What do you dislike most about FanimeCon? [2010 Edition]

[Charis]

Elevator hell. And the lack of consideration involved in elevator hell. I completely understand that people had to get on at the second floor and ride down to go up sometimes, but seriously, people: some of us have cosplays we CAN'T do that in, for various reasons; some people have other problems that preclude use of stairs.  A little consideration would go a long way, in terms of occasionally letting people go on when they've been at the ground floor at length and such.

Also, elevator crowding.  Some of us can't -- I spent a sizable chunk of Sunday in an almost-entirely white cosplay with a sizable hoop skirt, and getting smashed in elevators had me terrified that it would wind up dirty (and it's not particularly washable).  I've had friends with props and footwear damaged because people don't listen when told "no, really we can't fit another person".

In general I loathe that what feels like a sizable chunk of attendees take con as an excuse to suspend common decency and manners -- and maybe that makes me sound like a cranky old bitch, but me and mine had enough bad experiences with the elevators in particular that make me want to rip into people that it's really becoming a sore point.  (And I know there are people at con who are lovely and considerate, like those who cleared the stairwell for my hoops when I had to come down there because the elevators were a no-go, but those tend to be regrettably forgotten in the face of frustrations.)

... at least no one yelled at me to take the stairs in something I obviously couldn't this year?

/soapbox

[ShinoBee]

Money is totally not a problem with me when it comes to Fanime, especially since I actually don't buy much at conventions due to the fact I can usually get better bargains. This year, I only bought a doujinshi from Jo Chen.

I almost bartered with the people selling Japanese snacks since most of their products were overpriced. Which reminds me, too, it's actually rare for me to buy at conventions since sometimes a couple of the sellers try to sell things for twice the price. Usually, I check online or head to Jtown to do a mini price check. That way, I'm prepared so I don't get ripped off/need to barter.

Artist Alley wasn't really worth it this year. Just same old buttons, PLUS disappointing art quality. Just wondering, do the staff do a background or art check about who gets a spot? I'm sorry if it's offensive, but honestly, I remember seeing some low quality art.

Hearing about the L.M.C. thing was ridiculous. Even though I was the one screaming "Who's L.M.C.?", seriously...I think a warning for many people in line would've been best.

Stairs should stay open, unless it's part of the fire hazard safety rule.

Also Yaoi Bingo was absolutely NOT 16+! My program clearly stated it, I remember because I had to show the program to someone who got tricked into going.

[Boozer]

i dislike the down grade of the art in recent years on the badges i mean cool that we have our characters but not alot of people agree with that style of art. i mean we had mainstream art in random points that made it awsome and worth tring to get pre order for fanime. but as of late its not that great. as well as the line this year for the thursday i though it was always the preorder that gets it  and those who are purchasing got it friday. oh well this is a lill rantting i have but over all this year was great.

[Aelia]

I would like to point out that there is a feedback thread for things that you had problems with (as well as stuff that rocked). So please, if you have an issue, be sure it gets posted there (as well as, or instead of here)

As far as the "too serious at the doors" things, it's an issue that's been mentioned several times this year, and it will likely be fixed for next year (at least partially).

Best way to avoid elevator hellishness (for those of you who are interested) is to stay in one of the hotels that aren't attached to SJCC-- the Saint Claire, for example, had very well behaved and not-very-crowded elevators.

[ewu]

I would like to point out that there is a feedback thread for things that you had problems with (as well as stuff that rocked). So please, if you have an issue, be sure it gets posted there (as well as, or instead of here)

FYI, I am compiling the feedback thread for staff to read. However, I am not including comments from this thread. If you have feedback for staff, please note it in the included thread.

[PyronIkari]

Elevator hell. And the lack of consideration involved in elevator hell. I completely understand that people had to get on at the second floor and ride down to go up sometimes, but seriously, people: some of us have cosplays we CAN'T do that in, for various reasons; some people have other problems that preclude use of stairs.  A little consideration would go a long way, in terms of occasionally letting people go on when they've been at the ground floor at length and such.

Also, elevator crowding.  Some of us can't -- I spent a sizable chunk of Sunday in an almost-entirely white cosplay with a sizable hoop skirt, and getting smashed in elevators had me terrified that it would wind up dirty (and it's not particularly washable).  I've had friends with props and footwear damaged because people don't listen when told "no, really we can't fit another person".

In general I loathe that what feels like a sizable chunk of attendees take con as an excuse to suspend common decency and manners -- and maybe that makes me sound like a cranky old bitch, but me and mine had enough bad experiences with the elevators in particular that make me want to rip into people that it's really becoming a sore point.  (And I know there are people at con who are lovely and considerate, like those who cleared the stairwell for my hoops when I had to come down there because the elevators were a no-go, but those tend to be regrettably forgotten in the face of frustrations.)

... at least no one yelled at me to take the stairs in something I obviously couldn't this year?

/soapbox

Allow me to turn this around on you.

It is you who is inconsiderate for wearing a costume that is so absurdly large that it prevents people from taking the elevators. It is incredibly rude of you to force people to cater to you because you decided to wear something that people have to go out of their way not to damage, when all they want to do is take the elevator. It's INCREDIBLY annoying, that people have to wait because of you.

How it works is, if you want to do something like wear a huge costume, you should be the one that takes others' consideration into action, and OPT to take the elevator, so that you don't force people to wait. If damaging your costume is an issue, you shouldn't be yelling at other people because they shouldn't try to efficiently get into an elevator, you should take the stairs where it's much more clear and you have less to worry about it.

All this sounds like to me is, you want people to cater to you, because you have a big beautiful costume that others should respect.

If people are going out of their way to be mean to you, or to destroy your costume, or to cause problems, that's one thing... but demanding respect from others just because what you are wearing is large, that's another. If you don't want your costume damaged, then you should go out of your way to protect it, and not blame others for taking the elevator that they have every right to get onto.

[Snorcat]

I strongly disliked the lack of organization on certain planned events, such as the 16+ Yaoi night, which many were turned away from, as it turned to 18+ at the door. Besides that and other minor things that weren't so much the fault of Fanime, I think the con went great overall.

I'm curious where this was ever listed as a 16+ event.  I've always seen it listed as 18+ along with all the legal codes listed next to it, as it is illegal to show pornographic material (even in anime form) to individuals under the age of 18.

http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,9582.0.html

There was a debate on it there, though that's no official record. I was linked to it at one point before the con, but have lost it since then. It was my understanding that this was to be a shonen-ai night, with simply soft-core stuff. At the door, there was an argument over the age limit, as three of the administers (Don't know what else to call them, sorry) had agreed that it was 16+, while one disagreed, and the ruling went his way.

[Charis]

All this sounds like to me is, you want people to cater to you, because you have a big beautiful costume that others should respect.

Not quite.  The costume did squish; I wound up cramming myself into a back corner and adjusting the skirts to fit, and the friends I was with bracketed me.  I tried to be considerate because I know how problematic the elevators can be, and as noted, I did take the stairs in it.  I don't expect to be catered to, but I also don't expect to have to wait a half-hour at non-peak times to take an elevator because the majority of people people waited five minutes one floor up to get on and trump those waiting at the bottom floor.

What I particularly have a problem with is that there's fitting a reasonable number of people in, and then there's cramming entirely too close into people's personal space.  Costumes notwithstanding, people who force their way into elevators that are already reasonably full when they are told there's no more space are what really irk me.  I've waited for a later one -- out of costume, in costume, whatever -- because it was fairly full and people said "no more room"; I've also fit myself on when people did say there was space.  The costume was the straw breaking this metaphorical camel's back; it wasn't the reason itself.

I guess my irritation is more with the general elevator squish mentality.  As I said -- it's not just me and my costume; I've known others, friends and strangers both, who've had similar problems.  There are people who, for whatever reason, can't go up one floor -- difficulties with stairs, for example -- who are in a similar boat for different reasons.  I realise this whole situation's not something likely to change, and I consequently deal with it, but that still means I'm going to gripe.  I'd heard people say the Marriott's elevators were worse than the other hotels, but didn't realise just how much worse.  (Seriously contemplating the Fairmont next year. The space was lovely.)

/soapbox indeed.

[Admiral Donuts]

The sheer volume of stuff that had absolutely nothing to do with anime whatsoever.

[Yura Kyo Aures]

There were a few things I disliked about Fanime, but nothing major.

The biggest problem was the elevators in the Marriot. My friend's in a wheelchair, so we had to wait ages for one empty enough to jump into. Some people were really rude about it to, like when we had been waiting longer that they had, and there was room but they jumped in anyway!
My friend got so irritated he shouted at some people which was kinda embarrassing. >_> Hopefully next year he'll learn to keep his cool.

Second was the evening me and my friend decided to go to the gaming hall one evening (I think it was Saturday?), we got into an elevator and some random guy put his arm around me, commented on my costume. This wasn't the problem, except the fact you could smell the alcohol on his breath and we were crammed in the elevator with him all the way down.
Then as we were walking to the gaming hall, I was dressed up as Cats inspired Mr.Cat/Neko Sensei from Princess Tutu, someone yelled out "FURRY!" to me as we passed them. I guess it wasn't that bad, but it did make me feel really self conscious.

So nothing too bad, but the elevator situation could have been so much better.

[PyronIkari]

All this sounds like to me is, you want people to cater to you, because you have a big beautiful costume that others should respect.

Not quite.  The costume did squish; I wound up cramming myself into a back corner and adjusting the skirts to fit, and the friends I was with bracketed me.  I tried to be considerate because I know how problematic the elevators can be, and as noted, I did take the stairs in it.  I don't expect to be catered to, but I also don't expect to have to wait a half-hour at non-peak times to take an elevator because the majority of people people waited five minutes one floor up to get on and trump those waiting at the bottom floor.

What I particularly have a problem with is that there's fitting a reasonable number of people in, and then there's cramming entirely too close into people's personal space.  Costumes notwithstanding, people who force their way into elevators that are already reasonably full when they are told there's no more space are what really irk me.  I've waited for a later one -- out of costume, in costume, whatever -- because it was fairly full and people said "no more room"; I've also fit myself on when people did say there was space.  The costume was the straw breaking this metaphorical camel's back; it wasn't the reason itself.

I guess my irritation is more with the general elevator squish mentality.  As I said -- it's not just me and my costume; I've known others, friends and strangers both, who've had similar problems.  There are people who, for whatever reason, can't go up one floor -- difficulties with stairs, for example -- who are in a similar boat for different reasons.  I realise this whole situation's not something likely to change, and I consequently deal with it, but that still means I'm going to gripe.  I'd heard people say the Marriott's elevators were worse than the other hotels, but didn't realise just how much worse.  (Seriously contemplating the Fairmont next year. The space was lovely.)

/soapbox indeed.

And why should the rest of people follow your standards for elevators? Just because you say there's no room doesn't mean they can't fit. What I'm trying to say is...

Who the hell are you to tell people that they should follow your elevator etiquette? I'm not going to wait another 15 minutes for an elevator when one opens up and I can fit in it, even if it's a little tight, as long as we're not crammed into the thing to where we can't move bodies pushed up against each other. Why? Because I'm a busy person, and I have work to do. I staff, and I have things to do. If I'm 15 minutes late, major things can happen.

"Blah blah why don't... YOU take the stairs?"

If it's viable, then I will. I've ran 16 flights of stairs holding about 20lbs of stuff before because I needed to get it somewhere.

As long as the people on the elevator aren't rude, jumping, causing problems, you really have no right to tell them not to get on the elevator if they will fit and it does not go over the weight capacity.

HOWEVER, to the sir talking about the wheel chair. Wheel chair/handicapped access on an elevator takes priority. You can literally get hotel staff to tell people not to get on the elevator until after the wheel char/handicapped individual gets on. It shouldn't have to come to this, and people suck, but it is an option for you.

The elevators are public access etiquette is required, but demands are not cool. Etiquette is stuff like, not jumping, not harassing people, not being a nuisance, but telling people not to get on because of your costume, or that people can fit but you would rather ride more comfortably... is extremely stuck up and annoying.

[Yura Kyo Aures]

HOWEVER, to the sir talking about the wheel chair. Wheel chair/handicapped access on an elevator takes priority. You can literally get hotel staff to tell people not to get on the elevator until after the wheel char/handicapped individual gets on. It shouldn't have to come to this, and people suck, but it is an option for you.

Oh, we didn't know about that but thank you very much! This will defiantly be a big help for next year, not that we'd take advantage of that. It was just annoying when we were waiting longer and people jumped on before us when there was room for us to get on. But like you said, people suck.

But there were also a lot of understanding people as well that would make sure my friend got on, one woman took total charge and made it a mission to get him on first! So to everyone that gave us a hand to getting him on, thank you very much. ^^

[otaku_duckie]

There were a few things I disliked about Fanime, but nothing major.

The biggest problem was the elevators in the Marriot. My friend's in a wheelchair, so we had to wait ages for one empty enough to jump into. Some people were really rude about it to, like when we had been waiting longer that they had, and there was room but they jumped in anyway!
My friend got so irritated he shouted at some people which was kinda embarrassing. >_> Hopefully next year he'll learn to keep his cool.

Second was the evening me and my friend decided to go to the gaming hall one evening (I think it was Saturday?), we got into an elevator and some random guy put his arm around me, commented on my costume. This wasn't the problem, except the fact you could smell the alcohol on his breath and we were crammed in the elevator with him all the way down.
Then as we were walking to the gaming hall, I was dressed up as Cats inspired Mr.Cat/Neko Sensei from Princess Tutu, someone yelled out "FURRY!" to me as we passed them. I guess it wasn't that bad, but it did make me feel really self conscious.

So nothing too bad, but the elevator situation could have been so much better.

that was horribly rude of them to do that to your friend! where the hell are their manners! when I waited for my elevator last year I always made sure I was one of the last people on, I let everyone go ahead of me! Geez someone needs to take some manners lessons. As for your drunken experience, I feel very sorry for you and hope it never happens to you again.

[Touya no Miko]

Artist Alley wasn't really worth it this year. Just same old buttons, PLUS disappointing art quality. Just wondering, do the staff do a background or art check about who gets a spot? I'm sorry if it's offensive, but honestly, I remember seeing some low quality art.

I don't think staff would turn people away just because the artwork quality doesn't meet with a certain individual's appeal. Buying from them is an option after all. And no offense, but that would make them look like douches in my opinion.

[pandasquirl]

Post-Con depression and the fact that it was more..."strict"   :-\

[Rhornez]

what i dont get about this i never see rude ppl, damm it must happen when im not around  ???

[BSaphire]

- Disorganized gatherings list (I missed the When They Cry gathering as a result)

The Gathering Info boards are set up to be read like a manga would be (R to L, Top to Bottom). We had the largest amount of gatherings since 2005 (75) and 12 events. It was hard to fit it all into 4 sections. We are working on the Gathering Info boards for next year, but please stop by the gatherings table and ask the staff. They can help you find the information or will look it up for you. You can also go online here:
http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12405.0.html
To the first post and look it up, or make a custom list of the info for your FanimeCon plans prior to attending FanimeCon.
*NOTE as a reminder* All Cosplayer Gatherings & Cosplayer Events are scheduled by the organizer of each one. Conflict may occur for you between FanimeCon's Program Schedule and the Cosplayer Gatherings & Cosplayer Events Schedule. It is up to each person to determine what they would like to attend and when. If you would like to join a gathering it might be helpful to go to the thread in the Gathering section of the Fanime Forums and talk with the other coplayers that will be attending that gathering also. There is a thread set up with links for those threads that wish to be on the info boards so you can quickly locate a thread. Here is that link:
http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,12406.0.html
Most of them will have their gathering info on their 1st post of their thread.
Sorry to hear you missed the WTC gathering.

[kittymaxwell2004]

Maybe it's just me, but I really noticed that there were a loooooot of "non-con goers" crowding up the convention. A lot of kids (as in teens) with out badges and just skate boards laughing at every one. When I was outside in front of the convention center, there were 3 retards throwng firework poppers at random cosplayers and blowing air horns at people, then running around. It's kind of a pain to be harassed by people who aren't even allowed to attend our con, just running rampid doing whatever they want, EVEN in the Dealers Hall!! I love going to con to hang out with people who have similar interests, but now I have to feel bad going to Fanime like I might get picked on or harassed! I dunno, I just wish they weren't allowed in or there were more strict rules on them.

[Mantaray3000]

Aside from the protesters, the only other things that I disliked was the video screening schedules (particularly the Sat screening of Eva 2.22) I never understood why it had to be at 8am. That said it was only a small thing. The other was the registration line which I recall took much longer compared to the previous 2 years where it was a lot faster. I was also disappointed that there was no seiyuu other than Haruko Momoi which wasn't bad or anything I was just expecting more.

[Runewitt]

The pre-reg line on thursday afternoon. Is it possible to have more people working behind the tables this year, to help the line go faster, or open earlier? again, the non-congoers that were wandering the halls, concourse, and looking around for room parties to crash. can you add people near the doors to look for people's badges, or would that cause too much of a back-up if there was an emergency?