hey all,

its my 1st trip to Ayacon soon and as i have never been b4 im wondering if you can let me know a bit about your experience at Ayacon

anything i need to keep an eye out for?

any must see/do things ?

any tips for the masq as i am hoping to enter it for the 1st time

Thanks Ash xx

Regarding advice for entering the Masquerade I'd say think of 2-3 poses which would be suitable for your character beforehand (consider what props you can include) and on the day try and hold each pose for about the time it takes you to count to ten. Sometimes people in the Masquerade can be a bit too quick for the audience to get good pictures so counting the time in your head can help ^^ There's usually a pre-masquerade rehersal where they will run through the route you will have to walk and the different points at which you will have to pose, as well as confirming your attendence.

Regarding must-see events my favourites are the Masquerade, Omake, Karaoke, Pub Quiz, Name That Tune and the final party on Sunday night. Also check the forums to see if there are any group photoshoots/meet-ups arranged for people cosplaying from the same series as you.

Remember to take your ID so that you can get into the convention, take a camera, SD card and chargers for both your camera and phone, etc. Some people also like to arrive on the Thursday instead of the Friday so that they don't lose half of the first day travelling and feeling tired.

Beyond what has already been said... Ayacon and it's sister convention Amecon are generally considered to be the best UK conventions although I personally think Kitacon is an incredibly strong contender for this now as well.

It has fantastic parties, is in a good location (though watch out for wasps) and has a relaxed atmosphere. It's brilliant ^_^

Ayacon I say is the best con for parties. Never have I rocked it out more than I did there. Bring food though or be prepared for takeouts as the con is quite isolated and the only open place on site last time just did asian food. This may have changed though I dunno.
Ayacon also is good for sticking to it's guns and being the con with the most Japan and anime themed events that isn't Minamicon. With Minami being my favourite, Ame being my second favourite as the most well rounded event and Aya being my third favourite con just cause the parties rock and it's actually filled with events! I'd tie it with Fuyucon on my faves list. We will see how it contends with Fushi this year in due time.

Don't do anyhing you wouldn't do at home. Some people go crazy, get too drunk etc. Relax and enjoy it. Worst thing you can do is ruin your time there by being ill or hungover

This is mostly advice to myself...

For the masquerade I must say this from experience:

If you get nervous before getting on stage, dont worry, as soon as you are on the stage the nerves should go away like magic. In fact, being on stage is one of the best feelings ever with the cheering and all. Always consider poses too. About 3-4 is good

This will be my first Ayacon too...and my first con where i go to more than one day. Going with my girlf and a few others and i'm quite looking forward to it!

I'm even giving cosplay a go for the first time too...which will be interesting XD

It's going to be my first Aya too, and I'm so excited! I kind of spontaniously decided to go with out knowing anything about it ^^'

It's also my first Ayacon! I'm really looking forward to it. It's also my first time staying in a hotel for a con - my friend and I stayed in my university accommodation for Kitacon (meaning we missed everything past 11pm since we had to get a train back to B'ham New Street :< but we're at the Premier Inn this time, meaning we can stay for the parties and late panels. Super hyped for it :'D

My first time at Aya too, I'm really excited! I hear the previous one in 2009 was a lot of people's "best convention ever" so I am super hyped up for it! Now if only I had the motivation to actually work on some cosplay XD

Pltshp - SNAP! We're staying at Premier Inn too - one in Coventry South to be precise... I think...
(I am so going to go to the wrong Premier Inn I bet...)

I've heard the same thing! 8D

Aww, ours is Coventry City Centre :x (may or may not have just checked via email/Premier Inn's site since I couldn't remember!)

Damn you, double post.

Awh damn, would have been cool to be in the same one!
So many hotels with the same name in Coventry, was so confusing O_o

I'm jealous of all you people going to your first con. You'll always remember it. You'll become addicted!

Aya is awesome, fact!

Read the events list when you get your conpack to check what's on over the weekend. There's little more annoying than assuming it's all the same then hearing about a really interesting new panel/event after the con's finished XD

I've never been to an Aya before. So just going in and seeing how much I can get done/drank in each day.

we know who by

Hmm...I do that when i go to festivals but always end up forgetting once the booze starts flowing...which is all day at a festival! Its either that or "shall we go to x?" "nah, lets go wander aimlessly around, while drinking...and then go on the bumper cars "

I shall read what is going on but remembering them is another thing altogether lol.

I know ;A;
Yeah, we had a battle finding a hotel to be honest... so much choice D:




It's my first Aya but not my first con - that was Kitacon '11 :'D cons are definitely addictive!

Giggity

you better be quagmire at ayacon otherwise i'll be ashamed

This is my first Ayacon too. Not my first convention, Kita was that, and I've been to expo three times. Kita was loads better than Expo, so really looking forward to Ayacon, especially since I'm FINALLY going with everyone back when we first started cosplaying together.

Hi guys, I wondered if you could help me.

Need to sort out a hotel but have no idea on where the best ones are. Do you guys have any links/recommendations? Ideally needs to be quite cheap and ideally not take payment to much closer to the event.

Thanks

Well, our group is staying at ABC motels. Our room is £30 a night and sleeps four (we have four people already though).

There is a bus nearby, but other than that I can't be any more help

Do you have a link?