Anthrocon - Tips for a first timer? by SenGrisane < Journal

AlexxJacob

11 years, 6 months ago

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Oh! I hope things work out for you and you end up going. I'm suppose to be going myself for the first time (though that goal is drifting away slowly lol).

Where are you coming from?

My tips for you is this: Plan your finances ahead(it's going to run you quite a bit especially if this is your first time, you're gonna want some stuffs!). Book the hotel ahead (check the commonly used hotels on the AC website.) The run out quite fast so scan the forums for AC or the FA groups to see if anyone's looking for roommates (It will help with the cost since from what i see a room is like 200.00 a night not including tax. And lastly, register before the prices go up in end of October or November (i can't remember which one that it is)

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ AlexxJacob

Ah. so registration is already open? Good to know.

I come from Austria. And I plan on going to Hawaii afterwards. ^^

AlexxJacob

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

Sorry for the late response. Yes it's currently open and they ahve the cheaper prices. http://www.anthrocon.org/registration and very nice trip planned for yourself. I can't offer much more adivce as I'm from Canada and i figured out trip details from here to there hee hee *Hugs* hopefully this helped a bit.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ AlexxJacob

Thank you :3

Makogrey

11 years, 6 months ago

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The Westin is right beside the con. as that where a lot of the suites stay. The suites get priority on the elevator. Pre registering early also good as it's cheaper

Zarphus

11 years, 6 months ago

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Edited 11 years, 6 months ago by Owner

@ Makogrey

Since he used the wrong word, i should clarify. you do not get priority by paying for a suite at the hotel. *fursuiters* get priority on the elevator. that's suits. not suites. a very big difference in this scenerio.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Makogrey

Ok. Thanks.

Tycloud

11 years, 6 months ago

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I would love to go next year. It sounds like fun!

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Tycloud

I hope so too.

soggymaster

11 years, 6 months ago

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General convention tips.

1.  Wear comfortable clothing, especially if you're going to fursuit.
This includes well-fitting socks in good shape and comfortable shoes.  The odds of you walking for extended periods of time on a concrete floor is quite high.  Concrete is a very unforgiving floor material and will wear out your weight bearing structure.
2.  Go into the convention as light as possible.
Take exactly what you're going to need into the convention and nothing else.  If you plan on purchasing or otherwise acquiring stuff, take a backpack.  Keep as much stuff out of your hands for as long as possible.
If you have a DSLR or other camera with interchangeable lenses, take two at most.
If you're taking an electronic gadget, take a compact wall charger and cord.  Avoid bringing a laptop into the convention if at all possible.
3.  Be prepared for tyranny at the airport.  Avoid flying if you can.
4.  To reduce costs, look into sharing a room, preferably one which features a refrigerator of some description.  You'll save a ton on food even if you have to buy things like bread and lunch meat at a convenience store.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ soggymaster

1.) I am used to walking. I am not from America ;P
2.) I always carry a backpack wherever I go. And I have a tablet and a small camera at most.
3.) I have to cross half the globe. I think flying is the only way to go.
4.) Money is not much of an issue. I will try to roomie though cause its fun :3

Faren

11 years, 6 months ago

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Edited 11 years, 6 months ago by Owner

1. Yes, don't forget which street your hotel is on.
2. Do get a room as soon as possible, or you wont get one.
3. Have plenty of money to spend, (there are nearby ATMs though).
4. Plan your event with friends, but leave lee way to change that schedule on a moment by moment basis.
5. The drivers in Pittsburgh are, in my opinion, homicidal. So follow the traffic laws and be prepared to dodge, lol.
6. Try the local cuisine. They have some yummy restaurants.
7. Bring protection of the sexual kind. :3
8. The city is scary after dark, even if everything is visible.
9. You should arrange transport before flying in, taxis are expensive. The airport has buses.

10. And have fun~! Shame I'm not going this year.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Faren

1.) Okay? Why would I forget that?
2.) I will try to register soon then.
3.) I have money. It will be my first big vacation since a long time. I want to go to Hawaii afterwards to relax ^^
4.) I don't have any friends there (unless you count online aquaintences I may meet there)
5.) I won't drive.
6.) After my last visit to America I doubt that, but I will try.
7.) Yes. I bought XXL condoms for my big wiener XD
8.) Hm? Does the con close so early that I would be on the street in the night?
9.) I wanted to book everything in advance. So hotels and stuff is independend from the con itself? I do not book the hotel with the registration?
10.) That is the plan.

lucashoal

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

On the topic of 8, bigger urban cities in America are viewed fearfully, especially by suburb dwellers. However, I actually lived in Pittsburgh proper for 3 years, right across the river *from* the major downtown center. It's not really scary or dangerous. Just don't go down alleys and try not to look like a tourist.

Also, again, downtown/urban areas tend to close down most things around 8-10 pm since not many people actually live in the city, at least in the US. There will be places open later, some even 24 hours. But be aware that not everything will be open. The majority of major con functions stop by midnight, or 2 am for dances. Something along those lines.

9 - yes. Hotel room is a separate expense from con reg. You can register for the convention now. And AC will be opening the room booking in February. They can only 'block' so many rooms at the special convention rate, which is about 2/3 of the regular price for the Westin (I can't say for the other hotels.) Hopefully that makes sense. http://www.anthrocon.org/hotel there's more details there.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

In Austria almost everything closes in the evening. Something being open 24h is a very rare exception :D

Ah it says reservations not to be made before February 2013 ^^
I am not too late then XD

Makogrey

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

5. I followed the traffic laws at AC that just passed. This was after the fursuit parade and I didn't eat anything since 6 am and it was around 3. I was still in fursuit and the traffic light said I could walk. I started walking across the street and god hit by a car. Boy was I pissed off by this. I flipped him off in fursuit and tapped his car a few times with the wooden sword I carry around with me. I use as a walking stick mostly.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Makogrey

I didn't know US has so many recless drivers.. I was told they stick rather firmly to the rules.

Faren

11 years, 6 months ago

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Edited 11 years, 6 months ago by Owner

@ SenGrisane

1. er you'ld be surprized how confusing those streets get, I spent all morning trying to get to a breakfast place I went to year before that.
5. I don't mean if you are driving, I saw a car almost speed through some walkers that were taking to long the moment there was a gap. they are crazy.
6. depends on where you eat, Au Bon Pan is a bakery/sandwich/soup shop that I enjoyed. Also definately try Furnando's. It's not high-class, but it is yummy.
8. you can technically stay they all night, in the zoo. but still holliwood has ruid deserted cities for me. Plus I heard the city is well known for rape.
9. Yes, every thing is booked separate from the con. The flight, the hotel room, transportation from airport to hotel room. Since your flight will likely be international, you will arrive at PIT which is 40$ t hotels by taxi, or 20 by airport bus. (not including the return trip). It's a 20 mile distance I believe. On the Plus side, registering for the con, does give you a huge discount when buying your hotel room, Still might want to find room mates you trust.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Faren

Wow. Rape zone? Even big grown males?

Faren

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw :3

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Faren

Okay?

Zarphus

11 years, 6 months ago

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go to a smaller con first. (i reccomend furfrright. :D) a large con can be very overwhelming for a first time congoing individual.

but if you do go to AC, pretty much everything faren said, plus:

expect long walks. it's just shy of half a mile from the hotel entrance to the dealers room. not even kidding.
shower every day. don't be that guy. at least 3 out of 30 is already that guy at AC.
and, yeah, everything faren said.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Zarphus

It is neither my first con nor my first furry con ;3

I have been to Eurofurence 3 times by now, and visited a small Austrian convention a few times as well as Animagic in Germany many years back.

I drive to work on my bike every day 6 km in any weather condition and haul my groceries with bike as well. I bit of walking isn't going to break me ^^

Zarphus

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

then you probably already know most of what you need to know, with the addition of a few comments here.
however. eurofurrance is a 'small' con. EF 2011 had less attendees than last year's furfright. (just over 1000).
anthrocon is almost 5 times larger. - 2012 saw 5100+ attendees, and it grows every year.

as for the area itself, the David L Lawerence convention center is right in the middle of everything. many small shops and restaurants are nearby of every price and quality. traffic is pretty crazy in the area, as even when there's not a convention, it tends to be mostly tourists paying more attention to their GPS than the road.
the building and convention rooms are generally large and accommodating. this is one of only a few conventions where many great places to see are within walking distance- one even being an amazing view from the top of one of the center buildings where the public is allowed.

most overflow hotels are within 1/2 of a mile, and very easy to find. one of them offers free cookies. :D

directly across the street is a humble little sandwich shop called Cory's. there's a fun story behind it. the owner poured his life savings into opening this small deli in hopes that it might succeed. - his timing couldn't have been better. who knew furries loved a philly steak&cheese so much? - the owner made back his entire investment before opening ceremonies that year. in a sign of gratitude, he even gave his store the mascot of an anthropomorphic bull, and sells t-shirts with this character on it. when worn, you are granted a discount.
similarly, a resturaunt called Fernandos nearby is well known for catering to furries, even having an "anthrocon special" on the menu for the weekend. i don't know all the details of it myself, but rumors have it that he was very helpful to some congoing patrons who were being harassed by a local beggar. the incident got the owner a concussion and a few stitches, and the beggar arrested. you can imagine why many furries would think very highly of the store after such an incident.

the pittsburg area is probably the most welcoming community i've ever heard of when it comes to a furry con coming to their area. you would think that most businesses in the area getting an easy 3 months of income in one weekend would be enough to please them, (in cory's case it was an entire year of income) but ive seen conventions move because the con hotel and nearby businesses complained about it all.

so, take in the sights (both at and outside of the con), pace yourself, don't panic, and always know where your towel is :3

lucashoal

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Zarphus

I believe this was the last year Fernando's was open, actually. He got donations to cover costs up to staying open through the last AC. Though I'm not sure, that's just what I've heard.

Also if you or Sen are looking for any other sort of food, just ask me :3. Like I said to him above, I lived there for 3 years, I know the area fairly well. There's quite a few great restaurants and places to visit outside of the first 3-5 blocks away from the hotel, and you won't deal with swarms of furrs.

Zarphus

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

i havn't been in a couple of years. and its possible i wont be going next year.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

If I can find you at the con XD

lucashoal

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

You can ask here too, or notes c:.

Also! Any opinions on babyfurs and/or sharing a room with em, since you mention you're maybe looking for people to share a room with c:?

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

Depends ^^
If you wear a diaper in the room and poop in it, then no.
If you just like cubs in diapers thats ok ^^

lucashoal

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

I'm one of the latter..like most of us c:

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

Then its good ^^

Zarphus

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ lucashoal

though a quick google search suggests fernandos is still there, the latest customer review being written just last month.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ Zarphus

Good to know ^^

CodyFox

11 years, 6 months ago

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I have never been to Anthrocon, only Midwest Furfest. I have been thinking about trying out Anthrocon but I LOOOVED Midwest Furfest. One thing that might help is rooming with a U.S. furry who has a car. Even though you might not spend too much time outside of the convention center, it could be nice if there is an option to do some shopping or go to a restaurant that is not within walking distance.

SenGrisane

11 years, 6 months ago

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@ CodyFox

I am hoping for an english speaking roomie to practise talking english and stuff ^^

AlexReynard

11 years, 5 months ago

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Most of the good advice is taken, but I'll try to help too.

-Fernando's and Steel City Diner are two really close restaurants. I can say honestly that SCD's breakfast special is severely delicious.

-Plan on spending a ridiculous amount of money. Save up more than you think you will possibly need. The dealer's den is bigger than the entirety of some other cons. Don't immediately buy things unless you know you absolutlely cannot resist them. Walk around a bit more and be sure first, because you will see more things you want than you can possibly purchase.

-If you get a chance to listen to 2 or Uncle Kage, do it. Especially if Kage's drunk.

-The con is so big that planning is nearly impossible. Look through the scheduled events and pick no more than three things you really want to do, because you will not have time for anything more. Just go with the flow, have fun with friends, and let the day take you where it takes you.

SenGrisane

11 years, 5 months ago

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@ AlexReynard

I know Kage from Eurofurence already. We held a panel together on Wine :3

I usually know how to spend me money without regretting it ^^

Will you be there too?

AlexReynard

11 years, 5 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

I keep trying to get back to Anthrocon and failing. But this summer I'm going to really, REALLY try.

SenGrisane

11 years, 5 months ago

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@ AlexReynard

Well, I'd love to meet you in person ^^

What is the usual cause for the failure? Maybe I can help?

AlexReynard

11 years, 5 months ago

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@ SenGrisane

Usually it's that the two people I most want to meet there keep having financial problems and can't go. But it looks like they're a lot more settled now and 2013 might be the year. :)

SenGrisane

11 years, 5 months ago

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@ AlexReynard

I see. I hope you'll be there ^^

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