[BlackWaltzPinion]

This is a great idea! I always seem like I'm forgetting something EVERY 5INGLE YEAR. XD And that's been every year since 2006. Maybe this year I'll come prepared! -fistpump-

[Saturn's Pheonix]

The group I will be with this year already has the list and 2 people even have their bags packed with their cosplay and acen shirts and a spare of toiletries.
We will not make the same mistakes we used to make that is for sure.

[BlackWaltzPinion]

Saturn, on 07 September 2010 - 12:33 PM, said:

The group I will be with this year already has the list and 2 people even have their bags packed with their cosplay and acen shirts and a spare of toiletries.
We will not make the same mistakes we used to make that is for sure.

Yeah, I'm going to work on my cosplay actually as a Halloween costume, so hopefully have that done. Also, I'm really looking forward to see the fruits of your labor -points to 'three years in progress' on your cosplays in sig-. still awhile to go, but can't wait to see how it all looks!

[Iapetus]

I would suggest being careful with the video games. Every year my friends have brought their systems with them, they barely played it at all. It isn't usually worth the hassle.

Now, bringing a system to use on Thursday night and maybe some lull periods might be better. I just remember a group of my friends bringing their PS2, all the video games (in the cases, not even in a CD wallet), and their DDR pads.

I also recommend a deck of regular playing cards or a good group game that is easy to transport.

Also, for any cosplay, make a separate list of every item needed.

This is a good list! I'll come back to it when the con gets closer.

[nouseforaname]

I used this list before. It was useful. And yeah, I wouldn't bring any systems that I wouldn't end up using. Everyone's out during the night anyways.

[LambOfTheForest]

I should have used this list last year cause I completely forgot my contacts. Totally ruined my cosplay. T.T BUT NOT THIS YEAR!!!! I SHALL BE PREPARED!!!! X3

[stumpy1337]

right befor the con im going 2 dubble check with this list so i dont forget anything!

[The Fujoshi]

lol condoms for no con babies and soap.

I remember from the previous years the game room and how some gamers spent hours and hours in there and it smelt really bad.

This is really informative though and a helpful reminder for me: the only thing I forgot last year was my YGO cards

[Ping Pong]

add 1 Surge Protector

good idea with all the people in your hotel room and everyone having multiple electronic devices

found this out last month on a trip

[LC Asuka]

One thing I do when I unpack right when I get to the con is write down everything I'm unpacking. In case I forgot something at home, I'll have an updated list of everything I brought with me. That way I don't spend an hour or so on Sunday looking for something I left at home.

[Rukariou]

From personal experience I would also bring a extra set of keys for your car and give them to a trusted/responsible friend. I locked my keys in my car when I was out of state and if my friend didn't have my extra set I would have had to spend money I really didn't have on a locksmith, lol.

[HikaruNoRose]

Perfect =v=b

[Shinamura]

My list has alot of booze.

[Ping Pong]

Shinamura, on 30 January 2011 - 08:39 AM, said:

My list has alot of booze.

"Like"

[Kamisets303]

Can't believe I forgot this...

LINT ROLLER

Don't forget to bring a lint roller. Because you or one of your friends/roomies has an animal that has shed over cosplay/clothes packed. And if you have a cosplay with black on it it's going to attract every single piece of white fluff floating around in the air

[Rukariou]

Kamisets303, on 01 February 2011 - 05:52 PM, said:

Can't believe I forgot this...

LINT ROLLER

Don't forget to bring a lint roller. Because you or one of your friends/roomies has an animal that has shed over cosplay/clothes packed. And if you have a cosplay with black on it it's going to attract every single piece of white fluff floating around in the air

This. This. This.

My cat loved to lay on my suitcase. He was 45lbs, so I think he thought if he laid on it I couldn't leave, lol.

[Goldeneyeuro]

I've forgotten very few things at cons, for me it's just a rule of "just plan as if you're going to go on a week-long vacation where you'll have to fly somewhere" and for some people I'm sure that's what they're doing. Quickly learned that you can't take toiletries in the hotel for granted (thanks for having toothpaste, room service)...

Might I amend the requirement for memory card: sufficient memory cards and space. First Anime Detour I went to there was a girl who was having problems with her camera- and I discovered that she only had a 64 MB CF card... which would have been enough for about 75 pictures. In my experience, you get a lot of bad pictures at cons, and the environment isn't friendly to have good pictures taken of you, so you tend to delete a lot of them... Memory cards are cheap, and with high-megapixel cameras, yeah...

I do have to commend the addition of "folder" in the list. I take one every year, a good way to arrange the info pamphlet, a schedule of events to attend, and such. (it helps when I cosplay Kyouya since it blends in, but if you do get requests for pics when cosplaying and a folder doesn't work, stand on it with your feet XD)- I also would like to add pen and paper in said folder- make notes of any song that comes up, quotes you overhear, AMVs or shows that you see and want to watch later, friends that you meet and their contact info... because the other options of making notes in your head or with your cell phone don't really work out as well since you tend to forget...

[A True Elsewhere]

SongstressLenne, on 08 April 2010 - 09:33 AM, said:

Protection [NO CON BABIES!]

... Ha. I wonder if "con babies" has ever happened before..

[GITS SAC Motoko]

haha then we could have an ACEN Maury show like panel. XDDDDDD lol jk

[Rukariou]

Have Springer as Guest of Honor.

[Kamisets303]

another thing to add if you really don't want to spend money on food is a microwave. At YoumaCon '10 I saw a guy walking one out to his car on Sunday and thought that was an amazing idea lol

also, if you're in college and have leftover meal points (or whatever your school calls 'em) use them to buy food stuff for con. it makes things cheaper in the long run and you don't have to worry about money spent going down the drain.

[AkaneD]

Definitely going to use this list <3 However, you're missing a pretty important item: The badge.

[Rukariou]

Kamisets303, on 20 April 2011 - 10:35 AM, said:

another thing to add if you really don't want to spend money on food is a microwave. At YoumaCon '10 I saw a guy walking one out to his car on Sunday and thought that was an amazing idea lol

also, if you're in college and have leftover meal points (or whatever your school calls 'em) use them to buy food stuff for con. it makes things cheaper in the long run and you don't have to worry about money spent going down the drain.

You don't want to bring a microwave to a hotel that doesn't already provide them. Theyre against fire code and the hotel can toss you from the room if they find out.

[Catwho]

I am going minimalist this year since I am flying in at 8AM Friday morning and skedaddling at 6PM Friday night. I want to travel there with nothing but my laptop bag. So I am going to bring:

- Laptop bag and laptop
- 2 complete changes of clothes, no more, no less. No costume for me this year.
- A jacket because Chicago weather is capricious
- iPod and headphones
- A small extra athletic bag that can be carried bookbag style at the con, but can be folded up for travel
- Laundry bag for dirty clothes
- Travel kit of toiletries in the sandwich baggie for airplane travel
- Empty water bottle
- Cell phone
- Wallet

That's it. I'll have to eat at a restaurant for every meal, but that'll STILL be cheaper than paying for an extra piece of carry-on luggage.

No makeup. No costume. No wigs. No "spare" outfits. No snack foods. No extra towels or pillows (hotel will handle that.)

On the bright side, less stuff to pack, and less stuff to leave behind.

[davebb]

Something similar. Take this list and make a CHART out of it, have it packed at home, unpacked at con, packed at con type of checkboxes so you know what you have with you, what you have taken out, and what you have repacked backup for going hom. Just a suggestion, keep it all on one page, save a tree.

LC Asuka, on 25 January 2011 - 08:16 AM, said:

One thing I do when I unpack right when I get to the con is write down everything I'm unpacking. In case I forgot something at home, I'll have an updated list of everything I brought with me. That way I don't spend an hour or so on Sunday looking for something I left at home.

[Molly Mae]

Ping Pong, on 25 January 2011 - 03:57 AM, said:

add 1 Surge Protector

good idea with all the people in your hotel room and everyone having multiple electronic devices

Totally needs to be added to the list.

A True Elsewhere, on 15 March 2011 - 10:28 AM, said:

... Ha. I wonder if "con babies" has ever happened before..

Donno if it's happened at A-Cen previously (probably), but it happened this year for certain. =P

AkaneD, on 20 April 2011 - 12:41 PM, said:

Definitely going to use this list <3 However, you're missing a pretty important item: The badge.

I was really only going to reply to this thread in case the badge wasn't added. Glad someone caught it. A friend of mine forgot hers at home and didn't realise it until she got to Rosemont. :/

[Mari_Queen_of_Fools]

I love that medicine is on there. I don't know how many times we've had random horrible headaches in our room with no way to get rid of it except fro paying WAY too much money at the Hyatt Gift shop

[The Fujoshi]

Dunno if this has been mention:

-Nail polish remover
-Nail filer
-Deoderant or stick
-Brush for your hair and your wigs as well as comb (so you need four in total.)
-Peto, aspirin, headache medication, hangover meds if you drink, etc.
-Lint removal or lint brush
-Your own personal body wash for that extra clean
-List of cosplays that you are bringing and make sure you have them all in the bag the night before, along with any accessories and how to put them on/etc.
-List of food you are eating in whatever hotel you are going to as well as water. The hotel doesn't provide water coolers anymore since last year.
-Any medical conditions your roommates may have if something happens written down
-Ground rules written down to reinstate them
-Extra clothes when not in cosplay
-Extra pillow
-Things such as a cooler, rice cooker, etc. if you are in the Hyatt or any hotel without a micro or fridge. For the Embassy you don't need this
-Wallet as well as all personal information/enough cash if you didn't pre register for the convention. Your badge if you had it mailed to you.
-Labtop, but it's not recommended because of the fact that the internet is more expensive in hotels and there is no free wifi or hotspot in any of the hotels/etc.
-Car keys and a extra set just in case you lose them
-Video game system or any handle held system/games.
-If you are taking the bus, a buddy or a route system to know where you are going. If you are having a ride or taking a car, make sure you know where you are going by taking a map.

If you drink it's best to buy the drinks in Walgreens/Target rather than at the convention due to it being overpriced. Or go to Walmart, which isn't that far. So they have the cheapest wines/vodkas/etc.

This post has been edited by The Fujoshi: 19 February 2012 - 01:29 PM

[JediNight]

My recommendations having gone to cons for ~13 years now: (Somewhat covered in the OP post)

Driving in and out with your vehicle in the Rosemont area can be cost prohibitive. You may have to pay each time. Not to mention it can take a lot of time considering most of the food places are a decent ways away from the Hyatt and convention center.
Bringing your own food can not only save you A LOT of money, but also allow you to eat better the entire weekend. And there are a lot of foods you can bring with you that don't spoil easily, or are easy to make.

Granola bars, fruit, applesauce containers, peanut butter & jelly, sandwich meats and cheese (if you have a mini fridge), canned stew or soup, cereal & milk (fridge), instant oatmeal, etc.

All of these things and more require either no preparation, or are really easy to make.

Bringing a rice cooker is also a great idea. (Use it in the bathroom or on the patio) Not only is making rice painless, but many come with a vegetable steamer as well. (2 birds with 1 stone!)
You could also just make riceballs as they're nice and portable, or spice it up with ground bullion before cooking. (You can also toss in things like leftover chicken or turkey chunks before cooking)
A rice cooker is also a great way to boil noodles for mac and cheese on the road. (I recommend something like Kraft Deluxe, not EZ Mac. Not only is EZ Mac disgusting =P, but the Deluxe kind has the cheese premixed. Sharp Cheddar is my favorite =D)

I've done things like this for many years, and it works great. (Fellow Gencon anime artist alley people often looked on in envy at my array of food as they were forced to eat McDonalds and Taco Bell for 4 days...)