I hope it isn't too late to change/minimize this, but I suspect it is. This is an absolutely terrible idea. Pushing all of the 18+ content to the DoubleTree is going to kill all of that content.
It is too far to walk, and it's not even remotely safe to walk to the DoubleTree through San Jose at night... forget about walking there in Cosplay safely. That leaves only shuttles or driving to get people there. Unless there is a major increase in shuttles going to the DoubleTree, there is no way that the shuttles could accommodate the numbers of people trying to get into the 18+ content. That aside, who even knows how many people would want to actually go the ridiculous distance to the DoubleTree at night anyways. In previous years, people not staying at the DoubleTree already didn't bother to even acknowledge that there was a FanimeCon extension going on out there.
This is really sad. Hundreds of adults stick around the con after dark to enjoy the 18+ panels and video content. Specifically, the HMV contest is always full, and people line up hours before the HMV contest starts just to get a seat. Recent FanimeCons have even had 2-3 18+ video rooms running pretty much all night long. It may not seem like important content to some, but for a lot of adults that have been coming back year after year, certain 18+ events and panels are highlights of the con experience. Taking that away, or moving it out to the sticks, will seriously damage the adult con experience.
I can't be the only one thinking this. The twitter announcement made by FanimeCon about Silver Island has received ONLY negative feedback so far. Most of the feedback on the Facebook announcement is negative as well.
The Shuttle situation was my first thought when it was announced. Even if they did increase the number of shuttles going back and forth, the sheer number of people that attempt to go to the big events like hentai nights would easily strain the route beyond usability. Hentai Nights do have large lines that have and do extend the length of the convention center itself. and with the added traffic of people going back to their rooms, or going to other events at the double tree, I just can't see it working out.
This will especially be fucked for people trying to get back to their rooms, and very annoying when people waste half an hour or more to go see a line wrapping around the hotel building.
Of course, I could be wrong, and maybe people will just be so turned off by the idea that very few people will show up to the events because of the distance. Though that is also almost as bad as overpacked busses. I can understand the need to expand for the ever-growing Con, but any main events need to be in the main convention center.
I guess we will see what happens though, maybe we will be pleasantly surprised.
They have now mentioned that there will be increased shuttle service. I have not ever actually seen a Fanime shuttle (despite standing outside for hours) so I would like to see a more specific schedule. I did plan on utilizing the shuttle for my hotel, but now am worried about the reliability :(
Did anyone get the feeling this plan is an attempt to phase out the 18+ material in general? I mean, I get that the staff want to try and separate the all ages stuff and the "adults only" stuff, but sending it all the way out to the Doubletree just seems like a death sentence. Why couldn't they have hosted this stuff over at the Fairmont or somewhere more local to the Convention Center, I wonder?
Quote from: The Sea-Faring Otaku on April 27, 2019, 05:00:12 AM
Did anyone get the feeling this plan is an attempt to phase out the 18+ material in general? I mean, I get that the staff want to try and separate the all ages stuff and the "adults only" stuff, but sending it all the way out to the Doubletree just seems like a death sentence. Why couldn't they have hosted this stuff over at the Fairmont or somewhere more local to the Convention Center, I wonder?
I got the same vibes yes, though I am sure it also has to do with the con just growing in size due to the increased attendance every year. It is understandable too, but I also agree it seems a bit overkill. Smaller events should be what is being hosted over there. I guess it will be interesting to see how it turns out at least though.
Quote from: TC_X0_Lt_0X on April 27, 2019, 01:37:05 PM
I got the same vibes yes, though I am sure it also has to do with the con just growing in size due to the increased attendance every year. It is understandable too, but I also agree it seems a bit overkill. Smaller events should be what is being hosted over there. I guess it will be interesting to see how it turns out at least though.
Agreed! Who knows? Maybe it will turn out pretty well and it'll run smoothly. We can only hope for the best, I suppose.
I'm going to remain optimistic about it. The con has more than doubled in size since I started attending every year. With Clockwork Alchemy flying on their own now, that opens up room there for things to expand. I've stayed at the Double Tree many times, and can vouch for the shuttle service being very reliable and frequent... if someone hasn't seen the shuttles before, they're simply not looking in the right place. The schedule has always been available at the information tables.
I like that they're trying new things. And if it doesn't work out, they don't have to do it that way again. No big deal.
Quote from: Amanojaku on April 29, 2019, 03:42:47 PM
I'm going to remain optimistic about it. The con has more than doubled in size since I started attending every year. With Clockwork Alchemy flying on their own now, that opens up room there for things to expand. I've stayed at the Double Tree many times, and can vouch for the shuttle service being very reliable and frequent... if someone hasn't seen the shuttles before, they're simply not looking in the right place. The schedule has always been available at the information tables.
I like that they're trying new things. And if it doesn't work out, they don't have to do it that way again. No big deal.
Paper schedules lol? That would explain why there is 0 info available online. No signs posted for pick up and drop off either? Oh boy, now I really am nervous.
Quote from: CandyGirl on April 29, 2019, 05:46:46 PM
Quote from: Amanojaku on April 29, 2019, 03:42:47 PM
I'm going to remain optimistic about it. The con has more than doubled in size since I started attending every year. With Clockwork Alchemy flying on their own now, that opens up room there for things to expand. I've stayed at the Double Tree many times, and can vouch for the shuttle service being very reliable and frequent... if someone hasn't seen the shuttles before, they're simply not looking in the right place. The schedule has always been available at the information tables.
I like that they're trying new things. And if it doesn't work out, they don't have to do it that way again. No big deal.
Paper schedules lol? That would explain why there is 0 info available online. No signs posted for pick up and drop off either? Oh boy, now I really am nervous.
Um.... there have been signboards where all the shuttles stop on the side of the Hilton (Almaden Ave) for years now, with each route clearly marked. Additionally the schedules are posted there as well and I believe they've been in the pocket guide for a few years now too. The shuttles pick up and drop off over there for good reason, they don't have to deal with the traffic in front of the convention center.
Quote from: InsaneDavid on April 29, 2019, 07:40:44 PM
Quote from: CandyGirl on April 29, 2019, 05:46:46 PM
Quote from: Amanojaku on April 29, 2019, 03:42:47 PM
I'm going to remain optimistic about it. The con has more than doubled in size since I started attending every year. With Clockwork Alchemy flying on their own now, that opens up room there for things to expand. I've stayed at the Double Tree many times, and can vouch for the shuttle service being very reliable and frequent... if someone hasn't seen the shuttles before, they're simply not looking in the right place. The schedule has always been available at the information tables.
I like that they're trying new things. And if it doesn't work out, they don't have to do it that way again. No big deal.
Paper schedules lol? That would explain why there is 0 info available online. No signs posted for pick up and drop off either? Oh boy, now I really am nervous.
Um.... there have been signboards where all the shuttles stop on the side of the Hilton (Almaden Ave) for years now, with each route clearly marked. Additionally the schedules are posted there as well and I believe they've been in the pocket guide for a few years now too. The shuttles pick up and drop off over there for good reason, they don't have to deal with the traffic in front of the convention center.
Ah, you are correct, beat me to it :)
Quote from: InsaneDavid on April 29, 2019, 07:40:44 PM
Quote from: CandyGirl on April 29, 2019, 05:46:46 PM
Quote from: Amanojaku on April 29, 2019, 03:42:47 PM
I'm going to remain optimistic about it. The con has more than doubled in size since I started attending every year. With Clockwork Alchemy flying on their own now, that opens up room there for things to expand. I've stayed at the Double Tree many times, and can vouch for the shuttle service being very reliable and frequent... if someone hasn't seen the shuttles before, they're simply not looking in the right place. The schedule has always been available at the information tables.
I like that they're trying new things. And if it doesn't work out, they don't have to do it that way again. No big deal.
Paper schedules lol? That would explain why there is 0 info available online. No signs posted for pick up and drop off either? Oh boy, now I really am nervous.
Um.... there have been signboards where all the shuttles stop on the side of the Hilton (Almaden Ave) for years now, with each route clearly marked. Additionally the schedules are posted there as well and I believe they've been in the pocket guide for a few years now too. The shuttles pick up and drop off over there for good reason, they don't have to deal with the traffic in front of the convention center.
Oh that's great news! I asked around and have only gotten "I've heard there was a shuttle or something" as an answer. I had asked a volunteer in the Marriott how to get to the Fairmont and they told me I was I the Fairmont, so I was pretty lost until I just gave up and went to to stand in lines. I now see the 3 stop markers from the digital guide from last year, but maybe they will stick some shuttle info in there as well this year for other nervous newbies. As far as I knew, the DoubleTree was a myth lol. Although it looks like it will stay a myth as I'm not about that 18+ life. The update said that the shuttle will be 24 hours. Is that normal, or also new with Silver Island? Might be worth it just for that.
Alright I would like to extend this thread for 2020
Please, Do NOT Do "Silver Island"
If you recall last year they gave out tickets for the for the first two hours of the hentai and yaoi rooms at the convention center. Those tickets were gone pretty quickly ( they started sitribution at 10am each day). This year the first two hours were ticketed as well. I noticed that there were plenty of tickets available at the video room table late into the afternoon each day. So I think tha attendance was probably down this year at the Doubletree
and the shuttles were terrible :/
*I should add that it was stated by the chairdude himself they moved shuttles from other hotels to prioritize those going to the double tree and even that was not enough to meet demand. he did not offer to even consider making changes if they were to continue "silver island"
I didn't go to Silver Island; that aspect of the con doesn't interest me. From my friends who went, they seemed to have a good time with no complaints (besides just having to go over there, which is given).
How would y'all like to see the DoubleTree space utilized?
I'd say that Silver Island was underwhelming. An okay idea, with not-so-good execution.
- The "advance tickets" idea, I'm fine with. Keep that.
- Starting the events at 8pm felt weird. Especially for the screening rooms.
- Night Market: you can go to Artists Alley and get a similar, if not the same, effect. It didn't even have a Fakku booth XD
- Casino Night looked cool at least. The table games seemed to be more Vegas casino style rather than Indian casino style.
- Adult Game Room: meh.
- Didn't bother watching the stage shows. No further comment.
- The HMV show was run just fine...but something about the line for it, I didn't like...
Overall, I say bring the Hentai events back to "the mainland." Take back the Marriott rooms, lol. But what should take its place at the DoubleTree, you ask? ;D
Quote from: Barnes on June 03, 2019, 10:24:56 PM
I'd say that Silver Island was underwhelming. An okay idea, with not-so-good execution.
- The "advance tickets" idea, I'm fine with. Keep that.
- Starting the events at 8pm felt weird. Especially for the screening rooms.
Eh I don't mind the start time besides it conflicting with other events.
Quote from: Barnes on June 03, 2019, 10:24:56 PM
- Night Market: you can go to Artists Alley and get a similar, if not the same, effect. It didn't even have a Fakku booth XD
That was my take as well. I was expecting 20 inch Dragon Dildos and got Artist Alley with some nipple slip
Quote from: Barnes on June 03, 2019, 10:24:56 PM
- Casino Night looked cool at least. The table games seemed to be more Vegas casino style rather than Indian casino style.
- Adult Game Room: meh.
- Didn't bother watching the stage shows. No further comment.
I didnt check any of those out other then passing by them. Didnt even know where the Adult Gaming Room was.
Quote from: Barnes on June 03, 2019, 10:24:56 PM
- The HMV show was run just fine...but something about the line for it, I didn't like...
Didnt get to go, our driver was too lazy to get into the car and we were going to stand in the shuttle line.
The general hentai video rooms were easy to get into. No real complaint on the setup except perhaps the rooms being too small for larger scale events.
Quote from: Barnes on June 03, 2019, 10:24:56 PM
Overall, I say bring the Hentai events back to "the mainland." Take back the Marriott rooms, lol. But what should take its place at the DoubleTree, you ask? ;D
I agree. It isnt like they segregated the 18+ panels that were just Hentai Video Rooms with commentary. What did they even use the Marriott rooms for this year?
The DoubleTree just cant host any large events given the distance and its apparent capacity. Odd events are fine (perfect location for the JoJo Escape room last year, as an example), and perhaps the Casino setup they had was alright too. Don't know what they could shift over there though. The Manga Lounge? Artist Exhibit (if they are still doing that)?
"What did they even use the Marriott rooms for this year?"
The 3 rooms they usually used for Hentai/Yaoi continued to run the regular video programming until 2AM. however they were closed from 2AM-8AM
Along with this, the Night store wasn't really a night store but felt like more of a mature artist alley. The only 18+ items being sold were a box of doujins and some hentai being sold in the corner of the room but hardly any. I was expecting more based on the description of the night store, somewhat similar to one of the 18+ sellers in the dealers hall which I was expecting prior to seeing the night store.
Heard it was shut down. Anyone know what happened?
Silver Island should not happen again. Honestly, it felt like they were holding our hentai hostage.
"Come to Silver Island or you won't see your hentai!"
The fact that hentai and yaoi was shifted down to a 8pm - 2am slot meant that it made that content no longer be the after hours relaxation ritual most of us do. Instead it's this thing you have to go out of your way to see. You wanna just chill and poke fun at stuff on the screen, but you then have to make the decision if waiting out in the cold for the shuttle is worth it.
As well as competition for us hosting 18+ panels. That type of audience is already spread thin as it is.
The night market was very underwhelming. You can kind of already find that content at the main artist alley. I was expecting bondage gear and sex toys. AnimeDepot's booth at the dealer's hall actually had more hentai content than night market( and that includes the toys).
My guess is that the Doubletree is pressuring the con to use the meeting rooms, since they can't really just offer those big rooms to another event without offering hotel rooms to go with it.
Either way, this doesn't really work. When I went over fort the hentai amv contest, it felt like I was going from a big con to a very small one.
Ikr, they should have more stuff in the night market and closer at a more convenient time for most of us con goers. It felt like more mature artist alley rather than a night market and hardly any 18+ stuff compared to that one 18+ place in the dealers hall
Quote from: Glitch on June 06, 2019, 01:15:23 AM
Silver Island should not happen again. Honestly, it felt like they were holding our hentai hostage.
"Come to Silver Island or you won't see your hentai!"
The fact that hentai and yaoi was shifted down to a 8pm - 2am slot meant that it made that content no longer be the after hours relaxation ritual most of us do. Instead it's this thing you have to go out of your way to see. You wanna just chill and poke fun at stuff on the screen, but you then have to make the decision if waiting out in the cold for the shuttle is worth it.
As well as competition for us hosting 18+ panels. That type of audience is already spread thin as it is.
The night market was very underwhelming. You can kind of already find that content at the main artist alley. I was expecting bondage gear and sex toys. AnimeDepot's booth at the dealer's hall actually had more hentai content than night market( and that includes the toys).
My guess is that the Doubletree is pressuring the con to use the meeting rooms, since they can't really just offer those big rooms to another event without offering hotel rooms to go with it.
Either way, this doesn't really work. When I went over fort the hentai amv contest, it felt like I was going from a big con to a very small one.
I was a bit underwhelmed. Larger capacity shuttles were used, but it was still quite a log jam trying to get there. It wasn't bad, but I was hoping for a bit more out of the Night Market. Like everyone has said, it seemed like an adult artist ally, and I was expecting more like an adult dealer's hall experience. The film rooms are the film rooms, I was over watching hentai in a group 10 years ago lol. The casino was a great idea. The bingo number caller went way to fast. The food truck was decent but ridiculously expensive. Spent 2 hours there then headed back over to the main con. I'm hoping some of this gets ironed out for next year if they want to continue doing it.
The three big things that were issues with this was-
1)The Distance-I've been to the DoubleTree so many times I can do it in my sleep...but, there were issues, not the least of which is parking.
2)The Dealer's Room-Almost exclusively yaoi fan art and materials. Would it be too much to ask to have Fakku's table here, if you don't want it in the main dealer's room?
3)The Yaoi Emphasis-You know what, fair enough, but I really would have liked a yuri and heterosexual track? Maybe four tracks of programming?
Solutions? It might be too late to make any real changes, but...
1)Stick it at the Hyatt or the Fairmont. It's closer and easier to get to, which deals with the whole shuttle-bus problem.
2)Start the Silver Island Dealer's Room earlier, perhaps at 5-6pm.
3)Four programming tracks-two yaoi, one yuri, one everything else. "X"-rated material after 8 pm, unrated/NC-17 after 10 pm.
4)Put the Fakku table here and try to have more non-yaoi vendors in the Dealer's Room.
5)Do some adult panels, like "how rope bondage really works," "how to be adult without being creepy in your stories," "how male and female sexuality and sex really works," or "where is the line in story writing between 'negotiated consent' and 'forced consent' and 'rape'"?