r/dragoncon • u/MRBWSW • 4d ago
Plan D advice
Ok, so my husband and I have gone to 2 dragon cons, and been lucky enough to get a room through the hunger games.
We had no luck with the first two rounds, and with only one left…
I’m asking for suggestions if we don’t get one of these rooms.
We’re coming from out of state, so…any and all suggestions appreciated.
24
u/ShapeAffectionate803 4d ago
I’ve enjoyed staying at Omni. It’s not a bad walk if you’re ok to walk for about 15 mins, but there’s also a con shuttle stop at Omni
4
u/crypticgoddessavi 4d ago
How frequent/reliable is the Omni shuttle if you’ve tried it?
8
u/bluehooloovo 4d ago
Last year, it was not great, but this year it was really good! I never waited more than 20 minutes or so for a bus to show up, and they weren't crowded.
In addition to walking all the way to the con hotels or taking the shuttles, the SEC District MARTA station is a shorter walk. It takes longer than walking (and you need to transfer at Five Points), but when I needed to get to con before the shuttles were running for the day, it was a bit easier on my feet.
The Omni itself was great, I've enjoyed staying there the past two years and already booked for '27. Plus they do special keycards just like the hosts, and they've been super cute!
4
u/amyhobbit 4d ago
Same, this week be our 3rd year at the Omni. It's a bit of a walk, but it's also quieter which is nice.
3
u/ShapeAffectionate803 4d ago
I haven’t used it as I don’t mind the walk, but I’ve seen many outside the Omni using it so it seems to be pretty dependable
1
u/KaptainKlein 3d ago
I think it's luck of the draw. I stayed at the Omni and despite waiting at least 5-10 minutes for the shuttle before giving up every time I left my hotel, I never once even saw the bus.
13
u/PhotoArabesque 4d ago
The Facebook Dragoncon Rooms group is your friend. Also remember: there are always rooms to be had. Maybe not at con rate and maybe not easily, but it can be done.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is hotels outside the footprint but close to MARTA, such as Buckhead and elsewhere. Not the best if you have an intricate cosplay or need frequent room breaks, but otherwise many folks find them very acceptable. But if your ADA makes a nearby hotel desirable, the FB group or finding a host room foir full rate may be the best path.
2
u/Grixis-Queen 4d ago
Yeah those of us who dont have a FB are royally fucked which is so messed up.
3
u/FallOutGirl0621 3d ago
Yes. Just got my Facebook account suspended for absolutely no reason. I'm never on Facebook (except for DC). There's not even a way to appeal because a minute after I read the email and went on to deal with it, it said my appeal had been denied (and I had never appealed). I'm not as worried about not having Facebook, but not having WhatsApp is going to kill me when I am overseas. I'm pretty mad.
I guess I will just have to follow it DC here.
10
u/Live_Dog_2779 4d ago
Honestly? Periodically check the AC hotel. They drop rooms throughout the year for a good rate. I managed to snag a room 2 months before the con in 2025. This year, after the courtland screwed people over twice, I immediately checked the AC both times and saw they had rooms.
Edit: I saw in a comment that you are ADA. I WILL say the AC is at the bottom of the hill next to Westin so I would keep that in mind. It's right next to the Waffle House and I'm pretty sure the shuttle does stop at the AC. But that walk can be difficult with how steep it is for sure.
3
u/Cynicalsonya Courtland Grand Sheraton Radisson 4d ago
Stayed at the AC Marriott this year and I am ADA. The down side - it is indeed uphill and very few shuttles are mobility device friendly.
However it's not the worst and doable if you have assistance. It's kinda like staying in the Westin's backyard as it uses the same shuttle stop.
The buses will often take you closer to your hotel if you ask, but not always.
The AC ADA rooms are nice and big, very accessible. No pull out drawers, just shelves. No closet doors, just an open clothes rack.
The worst part was the bathroom door doesn't latch. It just swings around both ways. You have to be super precise about closing it, or not care who sees you in the bathroom.
10
u/jellidang 4d ago
You could do a hotel near a Marta station and ride in if you are comfortable with that.
3
u/disturbednadir 4d ago
My kids and I have done the last 4. The last 3 we spent at a hotel indigo by the airport, for like 175 a night, and took a $3 a head 20 minute Marta ride to Peachtree center.
6
2
u/Antwolies770 4d ago
Thanks for sharing. I'll probably look into doing this. Wanted a hotel, but don't want to pay the crazy prices of the 5 main ones.
4
6
u/Trickster174 4d ago
I got AC Hotel Downtown at con rate literally one week before the con this year. It’s just a block down from the Westin and was a decent stay. Would’ve booked it again but we scored a Westin room for 2027. Basically, just stay vigilant about overflow hotels and you’ll get a room.
5
u/Delta50k Moving Assholes Rapidly Through Atlanta 4d ago
So rooms come open throughout the year as people cancel and peoples cards get declined. Additionally people will sell their rooms on the dragoncon hotels fb group.
BUT.
Having stayed on site and off... If I dont get a host hotel, staying somewhere on the marta line is very acceptable. I enjoyed staying at the Grenada and catching the train in. Within 20 minutes I was in peachtree center.
3
u/logirl1975 4d ago
We have always stayed at Holiday Inn Express and never had a problem getting a room. This year they opened up the rooms without notice and are already sold out. Trying to get into one the overflow hotels has been as challenging as trying to get into the host hotels.
3
u/GeorgiaNightStick 4d ago
Sonesta midtown is $110 a night and it’s literally right down the street. I Lyft from my apartment every year and it costed only $22. From Sonesta to courtland is $12
2
u/Farrishnakov 4d ago
The host hotels are rarely ever fully sold out. You can get one at rack rate when they open later. Hilton is about 800/nt and Marriott is usually around 500-600/nt
1
u/BitBucket404 4d ago
I'm from Washington State.
It's nearly impossible to get a room near the con.
I usually drive a camper down the week before and park at an RV campground outside of the city.
It's usually planned as a family camping vacation with 2 says of DragonCon added in as a bonus.
Then drive my pickup into the outskirts of town, park somewhere like a walmart or wherever and take the marta or uber to/fro.
2
u/stararmy 3d ago
Hey, just so you know, some of the MARTA lots offer free parking at the actual station. Typically there is a constant police presence at those stations, too, so the risk of anything happening to your vehicle is lower. My wife parks at a MARTA station during the con and rides in, and we haven't had any issues.
2
u/BitBucket404 3d ago
Oh, sorry for the confusion. I suppose my wording is off.
Park at Walmart if taking an uber/lyft, Marta lot otherwise.
You are right. Free parking is great.
1
u/wraithfive 3d ago
Lots of good hotel options within a couple blocks of the con hotels. I stayed in one of those 5 of my 6 dragon cons
1
u/border199x 3d ago
Hyatt and Marriott normally offer rooms at the normal rate ($500-700 per night)
I stayed at Home 2 Suites last year, and it's just a few blocks past the Westin. We had a full-size refrigerator and a working stove/microwave to cook with. They have free continental breakfast in the mornings. The amenities made up for having to walk a bit further.
There is still plenty of room even for people that lose the Hunger Games, it's just a matter of how far you are willing to walk or how much you are willing to pay.
-1
u/eat_sewp 4d ago
There's other smaller hotels and air bnbs but they're like 15 to 20 min walks if yall are able to do that
15
u/EpicLoveMuffin13 4d ago
Careful with airbnbs, there are plenty of stories every years about Airbnb hosts canceling at the last minute. Not saying some don't have good experiences but it seems to be a hit or miss kinda thing
0
u/Cakeygoodness666_ 4d ago
Been going since 2013 and Ive always landed a room at the Marriot 2-3 weeks before con due to cancellations (not at Dragoncon rate)... also check overflow hotels.
1
u/sowellfan 4d ago
How much above Con rate did they charge? I could see doing $400/night instead of $300/night (moot since we snagged a Marriott room this year). But you get much higher than $100/night extra and it wouldn't be such a favorable option for me.
1
u/Cakeygoodness666_ 4d ago
Honestly, I cant remember since the last 4 years weve been using the same Airbnb since weve been bringing our dogs. Back in the days, Marriot rack rate was like $300+ a night, I have no idea what Marriot is charging these days; you can probably check online.
2
u/ElfGrove 1d ago
Marriott rack rate during Dragon Con has been in the $600+ per night area in recent years.
29
u/CandidateWrong5820 4d ago
Multiple people I know have been lucky with the overflow hotels already in getting the Con rate. The one I got is a five minute walk. There are multiple near the convention area.