Pros:
+ Yes yes yes to the pocket guide. While we'd previously gone over the schedule online to mark what we wanted to do to put on Google Calender with SMS reminders, it was great to not have to lug the entire program guide around to check things on paper.
+ Momoi was adorable and had great energy; I'm not usually that big a fan of J-Pop, but she was so cute and enthusiastic! The glowsticks were a great way of getting the audience involved, and I really hope she had as much fun as the rest of us did.
+ Artist's Alley had some excellent innovation and variety this year, I easily spent twice the money I spent in the Dealer's Hall while getting great deals on everything. It's great seeing more original art and stuff besides the usual prints and keychain chibis.
+ The Lolita Panel and Fashion Show was neat; I went since a couple of friends were on the panel (hi, Molina and Jeanine!), and it was quite informative and neat to see the different subfashions showcased as they were.
Cons:
+ The entries at the AMV contest were kind of disappointing, especially in the Drama category, and it was tough to sit through everything just to get to the Comedy ones, which were in general the best-done.
+ Dealer's Hall: same-old, same-old. Tons of merch on the new popular series like Hetalia, not much else, no good deals. I only bought a box of mikan-flavored pocky and a mystery-box of two Higurashi posters (featuring the two characters I least wanted, naturally).
+ I guess I can't really blame anyone else for this, but there just wasn't that much in the way of panels or video programming that really grabbed my interest, and when something did, it was usually two or three things happening all at the same time followed by hours of nothing. Maybe I just need to expand my horizons?
+ The signs, as other people have noted, seemed to be back with a vengeance this year. No, sir, you cannot be my bishie, and I will not guess your gender for a $1 "wrong fee." And absolutely NO HUGS. (Also, can people get over "the game" already?)
Maybe I'm just growing out of it a little bit; aside from a few select events and getting all dolled up in costume, I had a hard time getting as enthusiastic about things this year as I have in previous years. Kudos to everybody who made it run smoothly, though!