WROCK AROUND THE ROCK
Make the choice between what is right, what is easy, and what is at the bar!
In conjunction with HP Alliance, HPEF is taking wizard rock into San Francisco Bay on Friday, July 17, 2009 with WROCK AROUND THE ROCK, a four-hour cruise featuring wrock, games, and a Magical/Muggle tour of Alcatraz from the water. 
There will be food, an open bar (three hour open bar with alcohol available for a small additional fee), and music from The Remus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, The House of Black, Ministry of Magic and more! Brian from Draco & the Malfoys has had to bow out for family reasons, and we will miss him, but we understand why he can't make it this year.
Also, we'll have one deck on the yacht that's music-free, with space for games, conversation and, of course, food!
NOTE: You can purchase up to four tickets now if you have a one-day, full or Merlin's Circle registration; if you aren't registered for Azkatraz, you can purchase up to ten tickets here.
Cost - $100 for the unlimited-soda ticket, and $125 for the three-hours-of-open-bar ticket (only available to those over 21). You can upgrade on-site from a soda-ticket to an open-bar ticket if you are over 21 and have the ID to prove it by paying cash at Registration.
WROCK AROUND THE ROCK FAQ
Why is it so expensive?
It is expensive, especially compared to the usual wizard rock event in a library or a club. The main reason is because the boat itself costs so much to rent for the event. A cruise-liner large enough for upwards of 600 people ordinarily costs over $25,000 for a four-hour trip. Hornblower Cruises is kindly giving us a 50% discount because it's a fundraiser for Amnesty International, but that's still about $13,000 before we include anything else.
But we also can't take 400+ people onto the water for nearly four hours without having a lot of food available, especially since many people are going to get the "Three Hour Open Bar" option; it's dangerous and inhospitable.
In other words, we're not charging that kind of money for wizard rock tickets alone. It's priced primarily to pay for the singular experience we want to create - a floating party with wrock and good food and good company.
Okay, but what about having to register? That means I have to pay over $200 just to go to the concert?
No, not at all!
You don't need to purchase a full registration ($145 through March 1) if you want your Azkatraz experience to be primarily Wrock-focused. You can purchase a one-day registration for $45, and then get a ticket to Wrock Around the Rock for $100 or $125, or you can just buy a ticket to Wrock Around the Rock - and perhaps find a friend to get you a ticket to the Prison Break Ball at Azkatraz if you want to head over to that, too.
However, you should know that with your single-day registration, you'll also be able to attend the Breaking Dawn Leaky Mug after our showing of Half-Blood Prince in the wee hours of Friday morning, play pickup Quidditch on Friday, and go to all the programming, visit the Gallery an Vendor Room, visit the Drabble and Drawble Booths on the day of your registration, and hang out in the Common Room on the day listed on your one-day registration. If you choose Saturday, you'll be able to go to the Pyjama Party on Saturday night for no additional fee. If you choose a Sunday day registration instead, you can get a ticket for the Prison Break Ball including the afterparty, featuring acoustic wrock, for $20 more.
If you'd like additional assistance figuring out what's scheduled each day and which combinations work out best for you, please email us and we'll be happy to go through the options with you.
An Open Bar? Really?
Yes! Drink responsibly! We won't have any sobriety charms on board!
Ok! How do I buy a ticket, or two, or three, or four?
You can purchase up to four tickets when you register for Azkatraz, or add up to four tickets to your registration. Or you can purchase up to ten tickets here.
If you haven't registered yet, click here for the registration section. You can add the WROCK AROUND THE ROCK tickets after you've selected a single-day, full or Merlin's Circle registration.
If you've already registered, find your original registration confirmation email; the subject should be Registrati
If you've already registered, but you can't find your confirmation email, click here and follow the instructions provided.
How do we get to the boat?
You can get to Pier Three by the Embarcadero via the BART system, or by cab or cable car. We do not recommend driving.
Hornblower Cruises has a PDF of general directions to Pier Three here.
How far away is it from the hotel?
It's a ten to fifteen minute trip by cab or car, about ten minutes on the BART, ten minutes on the MUNI or about half an hour if you walk.
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Generally, life jackets do not have to be worn, except during emergency situations.
Can we wear robes / costumes?
Yes, definitely! You can also wear your favorite Wrock Band t-shirt, or pick up a new one at Azkatraz, or during the cruise!
Who's playing?
The Remus Lupins, the Whomping Willows, Ministry of Magic, and House of Black - and it'll be hosted by Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the HP films.
How many tickets can I purchase?
Each registrant can purchase up to four tickets, regardless of whether the registration is for a single-day, or the entire conference. As of February, 2009, if there are any tickets left, they will be made available to the general public starting at $100.
I didn't purchase the Open Bar add-on when I bought my ticket. How can I add it later?
You can add it by paying $25 in cash at Registration on Thursday or Friday. You cannot add it at the ship itself.
Why aren't we going TO Alcatraz?
It's unaffordable. We spent hours talking to the managers of Alcatraz, which is part of the US National Parks, and their policy is that groups cannot charge attendees for the Alcatraz experience. We tried to get an exemption and it might have been possible, but it would have increased the cost of the event by about $75 per person. It's still something we would happily pursue if someone gave us $30,000 in sponsorship, or convinces the Parks Service to let us use it for free, but otherwise, it's unfortunately out of reach.
What if I don't like Wrock but want to go on the boat tour?
The top deck - that's the Captain's Lounge - is going to be virtually Wrock-free. We'll have games, food, drinks, discussions and a more detailed overview of Alcatraz up there - but don't worry, the food and drinks will be on the lower two levels, too!
What ship are we going on?
She's called the California Hornblower. The flagship of Hornblower's fleet is a majestic vessel, perfect for the world's most scenic waterway. Her three spacious salons feature full service bars, hardwood dance floors, brass, teak and mahogany appointments. Large windows throughout provide spectacular views from every seat.
Is the boat handicapped accessible?
The lowest level is wheelchair-accessable and service animals are welcome; the upper decks are not wheelchair-accessable. However, due to the limited kitchen space on board, we will not be able to customize meals. If you have an allergy that could significantly impact your enjoyment of Wrock Around the Rock, please contact us at info @ hp2009.org (without the spaces).
How cold will it be?
The average outside temperature at that time of year is about 60 degrees, so it could get chilly on deck. We will be mostly inside, though. If you plan to venture outside, we recommend that you dress in layers.
How do we get back from the boat after 11:00 at night?
We will have optional transportation back to the hotel. Depending on the number of attendees, it may be on coaches, cable cars, cabs or a mixture of the above. But we have a feeling that some attendees may want to stay down on Fisherman's Wharf instead of going right back to the hotel.
What if we get on the boat but can't stay on it and have to get off?
Hornblower Cruises has procedures in place in case of an emergency, once we're in the bay.
Can I bring my assistance animal?
Yes, but please notify us no later than July 10 at info @ hp2009.org so we can make arrangements.
Why a boat and not someplace like the Hard Rock Cafe or the hotel?
The hotel is lovely, but not as interesting as San Francisco Bay. Plus, from the water we can experience an amazing view of Alcatraz from the water, and we hope to have a tour guide tell us about the Muggle and Wizard history of the island!
The Hard Rock Cafe or any other restaurant or banquet hall, would have to close to all outside business for the evening, and the cost for that was actually higher than the cost for the California Hornblower.
Will there be other activities besides Wrock?
Yes! Everyone will get to enjoy the Muggle/Wizard History Tour of Alcatraz from the water, courtesy of our tour guide, and participate in our special on-board auction and raffle. Attendees in the Captain's Lounge will enjoy games, activities, and informal discussions. You can move from deck to deck, and enjoy all aspects of the Wrock Around the Rock experience, too!
Can we jump and/or mosh?
Inside, yes. On the upper deck outside, you can jump but you cannot crowd-surf because of the risk of falling overboard.
Will the bands have merchandise available?
Definitely, so save your galleons!
What if the weather is bad and the boat can't sail?
The captain will decide if the weather is too foggy or the waters are too choppy. If this is the case, we will stay at the dock and party there, and everyone will get a $15 refund.
Are tickets refundable?
No, but they are transferable until the ticket-holder boards the boat.
Where can I get a cool WROCK AROUND THE ROCK poster?
You can download it here! We have a limited number to hand in stores, schools, clubs, etc. If you want one of those, email info@hp2009.org with your name, address and where you plan to hang it, and we'll send you one in 2009.
Special thanks to sempraseverus for the wonderful design!
