Hotel Information
Minicon 49 will happen at the same hotel as last year, the "DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington — Minneapolis South." This hotel was previously known as the Sheraton, and before that, the Radisson. Warning: the hotel across the street, which was formerly a Sofitel, is now a Sheraton, so careful!
You can book your room online here or by calling 800 222-TREE (800 222-8733) and using group name "Minicon" and group code "MCD". The room rate is for standard rooms and poolside cabanas is $92 per night if booked by March 15 and $99 thereafter. Suites are $139.
Note for cabanas and suites: When you reserve your room, you will only be able to reserve a standard room. If you would like a cabana or a suite, possibly for a room party, you will need to first reserve a standard room and then contact Matt Weiser at hoREMOVEtel@miniconTHIS49.mnstf.org with your confirmation number and desired room type. He will take care of all such requests.
Getting a room is the best way to experience Minicon! Filling our block of hotel rooms is how we pay for our function space. If we fill enough, the space is free, which allows us to maintain our low registration rates. Also please avoid using a travel agency or discount site. These will not count towards our block!
The DoubleTree Bloomington
7800 Normandale Blvd
Bloomington, MN 55439
Getting There
Driving
The hotel is very visible from I-494 and MN-100. Parking is abundant, easy, and free!
From Duluth and the North
Take Interstate 35 to 35W South to Highway 62 West. Take Highway 100 South to Industrial Boulevard. The hotel will be on your right.
From Des Moines and the South
Take Interstate 35 to 35W North to Interstate 494 West, and then to Highway 100 North. Take the first exit at Industrial Boulevard, go west to Normandale Boulevard and turn South. The hotel will be on your right.
From Eau Claire and the East
Take 94 West to I-494 West and exit at Highway 100 North. Take the first exit at Industrial Boulevard, go west to Normandale Boulevard, turn South. The hotel will be on your right.
From St. Cloud and the West
Take 94 East to I-494 South, to Highway 100 North. Take the first exit at Industrial Boulevard, go west to Normandale Boulevard, turn South. The hotel will be on your right.
From the MSP Airport
Take Highway 494 west and merge onto Highway 100 north. Take the first exit, which will be Industrial Boulevard. From there, turn left onto Normandale Boulevard. The hotel will be on the right.
Public Transit
It's near bus routes 6K, 540, 542, 578, and 589. However, only the 6K and 540 run on the weekend and only at very limited times. See the Metro Transit website for schedules.
The Southdale Transit Center, 3 miles northeast of the hotel, is much better served by buses. Depending on where and when you start, the fastest option might be to take the bus to Southdale and then either walk or cab to us.
The hotel runs a shuttle from/to the airport and the Mall of America (direct link to schedule PDF).
Ride Share
While many attendees take rooms at the convention, those who live in the vicinity and choose to commute to the convention, please consider participating in the Minicon Rideshare program.
For those who have cars, sharing gas expenses by car-pooling saves money and helps lessen Minicon's impact on the environment.
Some of our attendees have been hard hit by the economy and cannot afford to keep a car. Commuting by bus dictates limited hours at the convention and can become burdensome for anyone wishing to convey art to the art show, bring instruments to participate in music, or bring other materials to add to the general fun. If you can take a rider, you'll be helping make the convention that much better - worthy of Volunteer credit and a 'Roadie' badge.
To participate, just send the following info to riREMOVEdeshare@miniconTHIS49.mnstf.org
- Name
- Best Contact (email, phone, etc)
- Role (Driver seeking car pool / Driver offering rides / Rider seeking rides)
- Area you need transport from/to or are willing to give transport from/to. E.g. South Minneapolis, SE Minneapolis, North Minneapolis, St. Paul, Western Suburbs (be specific, especially if you don't want to go too far out of your way.)
Thanks for participating!