Messages

Not sure if you all know, but 2014 will be Fanime's 20th anniversary. We are working on something special, so we will announce when all details are finalized. Thanks!

So... the Powers That Be are aware that 2014 will actually be the 21st Fanime, right?  20 years since the first Fanime in 1994, yes, but technically the 21st Fanime to be held.    Just want to make sure so that no one puts in writing that it's the 20th Fanime (which was this year) when it's just the 20th year anniversary :B

I know, probably obvious.  But still a curiosity I have that's nibbling at my mind.

Yes, we are aware of this. You can say the same thing about any anniversary, ex your first wedding anniversary is the 2nd time that date has come around that you were married.

Just checking :).  I'm used to cons going by number, not year when talking about milestones such as this.  And especially since we do our staff year pins by number of Fanime events worked at and not year since beginning to work I just wanted to be sure as going by years since beginning rather than events occurred varies from that precedent.  I actually did have to explain to someone how it was my 10th year despite it being 2013 and my first year being 2004 so I could get my 10-year pin, though.

Although not to play devil's advocate, but the example given doesn't quite correlate.  Events are more likely to go by number of times it has come to pass (example: 1st annual, 2nd annual, 3rd annual, etc) where as things such as weddings, dating, etc are marked by how much time has passed since the first one (1 month anniversary, 1st year anniversary, 30th anniversary, etc).  Never seen anyone refer to those examples in terms of how many times a date has come to pass (counting the original date).  Now, granted, can get into "1st date, 2nd date, etc".  But I think I'm just opening a huge can of off-topic semantic worms if I keep going, haha!

Anywho, like I said: just wanted to be sure.  Not arguing against the use of it, just that I expect to not see anything saying it's the 20th Fanime and only things that say it's the 20th anniversary since it began in 1994 ;)

Not sure if you all know, but 2014 will be Fanime's 20th anniversary. We are working on something special, so we will announce when all details are finalized. Thanks!

So... the Powers That Be are aware that 2014 will actually be the 21st Fanime, right?  20 years since the first Fanime in 1994, yes, but technically the 21st Fanime to be held.    Just want to make sure so that no one puts in writing that it's the 20th Fanime (which was this year) when it's just the 20th year anniversary :B

I know, probably obvious.  But still a curiosity I have that's nibbling at my mind.

Sadly not all hotel workers are in the know about such things.  It would have shown up properly on your bill statement.  Heck, I dealt with a moron at Hilton who wasted my time asking three times if I needed keys (this was hours after I checked in) when I was just trying to get a friend's parking dealt with.  And I do mean wasted as I found out at check out that although he took down all the payment information that he still charged all parking to my card.  I knew I should be worried when he tried to switch the hotel bill and incidentals to my friend's card and could not seem to grasp the phrase "I checked in already" =/.

But yeah, you're going to find many hotel workers do not know about specially negotiated rates.  It will show up properly on your bill, however, and if it doesn't, then it's something you take up with housing to have fixed.  I'm sorry you ran into some of those individuals who gave you false information.

You didn't use Sainte Claire's valet parking?  I'm guessing you merely saw what it could be, yes?  If so, then it's not a fair thing to complain about since the price you saw is not what attendees actually paid.

Sucks you didn't have a minifridge :(.  Those are very useful.  It's one of the things I enjoy about Hilton is that all rooms have one without having to request it or get lucky.

You were ripped off if you were charged $29.  Con rate parking was $18 for the Sainte Claire.

https://www.cmrhousing.com/FANI_5A/Amenities.aspx

This won't help you this year but for future reference, you can request a microwave at the Hilton for about $25. They go fast though so if you don't nab one the first night you won't get one. I can't imagine they'd have trouble with you bringing items like that.

Woah, wait, they're charging for them now?  They must have just recently implemented this since it's always been free since I first started staying at the Hilton in 2004 and was still free last year.  The only catch was that they were incredibly limited.  I'm really disappointed if they're charging now.

I do agree with you how we shouldn't yell at others to not get on the elevator, it does go both ways however. People wanting to get on an elevator should be courteous and should not get on when the elevator is already crowded, or at least ask if it's possible to fit one more. Sadly, this rarely happened.

Oh I perfectly agree.  I unfortunately witnessed this happening as well and was appalled by it.  I noticed these people were also the ones who seemed to also have no issue cutting in front of others who had been waiting long before they had.

All of these are little minor annoyances compared to the bigger issue: people just plain being inconsiderate of others.  I was incredibly disheartened by how I saw people behaving in regards to the elevators and each other.

If you don't need a lower floor for health reasons... please don't take up the room... It is a lot easier for most of you to go up six flights of stairs... I know of three people who attend conventions as staff/industry/guest on a somewhat regular basis whom need a lower floor room because of elevator/stair issues and their physical limitations.... BTW... I really REALLY thought it sucked that NONE of the escalators were working in the con center or the Fairmont when I went to the B & W Ball.

I don't think anyone should judge who should and should not be allowed to have a lower floor, either.  At what point do you say "that's not a valid reason"?  Who's the judge of that?

Not trying to be a brat, but if someone has specific needs--such as needing a lower floor due to medical need--then they should be alerting the hotel before they arrive so that their requests can hopefully be accommodated.  It's the person with the special need's responsibility.

One of these conventions, people will die/get injured/get stuck while jumping in the elevator and then maybe people will learn.

"1) Don't yell at people waiting for the elevator to "take the stairs instead".  Seriously.  Someone did this to us one day at the Marriot (fifth floor), and when I'm standing there with a prop almost as big as I am that'd be a hazard to take down the stairwell, that's just juvenile."

While I didn't see anybody yell, I did hear people mumble about it.  Personally, I don't see the point if someone is fully capable of walking, to wait for an elevator that's just gonna be packed to the point such that you can't even get in, so you have to wait for the next elevator that will just be the same thing, just 'cause you don't wanna walk down a few flights of stairs.  It's your own time that you're wasting.

I heard quite a few people yell this and I told them off (with logic) for it.  One of the times I was in obvious pain and very ill.  Taking the stairs would have completely done me in.  And another time I was in the elevator when people were yelling it at people on the fifth floor.  I got them to look guilty and actually apologize.

If people are willing to wait for the elevator, that's their choice.  The point most people seem to forget, however, is that we all pay for the same right to use the elevator.  I'll gladly take the stairs if someone wants to pay for a chunk of my hotel room bill to make up for the inconvenience of not having the use of the elevator, though ;).  And be willing to carry me up and down them safely if I find myself doubled over in pain again.

People should not be making their own judgments about who can and cannot use the elevator.  It's rude and honestly, it just makes that person look like a complete jerk.

- Parking. Hilton needs more spaces in SJCC or allow guests to park in valet if the lot is full at night. The Hilton used to have special rates for attendees, what happen with that? Also very disappointing that the Marriot had in/out valet for $12.50 compared to $19 a night @ Hilton!

Actually, they do allow this.  Unless they've changed it since I ran into this a couple years ago.  Fanime 2007 there was no parking at all when I came back from dropping a couple friends off at their hotel a couple miles away and when I called to ask what I was supposed to do (as I had already prepaid my parking), the front desk told me to park in valet.  Those spots are wonderfully huge <3

And agreed on the special rate.  Although you got ripped off by a $1, was only supposed to be $18 a night for Fanime guests.  I was told the rate had gone up when I checked in on Thursday, but Fanime had negotiated the "special rate."  Which really, $1 off a night, whoopty doo.  I miss my $10 a night special rate it used to be.

- Drunks wandering in the con at 3am with no badges. Where was staff? o_o

Did you report them?  If you see someone violating the rules, please don't just stand by, watch, and wonder why no one is doing anything about it.  Report them to the nearest Rover.  If you cannot find a Rover, find a staff member and they will find you a Rover.

And sans the drunk part, as long as they were not trying to enter any of the halls or rooms that required badges (ie, gaming room, video rooms, etc), then they technically didn't have to have their badges on.

It was all in jest, Kender. Tho I am not sure what you mean by wearing something inappropriate from holding a sign?

My friend suggested said I should make a sign saying Free Ass Kicking after seeing all those signs. Too bad I didn't do it :P.

You would have been asked to remove it. :P

Not to mention gotten a good long talking to for wearing something inappropriate while being staff if your badge was visible.

Joke or not, had it been done it would have been inappropriate.  As Liquid also noted you'd have been asked to remove it so I'm not the only pointing out if you'd followed through with the joke, there would have been a problem.  Advertising you are giving out "free ass kickings" is highly inappropriate, especially for a staff member.

Not only is the sign making use of a swear word (albeit, one of the more minor ones that could have a different meaning if you're referring to a donkey), but it is offering to give physical harm to those reading it.  Honestly, it's common sense something like that would be seriously not cool to do.

And it's just semantics.  The sign would still be on your person in some form.  And whether you're wearing it on a string around your neck, have it written on a shirt, or are simply holding a sign: it would still not have been appropriate.

Staff gets a lot of flack already, please do not even joke about exacerbating it further =/.

And, to stay on topic, signs like that would certainly only encourage the all mighty rule makers of the con to ban all signs.  I really do not want the humorous ones to be taken away as well.

My friend suggested said I should make a sign saying Free Ass Kicking after seeing all those signs. Too bad I didn't do it :P.

You would have been asked to remove it. :P

Not to mention gotten a good long talking to for wearing something inappropriate while being staff if your badge was visible.

Banning all signs is one route to go, which many conventions have done.  However, it would be nice to find some compromise so that people who want to have fun in that way can still enjoy themselves, without it being an issue to other congoers.  Hence this thread and my appreciation to everyone providing their feedback.

I still see signs that are not soliciting for money and not advertising something inappropriate (such as a "free ass kicking" :P) as being alright and would be very upset if ALL signs were banned.  They can be fun and, at times, are essential parts of costumes.

I was terribly annoyed at Otakon when I was there back in 2005 that signs were banned no matter what they said.  A friend had on a costume that a sign was necessary for her cosplay to make sense, but because it was a sign, she had to ditch it.  Many other cons, as you mentioned, have followed this route.

I would rather see rules put in place to regulate things like signs and the "hug line."  However, the biggest problem I've seen in the years I've gone to cons is many people wait until after a convention to voice their discontent rather than doing so at the convention when something could actually be done about it.

The rules for signs are already fine as they, if I recall correctly, already ban the inappropriate ones.

Rules could be put in place for these "hug lines" to limit where they can be formed, how people are allowed to ask (ie, not block paths of others while asking, no heckling, etc), what clothing is appropriate, how they may hug, and maybe they could even require all of those involved in one to bathe regularly ::coughs:: <3?

There are several other things that could be regulated as well for these, but those are just a few suggestions :).  My only request is PLEASE do not ban ALL signs.  Some of them are quite hilarious of the appropriate ones and I'd be awfully sad to see them go.


Maybe we need to make "If you have a problem, find a Rover!" better advertised XD?  So few people seem to remember that once con hits... Ohohoh!  Like how on the back of Staff badges we have the "when in doubt, call Con Ops!" stickers, how about something similar for attendees telling them to look for a Rover if they have a problem with another attendee(s) ;) <3?

[Question for people staying at the Hilton!]

Question for people staying at the Hilton!
How was the lighting in the room/halls this year after the renovation? Is it brighter at all? (That was one of my biggest reasons for staying Marriott other than it being closer to where I wanted to be most of the time.)

It seemed bright enough in the hallways to me, but I honestly didn't notice a difference between this year and previous years.  I see a little too well in low light so I'm not the best judge, sorry ):

They did have all bright white lightbulbs in the rooms, though, sans the entry way light (I think).  With all of them on it was incredibly bright in the room.  So bright, we actually threw a cover over one of the lamps we left on at night while we slept to dull the light.  The bulbs were so far away from the top of the lamp shades it was awesome to be able to do this.  Gave us enough light to move about in the middle of the night, but wasn't so blinding that we'd want to claw our eyes out if we accidentally woke up facing it.

[Pros:]

Side thought: To those complaining about those staying on the 3rd floor using the elevators (or even those only a few floors above them): Please remember that they paid for the same right as you did to make use of the elevators.  I really think it is very rude to complain about people making use of the elevator no matter what floor they were on.  And is certainly not a reflection of the hotel's service to you.

If it matters to you so much, perhaps request the hotels program the elevators to never stop at any floor between the 2nd and whatever level you judge to be "low enough to take the stairs"?  This is a serious suggestion, not a sarcastic one, if you truly feel people on X floor and lower should not be allowed to use the elevators.  Please also request that the hotels lower the rates for those staying on these floors as well, if you submit your request, to make up for the inconvenience that would be caused by taking away use of the elevator.



Beyond a few bad moments and little things that annoyed me, my stay at the Hilton was very pleasant as usual.  I thankfully missed the 4am "wake up call" as I was off on a "snack-age run" with a friend.  A lot of this is kind of a rehash from my comments/suggestions in the Hilton thread, but:

Pros:

• New beds: They were so comfy.  I never wanted to get up to go to my shifts for the day.
  
• New TVs: FINALLY!  My friends have been holding it over me for years they could hook up their video game systems in the Marriott and now I can too!  Next year I'll actually be smart and remember to bring a DVD player as well as a Wii.  Things were very easy to hook up as well.
  
• Carpet: It looks so much more... classy I guess is the word I'm looking for.  Same deal with the bedspread too.
  
• Self-parking: Nothing new this year, but one of the things that always finalizes my decision to choose the Hilton as it is the only hotel that offers this.  I want access to my car without having to have it driven up to me.
  
• Friendly Night Staff: Seriously, these are the coolest people I have ever run into in the several years I've checked into hotels by myself.  The day staff are nice enough, but the night staff will actually joke around with me.
  
• Fridges: Oh how I love the mini-fridges in every room without having to request one and provide proof of medical need.  Or pay an extra fee to have one as, if I recall correctly, is how it's done at the Fairmont.
  
• Quiet: I actually need noise to sleep, so a noisy area wouldn't bother me, but by quiet I just mean it was nice and... well... empty.  It was nice not to feel trapped trying to get to my room after being stuck in the Marriott for staff duties and the huge crowds that congregate over there.
  

Cons:

• Parking: $18 a night for self-parking is incredibly expensive.  And I was told when I checked in it was a "negotiated rate" as the regular rate had gone up.  Seeing as the regular rate had been $19, I don't think Fanime had to try very hard to get that "special deal" =/.  I wouldn't have been as annoyed if I hadn't seen the gate to the parking garage open during the day every day I was there.  Sure, the booth was manned a couple of times, but for the most part no one was collecting money.  I'm okay with it being open in the middle of the night, but I felt more than a little miffed at the possibility of people getting similar parking privileges as I did (sans the guarantee, of course) without paying anything.
  
• Bathtubs: I liked the new curtain set up, but I really wish the back had been angled, so to speak.  One of those built in back support things.  Would have been nice to be able to have reclined back a little more easily the night I was trying to burn off pain with a hot bath.
  
• Mirrors: There used to be so many more mirrors around Hilton in the rooms and on the floors!  I miss them!  They were good for little touch ups and for seeing how makeup for costumes looked in different light compared to the bathroom lighting.
  
• A/C: It never got below 78F in my room, and averaged around the low 80sF, with the A/C on constantly and cranked down as far as it would go (60F).  It was uncomfortably warm in my room a decent chunk of the time ):  Turning my room into an "icebox" is one of the things I enjoy most about going to a hotel for a weekend.
  
• Glasses: I really wish they would provide more than two in the room when there are four names registered.
  
• Towels: Only three large towels.  For four people.  Three of whom were girls with a lot of hair.  This is not enough towels, Hilton!  XD
  
• No bill on last day: Hilton gave me a paper stating that I would receive my bill for my stay Monday morning around... 6am I believe it was?  I never got it even leaving my room several hours after that to go check out.  I was disappointed I could not do a speed check out because of this (I refuse to check out until I have a print out of my bill so I know exactly what they're charging me for).
  
• Not really a con, but I'm a little concerned a former friend was able to get a note put into my personal reservation to have a connecting room with hers.  I had said it was alright for her to do this, but I am concerned that Hilton did not call to confirm this with me.  When I checked in, it seemed as if I would not have been able to have this altered even if I had wanted to.
  

Overall, even though I have a lot of complaints, I did enjoy my stay and will be happily returning to the Hilton again as I have every year since 2004.  The renovations were a long time coming and I'm glad to see they've finally been implemented, and done so beautifully.

For those that care, my room was a double/double.

I had to pass the line several times and so I saw it as it went from just a couple people to a whole huge crowd of people.

Personally, I wasn't bothered.  Every time I passed, they were all polite and asked if I wanted a hug.  If I was in a hurry I generally declined and the response was always very accepting of my decision.  And when I was in a "omg, get out of my way" hurry, I never even heard them ask because I had the world tuned out and completely ignored their request (not to be rude, of course, I just had my mind else where).

I only experienced a couple people come up and give me hugs that were not initially given permission for and were a little more... enthusiastic (read: I was picked up and spun), but I knew these people from last year and they knew I didn't mind from them (anyone who was around heard them calling me "panda lady").  The other huggers even seemed to grasp this was a special, previously agreed upon permission and no one else attempted to follow their example with me.

Also, none of those who hugged me, even one of the shirtless guys, smelled like "nerd," so to speak.  All I encountered smelled like they showered.

Then again, I may not have had the headset and Rovers tag, but I did have a very visible staff badge hanging from my panda stuffy on my head.  So that might have deterred people.

I do agree they got a little loud towards the end of the weekend as their numbers grew, and it probably was not the best place for them to hang out, but my personal experience and opinion is that I found nothing overtly harmful about them when I passed.  Perhaps, for next year, have them move to a more open hall or be more spread out?


Honestly, if they do bother people I really think complaints should be submitted at con to have things broken up rather than waiting until after con to address issues.  It would be far more effective and would save those who were troubled by the hug line a lot of grief and annoyance hopefully.

The bad:
4 am Fire Drill. Not sure whos fault it was, but after performing in masq the night before and being DEAD tired, waking up at 4 am and go outside was NOT FUN.

My friend and I found out about this a full day after it happened.  At 4am we were driving to Fremont because I knew the Carls Jr. (which at the time I was thinking it'd been a Wendy's) was open 24 hours.  I'm so glad we listened to our cravings now.


I actually agree with a lot that was said already in terms of pro and con this year, but to add to the con:

Parking: I was told at the front desk that the $18 had been a "special rate" negotiated by the con just for Fanime attendees since parking rates had gone up since last year.  Whoopty doo, a whole $1 savings  (regular parking was $19 a night for those who didn't read the Hilton Parking signs).

A/C: To make it anywhere tolerably cool in the room, my roommates and I had to turn it down as low as it would go (60F).  It never got below (roughly) 78F in the room.  And even then it would still be in the low 80sF most of the time.  It blew nice and cold, it just did not cool the whole room down.



And, to be fair, adding to the good:
TV hookups for consoles, etc = WIN.  If I'd been thinking properly, I'd have brought a DVD player with me, but being able to at least hook up a Wii was a fantastic improvement.



My biggest gripe this weekend was with the parking, however.  I'm used to the gate being open in the middle of the night, but I saw it routinely open in the middle of the day for several hours on every day of the convention.  This meant that anyone who didn't prepay their parking (like I and I'm sure many other Hilton guests did) got away with paying far less than they should have compared with others and myself paying $18 times however many nights we stayed.

I was also annoyed Hilton failed to give me my bill under my door the morning I was to check out as promised.  It took more time than I expected just to check out because of this.


Suggestions for next time:
-A real discount on parking for Fanime attendees like we used to have.
-Or, if that is not an option, regulate the parking better so that fewer people get away with not paying.
-Or, even though it is probably not a viable option as I know that parking lot probably makes a lot of money for Hilton, I'd love to see it as "guests only" parking.
-Fix the A/C so it actually cools down the room without having to constantly run it so low.
-Please do not fail to give a bill when promised on a certain day.


Beyond that, I was again quite happy with my stay in the Hilton.  The only other issues I had were not Hilton's fault (such as annoying individuals constantly telling those on the lower floors to take the stairs without regard for medical issues or the fact that those guests paid for the same right to use the elevator as they did).

I will be returning to the Hilton next year for sure :)

Just to reconfirm (as I'll sound totally odd here), but if I booked through fanime housing, I just bring in all the necessary information to the hotel I booked at (though it was through fanime housing)?

Your hotel of choice should have your booking information on hand. All you should need is yourself, ID, and however you plan on paying for your stay. If you're worried about it, you can always give your hotel a call and confirm that everything is in place.

Also, unless they've changed it, you will need the card you used to reserve the room with.  You are not required to pay with this card, however.  I just always put it on the card I intend to pay with, though.  So much easier.

If you're going to buy two days, you might as well buy a weekend pass.  It's cheaper.

Price break down:

• Friday: $30
  
• Saturday: $35
  
• Sunday: $35
  
• Monday: $25
  
• Full Weekend: $60
  

So not only will you save $5 by buying a weekend pass if you're going Friday and Saturday, you'll also save time because as others said: you will have to wait in line for a badge again for a different day.  And even if you're going Sunday (or Saturday) and Monday, it's still the same cost as a Weekend badge.

Just get a weekend pass if you're going more than one day.

Some hotels are very picky about what pizza places deliver so you'll want to check with the hotel directly about that.  I've never been to a hotel yet that didn't allow at least a couple chains to deliver.  Also, as far as I'm aware (in regards to the other reply about the doors locking), I don't remember any of these hotels, or any other hotels I've been to, locking their front doors no matter what time it is.  Particularly since Fanime is one of the few cons that does not shut down at night.  The only doors that would be key access only would be side entrances that, if I recall, are always key access only anyways.  A pizza delivery person is going to use the front door ;)

I only remember that back in 2004, the con center shut down at night for out of the ordinary reasons, but all hotels were still open and video rooms still going.

In any case, you're still limited by delivery times and as those never run terribly late you're probably good XD.  Definitely check with hotel, though, about which ones they allow.

Also, I second Pizza My Heart.  It is very delicious if you've never had it before (think NY style meets California style).  It's right down San Carlos St from the con center (heading towards SJ State).  It takes no time at all to get there.  I'd recommend calling ahead, though, if you're ordering a whole pizza because it is always packed.  Also a good spot to get a slice or two if you don't want to get a whole pizza.

Warning: Their soda machine seems to run out of ice EVERY YEAR T_T

Anywho, speaking of cold drinks, I believe I saw a fridge in the room I visited.  But I can't answer an affirmative they're in every room.  I do remember the friends staying in the room complaining it had stuff in it, though.  I'd call ahead to ask or, if you have the room, go ahead and bring an ice chest to con to keep things cold in.  And same for hooking up games to the TV, call and ask.  I know the Marriott does (or did in the room I visited) and supposedly this was an included update in the renovations Hilton just did to their room.

And yes, it's a very short walk.  Although timing depends on crowds, your walking speed, and crosswalk lights.

Well, I don't have finals that week, but my school is intense.  They absolutely refuse to let people miss school.  Some peoples' schools are different.  Would I like to miss school?  Yes.  But my school would just kill me.  Early college schools... they're too uptight :/.

I mean I never got excused absences in two of my classes when I was hit by a car -___-.

I'm pretty sure if you'd fought it that your school would have gotten in a lot of trouble for that.  Particularly if you had confirmation from a doctor =/  That's absolutely ridiculous they did that.



Thankfully I only have classes on T/Th, but I, like another person, have work on Friday ):  I'm actually skipping out on class (and work too, hopefully) on Thursday afternoon so I can get up to East Bay to pick up two of my roomies (yay 140 miles round trip...) and then going into work on Friday for a few hours just to get the agenda out for the next week's DASB Senate meeting and meet my minimum two hour requirement for being able to claim my hours (gotta love student employee rules).

I'm not in the middle of finals, just midterms during Fanime ;)  Yay, quarter system.