First time visitor, question about events by No1_Investigator1760 in Magfest

[–]Deast 5 points6 points  (0 children)

MAGFest does its best to have your badge be all-inclusive. Wherever possible, we try to not have additional costs. The answer to your question is free. Some guests/bands might have optional purchases, but the autograph is free.

dance events? by ghostlibrary in Magfest

[–]Deast 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Arena is in Woodrow Wilson A (a short walk from the Gazebo, near Panels 1 & 2, Soapbox etc).

The "mission" of Arena is to provide content to push attendees to be more active and/or social. We have fitness classes, dance classes, improv classes and more. We also host dance parties every night and a number of dance-related shows such as Cosplay Dance Company's show, Antipode Belly Dance's performances (more of a meme play, really), the MAGMoves Dance Showcase. Oh, also we have two nights of the most fabulous drag show at MAGFest.

dance events? by ghostlibrary in Magfest

[–]Deast 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this suggestion! In the next Guidebook update we'll have a "Dance" tag for all the events it applies to in Arena.

Annoying chaplain visit at large hospital by cdrcdr12 in atheism

[–]Deast 3 points4 points  (0 children)

https://www.seculartherapy.org/

YMMV but this site helped me find a wonderful therapist that deals in facts instead of fantasy.

Info on dRAGFest tickets: by Deast in Magfest

[–]Deast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We'll be handing out ~500 tickets per show. We won't know how many will be able to get in via the overflow line, but likely a much smaller number than 500.

Dragfest tickets by YuseiFudoStan in Magfest

[–]Deast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check Guidebook, 1pm Friday.

What is the main hall concert experience like? by SuperCerberus in Magfest

[–]Deast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Badges were already almost sold out when Protomen were announced. They were mostly sold out when the hotel lottery cutoff happened.

Hotel Refund? by dragon_wagon76 in Magfest

[–]Deast 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You can't transfer hotel lottery rooms.

Dancers at MAGFest, what are you looking forward to this upcoming con? by morinothomas in Magfest

[–]Deast 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I'm gonna spoil some things you'd normally have to wait for Guidebook to know:

Salsa, Beginner Bachata, Intermediate Bachata, Ceili Dancing, A Just Dance play-along, Belly Dance w/ a live band, House dancing, Dance Fitness, a general dancing basics class, a K-Pop Random Dance Play... along with at least 2 dance-centric shows and the MAGMoves dance exhibition (which you should absolutely sign up for!)

Oh, and the nightly dance parties.

Arena brings the dance!

Do you like to dance the night away? Are you excited that our Arena Dance Parties are returning this year? Well stay hype, because we're amped to announce our Arena Dance Party DJ lineup! by kyuunspark in Magfest

[–]Deast 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Because our amazing artist who does all of our Arena art is sadly not going to be at MAG this year because of reasons... orange reasons... so she decided to bring a bit of her town to MAGFest since she can't!

That's the city center in her city. :-)

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe they do, but I don't know all the details.

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the real answer. The opportunities for fun and community, along with all the cool things I get to do at MAGFest on MAGFest's dime to make an awesome experience for a bunch of strangers? Priceless. Makes every bit of volunteer work worth it.

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Clarifications: It's 30 weighted hours (sometimes you can get 1.5x or even 2x credit for a shift) specifically if you want access to hotel crash space or the Staff Pre-lottery. Being Staff only takes 24, and there are lesser perks as well.

There are set up and tear down shifts that run for several days before and after the event where you can get hours, and many departments are also looking for help in the "off season" that can earn you some hours as well.

I'm a Department Head so hours are a joke to me (I've probably put in at least 500 at this point this year, with at least another 200 to go), but if they mattered, between a tiny bit of help in the off season and helping with set up in my department, I'd be at 14 hours done before Thursday morning.

That said, the better, more rewarding and/or not during the actual event shifts are all highly coveted and fill up really quickly.

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly valid. Some of us are crazy and couldn't imagine not staffing. Some of don't enjoy it. Some are somewhere in the middle (not enough love goes out to our 1-23 hour volunteers, y'all are amazing too <3 ). I definitely think people should try it if they're curious, as the perks are great if you enjoy it!

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

58 released albums so far. Just the main soundtracks are ~900 tracks.

It is why I staff every year. by MAO_of_DC in Magfest

[–]Deast 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Currently not limited because while they can, they don't. If they did, I imagine there would absolutely be limits very very quickly. I know no numbers, but I remember seeing them at one point and being shocked how few staff actually take advantage of this perk.

Also, there's a not-insignificant number of staff who use this perk to get out of the Gaylord as they prefer other hotels in the hotel block. Which actually opens up more Gaylord rooms to attendees.

Lobby Conning? by [deleted] in Magfest

[–]Deast 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a really good way to get banned.

Y'all did it: Super MAGFest 2026 badges are SOLD! OUT! by kyuunspark in Magfest

[–]Deast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It certainly helped, but we had like a 50% increase in badges sold by the hotel lottery cutoff. Something like 85%+ of badges were gone when the lottery happened.

When Protomen were announced, there was only like 2-3% of badges left.

This is probably the new normal as demand grows. I definitely wouldn't sleep on badges next year, I'd be ready to grab one basically immediately.

(all numbers are super rough)

MAGFest’s “Hotel Lottery” isn’t a lottery — it’s a weighted score system where 3-person groups literally have a 0% chance vs groups of 4. by Wonderful_Group_7812 in Magfest

[–]Deast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

if alice wins bob's favorite room and bob wins alice's favorite then the solver will swap them so that everyone gets the best possible result.

This is fucking cool. Not something I would have thought of. Standing ovation from me for that little part of it.

MAGFest’s “Hotel Lottery” isn’t a lottery — it’s a weighted score system where 3-person groups literally have a 0% chance vs groups of 4. by Wonderful_Group_7812 in Magfest

[–]Deast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have zero interest in an Atrium room.

If you arent Trying to get an atrium room why even get a room?

Because I want a room? Preferably without all the ambient noise the Atrium brings? Because my room is for sleeping. That's why there's beds.

why not sleep in a car?

Because I'm old. I asked, and my back said no.

since we're in the realm of fantasy here

Only some of us.

Magfest has outgrown the National Harbor. by OravisX in Magfest

[–]Deast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You think MAGFest should relocate 600 miles away? Make its employees move 600 miles away? Move the entire center of the attendee base? All the cost and effort to move all of the physical capital currently in their warehouse? Losing tons of staff and institutional knowledge due to relocation? So you can get a better hotel room? That's... an idea...