Navigating the Gaylord National Resort

Flagship events like WordCamp US (WCUS) 2023 bring together lots and lots of excited attendees at larger venues in fun cities, and this year’s event is no different. The WordPress Community Summit and WCUS will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on 41.7 acres in National Harbor, Maryland across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The resort features a striking 19-story glass atrium, over 1,900 guest rooms that surround dramatic views of an indoor garden and fountains, restaurants, shops, and bustling event and meeting spaces on multiple levels that can be overwhelming.

The following resources will help you get around the Gaylord National and ensure that basic venue and event information is as accessible as possible in text and visual formats.

Arriving at the Gaylord National

Whether by planes, trains, or automobiles, WCUS attendees arrive at the Gaylord National:

By entering through the main entrance on Waterfront Street;
Drivers can use valet or self-parking from St. George Boulevard; and
Use entrances around the venue including the conference center entrance (across from the self-parking garage), or Potomac Terrace on the Potomac River side of the resort.

Common Paths at the Gaylord National

WordCamp US will take place on multiple levels at the resort, with all three presentation rooms located in one centralized area on the Ballroom Level. In this area, you’ll also find clearly marked gender-neutral restrooms; nursing, quiet, and listening rooms; and registration and help desks to assist event attendees.

Although there are lots of things to do at the Gaylord National, these are some common paths to key events during WordCamp US. Maps alone are often inaccessible, not readable to assistive technology, or provide appropriate descriptions for use by all.

Common Paths for WCUS Map (jpg format, 475 KB)
Common Paths for WCUS Map (pdf format, 333 KB)

Main Entrance to Resort Registration

The main entrance on Waterfront Street offers complete concierge services to assist resort guests at check-in. Ridesharing services like Lyft or Uber generally drop passengers off at the Gaylord National’s self-parking or side entrance, so let your driver know or make a note in the rideshare service app when reserving your ride to be dropped at the main entrance.

For hotel check-in, use the main entrance on Waterfront Street. There are five automatic sliding doors flanked by two revolving doors and two doors with paddles. Proceed straight ahead 172 feet. Turn left and the front desk is 13 feet ahead.

From Resort Registration to Your Room

After check-in, turn and face in the opposite direction to face an open-air atrium. Walk towards Elevator A (your right) or Elevator B (your left) to take you to your room.

To get to Elevator A, walk forward 13 feet and turn right; move ahead 45 feet then turn left; move ahead 37 feet and turn right; move ahead 39 feet and turn left, and proceed straight ahead 44 feet to arrive at the elevators; or
To get to Elevator B, walk forward 13 feet and turn left; move ahead 45 feet then turn right; move ahead 37 feet and turn left; move ahead 40 feet and turn right, and proceed straight ahead 38 feet to arrive at the elevators.

NOTE: For those who select atrium-view rooms, there will be lots of activity in the shops below and noise levels may be an issue for those seeking a more quiet experience.

From Elevator A to WordCamp Sessions

Take Elevator A to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 9 feet and turn left; in 8 feet, bear right; in 60 feet turn right; in 114 feet turn left; in 205 feet turn left; continue straight for 27 feet to Cherry Blossom Ballroom.
Take Elevator A to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 9 feet and turn left; in 8 feet, bear right; in 60 feet turn right; in 199 feet turn left; in 205 feet turn left; continue straight for 8 feet to Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
Take Elevator A to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 9 feet and turn left; in 8 feet, bear right; move ahead 60 feet and turn right; in 199 feet turn left; in 253 feet turn right; continue straight 25 feet to arrive at Annapolis Ballroom.

From Elevator B to WordCamp Sessions

Cherry Blossom Ballroom – Take Elevator B to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 62 feet (towards escalators); move ahead 112 feet and turn right; continue straight for 27 feet to Cherry Blossom Ballroom.
Woodrow Wilson Ballroom – Take Elevator B to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 62 feet (towards escalators); move ahead 27 feet and turn right; in 205 feet turn left; continue straight 8 feet to arrive at Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
Annapolis Ballroom – Take Elevator B to the 2nd floor; exit and move ahead 62 feet (towards escalators); move ahead 27 feet and turn right; in 253 feet turn right; continue straight 23 feet to arrive at Annapolis Ballroom.

From Main Entrance to WordCamp Sessions

Cherry Blossom Ballroom – From the main entrance proceed straight ahead 172 feet; in another 45 feet turn right; in 37 feet turn left; in 40 feet turn right; in 38 feet take Elevator B up to the 2nd Floor; exit the elevator and move ahead 62 feet and turn left (towards escalators); in 112 feet turn right; continue straight for 27 feet to arrive at Cherry Blossom Ballroom.
Woodrow Wilson Ballroom – From the main entrance proceed straight ahead 172 feet; in another 45 feet turn right; in 37 feet turn left; in 40 feet turn right; in 38 feet take Elevator B up to the 2nd Floor; exit the elevator and move ahead 62 feet and turn left (towards escalators); in 27 feet turn right; in 166 feet turn left; continue straight for 18 feet to arrive at Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
Annapolis Ballroom – From the main entrance proceed straight ahead 172 feet; in another 45 feet turn right; in 37 feet turn left; in 40 feet turn right; in 38 feet take Elevator B up to the 2nd Floor; exit the elevator and move ahead 62 feet and turn left (towards escalators); in 27 feet turn right; in 253 feet right; continue straight for 25 feet to arrive at Annapolis Ballroom.

From Self-parking to WordCamp Sessions

Cherry Blossom Ballroom – From the parking structure proceed straight ahead and turn right in 576 feet; bear right in 46 feet; in 212 feet turn right; continue straight ahead 27 feet to arrive at Cherry Blossom Ballroom.
Woodrow Wilson Ballroom – From the parking structure proceed straight ahead and turn right in 210 feet; in 165 feet turn left; in 214 feet turn right; continue straight ahead 18 feet to arrive at Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
Annapolis Ballroom – From the parking structure proceed straight ahead and turn right in 210 feet; in 165 feet turn left; in 128 feet turn left; continue straight ahead 25 feet to arrive at Annapolis Ballroom.

NOTE: Room layouts feature wide aisles, varying table heights, and priority seating.

From WordCamp Sessions to Sponsor Hall/Lunch B

Prince George Exhibit Hall E – From Cherry Blossom Ballroom, proceed straight ahead 27 feet and turn left; in 112 feet turn right; in 62 feet take Elevator B down to Atrium Level; exit and proceed straight ahead 34 feet and turn left; in 94 feet turn right; in 24 feet bear left; in 15 feet turn right; in 230 feet turn left; continue straight 36 feet to arrive at Prince George Exhibit Hall E.
Prince George Exhibit Hall E – From Woodrow Wilson Ballroom, proceed straight ahead 18 feet and turn right; in 166 feet turn left; in 27 feet turn right; in 62 feet take Elevator B down to Atrium Level; exit and proceed straight ahead 34 feet and turn left; in 94 feet turn right; in 24 feet bear left; in 15 feet turn right; in 230 feet turn left; continue straight 36 feet to arrive at Prince George Exhibit Hall E.
Prince George Exhibit Hall E – From Annapolis Ballroom, proceed straight ahead 25 feet and turn left; in 253 feet turn left; in 27 feet turn right; in 62 feet take Elevator B down to Atrium Level; exit and proceed straight ahead 34 feet and turn left; in 94 feet turn right; in 24 feet bear left; in 15 feet turn right; in 230 feet turn left; continue straight 36 feet to arrive at Prince George Exhibit Hall E.