July 4th weekend at the Tempe Mission Palms.

So I really had just a few complaints about this con. The convention center was basically a bunch of rooms surrounding the courtyard. So you had to be outside to go anywhere and it was hot, and we were in costume so we were REALLY hot. Program ops was very nice and they got things done, eventually, but they sent me downstairs to get a kid in tow badge for the Boy and this took about 25 minutes-with really no line. The people behind the table were really in no rush at all to get things done. My other complaint was that security stopped us in the courtyard without identifying themselves and them proceeded to cuss at us when we asked them what they wanted. No one sent us to security because one of us had a fake sword, and this guy was just kicking it smoking in the courtyard. I found it very rude and disturbing and VERY unprofessional.

I only went to a few panels (besides our own) and they were amazing and very small and personal so you could ask the panelist to help you with stuff and give you ideas. It was great.

The vendor room had a wide array of stuff and even had art for sale, which was cool. Not much for The Boy though, who was bummed there were only toy collectibles and not actual toys.

The best part was the masquerade, and not because I won either. It was the most efficient masquerade I've ever been in. There weren't many contestants, I think somewhere around 9 or so. But when you went to register you spoke with the lighting guy and he asked if you wanted light on before you came out or after or what, same with the music guy who would play your music for you and ask you when you want it to start playing. The MC was there and read your script and went over pronunciation with you- (which still didn't help with my name but oh well). In the green room the den mother would get you water, take your badge from you and hold it, they kept you updated on the time of the show and when the stage would be ready. They also had stage ninjas and catchers with first aid kits. I think even if the masquerade had more entrants, it would still have functioned like this and I thought it was amazing. So much better then any anime con I've been to. The MC was absolutely amazing too and really had a great voice.

These conventions are VERY different from anime cons, but in a way that I like and its a nice change for me. These cons also tend to have child events too. I found that the $85 price tag for this one was a bit steep, but the daily passes were like $20 and I would've paid that to go to the costuming panels.

Wow that sounds like a really well done masquerade! That's like what I strive for but things never go 100% as planned! xD I would have liked to go to several of the costuming panels as well. =o

Thanks for another well written review; it's been added to the website. :)