Messages

We must of been in a bubble or something for the whole con(s).  We had a blast at both cons attending panels and what not. No complaints here (well, maybe 1). We definitely plan on returning in 2014.  :)  And I hope Fanime is able to work out some their growing pains by 2014.  Like having  water or drinks, food and/or entertainment available to all that are waiting in the varies long lines.

I must admit, I had zero complaints about picking up our badges. First, I learned awhile back that assigning a group leader is the way to go for badge pick ups.  And since I was the group leader, I opted to pick up the badges for my group at the Doubltree on Thursday evening (I didn't want a repeat of last year :P).  Sure our badges said Clockwork Alchemy on it and not Fanime but hey, that didn't bother us. 

The only complaint we have is with the shuttle company Fanime hired. :-[  It seemed like the drivers didn't bother to learn the route(s) ahead of time.  To me that is not a very competent company.  The company should of required their drivers to learn the route(s) ahead of time.  One driver arrived at the Doubletree, let folks on the shuttle then called in for directions to the convention center. WTH! All the way to the convention center she seemed lost even with her GPS on. My friends that are bus drivers (most works for a school district & the one is a driver for Gray Line Tours in SF) all say they are required to map out and learn turn by turn each routine they are assigned to for the day, weekend or week. Using a GPS is not an option. Oh... and there was no rovers monitoring >:( the line at the Hilton. 

[Pros]

Pros
~ Pocket Guide!!!!!!
~ Artist Alley rocked this year!
~ Shuttles!!!  The drivers were all very friendly.  Only went to the Doubletree  – no problems.
~ Keeping Thursday Swap Meet open till 1:00a. Since I was group leader, I stayed in line while my boyfriend checked it out and pick up some things for the both of us.
~ Marathon, Nostalgia and Asian Film Room
~ Stage Zero
~ Hiroyuki Yamaga
~ Cosplay Gatherings
~ Clockwork Alchemy – loved it. When I wanted to get away from lines and chaos, we would head over to CA. Artist Bazaar had a nice mix of vendors. Love that one of my favorite vendor from Dickens Fair was there.

In spite of the problems with registration this year, I'm looking forward to next year. Looking into buying a small folding stool to make the wait in all the lines next year a little less painful for my feet & knees. :)

Suggestion
For Clockwork Alchemy, please place a map of the schematic of where things are located and the hours of the Artist Bazaar in the pocket guide.

In front of the convention center, it would be nice if the shuttle stop and line were clearly marked - hopefully this will cut down on mob rule mentality. Also, the front of the center was constantly clogged with waiting vehicles and often times caused a HUGE problems for the shuttles. Sometimes the shuttle was forced to dropping off and picking up people at the bus stop. Maybe the shuttle stop should move to a different location, like maybe to the Hilton side of the convention center.

Not fond of the idea of having the badges mailed out. So many things can and will go wrong. I've attended several cons where this idea was a MAJOR FAIL, even when badges were mailed (according to postmark) out 2-3 weeks prior to con time. Here a few problems my friends and I have ran into:
- badges that did not arrive before people had to fly out or their badge arrive just as they were about to head to the airport
- several times badges were mailed out to the wrong people
- and the worst was when several thousand never received their badges
HUGE fiasco!  Luckily each time we all had our receipts/printout to show proof we paid. 

Do like the idea of dividing up the Pre-reg/Early reg/At-Con/Groups lines.

Cons
People cutting in line. Don't mind those that are group leader and their friends are checking on them (bringing drinks &/or food) but on Thursday I witnessed several people letting their friends cut into line causing the line to grow. At one point, some young girls cut into the line ahead of a young girl and her father who were just behind us. Later this same girls let in several of their friends. One of the guys tried to push me out of line. He backed off when I refused to move or to make way for him. Very rude and inconsiderate.

Day Zero Registration Line, didn't care for the rover/staff/volunteer that made announcements like we were all at an Occupy Protest. I guess because I didn't play along (shout back what he said), he came up to me and tersely asked if I have my printout & ID out and ready to show. I pulled my printout & ID out of my pocket and showed them to him. He then said something to the fact, "Okay. Good." and walked away. After that, I figured things were not off to a good start and it would wise to just avoid rovers/staff/volunteers as much as possible.

It was hard to found the varies Cosplay gatherings. What was up with the cryptic secret coding for the varies locations.

Also re: badges/registration, what's the merit of having personalized badges?
When I went to WonderCon in 2011, the process was very streamlined since the only distinction was by badge type and there wasn't any actual registration - I'm wondering if that'd be beneficial for Fanime.

I totally agree with this suggestion - having just a plain badge (no 'personal' or 'fan' name or even badge #) would reduce the long lines, the constant problem of losing someone's badge, or having to print out and bring the verification letter/post card - You could still have a nice design and the date/year on the badge, but it would still be a generic style for a 3-day pass  or a 1-day pass.

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WonderCon (ComicCon) does require pre-reg to have a print-out and depending on when you arrive, the lines can be quite long. Plus unlike Fanime, WonderCon (ComicCon) does not allow a group leader to pick up badges for others.   <== Looking at an old email, they did let me be group leader for others.

Definitely getting a hotel room for Thursday through Monday. Making the 2.5 hour trek home on Bart & VTA each night was exhausting.

04087. Yay, waited till almost the last minute for pre-reg. :( Lack the funds to get one earlier.

I envy you! I won't be there until the morning!

Me, too!  :wink: