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Have you guys READ the complaints about this whole new system on facebook? A LOT of people are complaining about it. There are those, who believe this is a good system and says this will give them a chance to actually get a hotel they like and is close to the convention center especially for artists. But from what I'm reading. There are MORE complaints then there are compliments. Because of this new time stamp system this puts off a lot of people who wants to come to the convention. 55-65$ for a badge? Great! Now where are we going to stay? Like some have complained. Each year registration gets more complicated and hectic.

How are people suppose to have fun or attend a convention when there is NOWHERE for them to stay? This system sounds pretty decent but there are SO MANY FLAWS WITH IT.

Fanime is HOPING this new system will reduce traffic or prevent scalping but the problem is... who's to say it will work reduce or prevent all that? There is NO GUARANTEE this will work and like I said the staff is HOPING this will work. I will say this... I maybe one of the more cynical forums members. I've done a lot complaining and for the most part I've decided that I'll still attend Fanime due to many reasons. That doesn't mean I'll stop complaining. It just means I'll try to complain less and even I do I'll do it that sounds more rational instead of mindless bashing.

Even to the positive attendees who love the convention. You CAN'T deny that this new system is flawed and may or may not improve the registration as a whole. I had majors complaints about fanime. 1. is that registering the hotel is getting worse each year 2. Fanime's communication with the attendee's were abysmal during 2015 and the past years. But 2015 I have to say was their WORST communication when it comes to answering attendee's questions and concerns. I commend Fanime for actually getting info and ACTUALLY communicating some of the attendee's on facebook, forums and other social media this year. Let's just see if the staff will actually respond to concerns in the upcoming months...

Oh and one more thing. Technically you can still snag a hotel that's either SUPER far away from the convention or you can get their regular nice hotels WITHOUT the discounts which I should say if you were going to stay for 4 nights without discounts it's going to cost 1-2 grand at most...

*Sigh* registration that's great... but is hotel registration going to be smooth or am going to have to fight for it like last year... there has been no confirmation that hotel registration will be better this year...

@cutiebunny & echoshadow.

I know both of you are right. It's just... I've been going to Fanimecon since 2009 and it was also my very first convention. Fanime has proven that they could get awesome guests without sponsorship in the past. I'm still thinking of the past of Fanime's best year which was in 2011. I know I have re-iterated several times and many other past fanime attendees that 2011 was the best year ever. It offered a little bit of everything to everyone. I still remember 2011 and will always hold dear to my heart on that year. I think after going to many other conventions I have come to the conclusion that conventions with sponsorship always win me. I'm still very loyal to Fanime but they changed so much and my expectations for the convention has immensely dropped 2012. 2015 was going in the right direction but still could have been better. I mean it's why most attendees stopped attending Fanime because they've been let down too many times. Yet at the same time. Every attendee I come across the internet say the same thing. They all would come back to the convention in a heartbeat if it was like 2011.

I mean... can you blame me for trying so hard to see if Fanime can bring back the same expectations they had during 2011? Regardless, I'll still come to Fanime simply because it's "something to do." and for the concerts. Because that's Fanime's only REDEEMING quality and that's it's music guests.

*Shrugs* I guess the same usual thing before things went downhill...

1. Go to musicfest as that's the sole reason why I bother to continue going Fanime

2. Go to the industry/ Guest of Honor panels if the guests interest me.

3. Go to artist alley and meet a lot of famous or very well known artist. This is also a fairly decent factor for me coming to Fanime. I get to meet all the well known artists on DA and meet them in real life and commission them. As they don't do digital. It's a golden opportunity to commission them traditionally. The whole portfolio-based thing is isn't too bad I guess.

4. Go to the vendor's hall. It's the 2nd biggest vendor hall compared to AX.

5. If I'm bored, Guess I'll go eat and get a meal.

6. Go to the 18+ panels. These are the ONLY fan panels I enjoy...

This is what I never understand about the convention. How come there is never any sponsorship? During 2014 I think I saw some sponsorship panels. Or are industry panels and sponsorship completely different? anyways, If there is some pride in having a big convention without sponsorship I think it's time the convention changes it's thinking. (note yes I know complain a lot and I still will continue to do so. Just in more of a calm fashion if I can)

I can don't see that many cons in doing in getting sponsorship unless someone can correct me otherwise. Anyways, 1. With sponsorship you will be able to bring guests otherwise you might not be able to get at all. The attendees will be happy and be more willing to fly or drive to the convention if sponsorship can bring in more big name Japanese guests. 2 What if it was big name companies like Good Smile Company willing to sponsor and sell their products? People love their products and how fast they sell is amazing. Or anime companies like Aniplex or Pony canyon. I've been to conventions like Sakura-con (Almost the same size in attendance as Fanime now) and AX. Because of those events Sakuracon was able to get Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Voice actor of Kirito. If anything company sponsorship can many things. If it means giving the company a nice, flashy vendor booth selling their products then I be more happy and 3. Who doesn't like learning the hottest new anime coming soon or the next figurine being made?

I've seen what sponsorship can do and it's amazing so why not start getting some now or at least start slowly implementing it? I can give an example Touhoucon 2015 was a small convention that focuses solely on the game series were able to bring in the biggest name guests related to the series as well as non-related touhou guest but is known for other things. While they had an excessive amount of sponsorship unentirely related to the convention in the vendors hall and some booth areas but at the same time they must have used the funds from unrelated sponsorship to get guests related to the game series itself.

My point being is that other small conventions are slowly implementing sponsorship and I don't think that's a bad thing. Unless if the staff or other members of the forums have counter-arguments I'd be more then happy to read them, as all I want is discussion.

Here's a solution they do which would make everything easier... let people register NOW or at least a month after the convention. a lot of conventions have been doing that these days.

I wanna clear things out of the way. I already know my reputation around these parts isn't very good to say the least but that's mainly me complaining all the time. I get it now. It's going  nowhere unless it's the majority. it took me a while to get this into my head. I still have a desire to attend the forums and discuss. So I politly ask all of you to please give me another chance. I'm not going to complain anymore. I just want to discuss normally with all of you. (Note I am going to still attend the convention. I just won't complain)

Anyways, it's something I wanted to talk about. many other conventions these days have been closing down their forums. With the exception of a few. Big conventions like Sakura-con, Anime Weekend Atlanta and recently Anime Expo. What reason do they have for closing them down? Forums provide many benefits and I don't see that many downsides to them. If staff can't provide the information then other con attendees can provide it. They also provide a pleasant experience to discuss with other congoers.

I don't mind repeat guests so long as it's somebody I CARED ABOUT.

Not gonna lie, but that came off as completely selfish. 

I don't get you, citrus.  You whine and moan about Fanime being a horrible convention all year long, and then when you attend and enjoy the concert, you claim that you like the direction that Fanime is going.  So...which is it?!  You continually spam the forums with complaints, but then you post this -

I have plans on returning back to the con.

What incentive does the convention have to change if you've already decided you're attending in 2016?  They clearly must be doing something right if you're willing to forego attending other conventions.

I'd much rather pay a lot more for the badges and hotels if it means getting better guests.

Then put your money where your mouth is and go somewhere else.

I'm gonna lie. I do it out of frustration and vent out to get if off of my system because I constantly keep thinking of the past few years of what Fanime was like and still brings bitter memories that I guess in order stop thinking of them I post my frustration about them. I DO like the way things are going for Fanime for this year. They did have some guests I like and for whatever panels they have I did enjoy to a certain extent. Could be better though.

Your right, Fanime IS doing something right for me if I'm attending for 2016. 2015 is where I think it was somewhat going in the right direction when it came to guests and some panels, but  I guess what I'm hoping to do by continuing to moan and complain is that by continuing to do so Fanime will acknowledge it and change things so that way it'll go into the days of 2011 But I am most likely being way to naive and ignorant about it. I admit I have really good memories of the convention before 2012 came and it's really hard for me to let go of those memories. Deep down I still love Fanime. And I been reluctant to ditch fanime and go to other conventions because I'm still loyal to it I think.

I am starting to realize what I said about the guests did come out completely selfish. I really shouldn't have said such things about some of the repeat guests that come to Fanime. There are people that do enjoy them. None of the guests deserve my disrespectful words as they have done nothing wrong to deserve them.

I deeply apologize, for my strange and irrational behavior ever since I join the forums, I don't want anybody to think real badly of me and think I am troll of some kind which I'm not. Though I admit once and a while I do like to troll sometimes. I promise to keep my complaints to a minimum Or if I must complain I will do it in a way that's more calm and rational as well making sense. Because it's clear I'm not thinking on what I'm typing at times.

Once again, I apologize for my strange and irrational behavior. I DO like Fanime and I do enjoy it to some extent. Please do not let me stop from posting on this thread.   

They're gonna have to do A LOT more if they want me to return. I'd be better off going to other anime conventions that take the same place as the memorial day weekend. The guests were better this year but it's nowhere NEAR as good as 2011. Not by a LONG mile. For a convention that has 27,000 people coming each year. It doesn't deserve anywhere NEAR the praise it's getting.

I don't even know if I should BOTHER posting the guest list I want for next year. Because I bet fanime is going to bring guests next year that NOBODY asks for or care. let me guess Yamanaga and Giles Patterson AGAIN? I don't mind repeat guests so long as it's somebody I CARED ABOUT. Like I don't know bring Haruka Momoi again!? She loved Fanime so much that she came back three times! And they have said she has never gone to a convention repeatedly aside from Fanime. I've only attended her panel once when I was pretty young and still in High School. While I did not see her the other years I attended. To say the least I respected her quite a bit and didn't mind if she kept coming back. But NO. I feel like it's Fanime's fault that she didn't came back even though she wanted too.

The only guests that Fanime is ever is competent in bringing is the Music Guests. But we only got one this year so its no longer musicfest...

You know what else? My local Anime Convention Sac-Anime has a much lower attendance rate but you know what the biggest difference is? they get BETTER guests and so many that it's practically crazy. Yes most of them is North American guests but as of the past few years they have been able to get their hands on a couple of Japanese guests. They even got their hands on Mamoru Yokota who has attended Fanimecon a few times. Not only that the convention caters to EVERY single audience. Comics, TV show, Anime, cosplay pretty much EVERYTHING. Fanime? It only caters to mainly cosplayers or people that like to just sit around and "chill."

I'd much rather pay a lot more for the badges and hotels if it means getting better guests.

You been constantly spamming about Fanime to bring Hayao Miyazaki. Your not doing anybody any favors spouting the same thing over and over again. Someone gave you an awnser. Nobody is going to take you seriously if you do. All I see is an obvious troll.

I'm on the fence on going to AX, but if I so go it would be the first year I will not be going as a primer badge holder. I got to tell you, even with it, it was a mess. It felt like I was a normal attendee. The only perks where to get seats for the "main events" before they went live. That was it. There where soo many last year it was a joke.

The only reason why I didn't get it was their new system for primer badges. Years before if you bought it, you'll get an email if you would like to get one for next year. This year they screwed long time primer badge holders, and raised the price $220+. So I'm not happy about that being I was going 4+ years a primer badge holder.

Anyway, by the looks of it they have a shit ton of stuff to do program wise, definitely a full days worth to the point where your splitting hairs on which panel you want to see.

As to the people that got heat stroke, it's on them. (There where 4 that I know of) the rest could have asked kindly for the person to hold their place in line to cool off.  Or the should have prepared for being out side on a hot day.  The con can't hold anyone's hand when it comes to their personal well being.

Besides that hope it goes well. As usual the people in charge of their social media are complete idiots, (personal opinion ) so let's see how messy things get. Or not if I don't go.

On thing I highly want Fanime staff to notice is their use of Guidebook. Even if your not going download the app and play with it as if you where there. You'll clearly see why every other con uses it. It may cost a bit but highly worth it. (Sure better than the pocket book, sorry but it's the truth)

I don't blame you for feeling like that. It clearly sounds like you've been attending AX way longer I have and I been going only since 2012. 2013 was the year when I simply had it with AX's bullcrap of waiting in line for hours and hours on end for panels I really want to attend. There were a couple of panels I wanted to go to but then after the last minute the staff just gave many attendees a big FU saying that the panel room is full and they can't get inside. Even though they WAITED for a fair amount of time. They should have CAPPED the line and actually count instead of telling us we can't go inside at the last minute or the start of the panel.

During 2014 was even worse. It was extremely fortunate for those who bought a premiere badge because at least the premiere line was easy to keep track of. But if you were a general attendee. You would be directed in circles and get different answers from different staff. By the time you get in line. You were either pointed to the wrong one or by the time you get into the so called "right" line it would be capped and you could not get into the panel. And you know what the bullcrap part was? I been into a few panels and while it was busy inside I saw many of them had PLENTY of seats for people that wanted to get into the panel. But no, the staff just told the attendee's to "Come back another time" or "check a few minutes later." But no they were either lazy or incompetent that they didn't check the room to see if there was enough space

I maybe a premiere fan but if feel extremely bad for the general attendees that could not get in the panel even though they WAITED for a hours on end. The reason why I even got a premiere badge in the first place was because I was sick and tired of waiting in the lines and in the scorching sun for hours where I almost got heat stroke and I thought I was prepared but I apparently wasn't. ( I didn't bring enough water and I thought I had enough) I also wanted to get priority access to all panels and get a really good seat so that I be able to ask my question to the guest. And I absolutely hate it I would never get to ask a question and be cut off. I am a panel enthusiast and this is the main reason why I bought the badge in the first place. I love not being able to wait in line have more time to do things at the con. And while I get a free ticket of my choice to an even. It's simply doesn't make up for the amount they are asking for the badge. I payed 250$ and waited for hours At-con just to secure a premiere badge but the amount of suffering and money I spend to get the badge I really feel like it might not be worth it anymore. It just gets more expensive to buy and harder to even get.

I just only hope that AX BETTER keep they're promise and fix all the things they said they would.

Fanime could learn a thing or two from AX. For one they could get better guests and more better programming instead of the same crappy panels that they have over and over again. (I am so sick and tired of seeing repeat guests like Giles Patterson hogging all the panel rooms and the fact that barely anybody attend his panels last time I checked. And seeing the same My Little Pony Or Homestuck panel that has NOT changed at all.) Even though, I had a better time at Fanime this year. I still feel like they're not gonna change and all our feedback might go in vain. Don't have the resources? Then try harder getting more resources.

In all honesty even though AX pisses me the hell off it's not all bad and the difference is that they have a lot more programming then Fanime will ever hope to have. It may be an unfair comparison but the thing is. Fanime can do BETTER. There's a reason why everyone say's 2011 was the best year for Fanimecon.

I am looking foward to this year's AX and I know that it's gonna be WAY better then fanime 2015. As much as I admit I had a very good time at this year's fanime I know I'm going to enjoy Anime Expo 100 times more. Even a couple of the industry panels I went they were all promoting AX and the awesome guests they're getting.

Though what I am worried about is how AX is going to run this year. They've screwed up a lot of things before the convention is starting. Communication wise they're doing a better job but it's still very bad. And to those that went to AX 2014 it was the worst year I ever experienced when it came to organization and was also the year when AX had lied a lot, send MANY attendees to the hospital, abusive and clueless staff and pretty much everything you can think of was bad. if I wasn't a premiere fan that year I would most likely have the most horrific vacation ever.

What I'm hoping this year despite the online screw ups that it'll be executed fairly well this year. The only thing that I'm really anxious and dreading is on how I'm going to get a premiere badge for 2016.

To those that are going to AX share your thoughts in what your looking forward to this year as well as your worries. 

I have plans on returning back to the con. But I'm NOT paying 450$ For just one night of a hotel. I've made some back up plans by booking a hotel room at the Fairmount and The Saint Claire (soon be known as the Westin hotel)  for the next memorial day weekend because I do want to return and I DON'T want a hotel that's so far away from the convention center. Seriously who would pay that much for 1 night!? I don't know about you but even booking a hotel at Anime Expo is CHEAPER then what you get at Fanime! While I couldn't book the hotel I want at AX through their website. I was easily able to book a hotel room from the hotel's official site. And each night is around 350$ While it's expensive as heck and I REALLY wish I could have gotten a discount this year. It's still worth it because that's much I think AX is worth going too. Booking the Fairmount for Fanime without booking it through Fanime's website costs as much as a night's stay at The Ritz Carlton's in L.A. and quite frankly I admit enjoyed this year's fanime and the convention is going to the right direction that it's winning me over to not switch to a different convention. But really? 450$ A night for a convention like Fanimecon? I don't think so.

And while I booked a hotel at the Westin as well for 260$ a night without fanime discount that's still pushing it. That's the maximum I think anybody should pay really. Speaking of which... has anybody stayed at the Saint Claire before? If so have you experienced anything haunted at your stay there? While I know the Saint Claire is going to turn into a new hotel. I'm scared it might be still haunted even with renovation... it probably explains the price tag during the memorial day weekend...

Nice.... 3 1/2 days before show time. Better late than never.

(*insert long ramblings/complaints here*)

Can we try out Guidebook app next year? Seems like that could help out with getting the schedule out faster.

(*insert long ramblings/complaints why people incharge can't get it relase a week before*)

Thanks Fanime I have a bit of pocket change to spend around. I had money on it coming out Monday.

Couldn't agree with you more. It was better then what happened at 2012 but this is still HORRIBLE. Also this according to the fanime staff at facebook                                                 
"We are not planning on using Guidebook this year, but it's something that we continue to look at for future years." Oh? Meaning as in NEVER? Better idea Fanime. How about you stop being late with everything and also GET WITH THE PROGRAM AND BE UP TO DATE!?

I also want to comment. Another BORING Friday like it's been in the past 3-4 years. Thanks For wasting my precious time and money on trying to get a hotel when other cons can actually offer good programs for ALL days!

Saturday and Sunday Better make up for it...

It's still located in the fairmount. If you check the previous posts and estimates it should be the same.

http://www.fanime.com/news/category/news/

Quite literally updates from a week ago.

Rofl. Maps will be soooo helpful, cause I completely forget the layout of Fanime every year. If it wasn't  for Fanime's maps I would never find my way to any of the events. This one year I could not find the dealers hall. It took me 2 days to find it. I was lucky enough to find a pocket schedule with a map in it.

I can't help myself, I had to do it. It's just comical when Fanime puts anything up this late. Then again...It's Fanime.

Pffft. Good one. Here's a new slogan for the con "Fanime, always screwing something up since 2011." Because it's true. I'm also noticing whoever is running social media for the convention needs to be fired.

I always follow facebook for all my convention updates and whatnot and yet it wasn't until someone posted information that there were updates on the official site. I DON'T always check on the website and I rarely check on twitter. And what have I discovered? Fanime has only been posting most of it's updated information on twitter and mainly twitter. For a short time the convention switched all of its updates to twitter only when they could have EASILY also posted it on facebook. This was one of the thing's the attendees have complained about. Only this time whoever is running social media decided to not say people who use facebook or other social media something like "Hey if you want to stay up to date with most recent info, go to twitter or check out at our official website!" Am I looking foward to the con? Somewhat, but at this point I'm going in being pessimistic and with low expectations unless the con proves me wrong otherwise. Also as of this post. It's the 13th. STILL no schedule posted up yet.

You know... I've been trying to stay "positive" for the past few days but when you got a bunch of incomplete staff that doesn't update you. How can you POSSIBLY get excited when there's nothing being hyped up for!? Look at AX and how they try to excite there fans. They know how to make people excited! But what has fanime been doing? No update on anything when it's two weeks to the con? TWO WEEKS! And still no update on anything. The schedule, anymore guests finalized, NOTHING! Plus on social media they have not found way to make people hyped!

Trust me if joining staff would actually make a big difference and have my voice be heard, I most likely would! Not all staff at fanime are bad. But would it KILL you to update your fans? Find ways to help make us get excited for the con? People say the ink has been running dry for this con but at this point. I feel that there is NO ink to work with! I hope there are staff around the con. I'm going to try and enjoy the con as much as possible but I think I wanna give the staff an earful on how to improve and how to do things right.

So... two close weeks to the con and STILL no more guests announcements or announcements for ANYTHING... really? Just really fanime? Then again during the past 4 years I shouldn't be surprised.

*Shrugs* might as well do the same.

I'm looking very much forward to musicfest since they ever rarely fail to satisfy me with the big name artists they usually bring! I'm also looking very forward to artist alley seeing what new and old artists I'll be commissioning.

I'll also be looking forward to all whatever guests panels they'll be having too!

What I also love about fanime is the gigantic vendor's hall they have. Which I would say is 2nd biggest to AX.

Uh... Nah.  After years of constant disappointments it's hard to let it go.

Tell you what, if the schedule is out by 13th then I'll be a bit more positive. If it comes out on the 19th then I'll be riding the hate train with hateraide as an IV (I'm joking people, that's sarcasm)

But either way I'm still going to Fanime, but this year I'll treat it just like its says on the official FB page as "something to do" in San Jose. So there you have it.  Not much hype for Fanime this year. Maybe next year.

This... this literally describes how I feel about Fanime, now. It's been full of constant disappointments for 4 years now.

and yes, they may have gotten BETTER guests this year then last year, (And by god did the guest roster suck in 2014) 4 guests I'm thrilled or will definitely going to be enjoying seeing them in person. But that does NOT excuse the staff for being THIS late in the game!

And you say events are coming together nicely? Yeah about that I've been to several other conventions that give people at least a month or so. Fanime is literally hamstringing all the events at the last minute is the impression they have given me. They could put all this together without it being the month where the con is suppose to start!

A "bit" late? Yeah 16 days and they still have not announce all the guests or events at all is far FROM far being a "Bit" late. It's beyond late that it's unacceptable in my eyes. And also as of this post fanime has NOT announced Back-On being on the guest list. The music artists have to announces THEMSELVES they are coming and how often do you see the artists announcing themselves instead of the con doing the work?

I don't mean to sound like an elitist but I've gone to SEVERAL cons since I was 14 and I can tell you that fanime use to be WAY better then this. Because back then fanime was actually good and nobody complained about it being bad. But since 2012 there have been many people unsatisfied with how bad fanimecon is doing and some either skip the con or even fly all the way to the east coast for animazement where they do everything right compared to fanimecon that has done nothing but bring disappointments and has barely improved ever since the dreaded year of 2012.

And judging by your user name it's clear that you are on fanimecon's side all the way. I tried to give fanime another chance because I heard the head was a great guy and if anyone can bring fanimecon's 2011 year back to it's former glory it was this guy. But it looks like the person who said that was clearly wrong. Have you at all read and acknowledge the complaints the people have? They have a reason to hate or have any malice and contempt. And I "try to enjoy myself"  but when you have days that barely have any good programming aside from the guest panels of people I want to see. It's hard to enjoy yourself. I had an "okay" time at 2014 but looking back at it now. It was a year that was still terrible. I only remember for the musicfest being good.

I don't think your acknowledging why some people come to fanimecon in the first place. Tell me. Let's say you were in the east coast or fairly far away that it would take several hours to drive to san jose and even fly there. Because of the lack of updates about ANYTHING how could the person plan their trip easily? plus it costs resources to even get to the con.  Even though it's only a two hour drive from I have had better and expect better. Trust me I USE to love fanime but not as much anymore. I don't hate fanime for the sake of just hating it. I hate on it hoping that chances of it improving and having it gain my love again.

If I had the resources to travel to the east coast for animazement I would most likely will. But since I don't have that kind of money and resources fanime is the only place that can take up my summer. I'm looking forward to AX way more and other cons then fanimecon. But like echoshadow said. "It's something to do"  I've already had the extreme struggles of even getting a hotel room so I might as well go. It's also because it's cheap, but I certainly would pay extra for the hotel and badge if it means the con will improve. I will continue to have the same opinion unless you can provide more valid justification.


mod edit: split in its entirety from this thread: Let's Get Excited, Happy, Ecstatic, Good Vibes