>>5059Your first con is overwhelming. Thousands of other anime fans, cosplayers, famous artists and voice actors, the dealer's room.
My advice is to do things in advance to make the con itself easier.
Pre-register, as early as possible. It's cheaper, and the pre-registered line to get in is usually shorter and faster-moving. Book your room way early, too. They fill up fast, and you want to be in the con hotel.
Save cosplaying for the next time unless you really have your heart set on it. If you must, choose something non-elaborate, non-bulky. Extra luggage is not your friend. And set a completion deadline two weeks in advance of the con. I know people who've missed con time to complete a costume, and it's not worth it.
Check the schedule on the con site, and make decisions in advance. Be flexible, since things will change day-of. Do a variety of things. Watching anime in a viewing room is a neat experience. I always like the AMV contest best of anything. Remember to leave time to visit the dealer's room and just explore the hotel.
There will never not be something happening, although it gets slow after about 2am. Don't strain yourself. Get a daily minimum of six hours of sleep, two meals, and one shower. You can replace some sleep with more eating, and vice versa, but 8/3/1 is optimal. You're going to miss stuff no matter what. Enjoy the stuff you get to.
I'll be checking back tomorrow, assuming the board is still here, if you have anything else to ask. If not, then best of luck. And don't worry. It's a lot easier than it looks.
