[Alabaster]

Hello All! I'd like to attend my first anime con, before I get sent away to BMT. In order to hopefully attend though I have some basic questions.

I have registered on the site/forums currently so far. In order to attend ACen at this point in time though will I need to purchase a badge on-site?

My next question is, Due to the size of this event... When would/should someone arrive to get in line at the opening of the event?

My hopes are to attend early and get some possibly neat freebies before it becomes to crowded. I see this event being an absolute blast and cannot wait to attend! =)

This post has been edited by Alabaster: 23 April 2011 - 06:02 PM

[The Fujoshi]

To get a badge I think you have to buy it at the con now; the online cut off date was yesterday ._. It's 55 dollars.

My advice is to go on thursday; that's the best date so that you avoid the friday crowd.

Hours are:

Thursday 4pm-10pm
Friday 8am-9pm
Saturday 8am-7pm
Sunday 8am-2pm

Hope you have fun~!

This post has been edited by The Fujoshi: 23 April 2011 - 06:32 PM

[-JUNK-]

o3o Go Thursday before the crowd comes swarming in Friday.

[KnitChick]

Alabaster, on 23 April 2011 - 06:02 PM, said:

Hello All! I'd like to attend my first anime con, before I get sent away to BMT. In order to hopefully attend though I have some basic questions.

I have registered on the site/forums currently so far. In order to attend ACen at this point in time though will I need to purchase a badge on-site?

My next question is, Due to the size of this event... When would/should someone arrive to get in line at the opening of the event?

My hopes are to attend early and get some possibly neat freebies before it becomes to crowded. I see this event being an absolute blast and cannot wait to attend! =)

Welcome!!

Registering on the forums is separate from registering for the convention itself. Online registration is now closed, so you will have to register on site.

There isn't really an "opening" per se, opening ceremonies are Friday morning, and there's an opening time for the Exhibit Hall each morning, but really there's stuff going on starting Friday morning and going non-stop until Sunday afternoon. So thus there isn't a line for the event itself, though there is a line for Registration. To get through Registration quickly, you're best off arriving one or two hours after they open, that's when the bulk of the line will be gone and it will take almost no time at all to get your badge

Acen is an absolute blast and since there's so many different things to do there often are not crowds, unless you're going to some of the super popular events like the Soap Bubble or Masquerade or occasionally a really popular panel. Acen is a 24 hour con and there is literally something to do all day long, and for much of the day there's over a dozen different panels or videos or other events to choose from When you register there will be a table where you can get a program book that will tell you about all the great things going on.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at con!

[Lord Warhammer]

Best day to go and get your badge is on thursday. no matter how fast the line goes, there won't be any events to miss.

[Bloo09]

We do suggest coming at least 1 hour after we open since the line wraps around the block even before we open the doors. You can still create an account in the registration system but not pay. This will speed up processing you at con since we won't have to type up your info and will just use your existing account. If you are 17 years old or older you will need a photo ID to register. We accept american currency only, cash, credit (visa, master or discover card), Business check and money orders. We do not accept personal checks at the convention. Any questions are welcome!

IF BMT means basic military training we offer a Service Discount for military, police, fire dept, etc that is a $28 full weekend badge. You need an ID that says you are a member of the military, police, etc. This applies to Vets as well.


Registration at Convention Center
Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Will-call opens at the Hyatt Registration when the Convention Center Registration is closed. Badges can be purchased during Concerts, Soap Bubble, Underground Groove and the Masquerade until 1am. Panelist, Comp, and Judge Badges can be picked up with photo ID at the following times:

Registration in the Hyatt at Liberty
Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
Anyone needing services from the Liberty room after it is closed will be directed to Registration in the Convention Center.

Hours for both areas of Registration are subject to change without notice. Doors close at the stated closing time, but we do finish the registrations for those in line.

[Xela]

Well, since you are picking up your badge, definitely pick it up on thursday. Otherwise, you will be met with a swarm of otakus that will get there WAY before you, and form a large line to the badge on Friday morning. (I have learned this lesson well.)
Definitely Thursday, ASAP. Those lines can be monstrous, and you wouldn't want to miss out on other things you want to see because you have to wait for a badge.
No one likes a "Line-con."


Hope you have lots of fun at ACEN this year~
And Welcome to the madness~!

[Bloo09]

Line con is dead But we do suggest coming at least 1 hour after we open because the line wraps around the block even before we open the doors. After an hour everyone should be inside and things will be flowing smoothly. Friday morning we will try to keep the line from starting until 7amish. I've told people to stop lining up at 3am before We're up to 13 payment stations instead of 12 that we had last year and got credit swipers for each station instead of us typing in the number so that should speed up the line more We're always working hard to keep the line time as fast as possible!