We are back again with Surviving Your First Convention series, where our aim is to help you get ready for the next big convention that you’ll be attending.

The reason why we have made something like this is that we want to make sure that all anime fans and geek lovers like you would have a great and unforgettable time. Our guide is based on the many tips and experiences shared by long-time congoers, and we are confident that the second part of this article series will help you out.

Ready to conquer your first convention? Let’s go!

Save Up A Lot of Cash

This is number one because we all know that anime conventions are home for lots and lots of merchandise and limited-edition stuff. Some of these are only available in these events, and you would rarely see them in stores. You must take this chance and get the stuff that you’ve wanted so much. Our tip is that you must start saving up at least a year before the con so that you wouldn’t have to limit yourself, and you’ll be able to hoard all the cool things!

Get Your Convention Passes Early

Let’s not forget this important reminder that conventions require a certain fee for you to access the place. The areas that you would have access to would depend on the pass that you pay. Usually, convention passes give you the standard convention hall and exhibit hall access, while the bigger-priced passes give you access to autograph sessions on the convention’s celebrity guests, anime concerts, and so on.

In relation to this, aside from saving up for money so you can spend on merch for the con, we also recommend that you also save up for your convention pass. We advise that you purchase your convention passes a year before the convention day.

Here are the reasons why it’s best that you get your convention pass early.

- You skip the long lines. Usually, big conventions have long lines for those who are still going to buy tickets. They usually take a few hours before you’ll be able to get into the main hall.

- It’s cheaper getting them early. Some conventions even have these exclusive deals when the bigger or full-access passes are priced lower than its usual. We recommend that you get these deals because it would really save you a lot of money.

- Less stress. You know that you are going to a convention to have fun. You have to spend the rest of the day at the convention to enjoy. So getting your convention passes early would really be less stressful, and you wouldn’t be wasting your time falling in line.

- More fun. You have more fun and time taking pictures, strike a pose with your cosplay, and buy all the merchandise.

Book Your Flight and Accommodations

This is for those who have to travel in order to be able to attend the convention. As early as a year or probably a couple of months before the con, you already have your flight tickets and your hotel rooms reserved. Remember that usually when the convention season is near, hotel rooms get booked and reserved fast, so you need to get one earlier.

For you to save the cost of the hotel, we recommend that you share a room with one of your friends that you will share the hotel payment together. Not only it saves you a lot of cash, at least you know that you have companion during the convention weekend.

Now for the flights, sometimes the prices fluctuate depending on the season. We recommend that you follow news and updates on the top airline companies so that you’ll be able to know if flight sales or discounts are happening soon. Like your hotel accommodations, we recommend that you book them a couple of months advanced so you wouldn’t have to be stressed out and cram at the last minute.

Simple Cosplay First

If you’re a starting cosplayer attending their first-ever cosplay convention, we recommend that you go for simple cosplay first rather than go all out with costumes that allow a lot of time to wear and set up. Our concern is not just the amount of time that you’ll be setting up and preparing your costume, but also the baggage and stuff that you have to carry along with the trip. The time to go all out with cosplay will come sooner or later. For now, just relax and have fun.

Arriving A Day Before the Convention is Best

Arriving at the city on the day before the convention is best because it would give you time to go around other places before the convention days begin. Remember that once the convention weekend starts, there’s going to be a lot of stuff happening. So slim chance you will have the time to go out of the convention halls and go sight-seeing. Make this long weekend worth it!

So that’s Part 1 of our Surviving Your First Convention series. Be sure to visit the site as we will more of this to make sure your convention experience is awesome!

Photos from Anime Midwest