I've read a LOT of folks talking about the heat at D-Con, and I appreciate that it's hot outside - but isn't most of the event held in the hotels, with air-conditioning?

Are we expected to be outdoors a lot of the time?

Harry

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http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

Walking between hotels (remember, con panels and events are spread across three hotels, all across the street from one another), and to and from the Saturday dinner, will require going outside (well, there is an indoor route between the Marriott and the Hyatt, through a shopping mall, but anyway). And, of course, the parade.

Other that that, though, you're correct that it's not usually an issue. But you will be taxed during the parade!

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Jay Pennington

The heat is mostly due to the costume you wear. If you are wearing shorts and a t-shirt you don't notice the heat at all. A latex xeno suit will have you literally sweating like a faucet.

The hotels are air conditioned but with the massive amounts of people attending even the air conditioning has trouble keeping up.

It's hot regardless.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

^good point!

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Jay Pennington

Thanks guys, it's good to know what we're going in to. I've got a military water bottle on my UKCM rig so I'll be hydrated.

Us Brits are looking forward to seeing something you have over there called 'The Sun'. I can't wait!

Harry

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http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

It's not as bad as I joke... but yeah it can be tough outside.

Smokers anyone? You have to smoke outside so that's heat exposure there.

And yes, Kevin is right. The sheer number of people near you in relation to the costume being worn can be bad even in the evening. That's why I didn't do the Browncoat Shindig last D*con (that and a zillion other reasons). Certain costumes + overlimit ballroom = sweat!

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Can you smoke in the bars? My empty had gets twitchy when I do not have something to balance out the other holding the drink. That is the only time I have the urge to smoke.



I am adding a mole hydration carrier to my vest for the parade. Might fill it up with a beverage before I visit any bars or room parties later.

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CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.

More and more states are going to no smoking in public. Not sure about D-Con, but here in WA not unless you're at a Native American Casino.

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A12/TQ1.0.22137E1
PVT. Schmaus, Christopher J.
2nd Batt 6th Regt
USS Tahoma

There is no smoking in the bars/hotel lobbies (lobbys?) at D-Con; they have an outdoor patio for that.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Nope. Not in Atlanta, no smoking inside... I think unless it's only a bar that doesn't sell food. But I don't think there's any of those nearby.

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It is the same way in Arkansas. It varies by state.

Illinois currently no smoking even in bars.

Indiana you can smoke in the bar, example Apple-bees, as long as it is sectioned off from the dining area.

Fremont CA you cannot smoke in the hotel bars or at least the ones I stayed in.

Our mother plant in MI is going tobacco free 100% after first of the year.

Thanks!

Greg

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CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.

Thanks guys but I don't smoke.

Harry

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http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

Guys, DRINK even if you don't feel thirsty... 'cuz if you wait until you are... it's already too late.

2006: Didn't drink enough... almost killed myself
2007: Drank a little more... still not enough
2008: Gonna drink until I burst

... and it's water I'm talking about.

Actually, the entire Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton hotels are open air venues. There are no roofs. Actually, pretty much all of Atlanta is open to the elements. Bring a sleeping bag and a face mask, and don't sleep with your mouth open in case a bird is flying over head.

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-Spat

Sorry for the high jack. I plan on filling the bladder with ice so it stays kinda cool for the first 5 min.

Thanks!

Greg

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CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.

As for Smoking, all the bars in the Hilton and Marriott are non smoking, and located really far away from any egress that would lead you outside so you can smoke.

That's why I like the Hyatt. Right by the bar is a little outdoor balcony for smoking. It gets pretty crowded out there, but it's often where the celebs hang out to smoke. So it's a good place to be.

And of course, you can bring your drinks out there.

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-Spat

Is that what they mean by four star luxury; you can see four stars through the hole in the ceiling?!

Harry

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http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

If I may offer up another safety tip...

Being Brits or Americans with colder climates, you may set your air con down so that when you finally escape the heat, you will feel refreshed. However, hours of armour wear and such can take its toll and you will soon feel very sweaty. The second you enter your room, you need to get those wet clothes off of yourself - the last thing you want to suffer is a bout of shivers and shock because of the rapid drop in body temperature.

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That reminds me... does the Marriott have a laundry service? I was thinking about packing a bottle of Febreeze to "freshen up" but nothing beats clean, laundered BDU's. Considering that my colonial marine gear is all I am bringing with me and wearing much of the time, that might be important.

Last year I at least had a couple of costumes to rotate, but even just standing around on the Marriott mezzanine made me sweat.

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~Jay

Yeah... the wife always keeps the house cool at night, but at a convention I turn the room AC down to about 60 just for some relief!

I also added a canteen to my USCM belt which will be filled with water (and nothing but) and that's just for inside the hotels.

I don't know... I hope the Marriott has laundry service...anyone?

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According to this they have valet dry-cleaning:

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-i ... t-marquis/



Dunno how long they take though.

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Steve
Corporal in 69th Regt. 1st Batt. Homer’s Heroes.

"I'd like to die at the age of 80 in my own bed, with a belly full of wine and a girl's mouth around my c**k."

Yes thank you - a little bit of cold goes a long way. I have a high propensity to losing my voice from going from warm humid con spaces to cooler dry hotel rooms when repeated enough. Going to make sure I take Dom's advice to hydrate and follow the suggestion I have in my con guide page and make sure I drink more orange juice to help retain the hydration and boost my Vitamin C.

Some may think it's banal to post a thread like this but I think it's awesome, there's stuff here that I'm sure a number of DCon's regulars would benefit from.

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

The wet clothes-cold hotel room-sore throat problem never occured to me... makes sense.... and all the fcuking yelling I do doesn't help either.

Yes! I am not the only one who cranks the air down. Sweet! There has to be a laundry mat or service if not at the hotel than close.

Thanks!

Greg

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CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.

Oh and don't forget to buy some bottled water. I know not terribly far from the con hotel is a Publix supermarket. Much cheaper than paying $5 a bottle at the con itself.

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