Meet-up for New Jersey LSC Avatar exhibit?

[Fiyerwall]

I wouldn't mind seeing a few sights, but it's not a big deal if its just not feasible.

[Alan]

Well, hopefully we will be able to finalise a few things soon for this mini-meet

Perhaps we make it from the 15th May to 18th May to allow folks to do some sight seeing in New Jersey and New York? Duno? Thoughts anyone?

Alan

[Alan]

Jersey City Avatar Mini-Meet Up Details:

Well plans have been firmed up at last! So if you are in the locality, or even further afield, why not join this mini-meet up in New Jersey to visit the Avatar Exhibition at the Liberty Science Centre on the last weekend of the exhibition. It will a be a wonderful opportunity to meet up face to face with fellow Avatar fans, swap stories, talk Avatar, explore the local area and...

SEE AVATAR IN 3D ON THE BIG SCREEN!!!!

Dates:
16th to 19th May 2013 (Arrival day can be Wednesday 15th May, departure day can be Monday 20th May).

Location:
Jersey City, New Jersey.

Hotel Details:
The Holland Hotel, 175 12th St, Jersey City, NJ. Tel: (201)963-6200.
Website: http://www.hollandmotorlodge.com/

This Jersey City hotel features a daily continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Guest rooms include cable TV.A microwave and a mini-fridge are provided in all rooms at The Holland Hotel. Rooms are simply styled and include a work desk and clock radio. Hotel Holland is a 5-minute walk from Newport Centre Mall, Newport PATH Rail station and the tram the goes past the Liberty Science Center.

We have been able to get a discount on the room prices for that time of the year. The rate will be $120 + 14% tax (=$136.80) per night. This can easily be halved (or more) if you room share with someone. To obtain the discount mention 'AVATAR' when making your booking.

To make a booking simply ring them up, having your card details at the ready. (See telephone number above).

Transport:
From Newark Airport:
By Rail – Newark Airport has its own rail station: Catch a train from there to Newark NJ Transit, about 5 minute ride and then catch a PATH train to Journal to change trains and catch the train to Newport. About a 20 minute ride altogether The Holland Hotel is a 5 minute walk round the corner. ($8.25 EWR to Newark, Newark to Newport $2.25 = $10:50)
By Road – Taxis are available from the airport and there is a good webpage with all the information this website. The only down side with the taxi is the price at approximately $46.

Arriving by Train:
If travelling locally within New Jersey the local transport provider is New Jersey Transit. They provide services from across New Jersey and also from New York Penn Station. Arriving at Newark Penn Station you will need to change trains and take the PATH service as described above If you are travelling from further afield then Amtrak is the national carrier. The have services that call at Newark Penn station from where you can catch the PATH service as described above.

PATH is the local subway service that operates from mid town Manhattan and Lower Manhattan through to Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark Penn station.

Arriving by bus:
New Jersey Transit is one of the main local bus service providers, but if you are coming from a little further away you might try Greyhound or MegaBus


Sooo...There you go! Hopefully you now have all the information you need to join this mini-meet. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. It's you one chance to see Avatar in 3D on the big screen again. What more convincing do you need?

If you have any questions or queries feel free to post them here. Also post here if you are looking for a room mate to help share the hotel costs too.

Lets make this happen!

Alan

[Crickett]

Some things I feel like I should mention.

1. There is an Avatar related first come first serve exhibit on the first floor. I don't know if this is still the case, but when I went there, they were out of tickets by a little after 1 P.M. So we should probably try to meet up to get those ahead of time.
2. Don't bring scissors or tweezers or anything like that.
3. The theaters are on the second floor. The 3D theater is across from food court. The main Avatar exhibit is on the fourth floor.

[TerriB]

Also wanted to share this link for anyone taking the Hudson Bern Light Rail to get here (which I highly recommend, I use it everyday). You can't really see our building from the Light Rail station because of the overpass but it's extremely close.
Walking Direction From Light Rail Station
I tweaked the route a bit so it actually ended at our door as opposed to the entrance to the parking lot.

Also, the show Crickett mentioned, Expedition Pandora: The Search for Alien Animals, is scheduled for 2:00pm-2:30pm, 3:00pm-3:30pm, and 4:00pm-4:30pm on May 18 but I don't see any (for now) for May 19. It's possible that the schedule may change between now and then but our Welcome Desk should give you a schedule upon arrival. It's actually an educational show and not directly related to the movie but you might still find it entertaining (I did).

Let me know if I can be of any more help! I'm really glad I was able to get that info for you guys!

[Alan]

Irayo ma TerriB for the link to the map on how to get there and the info on the Expedition Pandora exhibit. We have a hotel that is not from from the tram station next to the shopping mall, so it'll be an easy way for us to get to the LSC. You have excellent public transport in that area! Ooo, by the way did you get my PM at all?

...goes off to book things...

...Ok, I've booked my flights and a room at the Holland Hotel. The 'Avatar' booking code worked! Soooo... I guess I'm coming.

I asked the hotel if people will still be able to book a room a couple of weeks before the event. They replied that folks could, but it would be better to book as soon as possible to ensure they get a room. So if you can, book now.

Oel ngati kameie...in Jersey City

Alan

[CyanRachel]

Yes, Irayo to Crickett and TerriB for the extra info on transportation and the exhibit! And Irayo again, Alan, for posting all the meetup details/info.
Now hopefully we'll have a decent size group for the meetup.

[Fiyerwall]

My plan is to take an Amtrak train, but I'm a bit confused as to what to do next. I'd like to take the easiest, most direct and cheapest route to the hotel. Should I get off the Amtrak train in New Jersey or New York? From there, would the PATH be the quickest? I'm going to be doing more research on this, but if anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate them! Irayo!

[Crickett]

Originally Posted by Fiyerwall

My plan is to take an Amtrak train, but I'm a bit confused as to what to do next. I'd like to take the easiest, most direct and cheapest route to the hotel. Should I get off the Amtrak train in New Jersey or New York? From there, would the PATH be the quickest? I'm going to be doing more research on this, but if anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate them! Irayo!

I can't say it will be cheaper or easier, but if you end up having to go to New York, I can meet you and at least guide you to the liberty science center. Not so much to the hotel though.

[ahoragi]

I regret to say that I am unable to make this. I was looking forward to it all this time but then realized the same date was reserved for a "primitive living" trip that my buddy and I are gonna do. We planned this last year and the goal is to live 4 days, 3 nights in the wild with very few items. It's supposed to teach us to live off the land and be "one" with it. So sadly I cannot make this event and I'm kinda bummed over it. But hey, at least I'm gonna be with our "mother" that weekend and living in the wild.

I hope all of you that do attend the meetup enjoy the experience. I really wish I could attend and meet some of you amazing folks.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Fiyerwall

My plan is to take an Amtrak train, but I'm a bit confused as to what to do next. I'd like to take the easiest, most direct and cheapest route to the hotel. Should I get off the Amtrak train in New Jersey or New York? From there, would the PATH be the quickest? I'm going to be doing more research on this, but if anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate them! Irayo!

Sorry for the slow reply....funily enough I'm on a train myself from (old) York to Derby. Anyway, if you are coming from the south I think the best route is to change at Newark. From there I believe you catch the PATH to Journal (?), then change trains to Newport. The Hotel Holland is then just a ten minute round the corner. Well that it the route I'm taking from Newark Airport.

You can go into New York but it is the same number of changes but further. Hope that helps a little.

Originally Posted by ahoragi

I regret to say that I am unable to make this. I was looking forward to it all this time but then realized the same date was reserved for a "primitive living" trip that my buddy and I are gonna do. We planned this last year and the goal is to live 4 days, 3 nights in the wild with very few items. It's supposed to teach us to live off the land and be "one" with it. So sadly I cannot make this event and I'm kinda bummed over it...

Very sad only... Are you sure you can't make a day or two.... Or how about you do your camping in the Liberty Science Park then it's best of both worlds! Win-win.

Alan

[ahoragi]

Originally Posted by Alan

Sorry for the slow reply....funily enough I'm on a train myself from (old) York to Derby. Anyway, if you are coming from the south I think the best route is to change at Newark. From there I believe you catch the PATH to Journal (?), then change trains to Newport. The Hotel Holland is then just a ten minute round the corner. Well that it the route I'm taking from Newark Airport.

You can go into New York but it is the same number of changes but further. Hope that helps a little.



Very sad only... Are you sure you can't make a day or two.... Or how about you do your camping in the Liberty Science Park then it's best of both worlds! Win-win.

Alan

Well I think I'll have Sunday free but I'm on the western border of PA and would have to drive clear across the state in a slow jeep wrangler. That's about a 7 hour drive. Not sure if it's doable or if I'll arrive in time for anything.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by ahoragi

Well I think I'll have Sunday free but I'm on the western border of PA and would have to drive clear across the state in a slow jeep wrangler. That's about a 7 hour drive. Not sure if it's doable or if I'll arrive in time for anything.

Ooo, blimey mate. You'd be worn out by then! I guess you're just not going to be able to make it . However, it does move to Indianapolis after New Jersey if that helps. But it won't be the same.... Ho-hmm. Well, like you say, you will be with 'mother'. So kinda living the Avatar dream in a way.

Alan

[CyanRachel]

Ahoragi --
Sorry to hear you won't be able to attend the LSC meetup.

So far it's looking like not many people will be attending, which is a real shame. But I wanted to say...if there are any tsmuke planning on attending, and want to share a hotel room, please let me know.

Still hoping we get some more clanmates to join us at the LSC!

[Alan]

Less than a couple of weeks until the New Jersey Avatar Mini-Meet from 16th to 19th May 2013!!!

Just thought I would wake up the thread to see how many will be coming along to enjoy a bit of Avatar community goodness. This will be the last opportunity to explore the Avatar exhibit at the Liberty Science Centre and watch Avatar on the big screen in 3D

If you would like to come along we have arranged a discounted hotel:
The Holland Hotel, 175 12th St, Jersey City, NJ. Tel: (201)963-6200.
Website: Holland Motor Lodge:: outside NJ/NY Holland Tunnel

We have been able to get a discount on the room prices for that time of the year. The rate will be $120 + 14% tax (=$136.80) per night. This can easily be halved (or more) if you room share with someone. To obtain the discount mention 'AVATAR' when making your booking by ringing the number above.

Suggested itinerary:
Well, the concept is (hehehe) we spend the Thursday and Friday exploring Jersey City and New York where there are more things to do than you can shake a stick at.

The Saturday and Sunday will be our Avatar days to enable us to explore the exhibit at the Liberty Science Center and watch Avatar, as well as explore the local area.

Costs:
Just to give you an idea of local transport cost and ticket for the museum check out the following:

New Jersey Transit Tram from Jersey City to the museum:
Trams are every 10 or 15 minutes and cost $2.10 each way with a journey time of 15 minutes. (Website: New Jersey Transit)

PATH trains to New York:
The trains run from Newport (10 minute walk from the hotel) to either 33rd Street New York or the World Trade Center. Journey times are about 20 minutes with the fare each way being $2.25. You can use a metro card, which can be bought at the stations. (Website: PATH - The Port Authority of NY & NJ)

Liberty Science Center:
General Admission to the museum + Avatar 3D is $23.25. You can pre-purchase your tickets from their website on this page.

Eating Places:
As for eating places in Jersey City, besides the Burger King next door to the hotel, there are a shed load of restaurants down Washington Blvd and in the mall next door. (Google Map)

So there we go, a bit more info for our meet up. If anyone has any questions, suggestions etc, then please feel free to fire away. Looking forward to hopefully seeing you there.

Alan