I thought I’d post this just cause Otakon is coming up.
It’s a pretty good post, but I have to some of the points carry more than a small amount of caveats that aren’t mentioned.
Point 1: Definitely True, although I’d say Thrusday Noon is better. Gives you time to unpack before getting your pre-reg ticket and lets you relax before all the “fun” begins.
Point 3: And by shower, we mean a real shower. If you are used to the hygiene some of are used to, you know not to expect too much in general given the population. But if we can get one more person to actually figure out how to use soap properly the con will be better for it.
Point 5. Add a sandwich or onigiri. Food costs can rival dealer room costs at the end of the weekend. Most hotels have options to have a small cube fridge in the room if not more. Ask and use it. First year my group started bringing snacks and riceball makings our food-cost went down 40% and we still ended up going out for food occasionally, not feeling like we were missing anything.
Point 7. Don’t blindly go with convention discounts. If you are on a loyalty program, ask nicely about obstructed views and lower rate rooms, and sometimes even make your reservations on the web instead of over the phone, you often get discounts. In my experience these discounts have often been far better than con-rate. Secondly the downtown hotels will fill up. Not just the con-rack but everything. Often there is hope for rooms opening up in the 2-3 months prior to the event as many people book more rooms than they need and start canceling rooms when they are sure how many guests are confirm. That said, I’d rather be in the group that has the rooms than the ones waiting for them so I usually book my block while I am driving home from the convention.
Point 8 and 9: Rolle up into the same Caveat. Don’t wait in lines unless what you are waiting for is popular. If you haven’t heard of the band and non of their credits look familiar, you are probably safe in assuming the venue won’t be filled. If the band has done a couple of Anime OPs and ED’s and you or a friend have seen them it will be packed. They don’t seem have really popular bands this year so might not be a problem. But I can say I’ve seen full venues plenty of times to be wary of this advice. As for movies, same rule goes. I suspect wherever they are showing the new FMA movie will be packed. Same with the Trigun movie. Possibly Bunraku. K-on “concert” will likely be packed too.
Point 11. I’m still very much with the whole snacks and sandwiches. Frankly 11 violates his point 7. Cause you will line up for everything. I might point out Five Guys and Chipotle do online ordering so you can jump the line. For more sit down affairs you are better having a car and heading north. Know the 7-11 on Charles, skip the one on Baltimore [This one is opposite hooker/pimp/dealer central]. Do get crabcakes, you are in Baltimore. A lot of people want to have Japanese when at a Japanese Animation convention. If you don’t have a car you are likely SOL. 10 Years of Otakon + 3 Years of living in B’more tell me there are no decent Japanese places in downtown that aren’t simply offensive to the accustomed palette of someone who chats with the Oyaji making your food on the other side of the bar. Niwana on 34th is a safe bet, but its not Uni restaurant so you aren’t going to be authentic, and you get some Korean fusion mixed in. It’s also about the best you are gonna get. Do make use of any free hotel food. Often paying 20 bucks more per night gets you free breakfast at a minimum in decent hotels. If have more than two to a room you’d be an idiot not to take that deal. [I did NOT want to spend this long on this topic]
Point 16. It’s worth going at least once. Heck, going to see if there is anything interesting, and turning back won’t hurt anything unless you got a really bad hotel location and have to use public transport to get anywhere. FYI Baltimore falls dead last in it’s public transport record compared to everywhere else that tries in the US and Canada.
Point 19. Certainly don’t start discussing metaphysics or the theories of Nietzsche. Watch anime. That said a lot of people are here for new things. You might want to ask about a character, voice actor, or someone might ask a plot point, or a joke they don’t get. Keep it short, keep it quiet, but most people understand that you are seeing something new and it’s in a foreign language. Just don’t be abusive about it.
Point 20: ( I am adding one!!!! ) Understand your money situation well in advance. Be advised ATMs are likely going to be empty by mid Saturday. Not all vendors take plastic. Be realistic about your spending goals. I’ve never seen people spend under 80 bucks in the dealers room. Food adds up quick. Hotel prices often don’t include city tax which is horrendous in Baltimore, and it can and has changed before on the day of arrival.
Point 21: Tips: Save a 20 for housekeeping, you just made their jobs hell. Save a 20 for the fornt desk, and if you have a valet save a twenty for him. Leave the housekeeping staff tip on the nightstand in an envelope labelled housekeeping [They usually give a few envelopes in the room]. Hand the 20 to desk staff who’s helped you the most as you leave, or as you are checking out with him/her. Valet who gets the car for checkout gets the 20. (maybe if there is another one you like he gets his own 20). People think tipping is a waste of money. Stop it right now. The following year they remember you, not many Otaku tip. Your car gets the safest spot. If you call ahead, and ask for a specific room, you get it and the maid staff does an extra thorough cleaning. Front desk is ready to fall over themselves for that extra 20 at the end of the stay. These folks don’t make that much and take a lot of shit. 60 - 80 bucks in tips goes a long way to reduce whatever stress you might have.
Point 22: Everyone starts leaving Baltimore Sunday afternoon. For god sakes stay in the hotel room. Monday morning is usually just rush-hour traffic. If you can leave around 10-11 Monday do it. Get a good night sleep after the con [you’ll need it if you weren’t wasting your time], and a much less stressful journey back home.
