I'll try to limit my "rants" to anything that someone could possibly do something about. They can't do anything about the food near the hotel. (I feel like if I have to pick between better food selection and a hotel staff that treats us like humans, I'll pick the latter.)
Rants- No signs posted outside panel rooms? I seem to recall there being screens that would display which panels were taking place in the room. It's possible I'm imagining this though. ^^
- The first dance was
extremely hot and humid, even past 12pm when about 80% of the people had filed out.
Raves- I liked the Kumoricon menu at Gray's at the Park. Admittedly, this isn't the choice for people on a budget. After dessert and tip, I ended up dropping $39 for me and my brother to eat.
- The staff at Gray's at the Park were amazing as well. They were extremely polite and prompt. One of them, Dimitry, even started talking with me about anime, asking me my favorites, telling me how he once watched a bunch of anime when he broke his leg and couldn't do anything. One of the waitresses was even wearing cat ears! (I thought she had on a tail, too, but it turned out to just be where she tied off her apron. hehe!)
- The dance on the second night was much, much cooler and well-ventilated. I also enjoyed that the music on the second night was drastically different from the music on the first night.
- Hotel staff was awesome. A female security guard was talking with me on Sunday night. She was really funny. She showed me how she had her middle-finger peace bonded.
- Kumoricon staff was awesome. One of the staffers came up to me, because he thought I would be interested, and explained the unisex bathroom to me. Honestly, I went in for a moment to adjust something, heard someone else in a stall, and immediately thought, "You know, I don't know if that's a guy or a girl in the bathroom and that makes me uncomfortable." So I left. A good idea, but not for me. Also, I kind of get a kick out of the people that walk into the bathroom, only see me from the side, and start to freak out until I turn my head and look at them.
- I really liked the plushie workshop. I'm sorry I forget who hosted it, but we made a bunny. It was my first time taking a needle into my hand and trying to sew. It has inspired me and I already went out and bought some needles and thread just to mess around with. XD
- I only got to experience the first 30 or so minutes of the "Oftenly Renamed Panel", but that was also great and had me cracking up.
- The attendees! Heck, that's what it's all about, right? I had a blast photographing, getting my photo taken, giving/receiving hugs, hanging out with people, and apparently, being adopted by a couple nice young girls. xD