Do's:
BRING SOMETHING TO TAKE VIDEO/PICTURES!
You are going to mentally punch yourself in the face when you get there and see all the amazing costumes that you WON'T be taking pictures of to remember in the future so for dang pete's sake, bring a phone/camera/whatever. You'll thank yourself later when you see all the sweet cosplays and fun times you have pictures of.
Cosplay!
While cosplaying for conventions isn't absolutely necessary, it's always fun to join in. When in costume, get used to weird looks from non-convention goers, random hugs, and random pictures.
If you do plan to cosplay, have 2-3 poses planned for photos. It's gonna suck big time when you look EXACTLY THE SAME IN EVERY SINGLE PICTURE TAKEN OF YOU.
Also, bring a small sewing kit in case your costume rips or something.
OBEY THE 5-2-1 RULE.
5 HOURS OF SLEEP! You will faint and dissolve in the wind as dust. So sleep.
2 MEALS A DAY! NOT CANDY. NOT POCKY. REAL LEGIT DELICIOUS FOOD. Water too)
1 SHOWER A DAY! DON'T YOU COVER UP WITH GALLONS OF PERFUME BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS HOUND DOG NOSES AND WE WILL ALL SMELL YOU NASTY YOU.
BE NICE TO THEM STAFFS:
OBVIOUSLY, Be nice to the staff/peeps who work at the convention! They're taking their time to plan this thing and make sure everything goes awesomely so you better be nice. And they will remember your face if you're an asscrack.
BRING SNACKS/DRINKS!
CONVENTION FOOD AND DRINKS ARE EXPENSIVE! Yeah, ALA in specifics is known for having a Maid Cafe, which is a small room near the pool deck for weary cosplayers to take a small break and eat snacks/get a drink. THIS IS NOT A FULL COURSE MEAL. THIS IS A SMALL SNACK SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO SCRAPE YOUR FAINTED BODY OFF THE FLOOR.(But mostly because they're nice people and who doesn't like a cafe?) As I said, expensive stuff is at the hotel. In the room, you will (obviously) be charged for everything you eat, drink, open, blahblahblah.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAAAAN!
PLAN EVERYTHING from cheap restaurants close to the convention to when your gatherings are to when the rave/whatever else the heck is. You're gonna be sad when you're late for something. Bring a time device watch/pocket watch/phone to keep track of time!
BE NICE!
That person has a "crappy" cosplay? WHO CARES? DO NOT FORGET THE GOLDEN RULE OF COSPLAY/CONVENTIONS: Everyone is Equal. Don't EVER be discouraged because that lady has a freaking amazing costume and looks just like the character. Cosplay is NEVER a contest unless you are actually IN a contest. It's supposed to be fun! If someone makes fun of your cosplay, don't yell back or insult their cosplay! Just ignore them. Being rude in any scenario will make you seem like some kind of jerk to everyone around you. If someone is bugging you or being rude/making you uncomfortable, simply ask them to please stop. If it goes too far, then respectfully inform the con security. It could also be their first convention! Don't ruin your/other's experiences!
DON'T'S:
KAWAII DESU WATASHI WA POCKY NEKO SASUKE!!!???!?~``~~~~~~
PLEASE DONT BE A HORRIBLE ANNOYING PERSON
Don't glomp.
Don't hug without permission.
Don't SCREAM BROKEN JAPANESE AND BE GENERALLY ANNOYING TO EVERYONE
WITHIN A TEN FOOT RADIUS!
DO NOT nag people for photos
Do not ask if the cosplayer in question if they are a male or female. It's plain rude.
Don't make anyone feel uncomfortable by touching, forcing pictures for a pairing, etc etc.
Speaking of touching, KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OTHER PEOPLE! Whether it be hug, glomp, WHATEVER, there's a chance you will annoy them, HURT them, or DAMAGE THEIR COSTUME. GET PERMISSION TO TOUCH A COSPLAY!
Do not touch their wig/cosplay either. You might cause damage or cause it to fall off
If someone does not want a hug or whatever else you may want them to do, here's a quote I find very fitting;
"END OF STORY, GOODBYE, THE END."
Moooving along.
Try not to blow all your cash on the FIRST THING YOU SEE IN THE DEALERS HALL(S). If there's something that you absolutely want/need, look around at other boothes because chances are, you could find it cheaper at another booth and don't wait too long or someone else might buy it
Don't go with strangers anywhere shady
DON'T STEAL. There are cameras that you see. There are cameras that you DON'T see. FUN FACT: PEOPLE WHO OWN THE BOOTHS AND SELL STUFF OFTEN HIRE UNDERCOVER SECURITY TO LOOK LIKE SHOPPERS.THEY WILL SEE YOU TRY TO SHOPLIFT. AND THAT WILL LEAD YOU TO BEING KICKED OUT OF THE CONVENTION. So be the good person and don't steal
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE FAMOUS (cosplay wise):
Do NOT stalk them the entire con, even if you think that you're just "hanging out" with them.
Worst thing is when you forget an important element of your cosplay and... it sucks
HOTEL:
It's alright if you don't have one, but try to bring a suitcase with some sort of lock that cant be cut off. Yeah, its a hotel, safest place for your belongings, but remember these words for everything:
"Better safe than sorry"
HIDE YOUR STUFF AND VALUABLES! DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR PHONE, DS AND LAPTOP IN THE OPEN. ALSO, DON'T PUT YOUR COMPLETE TRUST INTO THE DRAWERS AND CABINETS IN THE HOTEL ROOM FOR YOUR VALUABLES. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW IF YOUR ROOM CLEANER WILL BE A THIEF.
I suggest using the safe that is in most rooms.
Don't forget that if you do NOT want the cleaners coming into your room, put the "NO ENTER" sign on your door
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
HAVE AN AWESOME TIME! Conventions are meant to be a fun awesome experience! They're for people who share the same hobbies/interests in anime, manga, comics, and costumes etc and also a great place to make friends! I have a LOT of people I've met at various conventions and its just awesome ^^
GOOD STUFF TO BRING FOR CON:
Cosplay stuff (Always double check you got it all! It'd be a shame if you left that sword prop you worked so hard on.)
Sewing kit
Snacks
Water
Money (and wallet)
Camera
Phone
Charger/batteries
If in cosplay, extra comfy pair of shoes for when you have to walk to a restaurant or something
DON'T LOSE YOUR BADGE!
Fresh clothes for each day
Toothbrush, soap, etc.
Chances are there'll be a line to something or you'll be tired/resting so bring a deck of cards or a portable game device to have some fun
And anything else you think is important (Trust me, there is a lot more then what's on this list.)
Friends who helped and stuff
And whoever else contributed or whatever like M. I don't know if you have DAs :U








Where is it, even though I wouldn't be able to go?