Near pre-expo final thoughts...

well, I was going to make a  'rant' about how AX has been performing these past few years but I second-thought it and instead of doing some long post, I'll summarize that their performance hasn't really been their best, at least since I remember it when it was still in Anaheim.

I'm afraid this year that it'll have it share of complaints from what I've noticed on the main site and also from word of mouth. I'll share what I've noticed different since last year. 2 changes:

1. No exhibit hall only passes. If one was to just wanting to go to the exhibit hall, they'd need to get a full day pass. Not really affecting me, but my cousin who wanted just the exhibit hall pass (I convinced him that there's more to it than just the hall)
2. One person cannot pick up any other persons badge, even if they're in the same group. This was the big one because now since I was planning to go down tomorrow to pick up my cousin's and my badge, I gotta bring him along tomorrow as well just to pick his up. Quite inconvenient for a lot of people, especially for those that are still under the assumption (up to this date) that they are able to do so.

Thus, I came to the conclusion just from these two and the word of mouth (which I will not talk about here) that it all comes down to money (like everything does...). Someone that wants to just do the exhibit hall has to now dish out an additional $20, assuming an exhibit hall pass probably would've been $15-$20. If each person has to pick up their own badge, that means travel, parking, etc.etc. it'll all add up.

Now despite all of these, I'd still find myself going to AX, It is more the atmosphere that entices me, to see that there are a lot of people out there that are just like me with the same interests. At least for 4-5 days of the year, I can really let loose in me being an anime enthusiast.....ok, an Otaku!

K that'll all I'll talk about on that topic. I'll post again tomorrow.