Katsucon? Anyone been? Any advice?

[DisneyMissy318]

Katsucon? Anyone been? Anyone know what it is??

My daughter has been bouncing off of the walls wanting to go to Katsucon! She has traded a future birthday party for the trip - so we are entertaining the idea of taking her. Does anyone know what to expect?

I can glean a little info from the website - but would love it if my DIS friends have a review to share...

Any HELPFUL info would be AWESOME!

Thanks!

 

[LaraK]

Katsucon? Anyone been? Anyone know what it is??

My daughter has been bouncing off of the walls wanting to go to Katsucon! She has traded a future birthday party for the trip - so we are entertaining the idea of taking her. Does anyone know what to expect?

I can glean a little info from the website - but would love it if my DIS friends have a review to share...

We also would like to know of somewhere to stay on the outskirts of town - looking for towns where I can look for (or Priceline) a room. The convention is at the Gaylord Inner Harbor - all of the hotels around there are pretty expensive - so... looking for nice areas that aren't too far out of town (15-30 mins).

Any info would be AWESOME!

Thanks!

Do you mean the Gaylord National Harbor in DC? I've never heard of a Gaylord Inner Harbor in Baltimore....

 

[Tiggeroo]

my young adult dd has been to this several times. But she was in college when she started going. They are careful where they stay because neighborhoods change quickly in Baltimore. They always make sure they stay in the inner harbor. They typically would get a group of people together and split the room with not everybody getting a bed. They need to do this because it is pricy. Even with five to a room I seem to remember it being at least 80. per nite apiece. Book early, good hotels fill up. If you are staying off the harbor check parking prices to drive in, or see if the hotel has a shuttle.

 

[mdsoccermom]

You need to know the location of the convention if you plan on going to it. This is NOT held in Baltimore. The Gaylord is at the National Harbor located in Maryland just outside of DC. That is not near Baltimore.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Thanks to EVERYONE for so POLITELY pointing out that I had the location incorrect! I'm sure you've never made a mistake... the only thing that I have heard is that it was in Baltimore! So... now that I know that the Gaylord is near DC and not Baltimore - I'm wondering if anyone actually has some advice to offer?!

Sincere thanks to Tiggeroo and LaraK - for politely pointing out my error - Mdsoccermom - not so much!

 

[belledreamer]

I have not been to Katsucon, but I've been to something similar in my hometown so I'll give my advice based on that.

As to what it is, it's basically a fan convention based around Japanese anime (shows)and manga (books).

There's alot of shopping you can do; everything from keychains to toys to Japanese snacks, especially Pocky (long pencil shaped cookies covered in chocolate) At the one I went to, you could even buy leather armor pieces, wall scrolls, and actual Samurai swords. Be sure to bring plenty of cash...you'll need it.

Prepare yourself for TONS of people in costumes from shows you've probably never heard of. The vast majority of people who attend these conventions wear costumes (or as we call it, cosplay.) Most people go as characters from animes, but I've also seen people go as Nickelodeon or Disney characters, Doctor Who; one even went as Rainbow Bright. You don't have to wear a costume to go, but if you do, it adds so much more to the experience! Just be prepared that if you do wear a costume, especially of a popular character, people may ask to take your picture, take a picture with you, or may even want to hug you. (You can tell them no. )

Looking at how old your daughter is and also who is on the guest list, she's more than likely wanting to go for the same reason I went...the voice actors. (My avatar is actually a pic of me with one of the voice actors I met at my local convention.) At most conventions, different voice actors and actresses from different animes will come to do Q&A panels, autographs sessions, pictures, etc. These are always loads of fun; every voice actor I've met has been EXTREMELY NICE and pics and autographs are free.

Seeing that a certain voice actor is going, I'll give another piece of advice... Remember the name Vic Mignogna! This guy is just about the most well known voice actor in English anime and a rather large fanbase to boot. He'll probably have a Q&A panel just on him and he even has a Star Trek panel at some conventions. Super nice guy if you get to meet him. Just be prepared for LOADS of squealing girls...

There are something events that are probably not age-appropriate for your daughter, but for the most part, these are late at night and in separate spaces, so you should be fine.

The best advice I can give if you really want to see what it's like is to search 'Katsucon' on Youtube. Several people will post their videos from conventions on there and that will probably give you a better idea of what to expect than anything you may read on it.

That's probably some good starter info for you. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them the best that I can.

 

[bluesaturn]

There is a Marriott across from the Gaylord.

The nearest hotels outside the harbor would be the Clarion and the Comfort Inn, both in Oxon Hill, MD. They are about a mile from the Gaylord, very quick and easy drive. I would not go any deeper into Oxon Hill looking for lodging (these are both by the highway).

Oxon Hill isn't the greatest area. I think you would be fine staying there for a night or two. But I wouldn't neccesarily go into Oxon Hill for anything, especially not at night, just go back to the harbor for dinner or whatever.

You could also stay in Alexandria, VA. It's right over the bridge (next to the harbor) into Virginia. Alexandria is nice and has lots of restaurants and shops so you could spend some time there. I'm assuming the MD hotels would be cheaper, but I'm not positive.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

I have not been to Katsucon, but I've been to something similar in my hometown so I'll give my advice based on that.

As to what it is, it's basically a fan convention based around Japanese anime (shows)and manga (books).

There's alot of shopping you can do; everything from keychains to toys to Japanese snacks, especially Pocky (long pencil shaped cookies covered in chocolate) At the one I went to, you could even buy leather armor pieces, wall scrolls, and actual Samurai swords. Be sure to bring plenty of cash...you'll need it.

Prepare yourself for TONS of people in costumes from shows you've probably never heard of. The vast majority of people who attend these conventions wear costumes (or as we call it, cosplay.) Most people go as characters from animes, but I've also seen people go as Nickelodeon or Disney characters, Doctor Who; one even went as Rainbow Bright. You don't have to wear a costume to go, but if you do, it adds so much more to the experience! Just be prepared that if you do wear a costume, especially of a popular character, people may ask to take your picture, take a picture with you, or may even want to hug you. (You can tell them no. )

Looking at how old your daughter is and also who is on the guest list, she's more than likely wanting to go for the same reason I went...the voice actors. (My avatar is actually a pic of me with one of the voice actors I met at my local convention.) At most conventions, different voice actors and actresses from different animes will come to do Q&A panels, autographs sessions, pictures, etc. These are always loads of fun; every voice actor I've met has been EXTREMELY NICE and pics and autographs are free.

Seeing that a certain voice actor is going, I'll give another piece of advice... Remember the name Vic Mignogna! This guy is just about the most well known voice actor in English anime and a rather large fanbase to boot. He'll probably have a Q&A panel just on him and he even has a Star Trek panel at some conventions. Super nice guy if you get to meet him. Just be prepared for LOADS of squealing girls...

There are something events that are probably not age-appropriate for your daughter, but for the most part, these are late at night and in separate spaces, so you should be fine.

The best advice I can give if you really want to see what it's like is to search 'Katsucon' on Youtube. Several people will post their videos from conventions on there and that will probably give you a better idea of what to expect than anything you may read on it.

That's probably some good starter info for you. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them the best that I can.

WOW! Thanks so much for taking the time to give us all of those details. DD is now even more excited!! I'll see if she has any questions - THANKS!!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

There is a Marriott across from the Gaylord.

The nearest hotels outside the harbor would be the Clarion and the Comfort Inn, both in Oxon Hill, MD. They are about a mile from the Gaylord, very quick and easy drive. I would not go any deeper into Oxon Hill looking for lodging (these are both by the highway).

Oxon Hill isn't the greatest area. I think you would be fine staying there for a night or two. But I wouldn't neccesarily go into Oxon Hill for anything, especially not at night, just go back to the harbor for dinner or whatever.

You could also stay in Alexandria, VA. It's right over the bridge (next to the harbor) into Virginia. Alexandria is nice and has lots of restaurants and shops so you could spend some time there. I'm assuming the MD hotels would be cheaper, but I'm not positive.

THANKS for the suggestions! We will definitely try out the areas you suggested... awesome info - thanks for taking your time to respond.

 

[LaraK]

Maryland hotels will be cheaper, but nothing is particularly cheap near DC (unless it's in a dicey neighborhood). One thing I will say, I've stayed at that Gaylord and it is quite nice (not as nice as the Gaylord down in Orlando, but nice). Driving into and out of National Harbor is NOT easy. If you're unfamiliar with the DC area, it would be totally worth it to spend the extra and just stay in the hotel...if you take the wrong turn out of the Gaylord you can end up in Northern Virginia or Southeast DC (BAAAADDDD area).

One nice thing that National Harbor has is a water taxi over to old town Alexandria...if you could get a rate in Alexandria (doubt it) you can commute by boat!

 

[LaughingSphinx]

I'm fairly sure Katsucon has their own forums; it is free to sign up, and would be a great way to get more information. Make sure you take a camera (or two, or three) to get all the costumes; is your DD going in costume?
Some of the costumes you'll see will outdo even Disney detail, some...well, some won't. But you'll definitely want a camera!

Lots of cash is also a must, there will be Japanese candy/beverages, anime, manga, all sorts of things to buy, and all sorts of events, panels, screenings, and other fun things to do. If you like watching people, you might enjoy watching the masquerade.