[IcyPanther]

This is only my second time at ACEN, and last time I was dropped off and picked up at the doors This year though I'll be participating in the Artist Alley and will be there for a few days. So, if I am not getting a hotel room, what kind of parking is available and how much does it cost? Also, how fary away is it from the convention center? Need to start factoring in all of my costs!

Thank you very much!

[KnitChick]

The main parking garage for the convention center is directly across the street, kind of behind the Embassy Suites. It's $13 a day with no in-and-out privileges so once you're in you're stuck til the end of the day unless you want to pay again. Usually if you get there fairly early in the day there's decent parking - I tend to aim to get there early and I am often no higher than level 5. Once you're parked it's about a block walk (you're walking the length of a hotel & across the street), really not too bad. There's also the pedestrian bridge if you don't want to cross the street (which is really not too bad, considering Rosemont usually posts cops there to help with crossing).

Hope that helps!

[chompzie]

If you don't mind a little walk I believe there is also a CTA lot nearby that costed around $3 a day when I went in 2010. We used Hyatt valet service last year so not sure what it is now. Probably no more than $5. Very good deal. Sounds like you'll probably do better with closer parking though if you've got a lot of merch to carry.

You can find the CTA lot on the website but I believe it's right on River rd.

[randy r]

KnitChick, on 13 December 2011 - 08:24 PM, said:

The main parking garage for the convention center is directly across the street, kind of behind the Embassy Suites. It's $13 a day with no in-and-out privileges so once you're in you're stuck til the end of the day unless you want to pay again. Usually if you get there fairly early in the day there's decent parking - I tend to aim to get there early and I am often no higher than level 5. Once you're parked it's about a block walk (you're walking the length of a hotel & across the street), really not too bad. There's also the pedestrian bridge if you don't want to cross the street (which is really not too bad, considering Rosemont usually posts cops there to help with crossing).

Hope that helps!

He would probably be better off with the parking garage that is attached to the convention center, which is right behind the convention center and across the street from from the Hyatt. It is also connected to the convention center and Hyatt by the hamster trail. As for cost, I thought someone said is was around $10/day, with no in/out privileges. That might work better for you if you have to lug alot of stuff to artists' alley.

[Cellomanlove]

A few years ago my friend parked in the CTA lot which was cheaper. Unfortunately, she had to run back every couple hours since it is metered, so it may not work out if you're in the artist alley having to run back to the lot, pay the meter, and then back to your table.

[GXP_agent_Zack]

Cellomanlove, on 19 January 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

A few years ago my friend parked in the CTA lot which was cheaper. Unfortunately, she had to run back every couple hours since it is metered, so it may not work out if you're in the artist alley having to run back to the lot, pay the meter, and then back to your table.

I did this in 2005 and got a ticket, so I personally don't recommend it.

[laceyarsenic]

I'm glad this was posted. I've been trying to research parking prices, which turns out to be a lot harder then I thought.
Thank you to all those who answered.

[NinjaJedi007]

GXP_agent_Zack, on 22 January 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

I did this in 2005 and got a ticket, so I personally don't recommend it.

I guess you got ripped off because Blue Line CTA parking lots are all be $5.00 for 0-12 hours of parking. Anyway, unless there are signs, this is probably the most affordable option. It's a little bit of a walk (0.5 mile) but not too bad.

[IcyPanther]

Thank you for all the help everyone! ♥
The CTA sounds like my best bet, if it is up to 12 hours! I'm planning on getting most of my supplies in on Thursday so I won't have to bring things back and forth except the cash box :nod: Ah, so excited!

[Sayuri-chan]

If you planning on staying at a hotel during the weekend - especially the Hyatt - you might be better off parking in the hotel lot. It's a bit more expensive, but you get in and out privileges, which people tend to downplay the importance of. Additionally, it's right next to the convention center, which makes it easier on you if you're hauling a lot of things to AA. As for cost, last year I think it was 15 dollars a day (For the Hyatt); I'm not sure what it is this year.

[GXP_agent_Zack]

NinjaJedi007, on 31 January 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

I guess you got ripped off because Blue Line CTA parking lots are all be $5.00 for 0-12 hours of parking. Anyway, unless there are signs, this is probably the most affordable option. It's a little bit of a walk (0.5 mile) but not too bad.

Yeah pretty sure I did. I made sure to go and pay for my spot again. I guess I should have just driven to a new spot and parked there. I don't really remember as it was 7 years ago.