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This would benefit both the con-goers and Fanime itself as if you want the attendees to stay at the convention longer, instead of going for outside foods.

More food places for the food court, like last years snack joint that opened for 24hrs which served ramen, snacks and drinks,  was awesome!!!

Anime_Files

I agree that having Asian Food Grocer return as a 24 hour food court vendor would be an excellent idea.  It was really nice being able to pick up a snack there during the post-midnight hours without having to walk over to McDonald's.  I would also like to see sushi there again, and if possible, maybe a takoyaki/taiyaki stand.  (Or maybe this was somewhere else and I simply didn't notice it.)  Really, I enjoyed having the food court last year, and am hoping that this year it returns, and is larger since it seemed there could have been at least 3 more vendors in the hall.

[(seriously, we had to complain on the forums for even a tiny bit of information??)]

At least Dealer's are content with their communication....now it's just the attendee's who are suffering. We're a week away from the two-month mark for Fanime, and still nothing except a possibly empty promise of "soon." I know web design is a pain, I know it's tedious, and stuff happens. The head of the web team said that the website, when it is launched, will have a "ton" of information. Still, I don't see how they couldn't just launch the base of the site first, and add information as it becomes available, instead of doing everything all at once and having something like this happen.

I'm so frustrated with Fanime this year, and their absolute lack of professionalism, that it's seriously effecting my plans for next year. AX has their stuff together, I'm ditching Fanime for them next year if this fiasco continues any longer. Not only is Fanime not communicating a thing (seriously, we had to complain on the forums for even a tiny bit of information??), but they obviously don't even care. No courtesy messages on fb such as, "We are sorry for the delay, we're working our hardest to get the site/information up as soon as possible, thank you for your patience," or anything related at all. People making fb comments asking for information as well aren't even being responded to. AA people especially are anxious about whether or not they should start working on product, because they don't know if they'll have a table!



People are literally begging for any little bit of information. But they'll just have to remain anxious and worried because of Fanime's refusal to communicate. (FYI Fanime, as someone who works in communication, responding to people's worries doesn't mean you have to have the information they're looking for. If the information isn't ready yet, you at least respond to them, let them know as much, and attempt to put them at ease. You do not straight up ignore them).

Agreed here.  It's good that at least one party is getting some information, but that still leaves everyone else hanging.  The last we got from the twitter feed was a message on Sunday March 9th saying the full website launch was "really soon".  Since then, we have gotten a few more links on the placeholder site, but nothing else.  There is no information concerning events for new attendees, nothing about AA, etc.  This is getting pretty ridiculous.  The convention is right around the corner, and yet almost nothing has been put forth, either information or general statement-wise.  I've said this before - I know Fanime tends to do things at kind of the last minute, but when you have an event that brings in about 20,000 people, a lack of communication and information this large really isn't good.  I love Fanime and want to see it continue, but I'm really not impressed with how things have gone so far for this year's con.  I'm trying to keep optimistic that we'll see a turnaround, but that's becoming harder to do.

I second the notion for Boba tea... that'd be awesome...

And I third that idea!  The tea vendor last year was awesome, and I would love to see them (or an equally as good vendor) come this year.

Day zero last year:    get at the convention center/fairmont hotel at 9am. Wait in line until 11pm. Yes 11 fkn pm. TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT. Get you badge EARLY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

...did I really just read that?  It look 14 hours to get your badges at the Fairmont last year on Day 0?  I find that a bit hard to believe =/.

Well, at least they finally got panel applications up......

However I would like a full-fledged site. Is it so much to ask? And possibly maybe a guest announcement or two in the next couple weeks.......? Then again it probably is a lot to ask by now.......

Can't help but agree here.  While the extra buttons on the site are a step in the right direction, can we expect to see the full thing by the end of the week?  If not, then when?  The answer of "very soon" works when you've been on top of things, but so far communication has been almost nonexistent, and the final product is chronically late.  Now even MPLe commented in another thread that it has taken ridiculously long with the site, so my question is, why is it taking so long this year?

There has been almost no information from Fanime anywhere! I had to use google to find this forum! Ive been looking at that placeholder website for way too long now!

I was hoping Fanime would get their act together from the horror of 2013, but based on how little seems to be done, I think 2014 may be worse. Theoretically things may be happening behind the scenes, but the late AA applications, panel submissions, etc. tells me maybe not.

Can't help but agree here.  Fact is we're only 2 months and 3 weeks out from the con.  That the forums haven't even been linked to the site is a bad move, but the placeholder site still being there is really concerning.  I know that Fanime tends to do stuff at the last minute, but with everything that goes into the con, this is really starting to push it.  I'm really hoping we get to see a full-fledged site here within the next week or two, along with opportunities for people to sign up for AA, events, panels, etc.  Otherwise, given the con's size, I'm not sure how they're going to pull everything off...

Yes Clockwork Alchemy is taking money from Fanime, if they tell you otherwise they just don't want to admit it or they are telling a boldface lie. You see they take some of the money from Fanime to use for whatever they need it for. As for what specifically I didn't ask in detail. How much money? They didn't say I didn't press the issue.

So no specifics or even a ball park number?  That's convenient...  So we still know next to nothing as far as that's concerned.

As for the registration cluster F*** last year the staff and people in charge know about it. This person told me this year they plan to hire professionals to do the registration, which I hope they follow through because waiting another 3 1/2 to 4 hours again to get my badge is BS. The time I wasted I could have worked more hours which I don't need to but could have been more comfortable at work then stuck in a never ending line to no where, to pay for a mailed badge or some more staff/better equipment. You think after doing the Con for so many years they would have it down and not screw things up, and know what works and doesn't works. All I know is that everyone I know and talked to said that if the lines continue to be just as bad this year and onward then we will just stop going to Fanime all together. And I think people flying in or who travel long distances will do the same. They better do something before they start to loose attendees. I know Japan Expo at least got the registration and line issues squared away their first year, as for the events, location, and things to see/do their is need for much improvement.

I really hope they actually do this.  Though registration is back at the CC and things should be better, manpower is definitely needed as well.  If they are serious about improving the registration lines (like they keep claiming while being very tight-lipped about any actual solutions), then hopefully we'll see that with bringing these people on board.  It would help ease the congestion, and help to ensure people don't get grumpy before things even start.

The final thing which confirmed my suspicions about why the Steam Punk Con? As a person who pays for a Anime Con I want to attend a Anime Con. Not this or that whatever scene/theme, or whatever else they try to force in to get people through the door. So why the change and addition of Clockwork Alchemy a Steam Punk Con?

I'll tell you some of the people involved where also upset but couldn't do anything about it. You see who ever is the big shot in charge at the very top for Fanime wanted to put on his resume that he ran 2 cons at the same time. And to hell if put a strain on the Con that has being going on for more than a decade and is the primary bread winner that attracts all the attendees. So nothing more than the sole benefit for one individual vs the attendees in general.

It was hilarious that they had a off site registration for the Clockwork Alchemy which was also valid for Fanime, where the line was 15-20 minutes but at the Fairmont it was a average of 3-6 stinking hours. Oh it was a short line offsite by the airport because almost no one knew about it, so some got lucky while the majority of people where screwed.

If that's true about the main organizer simply wanting two cons on his resume, that's a bit dumb.  While I can understand wanting more on there, doesn't running one con well for decades look a lot better than trying to run two, and both stumbling in the process?  I'm a bit skeptical about if this is true, but if it is, it just seems like a bad reason to bring another con into the mix.

And yeah, I heard about the speediness of the Clockwork line during the weekend.  It really irritated me to say the least, especially after enduring the Fanime line for hours.  I guess if you were going to Clockwork or thought outside the box you were fortunate enough to get your registration early, but otherwise you were SOL.

[Q: I can't make it to the hours of Registration- can I have a friend pick up my badge for me? A: We do not allow other people to pick up other people's badges unless it is group registration and the leader picks up the badges.]

Hate to tell you this, but the badges aren't refundable.  It's in the FAQs for buying badges, the terms and conditions part of the registration page, and it was also in the fine print when you purchased them.

Yes but what wasn't in the T&C is that you need to be there in person to pick up the badge.  This exact situation has occurred to my friend who was getting a badge for me, which I can not pick up.  This person and I are planning on speaking to a lawyer regarding this, as we do not believe this is legal.  On top of that the staff has been rather rude in dealing with us, which has made it into somewhat a personal matter.  Neither of us have any further intention of attending Fanime due to the rude treatment by the staff and the way they have been handling customer service.  The whole convention should probably be renamed to Scamime, because that's what this feels like.  Seeing that this has also happened to others is somewhat encouraging, because if we're right about this being illegal, this may turn into a class action lawsuit. 

That particular part about pick up might not have been in the T&C, but it was on the FAQ page.  There is a link to it right next to the T&C on the registration page and is also here http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18937.0.html.  I copied this directly from that page:

Pick-Up for Paid Online Registration Badges
Q: I can't make it to the hours of Registration- can I have a friend pick up my badge for me?

A: We do not allow other people to pick up other people's badges unless it is group registration and the leader picks up the badges.

I'm sorry you haven't had a good experience talking to the staff, however this information has been available since registration opened.

It always bothers me when I see these topics and no one from Fanime staff addresses it with a valid response.  I grow weary of the "It's proprietary/confidential" responses I see on these topics, if there is one at all.  I could understand if we were asking about staffing at a particular area at a particular time of day, but things like "How will you rectify the 6 hour registration line?" are valid concerns that should be properly addressed. 

While the answers about the registration lines have been vague and dodgey at best, I do think that things will be better this year for one reason - registration won't be at the Fairmont.  I don't know how long you have been going to Fanime, but for the last 3 years whenever a major event has been held at that hotel, it doesn't go well.  In 2013 it was registration; 2012 it was the swap meet where you had to wait for 45 minutes to snake through 2 rooms, and if you wanted to buy something in room 1 while in room 2, you had to go back in line all over again; in 2011 it was the B&W Ball where you had to wait for an hour to enter a cramped room without bathrooms, and if you had to go, you had to leave the room and wait in line all over again.  After moving these events to places that are not the Fairmont (back to the CC for the swap meet and the Parkside Hall for the ball), things have run MUCH smoother.  Since registration is back at the CC this year and the only issue that location has faced is the Day 0 power outage of 2012, I think things might just be alright.  (Could also just be wishful thinking on my part, but judging from previous years it makes sense with how things have gone.)

Depending on the problem, throwing more money at the problem would help.  You could hire full time staff.  Or you could hop on board the 21st century train and buy scanners so that all attendees need to do is show a barcode and their registration data would pop up. You know, things that every other large convention is already doing.  I don't know about everyone else, but I would gladly pay an additional $10 to aide in purchasing the technology and equipment needed to prevent me from spending another 6 hours of my life in line.

I think many others would gladly pay a few dollars more for assurance that the line would move faster.  However, suggestions like this have been made for years, and so far nothing has been done.  I think the idea to charge $10 more for mailed badges has been suggested since around 2009-2010, but Fanime hasn't done it for "security reasons".  It's definitely a nice thought that they would implement stuff like this in the near future, but it probably won't happen.

In regards to #5 from the earlier discussion: I have checked with a few other sources and well, if you pick up your badge at CA, then you will get the CA artwork on your badge. If you pick up your badge at Fanime, then you will get Fanime artwork on your badge. If CA runs out of CA badge stock, then they will begin to use Fanime badge stock. So please disregard what I had said before. However, it does run true that if you come on Monday morning and it is not busy, you have a CA badge and we have enough to trade your CA badge to the FC badge, then we will change it for you, but of course that is an IF.

Why do they even bother distinguishing which con you're registering for on the website?

I'm fairly certain that's so they know where to leave your badge ready for pick up.  Clockwork people get theirs at the Doubletree, while Fanime attendees get theirs at the CC.  At least that's my guess since that's how they did it last year.

Hate to tell you this, but the badges aren't refundable.  It's in the FAQs for buying badges, the terms and conditions part of the registration page, and it was also in the fine print when you purchased them.

After doing a Google search of hotels on first street, I gotta ask: is anyone getting so desperate for a (guaranteed) room that they'd be willing to go to a place like Motel 6 or E-Z 8 or Hotel Elan? >_>

I had to ask...

I'm pretty sure that people do. I've made the trip down that way to Target quite a few times for supply runs and I constantly see people in cosplay walking the street. I dunno if they're hoofing it to Denny's or what, but I'm sure those hotels/motels get booked too.

I'm not sure how many people do, but it does happen.  I've known people who have booked at the America's Best Value Inn a mile away from the center.  The room was cheap, but parking at the CC could get really difficult if they didn't get there early enough, and it wasn't exactly the safest-feeling part of town.  But with how little they were there, it didn't pose a huge problem.  So there are people who will book outside of housing, either because they couldn't get anything there, or because they don't mind being a little further away if it means a cheaper room.

Makes you wonder if this is Fanime's way of saying "Beach balls are a great way to keep yourself entertained while waiting in another 6 hour registration line."  ;)

LOL! This is probably true.   ;D

Oh god, don't even joke around about that.  That line last year was absolutely horrid, and I'm really hoping they get it fixed up this time.

I still think 5 is doable, and would hopefully encourage more people to group in larger sets to help relieve a tiny bit of congestion. (Or have a separate pick up area for group registration to help really encourage people to group reg! XD)

This is such a good idea. I cannot express how much of a good idea this is.

Can someone please make this a thing?!?

Well ewu did mention on the first page of this thread that the minimum group size will likely be 4 or 5, so looks like it is being made a thing, provided the admins didn't change their mind.  It's a little unfortunate for those of us who have smaller groups, but if it helps line congestion then I'm not going to argue.

There have been a number of iterations of group registration. In the most recent, we have allowed groups of 2, however, that may change this year as we are revamping the system. It's likely that we will require a larger number of people for it to constitute a group.

Well that's a shame if it does change.  The last few years my roommate has booked the room while I bought our passes under group registration.  It was really convenient for them to check in and get our stuff to the room while I got our badges.  I guess I could do single registrations for both of us, but it wouldn't be as easy.

Yes it is possible.  I know because I've done it before a few years ago.  What you need to do is use his card when you go to book the room online.  Then, about a week out from the con when the hotels get the room info from Fanime Housing, call the hotel, and let them know how you are paying.  Your dad will need to fax them over a form with his card information so that they have it on hand when you go to check in, and he doesn't have to physically be there.  Then when you do check in, they will have the payment method on record, and all you will need to do is show them is your ID.  And no, he doesn't need to be there when you check out.  But do note one thing - when paying by debit, when you go to check in, they will charge the card for not only your full stay, but will also take a security deposit equal to one night plus tax.  Long as you don't mess up the room though, the deposit will be refunded after the con when the charge is finalized.

My roommate and I generally hit up Hoagie Steak Out for most of our meals, with a couple trips to La Victoria's thrown in the mix.  Both are only a couple blocks away, and you get a great meal for less than $10.  Heh we don't tend to drive out to meals since he doesn't like giving up his parking space unless it's absolutely necessary.

However, have to say I did enjoy the addition of the food court this year, even though there wasn't much available.  Asian Food Grocer was always good for a quick snack or Ramune, and the milk tea vendor's drinks were delicious and hydrating =).  (I tend to get dehydrated easily, and very few things besides water really do the trick.)

Huh, that seems a bit high.  From what I've heard previous years, if you register on the last day of the con, the price is usually around $30.  Either Fanime is really jacking up the price for 2014, I've been severely misinformed about Monday registration prices from previous years, or they simply decided to not give those registering early a discount and when registration goes live online it will still cost $50.

The Monday price has not been $30 for many many many years, probably before 2006. It has been either a $5 increase or no increase each year. It's usually either a $5 discount or no discount on the pre-reg opening price.

So obviously the people I heard $30 from were severely misinformed.  When they told me that it seemed way too good to be true.  In that case, hopefully when registration goes up online it will stay at $50, though I know that won't be decided on until later on this year.

I already bought my 2014 badge* for $50. So it should be at least that much, if not more.

Hope that helps.

As for why the price is "high," I dunno.

(*= I pre-regged on day 4 of this year)

Huh, that seems a bit high.  From what I've heard previous years, if you register on the last day of the con, the price is usually around $30.  Either Fanime is really jacking up the price for 2014, I've been severely misinformed about Monday registration prices from previous years, or they simply decided to not give those registering early a discount and when registration goes live online it will still cost $50.

I for one do support Fanime in there choice not to mail out badges. For one, I don't trust people in the bay area, I'm 90% sure they would try and make counterfeits or get another free by saying they lost the first one. Anyone who knows about professional printing knows just how cheap the material is. So no on the mail thing.

This argument doesn't really hold weight considering how many people trade badges and sneak into things anyway.

Besides, with the amount of people who would be willing to pay up to 1/3rd more of the cost of the badges to simply have it mailed to them and not have to pick it up would more than likely negate however many people decided to counterfeit or claim duplicates.

I have to agree that the whole counterfeiting argument doesn't hold much weight at all.  With how the badge checkers verify your membership by simply glancing to make sure you have a pass for the current year on, it is very easy to give your badge to a friend so they can get in for a few hours.  I know several people who have loaned their badges to others for a few hours, and it worked flawlessly.  All they had to do was go somewhere out of sight of staff and rovers to make the exchange, which wasn't difficult.

Also, you can't get replacements for free, so that whole argument is invalid.  Even if you DO lose it, you have to pay half of what you originally did for the first replacement, and then full price for additional ones.

To me, if Fanime still doesn't allow the mailing option for 2014, they would be doing themselves a disservice.  Given how many people are willing to pay $10-15 extra for that convenience, it would more than make up for their end of the costs, and again, that whole counterfeiting argument doesn't really work.