TAIKAI USA - Frequently Asked Questions

REGISTRATION

We are able to accept credit card payments for the TAIKAI!   Please see the Registration Page for details and instructions.

We are able to accept PayPal payments for the TAIKAI!   Please see the Registration Page for details and instructions.

Registration cost covers your training and the training hall at the hotel.   Expenses other than training are the responsibility of each individual, including food, travel, insurance, lodging, souvenirs, t-shirts, etc.

The 30th Anniversary dinner on Saturday night, June 27th, will be separate from the TAIKAI USA / Kunoichi Kai price.   Everyone can order what they like at the restaurant and choose the amount they would like to spend.   Click Here for more info.   And Click Here for info on the Roast!

TAIKAI USA check-in will be handled separately from hotel check-in.   The TAIKAI staff will be set up in the entrance hall to the training ballroom to welcome you and check you in.   TAIKAI USA check-in will be open from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Friday, June 26th.   Please make your travel arrangements so that you can arrive before or during this time window.   Our volunteers will only have a brief opportunity to close Registration and pack up the desks & materials at 5:00 so they can get to training also.   Please be considerate of their time and training by arriving before Registration closes.

Registration will also be open for a short time prior to training on Saturday and Sunday mornings in case there is anyone who arrives later than Friday afternoon.

In order to check in you will need:

- A valid picture ID
- Your confirmation sent to you by the TAIKAI USA staff after registering
- Completed Registration and Release Forms (if we haven’t already received them)
- Cash or money order (to pay any balance due, if you haven’t already paid in full)

You may also want bring a copy of any correspondence you have received from us, in case there are any questions.

DISCOUNT PROGRAMS

Good News!   We have several discount programs for TAIKAI USA attendees!

Registration Discounts:

eBay Discount Auction - Here's your chance to win $75 off your TAIKAI USA / Kunoichi Kai Registration.   This is an official discount program offered by TAIKAI USA.   Click Here to go to the Auction page for more info.
Update: eBay auction is now open, but will close soon.   Click Here for details.   Good luck!

The Instructor Discount Program is another option.   Bring a few students with you and save money on your TAIKAI USA Registration.

Hotel-Related Discounts:

Hotel Rate Discount - Our special TAIKAI USA hotel rate is $99/night for a suite at the Hyatt Regency.   This rate is good for up to 4 people per suite.   Make your hotel reservations with the Hyatt before June 15 to get the discount.   Click Here for more details and hotel contact information.

Free Parking - We have arranged with the hotel to provide free parking for TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai attendees.   Parking passes will be provided at check-in.

Breakfast Discount - We have negotiated with the hotel to provide TAIKAI USA attendees who are staying in the hotel with 25% off breakfast coupons for the hotel restaurant.   (Some of the feedback we received last year said the hotel's breakfast prices were a little high, so we're helping where we can.)

TRAVEL / HOTEL

TAIKAI USA will be held at the Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta, NW.   The Hyatt Regency Suites is located at:   2999 Windy Hill Rd in Marietta, on the north side of Atlanta.   For those who attended TAIKAI USA / Kunoichi Kai 2008, we will be at the same location as last year, and we have also arranged a larger training space at the hotel.

We have negotiated a special room rate for TAIKAI USA attendees.   If you make your hotel reservation by June 15, 2009, and mention that you are with TAIKAI USA, the cost for your suite will be $99.00/night.   This rate should be good from Thursday, June 25 through Sunday night, June 28th, so feel free to arrive a day early or stay an extra night and see some of Atlanta.

The Hyatt Regency's rooms are all suites including a bedroom and living room.   Some have double beds and some have a king-sized bed; and each living room's couch also folds out into a bed.   Our special TAIKAI USA rate of $99/night is good for 1 to 4 persons in a suite, so the opportunity is there to share with friends if you're so inclined.   Our special rate is good through June 15, or until the hotel sells out.

To make your hotel reservation, call the Hyatt Regency directly at:   770-956-1234   (International callers dial: +1-770-956-1234)   or visit their website:   http://atlantasuites.hyatt.com to make your hotel reservations online.
(Links for German, Spanish, French, and other languages are at the bottom of their webpage.)

Please Note:   Be sure not to miss the June 15th cutoff date, as the hotel's suite price will go back to its regular rate after this deadline.   Please also keep in mind that room availability is limited.   If the rooms sell out, they will no longer be able to offer our special rate.

There are several good ways.   You can rent a car, use a shuttle or limousine service, take a taxi, or use public transportation.   Please see the hotel’s Transportation page for details and options.

Limousines and Shuttle Service
A&M Shuttle & Limo:   A&M shuttles park at Atlanta Airport ground transportation center at PINK AREA SPACES 12 & 13.   They operate from 6am until 11pm.   The cost is $34 one way and $58 round trip, per person.
Superior Shuttle:   The cost is $25 one way, and $40 round trip, per person.

Taxi Service
For around $45 to $60 per ride, one way, you can take a taxi to the hotel.   Be aware that taxis may charge more for oversized or extra baggage or for multiple passengers.

If you opt to take a taxi, it is recommended that you hire one at the official taxi stand near Baggage Claim, avoiding individuals who may approach you on their own to offer you a taxi ride.   Individuals like this are not sanctioned and accepting a ride from them could be risky.

Car Rental
Choose the car rental agency that suits your needs best.   There are quite a few rental agencies located at the Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield).

Public Transportation:   MARTA and Cobb Community Transit (CCT)
MARTA has a train station located in the airport (on the north end of the terminal, near Baggage Claim).   MARTA costs $1.75/ride, or you can buy a Visitor’s Pass* ($8-$12), allowing you unlimited rides covering several days.   For more information about MARTA, see the MARTA Website.

CCT is a bus system for Cobb County (where the hotel is located) with routes to various parts of Atlanta and Cobb County.   Fares are $1.50 one way.   For more information about CCT buses and routes, see the CCT Website.   There are a number of combinations you can use to travel from the Airport to the hotel via public transportation.   Below are two options for your convenience.

Please be aware that MARTA and CCT are two separate systems, so separate passes will be needed for each, and you will have to exit one system to access the other.
*Please also note:   If you use a MARTA Visitor's Pass or other multi-use pass, make sure you swipe the pass as you exit the MARTA gates.   You may have difficulty getting back into the transit station otherwise.

Option 1:
From the Airport, take the MARTA train north to the Dunwoody Transit Station.   Transfer to the CCT Route 65 bus at the Dunwoody MARTA station and ride that to the Marietta Transfer Center.   Transfer to the CCT Route 50 bus and ride that to the corner of Powers Ferry Road and Windy Hill Road (stop number 5), which is a short walking distance from the hotel.

Option 2:
From the Airport, take the MARTA train north to the Arts Center Station.   Transfer to the CCT Route 10 bus and ride that to the Marietta Transfer Center.   Transfer to the CCT Route 50 bus and ride that to the corner of Powers Ferry Road and Windy Hill Road (stop number 5), which is a short walking distance from the hotel.

Note that the CCT buses do not run on Sundays.   However, you can arrange with the hotel to get a shuttle ride to the Marietta Transfer Center, where you can take the MARTA Route 12 bus, which runs all day on Sundays.   Take the MARTA Route 12 bus to the Mid-Town Transit Station, transfer to the train, and travel south on the train to the airport.

Click Here for an overview map of Atlanta showing the major highways and the hotel.

From the Atlanta Airport
. Take I-285 North around the west side of Atlanta.
. Take the exit for I-75 North—Follow the signs!
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the first exit north of I-285)
. Go right (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

From the South:   (Florida; Montgomery, AL)
. Take I-75 or I-85 North into Atlanta. (they merge)
. Stay on I-75 North when they split again
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the first exit north of I-285)
. Go right (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

From the East:   (Columbia, SC)
. Take I-20 West toward Atlanta.
. Before reaching Atlanta, take I-285 North.
. Stay on I-285, passing intersections with I-85 and Georgia Hwy 400.
. Take the exit for I-75 North—Follow the signs!
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the first exit north of I-285)
. Go right (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

From the West:   (Texas; Birmingham, AL)
. Take I-20 East toward Atlanta.
. Before reaching Atlanta, take I-285 North.
. Take the exit for I-75 North—Follow the signs!
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the first exit north of I-285)
. Go right (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

From the Northeast:   (Virginia; NC; Greenville, SC)
. Take I-85 South toward Atlanta.
. Before reaching Atlanta, take I-285 West.
. Stay on I-285, passing the intersection with Georgia Hwy 400.
. Take the exit for I-75 North—Follow the signs!
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the first exit north of I-285)
. Go right (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

From the Northwest:   (Ohio; Missouri; Chattanooga, TN)
. Take I-75 South toward Atlanta.
. Exit onto Windy Hill Rd. (Exit #260, the exit just north of I-285)
. Go left (east) on Windy Hill Rd for about ¼ mile. The Hyatt Regency Suites will be on your left.

See the Hyatt’s Directions page for further details and an overview map of Atlanta showing the major highways and the hotel.

Note:   The Hyatt has agreed to supply us with a limited number of free parking passes, and we will provide these to TAIKAI USA registrants on a first-come, first-served basis - as long as they last.   Register early for TAIKAI USA and avoid the hotel parking fee!

There are quite a few restaurants in the area of the Hyatt.   There is a list of local restaurants on the hotel's website.   There is a map of nearby restaurants and shops that you can get when you check in.   There are also franchise restaurants (for example, Fuddruckers) in the vicinity of the hotel, and several are within walking distance.   The hotel concierge can assist guests with reservations at local restaurants.

Inside the hotel, the Hyatt’s Greenhouse Restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch or dinner.   The hotel also offers room service.   The Greenhouse Bar in the hotel is open nightly until midnight.

Good News!   We have arranged with the hotel to provide TAIKAI USA attendees staying in the hotel with 25% off breakfast coupons for the hotel restaurant.   (Some of the feedback we received last year said the hotel's breakfast prices were a little high, so we're helping where we can.)

There is a Fitness Center in the hotel with complimentary 24 hour access!   See the Hyatt’s website for details, a list of equipment available and a 'virtual tour'.   The concierge can also supply you with detailed maps of running and walking trails -- as well as GPS watches -- if you prefer to workout in the outdoors.  

The hotel's outdoor pool is available from 6am to 11pm, seasonally.   See the hotel's website for safety information.

There are lots of things to do and see in the Atlanta area!   Some tourist attractions in the Atlanta area include:   Stone Mountain Park, Six Flags over Georgia amusement park, White Water aquatic amusement park, the Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Underground Atlanta, CNN Center/CNN Studios, Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola Museum, Zoo Atlanta, and Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.   Consult Atlanta CitySearch, the Atlanta Visitors website, other tourist guides, or the hotel concierge for more suggestions.   The Hyatt also provides a webpage listing of attractions.   Click Here to view the hotel's list.

The Hyatt hotel offers a daily shuttle to and from the Galleria and Cumberland Malls that is available upon request and availability.   Galleria Mall and Cumberland Mall are nearby and offer shopping and dining.   Visitors can also travel to the nearest MARTA station (MARTA is Atlanta’s rapid transit system), and ride MARTA to destinations around the city.

MARTA, combining train and bus service, provides public transportation for most of the metro Atlanta area.   The MARTA system consists primarily of two main train lines (one travels North-South, and the other East-West) and many bus routes that cover the Atlanta metropolitan area.   Please visit the MARTA Web site for more information, maps, schedules, etc.
(Links for German, Spanish, French, and other languages are at the bottom of their webpage.)

CCT is the Cobb Community Transit system, which provides public transportation for the area where the hotel is located.   Click Here to visit the CCT website for more info.   CCT is separate from MARTA, but they have shared stops so that passengers can transfer from one system to the other.   Please see the question on directions from the Atlanta airport for transfer details.

TRAINING

In addition to any training equipment, you will need to bring your pass for that day’s training.   Passes will be different each day, so make sure you have the right one with you.   Passes will be available for pickup during Registration on Friday afternoon. (2pm-5pm)   Please safeguard them carefully.   Each person will only be given one set and we would hate for you to miss any of the events.   The hotel will be providing water stations during training, but you can bring something additional to drink if you prefer. (sports drinks, etc.)

There will be items available for purchase at the TAIKAI.   (Ex: TAIKAI and other T-Shirts, TAIKAI DVD orders, other training-related gear)   The selection of items will be dependent on the Vendors participating.

Vendors:   There are a limited number of tables available.   If you would like to have a table, please contact the TAIKAI ahead of time to make arrangements.   Click Here for more info.

Yes - Summer weather in Atlanta can be warm. :)   (See the question on Atlanta weather for details & weather link.)   In addition, we have arranged with the hotel to provide water stations for us during training.

Videotaping, digital recording, filming, or any other type of electronic duplication of TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai is not allowed.   DVDs of the training will be available to attendees of both events.   A 'pre-order' option is available as part of TAIKAI USA Registration, enabling you to save by ordering in advance.   Just indicate on your Registration Form that you would like to pre-order a TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai 2009 DVD set, include the additional funds, and you will be all set!

The TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai 2008 DVD set was professionally filmed and edited, and turned out incredibly well.   The same film crew will be recording the 2009 event, and we're looking forward to an even better training DVD package this time.   A limited number of copies of the TaiKai USA 2008 4-DVD set will be available at TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai 2009.

Photography of any type during training is not allowed.   Pictures may be taken before or after training or during breaks.   Please refrain from taking pictures until then.

*Please note: The official TaiKai USA photographer is the single exception to these rules.   They will be taking pictures periodically throughout TaiKai USA, and have special permission to take pictures at their discretion and will be operating under guidelines given to them by TaiKai USA.

Due to the limited amount of training space, and to be fair to the people who paid to attend, this will not be possible.   There are many activities and events in the Atlanta area for family and friends to enjoy while they are visiting, such as:   Stone Mountain Park, Six Flags over Georgia amusement park, shopping at nearby malls, the Georgia Aquarium, etc.   Click Here for a more complete list and more info.

The hotel also maintains a website listing attractions in the area.   Click Here to view their list.

The Feldenkrais session, led by internationally-renowned Feldenkrais Instructor Moti Nativ from Israel, will be in the pavilion area at the Hyatt Regency.   This will be a Warrior's Awareness session, where Moti will teach Awareness through Movement and practical applications connected to it.

The Feldenkrais Method is a unique movement and awareness discipline.   Moti specializes in seminars for martial artists using an effective approach that improves the warrior ability.   The session will begin at 10:00am and should last until 12:00 on Sunday, June 28.   If you're attending only that day, please indicate 'Sunday' on your Registration Form when you register.

GENERAL

TAIKAI USA is open to all ranks, as well as to non-members, and everyone is encouraged to come.

By request, TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai 2009 will have a dinner event on Saturday night!   We had several requests last year to add an evening get-together for 2009, and we have answered! :)

Getting together and socializing with old friends - and new friends - is one of the great things about this kind of training event.   The Atlanta Dojo has always fostered a 'family' feeling and environment in our training and dojo, and we bring that atmosphere to our events.   We hope you can attend TAIKAI USA / Kunoichi Kai 2009 and become part of that feeling also!

30th Anniversary Celebration
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Roy Wilkinson's Bujinkan training, and the Atlanta Bujinkan instructors and students are organizing the dinner in honor of this occasion, in conjunction with TaiKai USA / Kunoichi Kai.   Come help us celebrate this milestone!

In order to keep the TAIKAI / Kunoichi Kai attendee price as affordable as possible, the dinner will not be added to the TAIKAI cost.   The dinner will be held at a restaurant in the area, rather than paying for hotel catering.   Everyone can order what they like from the restaurant and choose the amount they want to spend.

Click Here for info from the TaiKai Committee about the "celebration." ;)

Bring appropriate clothing for 3 days of martial arts training and for leisure activities;   Money for food, lodging, transportation and other activities;   Any Registration materials (see above),   and training equipment - such as a wooden training sword and/or shinai, hanbo, wooden training knife, and whatever additional training equipment you may need.

*DO NOT bring live weapons of any sort with you - including firearms, knives, live swords, explosive devices, etc.

Summer weather in Atlanta is usually fairly warm and humid – Day temperatures can be as high as F: high 90’s (C: 35+) and night temperatures may be around F: 70’s (C: ~25).   That’s why we’re training inside! :)
Click Here for Atlanta weather forecast information.

Banking services can be found at banks/ATMs near the hotel.   Currency exchange and banking services can be found at the Atlanta airport.  
>> For easy access to cash, there is also an ATM (cash machine) in the hotel lobby. <<

Several banks located near the hotel are:
- Wachovia Bank, 2675 Windy Hill Road, Marietta, Georgia 30067   (Phone: 770-850-3470)
- Suntrust Bank, 1380 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, Georgia 30067   (Phone: 770-951-1194)
- Bank of America, 3030 Windy Hill Road, Marietta, Georgia 30067   (Phone: 770-953-7334)

Airport:
A full-service bank (Capitol City Bank) which provides checking, savings, bank transfers, traveler’s checks, cash advances and notary services is located in the Atrium of the main terminal, and is open from Monday to Friday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM-6:00 PM.

There are ATM banking machines (Automated Teller Machines) located in Concourses A, B, C, D and E, in the Atrium of the main airport terminal, and in the North and South baggage claim areas.

A currency exchange office (Travel Ex America) can be found next to the airport’s bank and is open from 7am to 9:30pm, 7 days per week.   Travel Ex also has currency exchange locations in the airport near international arrivals (customs) area and in International Concourse E, across from Gate E26. (TravelEx Airport: 404-766-2700)

Travel Ex also has an office in Lenox Mall, accessible via the MARTA train system.   There is a train stop at Lenox Mall on the north-south line.   (TravelEx, Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-759-3846)

Click Here for estimated currency exchange values from XE.com.

Local phone calls typically cost 50 cents ($0.50), but may vary slightly from phone to phone.   Long distance or international calls cost more, of course, and depend on where you’re calling.   Local calls are not charged on the length of the call, but long distance or international calls are.   Typically, public phones do not give change back.

Most public phones work in this manner:   Lift the receiver, Listen for the dial tone, Insert the proper coins, and then enter the number.   (If you’re using a ‘calling card’ or ‘phone card’, please follow that card’s instructions for placing calls.)

To reach emergency services, such as Police, Fire or Ambulance, dial: 911
For directory assistance, dial: 411 (Directory assistance calls typically cost 50 cents ($0.50) each.)
To reach a local operator, dial: 0 (zero)
To reach a long-distance operator, dial: 00 (zero zero)

E-Mail:       info [at] taikaiusa [dot] com
Website:    www.taikaiusa.com
Write:         Atlanta Bujinkan Dojo
                       2566 Shallowford Rd. Suite 104-360
                       Atlanta, Georgia 30345
                       USA