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Alright.

This Metrocon... could have gone better for my party. sweatdrop So I'm asking for advice, over the course of the year, from experienced con-goers and people who are involved in Metrocon: How much money do you need, what sort of gear is best, how should you go about getting around Tampa if you don't want to drive, and so forth.

We found that a lot of hotels had good shuttle service to the center. 3nodding

I even remember our driver's name. Nick...XD It was pretty good. And some of the hotel's are even close enough to walk. But if not, I suggest the shuttle service...It's just a hugemongus van. *shrug* But it was good...

And then...Money gets to be an issue at Metrocon, because all their food is damned expensive...So, last year we brought our own food...A cooler with like...subs and sodas in it, and left it in the room, then carried some snacks ((pocky, yan yan...etc.)) in our con bags. Which we didn't get this year. So, to sum that one up, bringing your own food is a good alternative to actually paying three to 7 dollars for a skimpy looking plate of food. Plus, the food workers were kind...bitchy...

But...I always come well armed with lots of cash and a debit card, for use in the vendors room. How much...? Who can say...But, in the very least, always bring enough for a replacement badge, in the case that you lose yours. We only had to pay five bucks for one this year, though last year they charged full price, which sucks.

Anyhow, that's all I got...Oh...one more thing...My cohorts always come armed with all sizes of safety pins, just in case, and I usually have a pocket-sized sewing kit on me at all times and extra bits of fabric and buttons and what not, and iron on adhesive in the hotel room...Definitely a good idea.

Okay, seriously, I'm done now. *nod*

Yeah. ^^

My mother sent me off to my first con with lots of snacks, 'cause when I get hungry or don't eat enough after a while I start shaking really bad and go all wobbly and dizzy. Thankfully it wasn't a problem, because I was well armed. ^^ It happened at the last Metrocon though, because I didn't have the cash for food on sunday, so I spent most of that day all wobbly. Thankfully, we stopped for dinner on the way home.

So I maintain the idea of bringing food along and having like...a group backpack, and everyone just throwing in some munchies for whenever. For my Host Club cosplay, we're baking cookies to give out to fan girls, and we're gonna eat some ourselves to save money on food. XD Clever, eh? Not really, I know. XP

3nodding

Seriously...But they were like that to everyone. Thankfully, I was dressed pretty scary, so when any of 'em yelled at me they shut up kinda quick...Bloody med masks and black leather cltohing and boots that make you loom over everyone are good for shutting up bitchy old ladies, y'know?

Okay. The food thing is always a problem people run into. Con food is just so friggin' expensive. But luckily, carrying a bag with snacks and stuff is a really handy way to cut down on costs. Sandwiches, lunchables, mini boxes of cereal, those sorts of things work really well. And are decently easy to carry around. You can keep other foods in your hotel room too, and go back there for food. Also, try researching the area around Tampa. Right across the bridge is a Publix. Meaning, you can gets subs and warm food too! It's alot cheaper than buying from the convention center, but involves walking, or driving.

It's a good idea to research the area you'll be in, if you're not familiar with it, and you need to find your way around. You'll be able to locate restaurants, stores, hotels, and other such assortments.

Money is always a complicated thing. Always have enough for your ticket(obviously) and a little extra in case of emergencies. Set a budget for yourself. Ticket money, emergency money, food money,gas money, hotel money, and spending money. Keep track of what you spend, so you don't run into the problem of having no money.

And what do you mean by what kind of gear?

Gear as in "What sort of coolers or backpacks work best for long-term carrying?" "What place sells shoes that are both cosplay-worthy and comfortable?" "What sort of purse (or small bag) is best for carrying your personal effects (money, ID, ect) so that if you lose your con-kit, you still have important things?"

Pretty much: "What do you use, what works for you and why, and what doesn't work for you and why?"

Oh, and how the HECK do you keep cold food cold at a convention that frowns on bringing in food from the outside?!

Well...the food...We accidentally kept our food cold by putting it in my friend's purse, in which we also had a bottle of frozen water...(which sucked because it was candy and it got all...tough and chewy....XP)

And bag...I use three different things to carry stuff in...

I have a three part system, if you will...XP

I have my wallet, which is for, obviously, money and stuff...

Then a small tiny tiny bag for costume repair stuff, cosmetic stuff (dependent upon the costumes in my group), and other random stuff we might need.

And all this goes into a messenger bag, which is a great size for merchandise and what not. Plus, My messenger bag has like...secret pockets, in which I keep extra cash, just in case I lose my wallet. (Hasn't happened yet, thank god...)

I guess it honestly depends on how much you're willing to carry...And as far as food goes...I just don't eat normal meals on con weekends, usually. But it does help to keep a cooler at your hotel with basic stuff, so you and your roomies can just chow down whenever you get in. At a con last summer, I would just fix myself a sandwhich or something from our stuff when ever we went back to change, or drop stuff off. Other than that, I can't really think of anything you could do, besides snack foods (I bring granola bars and sometimes stuff I baked to give to my group so we all stay alive...).

Oh...And with Metrocon, we found that eating lunch outside was fairly decent. They had a grill kind of thing goin' on just outside where the main snackage stand was located, at least there was last year. The prices weren't too terrible, and it was pretty good, if I recall.