Hotel Information
The OMNI Champions Gate hotel in Orlando is a premier property and we have been able to negotiate a remarkable rate considering the fact this complex is really a resort facility unto itself. The facility is also just three years old.
The rate for RubyConf2008 attendees is $159 per night for both single and double occupancy. What is more important is that this discounted rate is available three (3) days prior to the conference and three (3) days after (November 2-11 range). This will allow our attendees to come early or stay late a few days and take advantage of the resort or the nearby Disney properties. As part of the package you get free use of the shuttle service the hotel runs between the Disney properties.
The hotel complex contains a coffee bar, four restaurants, an outdoor complex with pools and a "lazy river" as well as several championship-level golf courses if you are so inclined. There is also several jogging courses outside and a large gym. A children's game arcade is near the pool complex which also includes a water slide. All of the resort areas are free to RubyConf attendees that stay at the hotel (there is normally a resort fee that has been waived when you book the special negotiated rate).
There is a DS3 line into the property and there is free high-speed/high-bandwidth WiFi in all the rooms, restaurants, public areas including the outdoor pool complexes. We will be sponsoring hubs off this line in the actual conference spaces so you will be able to get access anywhere on the property.
MAKE SURE YOU RESERVE YOUR ROOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE NUMBER IS LIMITED AT THIS RATE. This is not something you want to wait to do until the last minute. Temperatures in Orlando in November are in the mild-70's.
Transportation
The OMNI ChampionsGate complex is located about 30 minutes from the Orlando airport and is nearby to the entrances to the several Disney properties.
They run a free shuttle to Disney from the hotel several times a day for those that want to come a little early or stay after the conference or have family members who want to partake during the day. This shuttle makes runs in the evening as well to an area at Disney that contains a number of publicly accessible restaurants.
The road system from the airport to the hotel contains a number of tolls so if you are driving your own vehicle or a rental keep lots of change handy.
The hotel has a small shopping center within walking distance (though a little bit of a hike). This center is on the grounds of the complex and contains a grocery store, cleaners and several fast-food restaurants.
There are also other hotels in the area but you will need a vehicle if you chose to stay off-site. If you do, there is sufficient parking at the hotel and it is free to registered RubyConf attendees.
If you are flying into Orlando, the hotel has arranged a discount for all RubyConf members for the Mears Bus Service that goes to the hotel. A PDF of this discount coupon is available here. It will get you a $3 discount off the normal $32/per person round trip transportation fee. This Motor Shuttle service has buses located near the baggage claim areas of both terminals at the airport (see coupon for details). The bus may stop at other hotels on its trip to ChampionsGate so pay attention to where you get off.
For the return trip, follow the instructions on the coupon and shuttles can be scheduled to pick you up from the hotel.
Note that this discount coupon is good not only for the days of the conference but a week before and a week after as well.
The Mears Motor Shuttle is the most cost effective way to get to the hotel. A cab will run you more than $50 + tip one way.
We have opened registration. You can get to the registration site by clicking here. Don't forget to also make a reservation with the Omni Orlando Resort.
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