HBO Westworld – Live Without Limits Weekend at SXSW
“The freedom of living without the rules or judgement is coming to Austin, Texas.” That’s how HBO describes the immersive vacation activation they’re building for Westword fans this year at SXSW. Celebrating the return of the HBO series on Sunday, April 22, this extensive two-hour experience will run for three days only, March 9 – 11.
HBO will recreate the Westworld town of Sweetwater featuring reproduced versions of the show’s locations and elements like the Coronado luxury hotel and the Mariposa Saloon, where guests can sample western-themed cocktails and eats, and then interact with the Westworld characters to get clues about where the story lines are going in season two. After arriving at the EastSide Tavern, guests board the Delos shuttle for Sweetwater. Upon arrival, “Guests will be assigned a black hat or white hat and set loose to explore the park. No guidebook. No orientation.”
To avoid the massive lines that went down at the Comic-Cons last year, pre-registration was required at https://discoverwestworld.com/. The first available slots booked up quick, but HBO promises “the remaining appointments opening up during SXSW for those who missed early registration.” Also, you must be 21 or older so have your ID handy.
Lyft has developed another custom feature of the rideshare app through their exclusive partnership with HBO, where riders access a secret code that unlocks a custom Westworld-themed Lyft experience, being treated to a free ride to the Sweetwater park, and the opportunity to “uncover in-story surprises along the way.”
If you want to actually see the real cast members in person, including Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Marsden, add the SXSW Film session to your schedule featuring Westworld showrunners Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan on Saturday, March 10 at the convention center.
HBO’s Silicon Valley & Funny or Die at the Hacker Hostel
HBO’s Silicon Valley is a favorite of the SXSW audience, where the show premiered in 2014. Silicon Valley has partnered with Funny or Die to create their HQ at the Hacker Hostel taking place March 9, 2pm – 7pm and March 10 1pm-6pm, located at 1102 E Cesar Chavez St. This SV hangout is geared to get fans excited for the upcoming Season 5 where they can “ball out” in the Three Comma Club, hang at Hooli to geek out with fellow fans about your favorite episodes and how the show will go on without T.J. Miller.
RSVP at http://siliconvalleyhq.splashthat.com/
