Attending Anime & Gaming Con for 1st time

[TractorBoy92]

Morning all!

My name is Ben & this is my first time attending an anime&gamingcon today - question is to everyone really - what can I expect from this?
Any sort of tips, plans, meet ups for first timers etc?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Wheely Sweet]

I changed this to a separate topic so more people should see it and answer

[Ojisama]

Since I've been at work today, I've only just seen this.

Did it go well?

[Rich-Allen1976]

Take plenty of money, on either your card or cash, food and drink at most of the venues ain't cheap but they don't like you taking your own grub with you.

You'll be walking around a lot so make sure you've a good pair of shoes on.

Make sure you've a good camera on either your phone or a proper camera, you'll be taking shots and selfies all day.

Good comic con etiquette in general is don't just point a camera in someone's face and click, always ask if they mind having a photo? And don't be disappointed if they say they'd rather not, although most are happy, they'll even take a photo using your camera, selfies and that.

Try and sign up for the talent contest if you can stay for the full day, even if you can't sing or anything it's a laugh, same with the cosplay masquerade, you probably won't win against young lasses in Japanese school girl outfits, or really extravagant self made costumes, but it's a laugh to have a go.

There'll be a ton of modern and retro gaming machines/consoles as well, these are free to have a go on but there's often big queues.

And finally, make sure you can safely remove part of your costume in order to use the Loo.

[Ferefire]

Hope you had a good time.

[Ojisama]

Take plenty of money, on either your card or cash, food and drink at most of the venues ain't cheap but they don't like you taking your own grub with you.

You'll be walking around a lot so make sure you've a good pair of shoes on.

Make sure you've a good camera on either your phone or a proper camera, you'll be taking shots and selfies all day.

Good comic con etiquette in general is don't just point a camera in someone's face and click, always ask if they mind having a photo? And don't be disappointed if they say they'd rather not, although most are happy, they'll even take a photo using your camera, selfies and that.

Try and sign up for the talent contest if you can stay for the full day, even if you can't sing or anything it's a laugh, same with the cosplay masquerade, you probably won't win against young lasses in Japanese school girl outfits, or really extravagant self made costumes, but it's a laugh to have a go.

There'll be a ton of modern and retro gaming machines/consoles as well, these are free to have a go on but there's often big queues.

And finally, make sure you can safely remove part of your costume in order to use the Loo.

All excellent advice, thanks Rich.

If I can add...

Extravagant costumes are great, but Cons can be very busy, hot, noisy places.

Check ahead to see if there will be anywhere you can chill out for a bit in between tours round the room. There may be a quiet room, but please understand that parents and children are probably in there for a reason, and won't appreciate a disturbance if you are in there with a large group of people.

Take plenty of water, and/or find out if there is a free drinking water supply you can fill a bottle from.

Is there somewhere you can leave your helmet/headpiece/shield/wings when you are getting a bit hot and tired?

Is there somewhere to get changed? Some costumes do not lend themselves to walks/queueing in the rain/rides on the bus.

Decide what you want to do most. Strut your stuff, browse for merch and/or listen to VA presentations/panels. It can be difficult to fit all 3 into 1 day, and especially to browse stalls whilst in a big costume.