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Anime Convention Checklist |
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When going to a convention and staying at the hotel for a couple of days, I recommend that you think about the things you need and should bring with you. The best way to have a great time and experience is to be prepared! I've heard too many horror stories where the con goers didn't think it all out and ended up having a terrible time because they forgot a few things.
1. Money. Make sure you saved up enough money for the convention and that you organized it. Keep the money for transportation separate from your food money and spending money. That way you won't accidentally end up spending a majority of it at the dealer's room. It's also helps to have emergency money stash somewhere safe in your bag or on yourself. You never know if something happens, like you lost your money, got rob, unexpected hotel charges/fees, or something. Also bring cash because majority of the tables in the dealer's room accept only cash and only a few, a very few accept credit cards.
2. Clothes. Make sure you have enough for each day and an extra shirt. You never know if you might spill or rip, or get sick and dirty your shirt. So it helps to have a extra clothes. Heck, it might happen to a friend and you're luckily enough to bring an extra shirt that they can borrow from you. Along with comfortable shoes/footwear.
3. Aspirins. Advil, Tylenol or something that can relieve headaches. It helps if you stayed up all night or nearly all night, trying to get your costume done. Usually when that happens people suffer from headaches from the lack of sleep and medicine can help relieve it. Just make sure that you try to get some rest later on the day. Or worst when you haven't eaten anything or combination or all that and the heat from the summer sun. Nothing ruins your fun when you have a headache that refuses to go away on it's own. Also, if your on prescription medication make sure you have that with you.
4. Band-Aids. Just in case someone gets hurt.
5. Bring something to do, especially when you have to wait on a very long line(s). So bring a book to read, an ipod to listen to music, or a DS or something other portable handheld video game.
6. Camera. Bring extra batteries or a charger! As well for any other electrical devices like your cell phone or laptop or ipod/mp3. Speaking of cameras, keep in mind that when you want to take pictures of cosplayers to ask their permission first before doing so (that goes for wanting to hug them too since not everyone welcomes glomps from random strangers). It's also polite that you make sure that you're NOT blocking entrances, exits, stairways, or walkways when you decide to take a picture of a cosplayer. It's incredible rude to stand in the way, blocking and holding up traffic when doing that. So be sure to ask to take a picture and move away. Another thing to keep in mind, is to make sure that your memory card is not full of pictures already. I've seen a few that bring their cameras, take a few pictures then get the warning of "no more space/memory" and they can't delete those pictures because they didn't save it anywhere else. So make sure there is room on your memory card.
7. Bring a small notebook/sketch pad and pencil. It helps when you want to write down information from panels or when you meet someone new. Even when you want to get autographs from the special convention guest.
8. When cosplaying make sure to bring a "Cosplay Repair Kit" which should contain (but not necessarily need all of it, depending on your cosplay though) a small hot glue gun, fabric glue, fabric tape, safety pins, needles, thread, extra buttons, lint roller, bobby pins, hair bands, paint, or whatnot. As well as an ironer to remove those pesky wrinkles from your outfit and/or hairdryer if it's important for your cosplay. Also, don't forget Febreeze! If your costume is anything that you can spray things at, Febreeze is a good thing. That's if you're one of those people that wear an outfit for all three days instead of a new cosplay each day.
9. Bring your own drinks, snacks and food. Convention food, hotel food, and dealer room's snacks are expensive and you'll save a lot of money by bringing your own. Granola bars, breakfast bars, crackers, trail mixes, poptarts, canned soup (with can opener if needed), cup-a-noodle, instant oatmeal, beef jerky, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, can of tuna, hot pockets, tea, juice boxes, gatorade, water (bring lots of water, more so if the con is in the summer because you do not want to past out from dehydration), etc. Also bring your own napkins, plastic (or paper) plate, pastic fork, and plastic cup in order to eat your food because sometimes hotels don't have them or enough.
10. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, body wash, hair brush, razor, mouthwash, deodorant, etc.). If your a female, don't forget to bring your female hygiene product, just in case. Or your own towel, especially when you're sharing a room with 6 or more people because there's not going to be enough towels for everyone. Or your own toilet paper because I've heard that for some people, who where sharing a room with a lot of people ran out of it. Also, if you're wearing color contacts or whatnot, bring the case, solution and eye drops.
11. Photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.). And bring all documentation related to the convention (hotel reservation email, pre-reg email, etc).
12. Make a list of what to get. I've lost count on how many times I've been in the dealer's room staring at a table, wondering if I got volume 5 of a manga or DVD.
13. An extra bag. One that can hold your dirty clothes and/or be used to put your dealer's room purchases in.
14. Pillow & Blanket. Or your sleeping bag if it's needed. Also, ear plugs because some con goers might make a bit of noise in their rooms besides yours and that can keep you up sometimes. Or maybe one or two people in the room that your sharing might snore loudly. But either way, they or you should not make too much noise because not all the other guests in the hotel are there for the convention. Besides the hotel can kick you out if you're disturbing others.
15. If the hotel you're staying at has a pool. Bring swim wear and sun block if you're planning to take full advantage of that during your stay at the convention.
16. Umbrella. A small one just in case it ends up raining. You can even use it to give you shade if you're waiting on a long line outside in the sun. Or maybe a plastic poncho that you can get at the dollar store? I've seen some cosplayers bring it just in case it rains because it gives their outfit more coverage than an umbrella.
17. When checking out leave your hotel room in a nice condition. Be careful not to stain, rip, or break things in the room. Cosplayers should pay attention to any make up, paints, or dyes they are using and clean up any messes. If you notice something broken or stained when you check in, notify the front desk immediately to make sure that you are not charged for something you didn't do. They will charge any damages done to the room to your credit card.
18. Don't put your hotel keycard right next to your cell phone, it de-activates the key.
19. Most rooms have a requirement of no more than four people. This is mainly due to fire code, because having a large amount of people staying in a room is a fire hazard. Hotels usually won't give you more than four keys. If the room is a suite, the amount of people who can stay in the room may be higher. It will be indicated in the room's description when booking. Otherwise, if you're caught with more people then what's stated in your booking then they have the right to kick you out for violating the fire code.
20. Usually it's customary (but not required) to tip your maid if you're requesting them to bring you lots of stuff (i.e., towels, blankets, etc.) or if you're messy in your room. These people clean up after you in your hotel room, and sometimes tipping them a dollar or two in appreciation won't hurt a bit. This can be done by leaving a dollar or two on the pillow before you check out or each morning. After all, the maids only make a couple dollars an hour and live on those tips. Also, tipping also applies to when you're in a restaurant that serves you food and when you buy a drink from a bar. Even the bellman who takes your bag to the room, especially with lots of luggage. It gives con goers a decent reputation to the hotel staff/workers and it makes them more inclined to accommodate convention folks in the future.
21. Check to see if you get complimentary breakfast at your hotel. You can save big bucks by heading downstairs to the good ole’ breakfast buffet, more so when you're low on money. Also, most hotels have free ice too. Some take advantage of that when they bring their own water or food and use the ice to keep it cool in a small cooler when they don't have a mini fridge in the room.
22. Never leave money, checks, credit cards, jewelry or other valuables in your room. Take valuables with you or store them in the hotel safety deposit box. It's also best that you put away your bags or luggage, such as under the bed(s) or dresser. It helps to keep it out of sight of maids, just in case because not all of them are trustworthy.
23. Make it clear to the hotel that you do not want any charging privileges for your room. No phone calls, no pay per view, no room service. Also make sure that you make it clear to your roommates to not touch the mini-bar or order movies on the TV or else you'll be charge for it.
24. I should have mention this earlier but when purchasing an hotel, make sure to mention the name of the convention you're going to. Some conventions and hotels make a deal with each other in which gives con goers an discount rate. So you'll save money by letting the hotel know that you'll be going to the convention that's close by them.
25. Make sure everyone (or nearly everyone in your group) knows how to get to the convention, to the hotel and the way back home when it comes to an end. It's not fun having to relied on one or two people, only for them to unexpectedly leave because they got sick or something and your stranded without a clue. It also helps to set a time and a designated meeting place with your friends. This way all of you can split up, meet up and leave together to have lunch and then come back. Do this, especially for when it's late at night so that way you don't walk alone to get back to the hotel. Another reason to do this is because sometimes certain cell phones or services don't work well in the convention center, maybe your battery dies, it got damage or something else happen to it. It's best to be on the safe side and have a time and meeting place so everyone can update each other.
26. In case you're a first timer and stumble upon this. If you know you're going to the convention ahead of time, it's best to pre-register. Most conventions allow attendees to purchase a registration badge months in advance at a discounted rate by either paying electronically through their official website or mailing in a check with the registration form. This can save you money and from the very long lines at the on-site registration desk. After your registration has been confirmed, you only have to wait until the convention day to pick up your badge at the registration desk. Remember to bring a photo ID when picking up your badge.
27. Pack the night before so you don't have to rush in the morning if you are leaving early. Speaking of which, make sure to set an alarm and if that doesn't work have a family member wake you up or a friend who's going to the con with you to stay over (or give you a wake up call) so you can wake each other up.
28. At the end of the convention, always examine your things before checking out of the hotel. There's been numerous incidents where people have rushed or didn't check their entire hotel room for anything they missed. So by the time they get home they realize that they forgot something and sometimes they can't get their item back because it was taken or thrown out, depending on what it is.
29. If you have a cell phone, put it on vibrate if you're at an event, or an panel, or in a viewing room. That will save some embarrassment on your part and keep folks from being irritated with you. If it's important that you take a call, please leave the room.
30. Have fun!
*Note: This list is by no means 100% complete, nor do you have to bring everything on the list or do some of the things on it. Adjust it to your needs, adding or removing as suited. If you have any suggestions, please let me know and I'll add it on.
 DamnBlackHeart · Tue Apr 19, 2011 @ 05:55am · 0 Comments |
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