[VTAS] AnimeUSA around the corner!

[Chris Miller]

Greetings VTAS from here in Nothern Virginia!  AnimeUSA is about a week away, and so it is time for my yearly tips and suggestions on arriving at AnimeUSA without a hitch.
 
AnimeUSA has been relocated this year to the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City.  To Katsucon veterans, this should be a familiar place, as it was the stomping grounds for Katsucon for a few years.  Parking here is plentiful, but expensive, as parking will probably hit you for ~20$ for full day parking.  That being said, at your own risk, you can dupe the parking attendants near the Hyatt Regency into paying for one day, but then using the same parking tag the following days to continue parking (they're not that attentive and the tags they give do not have timestamps, but do this at your own risk =p ).
 
Now the tricky part is getting to the hotel if you are driving.  While it does say it is on Jefferson Davis Highway, it's tricky in the sense that it really ISN'T on Jefferson Davis Highway, so much as a nameless parallel road that runs with Jefferson Davis Highway.  Google maps will show this to you accurately, so figure out where you need to turn to get on said nameless road to get to the hotel.
 
Google Map: http://maps.google.com/
 
Also, depending on your direction, I would highly suggest you do not drive to AnimeUSA til past 10.  This is when normal morning DC rush hour has completed and the roads will be less cluttered than normal.  I would HIGHLY suggest that if you are indeed driving, that you definately drive on 395 or 50 or whatever road you choose before 3.  Lazy slackers like to clutter the road up by leaving work early... >.> <.< >.> and the roads are notorious for getting jammed up, so be wary of how early or late you show, less you enjoy yourself some good ol' hour long DC traffic.
 
Nearby food places to the hotel are all pretty good, including a pretty solid Japanese food joint that I do suggest visiting once for its Teriyaki meats.  Mmmmm mmmm delicious.  That being said, if you're a fan of Kabuki, I would highly suggest you stop by Sakura's, either the Thursday night before the con or Sunday as you leave, since Sakura's is not close to the convention hotel.  The food there is real good, and will make you cry at the quality of Kabuki food.
 
Sakura Japanese Steak & Seafood House , 12950 Fair Lakes Shopping Ctr, Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 802-5800 
12950 Fair Lakes Shopping Ctr, Fairfax, VA 22033
 
However, if you're living on the poor man's food plan, there are plenty of fast food places nearby as well, including 7-11s for snacks.  Once you arrive, you will more than likely not have to drive around for any food, as all food places are within walkin range.
 
Now for you Metro folks.  I highly suggest you use the DC Metro web site to verify where you can park yourself.  The metro has been doing odd things with parking lately, so figure out if the station you want to park at will allow you to park at it.  The metro station closest to the hotel is the Crystal City station, and when you arrive at the station, take the escalators from the station up to the street. Once you are at the top of the escalators, turn to the left toward the brown Metro sign. The Hyatt shuttles stop at the corner (look for the White\Red Shuttle sign) every 20 minutes. It's cold as sin, but it beats walking the 6+ blocks to the hotel that it would take to get there on foot.
 
Anyway, that is all the information I think I can spoonfeed you guys on the con.  I look forward to seeing you all there.  Feel free to send me an e-mail or AIM (ffmaniac78) should you have any questions, need any help with crash space, etc.  
 
-Chris Miller
VT Graduate - 2006
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