FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below we have tried to answer the questions we hear most often. If you need more information about something that isn't listed on the web site, please write info@darkodyssey.com and we will do our best to get right back to you.
Q: Where is the Host Hotel Located?
A: Our hotel is in Downtown Washington DC. It is a major, name-brand, conference hotel.
Q: Do we have the whole hotel?
A: No… but… We have rented the entire lower Ballroom Level of the hotel and several other adjoining areas. The hotel has more rooms than can fill, this year. We will have 5 dedicated floors of hotel rooms so there will not be any "families" complaining about screams and loud noises coming from your room in the middle of the night.
Q: What is the dress code?
A: You must be street legal when walking the hallways, in the lobby,elevators, restaurant and lobby bar area, etc of the hotel. Most people dress casually during the day for workshops. At night we expect to see you in your fetish finest. There will NOT be any bizarre dress code restrictions. Cross dressing is perfectly acceptable. T-shirts with cute sayings are great. Men in kilts turn us on. Outlandish costumes will be applauded. But you MUST be street legal at all times in the public areas of the hotel.
Q: How much is the event?
A: A full weekend pass to the event varies in price from $135 – $185 depending on when you register and if you are a member of a participating group. The weekend pass gets you into all of our classes, workshops,special events and parties with the only exception being the Saturday Night Banquet and Burlesque Show (additional $55/$80). Marketplace Passes (Vendor Only) will be available for $10/day. At this point no other day passes or workshop only passes are being offered. Frankly, very few people ever take us up on them and they create an inordinate amount of work for the registration and security team.
Q: How do I book a room? What if I don't want a room?
A: You do not have to book a hotel room to attend Winter Fire. You absolutely can commute from home, stay with a friend, or even get a room in another hotel. We think staying in the hotel isyour best choice especially with the amazing room rate special the hotel has offered us of $129/night if you book a minimum of 2 nights.
To book a room you must check off your room preference during online registration. You will be asked if you want a King or Double Double, Arrival Day and How Many Nights you plan on staying. If you do not want a room or will be staying with someone who has already requested a room, simply answer "none". To extend yourstay before or after the convention at the same rates, simply let Karri know when she emails you to confirm your room request.
Room prices are based on double occupancy, which means you can have up to 2 people in the room at that price. If you want to put up to 4 people in the room there is an additional charge of $25 per night (not per person per night…just per night).
Q: I'm flying into DC. What airport should I choose?
A: There are 3 airports in the Washington DC area. Personally, wewould pick the one with the cheapest rates that fit your schedule.
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to the district. You can jump on the Metro to a station which is 3 blocks from the hotel.
Baltimore Washington International (BWI) is located about 40 minutes north of the district and is typically the "bargain" airport of the region. You can get on a Marc or Amtrak train at BWI which will take you straight to Union Station…There you can jump on the DC metro system which takes you very close to the hotel.
Dulles International Airport(IAD) is about 30 minutes west of the district. It is not served by the metro or light rail and you would have to take a taxi, shuttle or have someone pick you up. It is however, a very nice airport with these bizarre people movers that look like something out of a sci-fi movie that take you from terminal to terminal. A lot of Winter Fire attendees live in Virginia around the airport and might be able to give you a lift.
Q: When do I get directions to the event?
A: At the beginning of February we will email you directions to the event along with more information about all our special events and workshops that you may participate in. Please make sure we have your current email address so you get all event notices timely. We do NOT send out a snail mail confirmation package. You can update your email address and other personal information in the Attendees Only Area by clicking on your "Virtual Badge".
Q: How much will it cost to park my car?
A: The main drawback of doing the convention in downtown DC at a first class hotel is the cost of parking. The hotel has valet parking only and it costs ~$30 a day. Now before you have a heart attack we have a few options. The good news is that the area around the hotel will be pretty empty all weekend, on street parking is plentiful and free starting Friday night at 6:30 all the way through Monday morning. There is parking at a major public lot just a few blocks away for about $18 a day.
Q: I just want to hook up. Are there any loose women there?
A: Sadly, we were actually asked this question.
Well my politically incorrect "friend" the answer is…there may be… but probably not for you. Winter Fire is primarily an educational and social event. We attract an amazing cross section of people and are very proud of our diversity and the comfortable environment we create for those who are often made to feel "out of place" elsewhere. We are doctors and lawyers, artists and activists, husbands and wives, you and me. We are a truly a pansexual community; heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgendered and more.
Many of us are already deeply involved in one or more aspects of alternative sexuality and want to explore other areas or share our knowledge with those on the journey. Most of our attendees have an interest in one or more or the following: BDSM/leathersex, polyamory, open relationships and swinging, Eastern Philosophies, Earth-basedspirituality, and Tantra.
If you really must know, our event stats are typically about a 52%to 48% male/female. Approx 35% are not coupled (single) and many couples do play with others. We have mostly heterosexuals but a large and growing contingent of bisexuals, lesbians, and transgenered.
Q: Ok, I am not an insensitive dolt, but I am new… is this convention for me?
A: Absolutely, Winter Fire was designed as an entry point to the alternative lifestyle community. It's purpose is to give you a taste of the many different flavors of human sexuality. Where other events simply focus on a singular aspect like BDSM or the Lifestyle, we are the sampler version… a taste of sexuality... if we may. Many of our classes are introductory level so youcan start at the beginning and walk away armed with new skills and ideas. We ask everyone to attend a short Winter Fire 101 class where we talk about etiquette and how to make the most of your weekend. If you are curious about alternate sexuality, have an open mind, and a good attitude this is the right place for you. Singles of any gender are welcome… assholes and wankers are not and we reserve the right to ask anyone who makes other attendees uncomfortable to leave.
Q: I can't bring my camera?
A: We are sorry, but to ensure everyone's privacy we ask that you leave your camera at home. Also, now that everyone seems to have a cell phone with a camera, we can't allow you to use your cell phone in the play spaces, workshop rooms or classrooms and would really appreciate if you must use your cell phone that you go into the lobby or better still outside the hotel away from other attendees.
Hypnox will be on hand to capture those special moments. If you are willing to have your picture taken we will ask you to sign a model release during registration and you will then be identifiable to our staff photographers by the color wrist band you are given.
Q: I have more questions… I need more answers?
A: Then send us an email to info@darkodyssey.com and we will do our best to get you an answer as soon as possible. If you have a burning question that can't wait for email… or you type really poorly… call Greg at 510-206-0875.