View Full Version : Web Directions South 2009
mattman
19-02-2009, 10:42 PM
Ok, so I know this is quite early, but I need to get planning teh finances and booking things before they get super expensive/scarce.
Web Directions South 2009 is on from 6/10 - 9/10 (venue issue made September a no go). Workshops are 6/10 + 7/10, Conference and Expo are 8/10 + 9/10.
There's no program as yet, but I know that doesn't stop a lot of you going, so let's get the ball rolling and sort things out - Woolbrokers rooms are already getting hard to find as are Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments.
Oh yeah, you can win a ticket for suggesting stuff they can improve/change/add/whatever - http://www.webdirections.org/ideas-promotion/
Thread hijackers will be shot
mattman will be of drinking age so it promises to be lots of fun (safe fun...) for all involved ;)
There MAY also be OZIA09 on the before WDS09. I know nothing official has been announced - yet.
WDS09 - I'm in. I know the Goldsborough will have a slab of rooms on standby that they don't release till later in the year, so watch for these. The other hotels around Darling Harbour are expensive to the extreme. There is always the Kirk as well. Not my choice but some may like it.
On the ticket promotion that is 8 tickets that can be won! One per month.
So-called "nice" hotels are overrated. If I end up going I will be at the Kirk or similar - I'd rather save the $150+ difference each day, especially considering I will be spending next to no time at the hotel. The service I got at the Kirk is better than I had at the Oaks Gainsborough (was that the name of it?) last year.
benmay
20-02-2009, 06:49 AM
Yes, we are early..
I Thought I was too early booking my tickets this week to CeBit in May :P
Last year was my first year at WDS and I loved it, I'll definitely be heading there this year!
I always stay at the Oaks Harmony, it's on Quay St opposite central station, it's really convenient, walk straight down to Darling Harbour, or I can walk up along George St etc................. to the Apple Store <3
heist
20-02-2009, 09:14 AM
hrm, man i'd like to make it over this year.. mebbe, mebbe.
nickobec
20-02-2009, 10:21 AM
Uncomfortable sofa bed at Oaks Goldsborough vs noisy hot room at Kirk, I have survived both and could repeat either if necessary.
Late last year the airport shuttle tried to drop me off at Aspire Hotel Sydney (http://www.aspirehotel.com/) instead of the Oaks Harmony (agree with Ben May great apartments, getting expensive now $200+ a night).
The Aspire looked like suitable option for WDS, an older hotel/motel 60/70s vintage. It is a couple of blocks from the Goldsborough, in what looks like a quiet part of Ultimo. So as close to the Convention centre as the Kirk and very close to Cafe Stories for brekky.
Advantages over Kirk:
1. Quieter
2. Air conditioned
3. Free wifi
Disadvantages over Kirk, advantage over Goldsborough
1. Cost $140 a night for twin share (or $185 for deluxe room with brekky and parking).
Uncomfortable sofa bed at Oaks Goldsborough vs noisy hot room at Kirk, I have survived both and could repeat either if necessary.
Goldsborough - beds are great I had no issue.. ;)
Kirk is just too noisey I need some sleep!
Late last year the airport shuttle tried to drop me off at Aspire Hotel Sydney (http://www.aspirehotel.com/)....
The Aspire looked like suitable option for WDS, an older hotel/motel 60/70s vintage. It is a couple of blocks from the Goldsborough, in what looks like a quiet part of Ultimo. So as close to the Convention centre as the Kirk and very close to Cafe Stories for brekky.
Advantages over Kirk:
1. Quieter
2. Air conditioned
3. Free wifi
Disadvantages over Kirk, advantage over Goldsborough
1. Cost $140 a night for twin share (or $185 for deluxe room with brekky and parking).
Okay sold.
nickobec
20-02-2009, 10:57 AM
Goldsborough - beds are great I had no issue.. ;)
Yes but you won the toss, I got the fold out sofa bed, very uncomfy
Kirk is just too noisey I need some sleep!
But you lost the toss aka room allocation. My room was quiet once the noisy drunks in the beer garden (ie the PP80P) went to bed. If the window had a blind it would of been great.
....
But you lost the toss aka room allocation. My room was quiet once the noisy drunks in the beer garden (ie the PP80P) went to bed. If the window had a blind it would of been great.
Kirk would be okay with a back room. It was clean, serviceable, beds where good. Tempted to give it another go with a back room. Major cost saving.
Kirk would be okay with a back room. It was clean, serviceable, beds where good. Tempted to give it another go with a back room. Major cost saving.
It was a pain in the ass last year because of the roadworks at the start of the week, but they were removing the huge metal plate at the intersection. The traffic is still kind of annoying, but its a lot more bearable. Of course, being upstairs from a pub means you can have enough drinks to fall asleep pretty quickly.... purely to escape the noise I mean.
It was a pain in the ass last year because of the roadworks at the start of the week, but they were removing the huge metal plate at the intersection. ....
That metal plate was my friend.. I will miss it... :(
nickobec
20-02-2009, 11:39 AM
Kirk would be okay with a back room.
Gary it is the back room, all the others face Harris St or Pyrmont Bridge Road.
Overlooks the beer garden, which has it own noise issues until chucking out time.
And hopefully they fixed the blind otherwise the sun streams into the room at dawn.
mattman
10-05-2009, 09:56 PM
Ok, so I think it's a bit safer to bring this up again, especially since Maxine and John have released this years lineup for WDS.
You can check it out at http://south09.webdirections.org - remember to save your pennies though cause I've got word from some peeps that EOTW09 will be pretty damn awesome also.
A couple of people seemed interested in the Aspire Hotel (see link on page 1) - what are other peoples thoughts? - Oaks Goldsbrough only have 1 Bed rooms/Studio apartments on offer at the moment, 2 Bed blocks are showing as gone.
Oh yeah, you can win a ticket for suggesting stuff they can improve/change/add/whatever - http://www.webdirections.org/ideas-promotion/
Now that would be a nice sweeter.
jordanbrock
14-05-2009, 02:34 PM
Oaks Maestri Towers (on the other side of Darling Harbour - CBD) are great. They're on the wrong side of $200 a night, but they're new, well appointed, and quiet.
benmay
16-05-2009, 06:51 AM
I got the email out to me, I'll be booking my ticket while they're still on Early Bird prices :)
I have stayed at the Oaks next to Central station which is cheapish, and close, however I checked out of the Meriton on Pitt St this morning, it's very central and was around $200~ a night for a serviced 2 room apartment
I got the email out to me, I'll be booking my ticket while they're still on Early Bird prices :)
I have stayed at the Oaks next to Central station which is cheapish, and close, however I checked out of the Meriton on Pitt St this morning, it's very central and was around $200~ a night for a serviced 2 room apartment
+1 I've stayed there, the apartments are really nice.
Wonder if the Meriton on Pitt St would be open to a group rate.
mattman
17-05-2009, 08:38 AM
Wonder if the Meriton on Pitt St would be open to a group rate.
Looks like there's a bit of a rate hike near WDS for the 2 room apartments.
Anyone looking to share. I'll be in Sydney from the monday to Sunday. DM Me if you are interested
hambodevelopment
17-05-2009, 07:51 PM
I'm still weighing up whether to go to this... I actually have the opportunity to go this time!
benmay
29-06-2009, 01:54 PM
I've booked my tickets today, along with the Workshop on jQuery which looks interesting.. Yet, such a long way away ;)
nickobec
21-07-2009, 05:45 PM
OK I bought my ticket, booked my flight and finally booked my accommodation on the weekend.
Wotif, now does bookings three months in advance so now is the time to have a look for cheap accommodation.
I ended up at the Aspire @ $110 a night, it is 4 blocks from conference.
There was rooms at the Oaks Goldsborough for WDS09 @ $115 a night, but not for the weekend before, when I am in town for OZIA
benmay
21-07-2009, 05:51 PM
Ooo I never new Wotif was that far ahead, awesome!
*Jumps on and starts looking around*
OK I bought my ticket, booked my flight and finally booked my accommodation on the weekend.
Wotif, now does bookings three months in advance so now is the time to have a look for cheap accommodation.
I ended up at the Aspire @ $110 a night, it is 4 blocks from conference.
There was rooms at the Oaks Goldsborough for WDS09 @ $115 a night, but not for the weekend before, when I am in town for OZIA
Still not that sure that OZIA is going to be on. I can't see Eric getting much interest in it till after UX-AU.. and that means the end of August. That's not a lot of time to organise.
mattman
22-07-2009, 08:58 AM
Staying at the Oaks Goldsborough also - seems to be the best price at the moment for something close...the Wotif rooms are the ones yet to be updated, but are still good.
Flying Virgin: out Tuesday DJ552 and back Saturday DJ557
Staying at the Oaks Goldsborough also - seems to be the best price at the moment for something close...the Wotif rooms are the ones yet to be updated, but are still good.
Flying Virgin: out Tuesday DJ552 and back Saturday DJ557
Same, but out Sunday afternoon back following Sunday morning
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