AnimeNEXT 2011
An Avatar birthday celebration!
Location: The Garden State Exhibit Center
Dates Attended: June 10th, 11th and 12th, 2011
I have been attending AnimeNEXT since 2008, and I find that I always have a good time, though this year it was more of a "wander con" than it has been in the past. Usually I attend a panel or two, but this year, I'm not sure I ever even took a really good look at the panel listing! For me, it was all about getting pictures to use in a cosplay photography project I've undertaken. If you look around you, there are lots of great spots to take pictures at AnimeNEXT! With lakefronts and loading docks, cozy fireplaces, and the vast white walls of the DoubleTree, one can find a backdrop for just about anything. What one might find a little more challenging is finding that place unoccupied, especially in the DoubleTree lobby area. But if you are patient, or just have good timing, there are lots of neat backdrops for your photoshoots.
My group stayed at the Candlewood Suites, a four minute drive from the convention center and DoubleTree hotel. Our hotel was fantastic. The staff was totally friendly and wonderful, the room was comfortable and had a kitchen, there was food readily available for purchase that wasn't priced at ridiculous, and the elevator always worked. We could have walked to the convention center but driving was the more comfortable form of transportation and we usually didn't have too difficult of a time finding a parking space. On Saturday evening we had a nice dinner across the street from our hotel at a restaurant I woefully can't remember the name of. Still, I would happily eat there again because the food was delicious and the staff couldn't have been nicer. We asked our waitress if she would take a picture of all of us, and she happily agreed, followed by the hostess prompting her to "take two, just in case!" The restaurant was also nice and mellow, which was refreshing after a long, busy day at the convention. Remember when I said we had a kitchen in our hotel room? It was super handy for storing leftovers from dinner that ended up making the next morning's breakfast. So, thanks to it's great location, great staff, and great nearby restaurant, we are already planning to book a room at the Candlewood Suites again next year.
I was, personally, super impressed with the Artist's Alley at AnimeNEXT. I thought there was a lot of quality work and I found myself wishing I had more places to hang things. The artist's alley was generally busy whenever we visited, but it never got too overcrowded while we were there. There was always room to move through the aisles. The Dealer's Room on the other hand did get a little congested from time to time, but we never experienced a real crush of people. I didn't buy anything from the Dealer's Room, but there was quite a bit to see and a good amount of things from classic animes like Sailor Moon as well as newer ones.
While we didn't attend the Masquerade, we did see the line for it. It seemed to wrap around the building, almost overlapping. Being that the line was outside I would worry about conditions such as extreme heat or rain, and wonder what sort of alterations could be made in such cases. Unfortunately the main room of the convention center probably isn't big enough to hold the massive masquerade line as well as everything else going on in the space. The line for registration seemed fairly constant, though mornings were worse than other times of day.
I feel I should commend the DoubleTree and AnimeNEXT staff for making sure there was always cold water available throughout the con. Though the second two days weren't so bad, Friday was brutally hot and it was good to see that water was easily accessible.
All things considered, though I know it isn't a perfect convention, I love going to AnimeNEXT. It's close to home and I always have a great time. I know I'll be attending again next year, and I'm already looking forward to it.
Dates Attended: June 10th, 11th and 12th, 2011
I have been attending AnimeNEXT since 2008, and I find that I always have a good time, though this year it was more of a "wander con" than it has been in the past. Usually I attend a panel or two, but this year, I'm not sure I ever even took a really good look at the panel listing! For me, it was all about getting pictures to use in a cosplay photography project I've undertaken. If you look around you, there are lots of great spots to take pictures at AnimeNEXT! With lakefronts and loading docks, cozy fireplaces, and the vast white walls of the DoubleTree, one can find a backdrop for just about anything. What one might find a little more challenging is finding that place unoccupied, especially in the DoubleTree lobby area. But if you are patient, or just have good timing, there are lots of neat backdrops for your photoshoots.
My group stayed at the Candlewood Suites, a four minute drive from the convention center and DoubleTree hotel. Our hotel was fantastic. The staff was totally friendly and wonderful, the room was comfortable and had a kitchen, there was food readily available for purchase that wasn't priced at ridiculous, and the elevator always worked. We could have walked to the convention center but driving was the more comfortable form of transportation and we usually didn't have too difficult of a time finding a parking space. On Saturday evening we had a nice dinner across the street from our hotel at a restaurant I woefully can't remember the name of. Still, I would happily eat there again because the food was delicious and the staff couldn't have been nicer. We asked our waitress if she would take a picture of all of us, and she happily agreed, followed by the hostess prompting her to "take two, just in case!" The restaurant was also nice and mellow, which was refreshing after a long, busy day at the convention. Remember when I said we had a kitchen in our hotel room? It was super handy for storing leftovers from dinner that ended up making the next morning's breakfast. So, thanks to it's great location, great staff, and great nearby restaurant, we are already planning to book a room at the Candlewood Suites again next year.
I was, personally, super impressed with the Artist's Alley at AnimeNEXT. I thought there was a lot of quality work and I found myself wishing I had more places to hang things. The artist's alley was generally busy whenever we visited, but it never got too overcrowded while we were there. There was always room to move through the aisles. The Dealer's Room on the other hand did get a little congested from time to time, but we never experienced a real crush of people. I didn't buy anything from the Dealer's Room, but there was quite a bit to see and a good amount of things from classic animes like Sailor Moon as well as newer ones.
While we didn't attend the Masquerade, we did see the line for it. It seemed to wrap around the building, almost overlapping. Being that the line was outside I would worry about conditions such as extreme heat or rain, and wonder what sort of alterations could be made in such cases. Unfortunately the main room of the convention center probably isn't big enough to hold the massive masquerade line as well as everything else going on in the space. The line for registration seemed fairly constant, though mornings were worse than other times of day.
I feel I should commend the DoubleTree and AnimeNEXT staff for making sure there was always cold water available throughout the con. Though the second two days weren't so bad, Friday was brutally hot and it was good to see that water was easily accessible.
All things considered, though I know it isn't a perfect convention, I love going to AnimeNEXT. It's close to home and I always have a great time. I know I'll be attending again next year, and I'm already looking forward to it.
This review was written for Jolt Photography. Do not repost without written permission.