Anyone going for Lotusphere?

[harvey]

Last week of January....conference is at the Swan/Dolphin, we're staying at the YC.

 

[bwvBound]

Oh, Cindy - sorry we missed both you and this post. We were in the Boardwalk Villas ... and will be again next year (Jan'05).

 

[VA_mouseman]

I'm trying to arrange it so I can attend this year. I'd prefer to stay at BC or YC. I know they are across the lake from the Swan and Dolphin. How frequent is the boat crossing? How long does the trip take? How long would it be on foot?

Staying at the Swan or Dolphin, of course, would be ideal. Just in the mood to try BC!

 

[harvey]

You won't need to use the boats.....just walk to the Swan/Dolphin. We stayed in YC last year, and dh was just 5 minutes away walking. From the furthest rooms in Baordwalk or Beach Club, maybe 10 minute hike. Everyone walks. It's a beautiful setting......

We're staying off property this year (probably the Vistana) as we're bringing 4 kids....so dh will be driving in each day.

Dh is already registered for Lotusphere and I'm psyched to go back to Disney!

 

[floridachichere]

What is Lotusphere ??

 

[sherry8253]

Originally posted by floridachichere
What is Lotusphere ??

I'll second that. Thanks in advance for your explanation!

 

[VA_mouseman]

I'll let others who have actually attended offer a detailed explanation, but it's the annual gathering of developers and IT pros who work Lotus Notes/Domino software.

Info on Lotusphere 2005:
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/swnews/swnews.nsf/n/jmae64sqj4?OpenDocument&Site=lotus

Info on Lotus software:
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/lotus/

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by floridachichere
What is Lotusphere ??

It's a big convention for computer geeks

My dh has a blast, and me and the kids tag along for the Disney atmosphere.

If you happen to be visiting during that week you'll see a plethora of black and gold backpacks......

 

[snwwhite]

I'll be there that week, but not attending Lotusphere. How much of an impact on crowds does this convention make? It looks like it is a huge convention. Can I expect Disney to be busier than usual? Thanks!!!

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by snwwhite
I'll be there that week, but not attending Lotusphere. How much of an impact on crowds does this convention make? It looks like it is a huge convention. Can I expect Disney to be busier than usual? Thanks!!!

The Epcot resorts and restaurants will be busy ... but the convention doesn't impact the parks. As a group, we'll take over one park on Wed evening ... but it will be after normal park hours.

Cindy, you did a great job explaining the event! Are you sure, however, that you want to stay off site? I've done that once and will hope to never repeat the experience. The only saving grace was that my DH was staying in the YC and I could use his hotel parking pass.

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by VA_mouseman
I'm trying to arrange it so I can attend this year. I'd prefer to stay at BC or YC. I know they are across the lake from the Swan and Dolphin. How frequent is the boat crossing? How long does the trip take? How long would it be on foot?

Staying at the Swan or Dolphin, of course, would be ideal. Just in the mood to try BC!

The YC is our favorite ... but this year the convention rates for both Swan and Dolphin are less than YC/BC. If we didn't already have our exchange into BWV ... we might have taken the Dolphin for LS05.

The boats are fun (especially at the end of the day) ... but I find them too slow for morning and inter-conference transportation.

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by bwvBound
Cindy, you did a great job explaining the event! Are you sure, however, that you want to stay off site? I've done that once and will hope to never repeat the experience. The only saving grace was that my DH was staying in the YC and I could use his hotel parking pass. [/B]

Thanks *blush*...seeing as how I know a big fat ZERO about computers/technology (except for email, solitaire, and some message boards such as this) I'm awfully flattered!

Snwwite....DH says there were 6-7 thousand attendees last year. Didn't seem to impact the parks much, although around the YC, BC and BW there was obviously lots of lotus conference attenders. But even then, the pools and restaurants were not crowded at all.

2 years ago we stayed off-site (again, at the Vistana) and I drove dh in each day (took 10 minutes each way). The guard at the Swan let me pull up to drop him each day. It wasn't a big deal for us. That year we travelled with all 6 kids....we needed the extra bedrooms and baths, plus it cost less than even one moderate on property.

I'd love to get rooms at the YC again, but the food alone would cost a small fortune (no food-court). Other than the amazing pool, those hotels aren't my favorite for bringing kids. Thought about POR, as that's our all-around favorite Disney resort, but we'd need 2 rooms and no kitchen and jacuzzi, no privacy for me! This year we're opting for money savings over convenience I guess. WE'll have our own vehicle too, and have some relatives/friends to visit while in FL.

 

[bwvBound]

Ah, if you'll be driving him back/forth ... then it will nearly erase my normal concerns about living "off campus" during the week.

We also like having the kitchen ... and are looking forward to having the 1BR unit at Boardwalk Villas (with kitchen and jetted tub!).