Welcome to the Comic-Con International “Staying in San Diego” Blog!

In 2007, Comic-Con International had 125,000 attendees. We realize the challenges related to an event of this size. One of the most challenging aspects of attending Comic-Con is trying to reserve a hotel room. Each year, we open hotel reservations only to have them initially sell out in a matter of hours. And while rooms almost always are added or become available due to cancellations, the simple fact of the matter is there are not enough hotel rooms in San Diego for everyone who wants to attend Comic-Con.

The purpose of this blog is to offer a forum on both the hotel reservation process and to help answer your questions. We will also offer tips on staying in San Diego, including nearby restaurants and attractions, Comic-Con’s shuttle bus schedule, the city’s mass transit, and more, as we get closer to the event.

Comic-Con hotel reservations open Wednesday, February 6, 2008,
at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (12:00 PM EST).
Our website—www.comic-con.org—links directly to the online reservation website and also includes our travel agency, Travel Planners' phone number and when to call.

Please do NOT call or try to book online before Feb. 6 at 9:00 AM.

While we add hotel rooms to our existing blocks with each hotel every year, the hotels themselves have learned how many people come to Comic-Con and are reluctant to give us additional hotel space at a discounted rate. Once again, we expect that all the hotel rooms inside the official block will be gone within hours of the opening of housing. Because of that, for the first time this year, we are asking that you consider booking your room OUTSIDE of our hotel block, to better assist you in getting a room for Comic-Con.

Comments
We will be allowing comments here and checking them on a regular basis and trying to answer some of your questions and concerns. Even though we realize your frustration level with the system may be high, we ask that you please maintain a civil tone in your comments. We will ban anyone that abuses the comment function. Please leave an email address with your comment so we can contact you if your comment requires a direct answer.

Click here for some of our most frequently asked questions.

Comments

[Iris]

So I put myself on the waiting list. (first time convention goer) My question is, is it wise to wait it out? How can I help myself to get a room? I am worried I will have nowhere to stay when the time comes, and I don't want to waste money on airline tickets without being certain. Are there any friendly convention veterans out there who could give me tips on what to do in this regard? I would very much appreciate it.

[Mark In Burbank]

Well, the hell that is Hotel Reservations start and it was everything that I remember from the last couple of years. Crappy.

It boots nothing to rail all the time without suggesting a solution.. So here's mine.

First, open the reservations to people who want 4 days reservations. This way the hotels get the big paying guests first. Then after about 4 or 5 hours, open the reservations for all.

It was very frustrating to get to the page to book the rooms and find that of the fours days you want all but 1 are available.

Also, being in the computer business, it seems to me that Travel planners could get extra resources, i.e. more servers for such an event as Comic-Con. I doubt that Travel Planners has the same volume for other clients. But I also understand that when you get a lot of people (read 100,000+ attendees) trying to access the website all at once, there are bound to be difficulties.

That's just my read on this.

Lets here more suggestions on who to solve the problem.

[Jim Pitts]

Another year where even the dealers can't get rooms, at least right away. On my computer at 9:05 pacific time and tons of rooms are available. I get booted on the credit card screen and 2 minutes later when I'm back EVERY hotel is sold out?!?!
I don't think enough people work at travel planners to sell that many rooms! What a screwed up system.

[Delirium]

If the site died after you put your credit card info in, you most likely don't have a reservation. There are two more screens after that. I got one further and don't seem to have a reservation.

[Delirium]

I got to the FINAL confirmation button on the FINAL page before Travel Planners site had a complete meltdown and kicked me out. That alone took me over an hour. Work was thrilled. All that to not get a reservation.

[chris]

Actually, it's becoming rather comical. I finally booked one room and needed to book a second room. By the time I got back into the system for the second room, the hotel didn't have any more rooms. Looks like my back up hotels are going to be used.

BTW, I was on the site at 12 sharp, I refreshed just when the link changed. I find it hard to believe that the Hilton Gas Lamp, Marriott Gas Lamp and the Omni were ALL unavailable a few minutes later.

[Alex B.]

Travel Planners SUCKS! I can't even get to their website and it's running terribly slow. I'm being SCREWED on a room because of their terrible server!! This is NOT right Comic-Con, how can you let this happen?!

You NEED to come up with a better solution that actually lines people up and doesn't randomly let them in via the cracks in the system. This is complete BS and I'm not afraid to publicly come out and tell you your system is BROKEN and DOES NOT WORK for hotel booking!!

[EHV]

Sounds like Chris at least has gotten some sign of "life." My husband has been trying to get into the reservation site since 9a. PT and I've been re-dialing the phone line since then. So far - an hour + later - my husband just got through but nothing is available within reasonable distance. If Chris doesn't have a confirmation number, his frustrations may be well-founded. Considering the reservation "system" has gotten worse, I wonder how much worse the ability to get into a panel will be this year.

[chris]

Ok...very annoying. Got as far as putting in my cc information and then...boom...NOTHING. Now I don't know if I have a room or not.

[Scotty]

This is stupid...
Don't call to get a reservation before Feb 6th, but they're already full most likely so make your reservation as soon as you can.

[Chris Duffy]

I can't find the link to online hotel reservations! Anyone know where it is?

[Joe]

My friend and I are staying at the Holiday Inn National City. We are fortunate enough to get the government rate, and the hotel has complimentary shuttle service within a five mile radius, which includes the Convention Center (as well as complimentary airport shuttle). I noticed that hotel is not on the CCI list, so I wanted to point it out. Even the non-government rate is decent, and we're thinking we shouldn't need a car since we can get the bus or trolley (unless we decide to venture down into Tijuana for an evening!)

[Sally]

There is a parking lot next to Holiday Inn on the Bay that is usually $5 per day. Then just cross the street to get the shuttle! I book up on Shelter Island and love it there, its a 5 minute drive on Harbor.

[Tina]

Can you book more or less than Wednesday to Sunday through this site?

[Glenn A.]

When trying to book online through Travel Planners, will your credit card be charged already? What if you book by telephone?

[Melody]

I agree with Steve C.

Have you considered expanding the shuttle service to hotels outside the convention block? Something out to hotel circle perhaps?

Then maybe....
Booking a hotel, wouldnt be so stressful for us attendee's. We are a family of 5 with a wheelchair child, shuttle service would realllly help us, as we too are booked in Hotel Circle for $150 a night and not really centrally located in regards to the convention. Any disabled options such as shuttle vans that will pick up and drop off in Hotel Circle?

[Steve]

The idea of encouraging people to get a hotel room early due to room limitations seems a natural, given that (relatively) few rooms will be available on the 6th. That said, it appears that the majority of these listed hotels are not making their rooms publicly available AT ALL during the con dates. I have a backup hotel set, out in Mission Valley, but it looks like the only choice for a "Con Hotel" at ANY rate is Wednesday morning. And, yes, I've been keeping my eye on them for months.

This should probably be made more clear to people. They can't expect to get a Con Hotel at a non-discounted rate. There's just no rooms open.

Hotel rooms are probably the most stressful part of the con for me. Things were so much easier back in the 90s when I started going, but then again there was only a quarter of the headcount.

[Kelson]

My wife and I have stayed in town for the con the last 4 years, and while we have yet to stay at a hotel within walking distance, we've had good luck using the trolley. We get a 4-day pass and that takes care of most of the con.

There are actually 2 trolley stops in front of the convention center, one at each end. Yes, it's that long. The stops are Convention Center and Gaslamp District.

The only year it's been a problem was the one in which Comic-Con was scheduled the same week as a zillion Padres games.

[EMM]

My family and I (hubby, 2 kids age 20, 17) rent a house on the beach for the entire week (Sat-Sat.) We only get a hotel for Saturday night. Rentals can be found at vrbo.com among other places.

Much cheaper than a hotel because we fix our own meals--hubby makes sandwiches and snacks for us to take into the con as well...We relax for the first few days then drive to the con. We drive thru the barrio and have not had a problem finding parking--we come in the opposite way that way.

One year we parked at a hotel a few miles away which had a shuttle stop. Other years we've parked next to the con center, or at PetCo stadium parking, or at the huge lot that has a shuttle stop.

For the Sat. night hotel, we've done everything from drive in from Rancho Bernardo up north, to staying in the hotel circle area (Doubletree, Marriott, etc.)

Since we drive in from Arizona, we have a car with us, but this past fall, we stayed for a family reunion and had no problem with the trolley...

[Sally]

If you arrive within an hour of the convention opening, parking really is easy to find. After that, I agree, it becomes difficult.

[Delirium]

It's aggravating seaching for a parking lot close to the convention center. Your best bet is to find one along the shuttle route on the north end of downtown.

[freakengine]

Amanda stated: "Parking isn't that bad."

I have to disagree, Amanda. In 2005 I roamed all over downtown SD before finding a single space that was miles away from the convention center. I suppose it's a little easier if you arrive at 6 AM or something, but parking for the con is notoriously hairy. Convention-goers should be prepared for that.

[Philip]

Please post some of the hotel names, or some of the hotel names with shuttle service. It is less than a week and I need something to try and work with please. (My first time attending.)

[Brian]

I've been able to get standard hotel rooms without too much frustration the past couple years, but does anyone know how to reserve a suite? There will be a few extra folks coming along this year and it seemed like a good option.

are these usually reserved for higher-ups and such?

[Thomas]

Is it faster, when booking, to do it online or call? I imagine if everyones trying to call and book a room it'd be easier online?