NDK 2024 - This Weekend!
/NDK is directly around the corner. Located at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention center again, we are still traveling way out to the airport. So lest go over what you need to know.
Parking
First off, parking. I am not going to sugarcoat it, parking need help. There are three options.
The first is parking at the hotel itself. This can run as high as $33 for self parking or $48 for valet per day.
Next up is parking / taking the A Line to the 61st and Pena station. The pro on this is it is probably the cheapest option. The con is the shuttle that goes back and forth from the hotel runs only every 30 minutes on the 20 and 50, and only holds 14 people. And this is 14 normal people, size may vary for large cosplay people.
The third option that has a direct way to the hotel is to park at USAirport Parking. They have partnered with NDK and using this QR code you can part there for $8.80 per day. And there is shuttle that can take you “TO” the convention for no cost, but getting back to the parking lot will cost $15 per person. This means if you are car pooling the cheaper option is to park at the hotel. I appreciate what the NDK is trying to do here. They are trying to solve a bad parking situation at the hotel they have chosen to hold the convention at. But this option just makes it more expensive to visit the convention this it already could be. The shuttle runs Friday 4 - 10 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 10 PM, and Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM.
Your last option is using SpotHero to try and get cheaper parking at one of the other airport parking lots in the area, but then you are on your own for getting to the hotel from the parking lot. When I checked the cheapest location was listed as $8 but it was 2 miles away.
Food
OK, you made it to the convention. You have been running around for a while, seen a few panels and browsed artist alley and the exhibitors hall. Now you are getting hungry. NDK has the NDK Cafeteria setup next to the dealers areas, and out side there will be food trucks again. If you are looking for a more traditional dining experience you can check out the hotel’s offerings. I would advise bringing a snack and keep it in your bag. Not bringing a bag? That is your choice, but I always advise at least bringing a small bag to hold a water bottle and some snacks. If you want to eat away from the convention center / hotel you are either walking about 2 miles one way or giving up the parking spot you may not be able to get back.
Events
OK, that is enough doom and gloom. NDK did go all the way to the Gaylord for a reason. This hotel allowed them to expand and have much more space. There is going to be a lot of what you are used to that makes NDK worth attending. The Itasha Car Show is going to be setup outside again, which makes for a great entry to the convention. Main Events is going to be be hosting Queen D as she makes her return with not one, but two showings of “Queen D’s Royal Revue Show 18+” on Friday and Saturday. There is also 12 voice actors, 4 Cosplay guests, and one professor attending this year. And if you want to stay up until Sunday morning you can attend the Masquerave! If you want to review the full panel list to plan your weekend you can find the schedule here. One note I want to make is I think the Cosplay contest is earlier this year then previous years.
Now I am still looking forward to NDK. I have hopes that the convention will be great. That they can get the cons of being further out from the heart of the city overpowered with pros. This is the third (?) year at the Gaylord I believe, and I can only hope that the people that had bad experiences last year can come this year and have good experiences. Here is hoping, and see you all this weekend.
