So I joined this forum to ask a question. In September I may go to Kumoricon... but I have no idea where it's located. I have looked up on Google Maps, but all that pops up are the hotels. does Kumoricon take place inside the hotels? Does it take place in that little park? Where would we give our tickets to enter? I just don't understand, can someone help?
So, Kumoricon is located in Vancouver, Washington. All the activities take place in and around the Hilton and Red Lion hotels there, as well as in the park across the street from the Hilton. Panels and other con-hosted activities happen inside the hotels. For larger events that require lines of people to get in, such as the formal dances and more popular panels, sometimes they will start the lines outside around the perimeter of the hotel.
The earlier you pre-order your ticket/badge, the cheaper the price will be. Under the "Registration" tap on the Kumoricon homepage, you can buy your ticket. If you choose to do this and pre-order, they will send you an e-mail with confirmation that you bought your ticket. Print this out. Then, whenever you get to the actual convention (the first day, the day before, called "day 0", or whenever you've registered to be at the con), you go to the registration desk where they will hand you your actual badge that you clip onto your costume to wear around. Registration is usually located in the parking garage underneath the Hilton hotel.
If you decide to just purchase your ticket at the actual con and not to pre-order, the process is pretty much the same. You show up at the hotel, go down to the parking garage, and stand in line for a long, long time where you'll pay right there and then and they'll hand you your badge.
After you get your badge, they will hand you a little plastic bag with a program/schedule booklet, that has a printout of all the events and panels that will be held for that given con. From there, it's all up to you! You choose where you want to go and what you want to do, and have fun!
I hope some of this was helpful to you, and I hope your first time at Kumoricon is a good one!