Anime Expo, Day Zero ! This year, Anime Expo celebrates their 21st year and for many, they saved up all year to attend the largest anime convention in the country. My day started with me checking out my social media, where I found out Cyril Lumboy and Danny Choo was on the KTLA's morning show talking about Anime Expo.
My video project for this year's AX is to do a survival guide video so I spend a few hours walking around and talking to people about surviving Day Zero. The earliest they are allowed to line-up was 5 am and the folks who did that time sure showed it. They looked exhausted and ready to fall over. No wonder - they were in line for 10 HOURS !
The line loops around - they use colored tape on the ground and asked people to stand on that tape. It circles around before heading to the back around the corner. I felt bad for anyone who had to go through this. Luckily as Artist Alley, I had a separate line but I did wait 3 hours at Otakon for a badge so I know the feeling.
What you don't see is there's more lines around the corner. When you get down to the end, look right and see more lines. So I asked random people about what people should do to survive Day Zero.
+ Water and Food. One guy told me he bought only one bottle of water and that wasn't enough. Good news - there are vendors walking around selling water, soft drinks, etc but it'll be pricey. I've seen more street vendors this year than the previous years. One girl told me she saw someone selling hotdogs and such. Another guy actually bought a mini cooler with him - cold drinks and sandwiches ! Good hint : get a friend to make food runs.
+ Umbrella + Sunscreen. Look, you might end up in the sun vs. the shade so bring protection - umbrellas and sunscreen will help cool you off slightly. Helpful are those ice cream guys and no, unlike Otakon, we got no Ice Cold Water guy here in Los Angeles.
+ Chairs. Simply you do not wanna stand there for hours on end and I saw a few folks who bought portable chairs to sit on. You could probably sit on the ground but the pavement can be hot and dirty.
+ Book / DS / Time Occupier . Yes, you are in line for hours so you need something to fill up your time. I've saw a few people with books, others more with DSs. Others talk to their neighbors "Line Friends".
So for those who stood in line at 5 am, they started letting people in around 3:30-ish - that means these folks waited over 10 hours to get in. By 8 pm, you could actually walk right in and get your badge in minutes. So for those of y'all who want to get the badge and leave, come at 8 pm. Some folks I talked to didn't mind the wait - they enjoyed just hanging out, chatting with their neighbors, hi-fiving strangers and just that energy that Day Zero had so for those folks, I say come at 3 pm when the line starts moving pretty well.
Other ways to avoid waiting that long in line
1) If you purchase Premiere Fan, you get your own line which is much shorter and located inside.
2) Don't pre-reg but buy the weekend pass on Day Zero. The cost is $75 for 2012. It is moves much faster. If you do pre-reg at the earliest time (July of 2011), the cost is $45. So figure if you want to spend $30 to not stand in line for hours
As you can see, if money is of concern, purchase as early as possible and show up around 8 pm.
For those who money isn't as much of a concern, the Premiere Fan pass looks pretty good.
Obviously, check the Anime Expo for up-to-date info.
After getting badges, most folks hang out in the South Hall lobby. Opening ceremony was scheduled for later that night. It was a easy chill time, a moment to take a breath before tomorrow when Day One kicks in.
Tomorrow, Day One !
I will be in artist alley all weekend long for four days straight. Here's a map. I'm at F18. The artist alley is open as long as dealers are open so hours are noon to 6 pm on Friday, 10 am to 6 pm on Sat. and Sun. and 10 am to 3 pm on Monday. It's gonna be a crazy weekend. Dang.....
