Cons (conventions): expectations?

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Cons (conventions): expectations?

Postby eva-boy7985 » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:36 am

Hey guys, I'm going to be attending the Sakura Con this April in Seattle, and this is my first con even though i've been into anime for a while now. I wanted to know if anyone could give me some ideas in general as to what to expect, maybe an average bracket of how much spending money to take (without wiping myself clean), etc. I'm going to be cosplaying Amon from Witch Hunter Robin, which will rock! Anyways, any hints, advice, or knowledge whatsoever would be a spiffy, just so I have can have some small mental picture of what may be going down over there when I go. I'm totally amped to go, and as of right now, it looks as though I should be able to take somewhere in the ballpark of $300 in spending money. Anyways, yeah, lemme know! Thanks! ;) :thumb:
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Postby Mr. SmartyPants » Tue Mar 08, 2005 4:30 am

average money spend: from 100$-1,000$ depending how much you decide to buy!

I spent about 280$ last year at otakon

Watch out for a LOT of yaoi fangirls.... that's a BIG warning for ya

and watch out for a LOT of vashs, wolfwoods, inuyashas, clouds, sephiroths, and naruto... but this year im also expecting TONS of FMA characters...
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Postby Rev. Doc » Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:51 am

Here is Rev. Doc’s Anime Convention survival guide:

Plan: Check the on line site for the convention. Some larger ones will list important information that will help you plan. Or take the guestbook you will receive at registration and sit down first thing to do the following:

A. Plan your purchases: Know what it is that you would like to find in the dealer’s room. They will most likely have that and so much more. Impulse buying will most likely keep you from getting some of those hard to get items that you are really wanting or that you collect. Set yourself a budget (about $200.00) and stick with it. Remember, there are other places for things to be purchased besides the dealers room. T Shirts, art room, and some cons offer DVDs of Cosplay performances, Karaoke, and Music Videos. Also remember, some of those dealers will offer discounted prices on the last day of the con. They would rather sell it than take it back so hold a little back for that possibility

B. Plan your Panels: There will be those guests, companies, and cultural panels. Most are only offered once and therefore you will have to decide ahead of time what it is you wish to see and hear. Guest panels are the biggest and you will want to get in line early for these. Remember space is always limited. Autograph sessions are even more popular and you might have to stand in line for two or more hours for this. Always have the item (CD, picture, paper) you wish to have autographed ready. Because there are so many people the guest will not be able to answer your questions during this time. Be courteous of the fact that there are other people waiting.

C. Plan your remaining time: Do you want to see the cosplay contest, go to the dance, listen or take part in karaoke, see the anime music videos or watch some shows in the video rooms? Most conventions will plan these a specific times (usually early to late evening) however, they may also be going on even during panel times. You have to know what is most important to you and prioritize your time. Secure the listing of the titles being offered in the video rooms early and see if there are any titles that you want to see. Most video rooms run 24 hours a day so you will want to block off these times if they are important to you. If you are a gamer most cons have a game/card room. If DDR and Yu Gi Oh are your thing you will definitely want to make time for this.

You will find that there is so much to do and so little time to do it. Remember if you are a cosplayer and if your costume is good you will constantly be asked to stop and have your picture taken. This takes time so allow yourself enough to get from one place to another.

While planning is the key to a good convention experience, there are some things to remember both for yourself and the courtesy of others:

1. Eat: There will be so much going on that you will have little time for nutrition, but eat you must. People do pass out at conventions because of lack of food or water. Make sure you get plenty of both. Purchase snack items before leaving home. It will be cheaper to do this. Hotels and convention centers may have stuff, but you will be paying a lot for it. And wouldn’t you rather have that money for the dealer’s room. Bring cookies, chips, cheese crackers, bottled water or a 12 pack of Cokes. If you don’t have a regular eating schedule, at least slip back to your room occasionally to grab something. Check with the hotel. There are usually a McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King or other fast food places within walking distance. Get something from these at least once a day that will carry you through. Remember though, if you go later at night make sure to go as a group. Most conventions have now been taking place for a number of years. Sadly, both anime fans and stalkers know of the event. Always use precaution when journeying outside of the hotel and even inside going to your room especially at night. Most cons have security. Don't be afraid to tell them or a staff memeber if you feel something is wrong. Also in regard to food, most cons have a Con Suite that has finger foods and drink for con goers. Find where this is and stop by occasionally.

2. Sleep: People have also passed out from lack of proper rest. Your body will not be able to last 3 straight days without it. When you do your planning pick out some down times when you can go back to your room to grab a couple of hours here and there. Naturally, a good 6 to 8 hours a night is good but the dances and video rooms sometimes will prevent this. Plus, convention staff frown on using the video rooms for sleeping. This goes for the hall floors also. Why pay all that money for a room and not use it occasionally.

3. Bathe: There is nothing worse at these conventions than walking into the sweaty game room (DDR, etc.) or the video rooms and smell people who haven’t bathed in a couple of days. In fact after day one things can get a little rank. A quick shower takes only a few minutes. People have passed out from standing near others who haven’t bathed. OK, just kidding, but it is greatly appreciated when someone standing in the panel line next to you doesn’t notice what smells like 10 day old summer road kill. ACen in Chicago has developed a T Shirt that sells each year with the slogan, “Got Soapâ€
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Postby Shino-kun » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:41 am

[quote="eva-boy7985"]Hey guys, I'm going to be attending the Sakura Con this April in Seattle, and this is my first con even though i've been into anime for a while now. I wanted to know if anyone could give me some ideas in general as to what to expect, maybe an average bracket of how much spending money to take (without wiping myself clean), etc. I'm going to be cosplaying Amon from Witch Hunter Robin, which will rock! Anyways, any hints, advice, or knowledge whatsoever would be a spiffy, just so I have can have some small mental picture of what may be going down over there when I go. I'm totally amped to go, and as of right now, it looks as though I should be able to take somewhere in the ballpark of $300 in spending money. Anyways, yeah, lemme know! Thanks! ]

oooh! where'd you find out about it? ::thinks about school schedule:: maybe, just maybe i could go. with my anime junkie friends. Any specific website you could point out? i'm going to google it and see what i find.
w00t! i'm all pumped now.
oh, and Amon rules.
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:49 am

Shino-kun wrote:oooh! where'd you find out about it? ::thinks about school schedule:: maybe, just maybe i could go. with my anime junkie friends. Any specific website you could point out? i'm going to google it and see what i find.
w00t! i'm all pumped now.
oh, and Amon rules.


the website is http://www.sakuracon.org. Their early online registration is over, so the only way to get in is $50 at the door. But that's not too shabby for a 3 day event, if you can find room/board for cheap or free :-) I'm really excited! I'm going with some otaku friends. Actually I'm praying alot about it too cuz I'm the only Christian going and I hope that God can use me in some way, big or small, while in the trip and being around them. Who knows? He works in mysterious ways. yeah it's gonna be fun. If you ever find out that you can go, lemme know and maybe we could actually meet there!
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby Debitt » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:20 pm

*raises hand and hops into thread* Hello, my name is Kokoro Daisuke and I'm an avid con crawler. =D

I can't agree more with everything Rev said. ^_^ Eating is especially important - I always try to get a bag to watch my cosplay costume (last year it was Heimdall's messenger bag one day and Nadil's head the other. >D), in which I pack my money, my camera, a watter bottle, and some food. (usually pocky or crackers - lightweight and delicious!) Yes, a camera is a must. :grin: I always want to capture cosplayers out and about.

Also, I've never attended SakuraCon, but from my experiences at AnimeExpo, you're going to be picking up a lot of freebies and other things from the dealer's room, so either be prepared to carry around a lot of stuff all day or have somewhere that you can dump your things.

:lol: Will keep going later, the bell just rang. :) Hope you enjoy the con!
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Postby Shino-kun » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:29 pm

eva-boy7985 wrote:the website is http://www.sakuracon.org. Their early online registration is over, so the only way to get in is $50 at the door. But that's not too shabby for a 3 day event, if you can find room/board for cheap or free :-) I'm really excited! I'm going with some otaku friends. Actually I'm praying alot about it too cuz I'm the only Christian going and I hope that God can use me in some way, big or small, while in the trip and being around them. Who knows? He works in mysterious ways. yeah it's gonna be fun. If you ever find out that you can go, lemme know and maybe we could actually meet there!


Thats awesome. Yeah, I have a bunch of friends here in college who are avid fans too (well, i just got them into anime, but they're hooked!) so it'd be fun to go with them. And actually, my uncle live in Seattle, so we could get free board (hopefully. ^_^) Anyway, it sounds like a sweet deal. Do you think they'll still have tickets if we get there saturday?

Yes, if we go we should somehow get in touch while there. Which part of Idaho are you from? I'm currently living in Moscow, as I go to New St. Andrews college.
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:52 pm

Shino-kun wrote:Thats awesome. Yeah, I have a bunch of friends here in college who are avid fans too (well, i just got them into anime, but they're hooked!) so it'd be fun to go with them. And actually, my uncle live in Seattle, so we could get free board (hopefully. ^_^) Anyway, it sounds like a sweet deal. Do you think they'll still have tickets if we get there saturday?

Yes, if we go we should somehow get in touch while there. Which part of Idaho are you from? I'm currently living in Moscow, as I go to New St. Andrews college.


I live in Coeur D' Alene. I would think you could still get in if you got there on Saturday. I would assume they'd take that into consideration at least. It should be fun! Yeah I've had some recent "converts" as well.....
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby Maverick » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:27 am

eva-boy7985 wrote: Yeah I've had some recent "converts" as well.....


*Raise hand* I am a recent Eva-Boy convert!! :) Anime rocks!! :thumb: :thumb: :cool: :hits_self
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Postby olorc » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:37 am

Speaking of cons. Ya'll should come to Portcon!!!
I'ld come to the Seatle one, it's just that...well...I'ld ahve to travel over 2,000 miles. XD
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:40 pm

Portcon? where's that at? what's really sad is that I'm already brewing with costume ideas for my next con when I haven't even gone to this one yet! I'm thinking maybe Tsume from wolf's rain (all the leather might be sorta hard to come by/ modify, toji suzuhara from evangelion (really easy), or maybe an FF character of some kind. I have darker skin so that kinda limits things a smidge, but it's not that big of a deal :-) :lol:
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:41 pm

Portcon? where's that at? what's really sad is that I'm already brewing with costume ideas for my next con when I haven't even gone to this one yet! I'm thinking maybe Tsume from wolf's rain (all the leather might be sorta hard to come by/ modify, toji suzuhara from evangelion (really easy), or maybe an FF character of some kind. I have darker skin so that kinda limits things a smidge, but it's not that big of a deal :-) :lol:
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:41 pm

Portcon? where's that at? what's really sad is that I'm already brewing with costume ideas for my next con when I haven't even gone to this one yet! I'm thinking maybe Tsume from wolf's rain (all the leather might be sorta hard to come by/ modify, toji suzuhara from evangelion (really easy), or maybe an FF character of some kind. I have darker skin so that kinda limits things a smidge, but it's not that big of a deal :-) :lol:
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:42 pm

Portcon? where's that at? what's really sad is that I'm already brewing with costume ideas for my next con when I haven't even gone to this one yet! I'm thinking maybe Tsume from wolf's rain (all the leather might be sorta hard to come by/ modify, toji suzuhara from evangelion (really easy), or maybe an FF character of some kind. I have darker skin so that kinda limits things a smidge, but it's not that big of a deal :-) :lol:
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:50 pm

Portcon? where's that at? what's really sad is that I'm already brewing with costume ideas for my next con when I haven't even gone to this one yet! I'm thinking maybe Tsume from wolf's rain (all the leather might be sorta hard to come by/ modify, toji suzuhara from evangelion (really easy), or maybe an FF character of some kind. I have darker skin so that kinda limits things a smidge, but it's not that big of a deal :-) :lol:
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby eva-boy7985 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:51 pm

My browser was screwing up; that's why there's all those repeated posts!
"Hey Shinji! Lookie lookie!!! Backwards Roll!"
-Asuka Langley Sohryu :lol: :thumb:


"If you're going to think then think in German!!!"

"So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal" 1 Cor. 4:18
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Postby uc pseudonym » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:25 pm

Said extra posts have been eliminated.
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Postby starwarsboy90 » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:00 pm

Wow, wish I had the time and money to go to a convention, I missed my chance a couple weeks ago, ah man!
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Postby Scribs » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:09 pm

Portcon is in Portland Maine (not oregon)

For more info I would go to Weekendanime.com
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Postby Sync » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:33 pm

I'd reccomend not buying many R1 DVDs while there, if any at all. Often they will be at the full MSRP of $30, and you can easily get them cheaper at a retail store or online. Also every so often someone will try and sneak in bootleg sets to sell at their booths so watch out for those.
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Postby olorc » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:56 am

Portcon is awesome (actually it's really small and kinda cheesy) I love it bc it's the only con I'm able to go to all year usually. I wanted to go to Anime Boston this year but it just wouldn't work out. Oh well.
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