Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is a waterfront resort at National Harbor, Maryland, and the home of Katsucon. It is a 15-minute drive from Reagan National Airport, has its own parking garage, and shares its public spaces with ordinary hotel guests and diners.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoors: a hotel and convention space shared with the public
- Official site
- katsucon.org
- Next festival here
- Katsucon, Feb 12 to 14, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- The hotel and surrounding businesses are open to the public, so the convention does not have the place to itself.
- Katsucon does not rent out wheelchairs or scooters, so bring your own mobility aid.
- Only service dogs or grandfathered miniature horses are allowed inside; emotional support animals are not.
- Prop weapons must be inspected and tagged at the Annapolis Registration Desk before you carry them around.
- Badge checkers are placed throughout the convention space.
Festivals here
Venue basics: 15 minutes from Reagan National · Its own parking garage · Shared with hotel guests and diners.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You are flying in and want a short drive from Reagan National.
- You want everything under one roof, with the hotel garage on site.
- You want a waterfront setting with a water taxi to Old Town Alexandria.
Think twice if
- You would need a wheelchair or scooter rental at the event.
- You rely on an emotional support animal.
- You want a venue that is entirely given over to the convention.
Getting there and parking
Gaylord National is a 15-minute drive from Reagan National Airport and within a 45-minute drive of Dulles and Baltimore Washington International Airports. Shuttle and car service run from either airport to the hotel, and a water taxi crosses the Potomac to Old Town Alexandria.
The Gaylord has its own parking garage, with rates on the hotel's own overview page. There is also separate parking around National Harbor.
Festival-specific · KatsuconBadge checkers are placed throughout the convention space, and anyone without a badge is asked to return with it to get into convention areas.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · KatsuconAttendees with mobility challenges, blindness, severe hearing challenges and other chronic medical issues can use Disability Support Services. Pre-registered attendees get a quick-access registration line and a wristband.
Festival-specific · KatsuconThe wristband gives priority elevator access, a chair in line or a proxy to stand in line for you, seating close to the stage in panel rooms, and up to two designated assistants who can stay with you. Katsucon does not provide scooters or rent out wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
The only animals allowed within the Gaylord are service dogs or grandfathered miniature horses. Emotional support animals are not allowed.
Festival-specific · KatsuconThe First Aid group handles medical bag checks for the small bags of needed medical supplies that attendees may bring into restricted areas.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (katsucon.org).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Gaylord National. The venue's own pages are the place to check: katsucon.org.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · KatsuconPhotographers may take photos in the resort's public space with hand-held equipment only. Free-standing equipment, light stands, ladders, backdrops, large floor props and cords across the floor are not allowed there.
Festival-specific · KatsuconAll prop weapons are inspected and tagged at the Annapolis Registration Desk in the convention center, and a prop must be tagged to be carried in and around the Gaylord. Airsoft guns are prohibited even when non-functional, with exceptions only for nerf and water guns that cannot fire. Bows must have no live steel or sharp edges and stand no taller than 6 feet 6 inches, and costume whips must be checked by Katsucon Public Safety.
Sound and sensory
Festival-specific · KatsuconThe hotel, convention space and surrounding businesses are not given over entirely to Katsucon for the weekend. Members of the public and other groups stay, dine and visit the resort, and Katsucon asks attendees to be considerate of them.
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Quick answers
How far is Gaylord National from the airport?
It is a 15-minute drive from Reagan National Airport and within 45 minutes of Dulles and Baltimore Washington International. Shuttle and car service run from either airport to the hotel.
Does the Gaylord National have its own parking?
Yes. The Gaylord has its own parking garage, and the rates are on the hotel's own overview page. Separate parking is also available around National Harbor.
Can I rent a wheelchair or scooter at Katsucon?
No. Katsucon does not provide scooters or rent out wheelchairs or other mobility aids, so bring your own.
What help is there for attendees with disabilities at Katsucon?
Katsucon's Disability Support Services gives pre-registered attendees a quick-access registration line and a wristband with priority elevator access, a chair or proxy in line, seating near the stage and up to two assistants.
Can I bring an emotional support animal to the Gaylord?
No. Only service dogs or grandfathered miniature horses are allowed within the Gaylord.
Can I bring a prop weapon to Katsucon?
Yes, if it passes inspection. Props are inspected and tagged at the Annapolis Registration Desk in the convention center, and Airsoft guns are prohibited even when non-functional.
Can I take photos with lights and stands at the Gaylord?
No. In the resort's public space photographers may use hand-held equipment only, with no light stands, ladders or backdrops.
Can I camp at the Gaylord?
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Gaylord National. The venue's own pages at marriott.com are the place to check.
A little history
Katsucon takes place at the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor, a waterfront resort with shopping, dining and entertainment around it.