My daughter dressed up as Hipster Ariel. Apparently there were only three Ariel's there all weekend. She was the only one on Sunday when we went. Which was fun for her. People asked to take photos with her and she kind of felt like a star. Next year though we are making some crazy costumes.
Ok so good stuff, there were some amazing stars. I got to meet Lita Ford. My daughter got to meet her dream boat since she was a child the Blue Ranger Billy. No she won't use his real name. He will always be her Blue Ranger. My daughter also posed with a cosplay star and Roy from Faceoff. Those were awesome moments. Unfortunately, (downside sorry) they charge so much for photos with them. You are taking a photo with your own phone or camera but, they charge you $20. So some people were more than $20 like the guys from Game of Thrones.
There were people there charging $40 just to take a photo with them. Ok I get that it is awesome to get to meet your favorite stars. But, that is just highway robbery. The stars are getting this money. The event has already paid just to have them show up. And they make a ton of money just by doing their job in whatever movie or show they are in. It makes no sense. These are your fans. It doesn't seem cool that you will say ok $20 for a two second photo. I get it people pay. We did but honestly we would have done more if they were more reasonably priced. Like Roy. He was only $10. He is a master craftsman at his job. And yet he gets it. at $10 each we could have done five or six people.
Instead at $20 and $20 and $10 we did three.
As far as the vendors. We had heard that there was going to be a japanese candy vendor. (My daughter adores everything japanese candy.) Well there wasn't one. There was a ton of vendors selling the same teeshirts and the same pop figures. SO you had to wander. Because the same Pop figure that was $12 at one vendor was $30 at another. Seriously $30. Ok so yours is still sitting there and the $12 guy is sold out. Makes sense. Jack up your prices. Don't get me wrong. I am a home party person. I understand wanting to make your money back for your table. But the people who sold them at more reasonable prices made their tables and probably more than they would have made it at their local shop.
Don't get me wrong I understand this is an event. Things at events are expensive but we paid $40 per person to go for one day! That is $120 and there was a HUGE line to get in. So you know that they made a ton of dough. Especially since that day Nichelle Nichols was there. Considering Leonard Nimoy passed away on day 1. I'm just saying there should be some allowances where it doesn't cost a family $500 for a day to go there. They had photo ops but you had to pay for those too. So it was just crazy!
The costumes Some people sincerely went all out. I have never seen so many amazing costumes. This guy was awesome and agreed to take a picture with my daughter. And there were all kinds of people in costume. Some we easily recognized others......not so much. But as we walked through some started making sense because we would see them in a poster. Oh that's who that was! We got it. But people really put 100% into their costumes if they dressed up. Even parents dressed up their kids. It was just a lot of fun.
Yes I am a Whovian. I love anything Dr. Who. I do however, prefer the older versions. Have not really been able to get into the new ones. Guess I am in the old school Who clan. But, it was awesome to see all the Dr. Who stuff. Even small children dressed up like Dr. Who and Rose. A few of the Doctor Who characters were there. 7th Doctor and a few others. It was pretty cool. I didn't pay for a photo he wanted $40 for a photo. Um I like Dr. Who but he isn't Tom. So............no thanks.
The above photo is a child's (who's parents are awesome!) costume. Who doesn't love it! I know I did. but WHO wouldn't really. haha. Yes...I know corny. So, we did spend a little money while we were there. Got a few buttons, a couple of pop figures (the $12 ones) and my daughter got some holographic Black Butler bookmarks. She is addicted.
So overall, was it fun.....yes. Was it work $250 we spent.....yeah probably. It only comes once a year. What I would suggest for people going to events like this. OK here they our my tips!!!
1. Find out when presale tickets go on sale. Do NOT wait till last minute! Last minute adds $5 to your ticket!
2. If you know an event like this comes to your area. Feel free to start a savings jar. You will want to see what expected pricing will be on tickets or if you don't know base it off last years and add $5 (inflation sucks!) Also as you see them add guests you may want a photo with add $20 to your savings goal per person. Also add a spending money for misc items. Now you know what you like. Is it $60 for a sword? $15 for a POP figure. Figure out what you want to spend per person for fun money and add it up all year. Don't forget parking!! Unless you get VIP, parking costs money!
3. One this small, you do not need a whole weekend it is rather pointless. Pick a day that has the most stuff you want (ie exclusive parties etc) and buy a ticket for that date. Pensacon doesn't really require a 3 day unless they get a bigger place and more stuff to do.
4. Plan your costume in advance! It will be a blast to dress up. But make sure you love it too!
5. Find out the layout. Make sure you have a plan. What does everyone want to do. Make sure you know the rules!
#6 Most of all HAVE FUN WHEN YOU GO! Go early. Get in line and have a blast! If you like to play games like magic the gathering etc. Have your best deck ready.
Oh and I mentioned I met Lita Ford...yes yes I did......
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