

But, through some effort I have made the system work for me.   I started out at 11 miles out and have now worked my way to 2 blocks away from the convention center.   And, to tell the truth it was not a story of constant hanging out on the forms all day or running a check bot (as some people claim is happening) but just checking in every once in a while.   Every time I was able to move my reservation to something closer it was during normal lunch hours at work.   Yes, a little luck is involved but put a little work into it and normally your can get what you want out of it.

It sounds like you don't believe people are running scripts to check the housing portal?  I can show you at least two methods by which this is possible and also possible for monitoring when events have people drop out of them.  I got lucky and found a connected room the day of, but I have most definitely tested this system and it definitely gives an advantage to anyone running it.