Author Topic: Anime Expo 2011 (Read 1097 times)

Choco · « **on:** May 13, 2011, 08:42:01 am »

So it seems that every day for the past week something awesome is being announced for Anime Expo. I checked my bank account and I think I got enough money. I checked my time off at work and I got enough of that... So I am thinking about putting in a last-minute reservation and seeing what happens.

So I guess I have A LOT of things I need cleared up.... If any of y'all have gone to AX before please help a n00b out.

What are the odds that 1.5 months before the convention I will be able to find a hotel room that is decently close to the convention center? Should I even bother trying at this point?
Any other potential issues y'all see regarding the late decision?
Any advice for someone going to a con that big for the first time?

Also, figured I would throw this out too...

Anyone here going to AX and have room for 1 more? I can more than afford to pay my share (yay savings accounts!).
Anyone still on the fence about going and want to go with me?

Please PM me and/or post here if y'all have any advice or want to travel together.

I was also thinking it would be fun driving, a few years ago I drove to LA with a friend (17 hours from Colorado Springs, counting the 1 hour nap) and I love going through the Mojave Desert (I guess I still got some attachment to my birthplace). But on the other hand I don't like driving in LA, and flying would likely be cheaper...

Mangosteen · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2011, 08:41:56 pm »

I went last year, it was a blast!! I just wish we had known about all this neat stuff going on this year, before my group put in for A-kon instead of AX this year ;A; Oh well.

Your best bet would prolly be to check the AX forums, and ask around about rooms. Just a couple days ago I had some friends saying they still had room, and I am sure that there are people out there able and willing to fit one more =3

Also I dont know what they are doing this year, but kast year they had free rides to and from hotels/con center, for people with 4 days passes. Look into what they are doing this year, most of the hotels are like ( maybe 15 blocks) from the con center. So ya life saver there.

If you havent pre-reg.ed DO IT NOW!! (Once you decide for sure that is) Nother life saver their.

And dont be afraid about the size. If anything, things went smoother for us at AX, then it usually does for us at NDK XD

Thats it for advice from me =OO I hope you make it!! I am so bummed not to be able to go myself.

Choco · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:10:57 am »

Thanks for the advice! I was able to reserve a room just fine, to a hotel that apparently is on the shuttle route so I'm feeling lucky there!

Though I got a question about the shuttle now. What do you do about getting to the con on "day 0" when you haven't picked up your badge/tickets/bus pass yet? They have the shuttle running hours before they even open registration, so I would hope they let people use it then. Will they send something to you before the con that allows you to use the bus, do you have to pay for the first trip, or will I just have to ask my taxi/shuttle bus driver at the airport to just take me to LACC and then I'll ride the shuttle to the hotel?

Mangosteen · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:51:49 am »

Hmmm Im not sure about that one. We had a friend who drove up, so we got a ride to and from the hotel and con center on Day zero. What day are you actually getting there? I think what dwe did last year was drop off stuff in our room, and ask one of the door stop dudes where the bus is that goes to the LACC. If I remember correctly~ it was free, or at least 1.50 fee at most =3

But warning about the hotel shuttles!! We took a shuttle that claimed 5$ for a ride per person to your hotel, and the dude charged us 18$ each DX! (Maybe some unknown fee?) But just a heads up about some hotel shuttles =O So if you can, I would use a taxi or bus!

I hope you have loads of fun!! AX is something you wont forget!! =>

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:46:15 am »

Luckily the hotels aren't really that far from the Center. We walked from out hotel across from the Center to where the other folks were at down the street and it took maybe 5mins-ish one way. Not bad in my opinion Which hotel are you at?

Choco · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2011, 08:09:14 am »

I'm staying at Kawada Hotel, which isnt that far away and is on the shuttle bus route anyway. Should be arriving Thursday morning provided my flight don't get delayed.

I'm considering bringing my camera, but on the other hand I know that there will be much better photographers than me there (AKA, anyone else with a camera) who will post their shots online anyway. One less thing to carry around and possibly lose if I don't bring it!

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2011, 06:44:18 pm »

Wow you're further than I thought O_o That shuttle is gonna be a godsend homey. I would ask the AX site about that situation for Day 0. Also a camera?! Bring it! I'm not the best photog, but you gotta make you own memories. While around town, in the con, or back at your room, you gotta make your own memories! A pro photog is just a perk

colonelmasako · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2011, 04:45:05 pm »

Me and my friends are going this year. Went last year, stayed at the downtown Marriott.

On Day 0, you have to walk your way to and from the hotel. Walking around downtown LA by yourself is not advisable, if you have at least 2 people you'll be fine.

On cameras: by all means bring your camera and have fun. But at the big big events in Club Nokia and Nokia live, they will deny your entry if you bring your camera and use metal detectors to enforce it. So make sure you don't bring it then.

On lines: Day 0 pre-reg line is....insane. We flew in last year and arrived in LA around 8:30 am, got our SuperShuttle ride to the hotel (DO NOT USE CABS! THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF! USE SUPER SHUTTLE!!!). Checked into the hotel, went straight to the convention center around 9am and found a huge line already started. At least 100 people. So we decided to get in line and wait it out. That line grew easily to 2000 by the time they opened reg at 3:00pm, and they closed reg early enough that those at the end of the line had to wait till the next day. So for Day 0 wait: get there early, bring something to keep yourself busy in line, make friends with the folks next to you. I found AX folks to be very nice.

On money: unless you've been to any other Con besides NDK, nothing I can say will prepare you for the size and awesomeness that is the AX dealer room. You could easily spend your entire life savings there and still not have enough. Good news is, lots of industry folks show up, and give out tons of free stuff, so always be on the lookout for that stuff. Bring enough for food. You will be forced to eat out constantly. The con center has built in food, but its pretty freaking expensive. I settled often for the $8 cheap chinese food carts and drowned it in siracha sauce to make it edible.

Now to hijack this thread: Who all is going to AX? 4 of us here!

Choco · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2011, 06:09:19 pm »

Ah man. I wont even land in LA till around noon, if all goes well...

If I get there at around 2, I should be fine right? I fully expected to spend all day waiting in line, but if I show up before they open and STILL can't register that day, ima be annoyed.

Thanks for answering my question about the shuttle though. I am half considering just having the airport shuttle drop me off at the convention center and just lugging my stuff around. Unless that is not allowed cause it takes up too much space?

If worse comes to worse i'll cancel my current flight plan and get another flight out at an earlier time.

Ayanesea · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2011, 01:55:44 am »

The only things my group are doing to avoid this is driving to AX and we're getting to our hotel on the 29th. We're going to go incredibly early on day 0 but even still everyone is in for a wait I'm sure. To answer who's going to AX, count in four more cause that's the size of my group XD

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2011, 05:44:49 am »

Yeah but that line goes insanely quick once it gets started. Also before that it's just random nerdballs just sitting around joking and such. The reg. line on day 0 had like 10 kiosk or more to validate registration I believe. Trust me you'll be fine ^^

Um my group is around 8-10 peeps I think???

Mizukodomo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2011, 11:53:34 pm »

so excited! I'll b there too, hopefully cosplaying *cross fingers*

colonelmasako · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2011, 03:24:34 pm »

One of the main reasons for going this year: the miku concert. Nokia Theatre apparently has seating capacity for 7100, and AX website has a twitter post saying there are only 100 seats left for this concert. If you are going this year, act fast!

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:38:22 pm »

they sold out actually . I was told earlier :O

Choco · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2011, 09:21:04 pm »

Actually I already got my ticket. Going to the Kalafina concert too. Saturday is gonna suck, cause im not gonna be eating OR drinking much of anything that day, which will hose up my Sunday, but I'll live.

Also, apparently concerts selling out at AX is extremely rare. Wonder how that makes the live performers feel

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2011, 03:59:58 am »

Weebz like their fake singers they can barely understand I guess ^^ If I were an actual performer I would just kill Miku! Which would be easy, just hit delete

Mwhahahahahahahaha....

Choco · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:13:25 am »

Another question for y'alls: How is the bathroom situation during the Day 0 line? Even though we will be waiting for the desks to open at 3, will the convention center itself be open for us to at least use the bathroom? Or should I plan on dehydrating myself that day. I know its a stupid question, but I have been stuck waiting in line for 4+ hours before with no bathroom access closer than half an hour away, and people seem to be more prone to pitching a fit at you getting back in your spot if you have been gone for an hour.

Boomerjinks · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:02:23 pm »

Who all is going to AX that would like to help me with a marriage propo-.... oh wait.

The Ronin · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:18:01 pm »

Quote from: Boomerjinks on May 31, 2011, 12:02:23 pm

Who all is going to AX that would like to help me with a marriage propo-.... oh wait.

I'm hoping to be able to go in a few years, gotta build up the savings and vacation time

Mangosteen · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2011, 03:32:51 pm »

Quote from: Choco on May 31, 2011, 09:13:25 am

Another question for y'alls: How is the bathroom situation during the Day 0 line? Even though we will be waiting for the desks to open at 3, will the convention center itself be open for us to at least use the bathroom? Or should I plan on dehydrating myself that day. I know its a stupid question, but I have been stuck waiting in line for 4+ hours before with no bathroom access closer than half an hour away, and people seem to be more prone to pitching a fit at you getting back in your spot if you have been gone for an hour.

XD they wouldnt do that to us haha
Yes the center is open, and you are able to use the restroom. (make sure someone holds your spot in line though)
And the line is more about 2 hours at MOST => More if you get there before it starts moving.
(This was last year though, so there are more people going this year~ but I am sure it wont be 4 hours heh)

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Author Topic: Anime Expo 2011 (Read 1097 times)