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Megaplex Report
2 months ago
This Graymuzzle has sufficiently recovered from Megaplex to be able to make a report after having slept most of yesterday and the day before. I really need to get out and do more...
Gone are the days when Megaplex was a small convention that was compact and easy-going. The Hyatt Regency is enormous, with it's own convention center, and that is where the convention took place this year. The hotel itself was barely a thing compared to the space the convention took up, and most of that seemed to be centered on a truly colossal (for a furry convention) dealer's room. The dealer's den took up the center, with the rest of the convention being spread out on two levels along two sides of the space. That meant it was a massive open-air area (around 3-stories tall) with a HUGE walkway for the parade, but as someone with a damaged knee and back, it also meant going from place to place was an effort. This was made up for in the plentiful places to sit, however, so I have little to complain about in that regard. My fatigue was a creation of my own making, so boo on me for not being in better shape.
Yes, it was line con. I found out about 2/3rds of the way through the mile-long registration line (no, I'm not kidding) that I could have gone in through a shorter line for those with accessibility issues, but only because a con staffer nearly lost their marbles when they saw my son's Star Wars blasters and informed us that there is a strict "no guns allowed" rule after some moron started taking pictures of themselves "hunting" furries at last year's event. Naturally, one arsehole ruins it for everyone... As a result, we had to return to our hotel (we stayed across the street) to drop them off, but were advised we could return through the accessibility/VIP line when we did.
I will give it to the staff, however. They knew they were overwhelmed and they still had happy faces and friendly smiles for everyone. They did what they could and managed expectations as best they were able. It was a fun event, and the fursuits were incredible as always. From a pair of Helldivers with no fur to a Stormtrooper with furry ears and joints to some INSANELY large fullsuits with enlarged breasts and hips, the suits ran the gamut and we took pics wherever we could. There were some absolutely gorgeous outfits, incredibly cute suits and more than a few questionably-dressed individuals, but that is what you get when you go to a fur-con and I expected no less. It is an event where you can express yourself, regardless of who or what you consider yourself to be, and I enjoy that fact every time I go.
Strangely, a majority of the events had little to do with the actual furry fandom. I am also used to a large space being used for entertainment, but never saw a single large room being used for things like auctions or comedy shows, like at previous conventions. There was a charity group there, but they were jammed into the back of the dealer's den and hardly noticeable with everything else that was there. A large blocked-off section was set aside for adult-themed purchases, which is likely a good thing, but in combination with the "no-under-18-attendees" rule made it seem somewhat beside the point.
I was happy to see several of my FA friends, including Helix, Onic, Kiyo, Vixxy, Vrghr and more. There's never enough time, and with conflicting interests, it always seems more of a "hi-bye" kind of thing once the convention is underway, but most of us got to spend an evening together on Friday night, so we got our conversations at that time. Had I more stamina, I would have been able to stick around longer than I did, but I ended up running out of steam around mid-afternoon on Sunday and had to go home to recover before I ran myself into the ground.
My son went as an Imperial Navy Officer (Admiral) and was surprised at how often he was commented on, asked for pictures and generally welcomed. It was his first convention as an adult, having been to a few when he was younger when he dressed as a Halo soldier to complement my Master Chief. He was happy once he was there, but his anxiety nearly kept him from going, so I am glad I prodded him to at least show off the cosplay. While we were there, he ended up getting hands, feet and a tail to match his own OC/fursona and really enjoyed the experience, so here's hoping it wasn't his first and only convention.
Next year, I'm going to have to rent one of those scooters that Vixxy and Vrghr were running around in if I plan on sticking it out. The times when I could wear my Master Chief outfit and spend an entire weekend wandering around without dying from exhaustion or heat are apparently behind me.
To those I saw, it was an absolute pleasure. I love every minute with you guys and you remind me that I have friends I rarely see and to whom I apparently mean a lot to. It is sometimes hard to remember that, given that I work from home and most of my friends live in other states. To those I didn't get to really talk to, I hope we can make it up here or somewhere else. I really do enjoy listening to your stories and learning about your lives outside the convention or stories we share with one another.
Please take care of yourselves and I look forward to seeing you again next year!
Gone are the days when Megaplex was a small convention that was compact and easy-going. The Hyatt Regency is enormous, with it's own convention center, and that is where the convention took place this year. The hotel itself was barely a thing compared to the space the convention took up, and most of that seemed to be centered on a truly colossal (for a furry convention) dealer's room. The dealer's den took up the center, with the rest of the convention being spread out on two levels along two sides of the space. That meant it was a massive open-air area (around 3-stories tall) with a HUGE walkway for the parade, but as someone with a damaged knee and back, it also meant going from place to place was an effort. This was made up for in the plentiful places to sit, however, so I have little to complain about in that regard. My fatigue was a creation of my own making, so boo on me for not being in better shape.
Yes, it was line con. I found out about 2/3rds of the way through the mile-long registration line (no, I'm not kidding) that I could have gone in through a shorter line for those with accessibility issues, but only because a con staffer nearly lost their marbles when they saw my son's Star Wars blasters and informed us that there is a strict "no guns allowed" rule after some moron started taking pictures of themselves "hunting" furries at last year's event. Naturally, one arsehole ruins it for everyone... As a result, we had to return to our hotel (we stayed across the street) to drop them off, but were advised we could return through the accessibility/VIP line when we did.
I will give it to the staff, however. They knew they were overwhelmed and they still had happy faces and friendly smiles for everyone. They did what they could and managed expectations as best they were able. It was a fun event, and the fursuits were incredible as always. From a pair of Helldivers with no fur to a Stormtrooper with furry ears and joints to some INSANELY large fullsuits with enlarged breasts and hips, the suits ran the gamut and we took pics wherever we could. There were some absolutely gorgeous outfits, incredibly cute suits and more than a few questionably-dressed individuals, but that is what you get when you go to a fur-con and I expected no less. It is an event where you can express yourself, regardless of who or what you consider yourself to be, and I enjoy that fact every time I go.
Strangely, a majority of the events had little to do with the actual furry fandom. I am also used to a large space being used for entertainment, but never saw a single large room being used for things like auctions or comedy shows, like at previous conventions. There was a charity group there, but they were jammed into the back of the dealer's den and hardly noticeable with everything else that was there. A large blocked-off section was set aside for adult-themed purchases, which is likely a good thing, but in combination with the "no-under-18-attendees" rule made it seem somewhat beside the point.
I was happy to see several of my FA friends, including Helix, Onic, Kiyo, Vixxy, Vrghr and more. There's never enough time, and with conflicting interests, it always seems more of a "hi-bye" kind of thing once the convention is underway, but most of us got to spend an evening together on Friday night, so we got our conversations at that time. Had I more stamina, I would have been able to stick around longer than I did, but I ended up running out of steam around mid-afternoon on Sunday and had to go home to recover before I ran myself into the ground.
My son went as an Imperial Navy Officer (Admiral) and was surprised at how often he was commented on, asked for pictures and generally welcomed. It was his first convention as an adult, having been to a few when he was younger when he dressed as a Halo soldier to complement my Master Chief. He was happy once he was there, but his anxiety nearly kept him from going, so I am glad I prodded him to at least show off the cosplay. While we were there, he ended up getting hands, feet and a tail to match his own OC/fursona and really enjoyed the experience, so here's hoping it wasn't his first and only convention.
Next year, I'm going to have to rent one of those scooters that Vixxy and Vrghr were running around in if I plan on sticking it out. The times when I could wear my Master Chief outfit and spend an entire weekend wandering around without dying from exhaustion or heat are apparently behind me.
To those I saw, it was an absolute pleasure. I love every minute with you guys and you remind me that I have friends I rarely see and to whom I apparently mean a lot to. It is sometimes hard to remember that, given that I work from home and most of my friends live in other states. To those I didn't get to really talk to, I hope we can make it up here or somewhere else. I really do enjoy listening to your stories and learning about your lives outside the convention or stories we share with one another.
Please take care of yourselves and I look forward to seeing you again next year!
I do wonder if wearing a fursuit decreases one's anxiety about being near so many people. Alas, I don't have the money to test that hypothesis. (Just buying a plushie set me back $63 and change.)
'Tis a bit of a conundrum: a lot of usually shy people thrust into a confined (if huge) space.
My siblings and I did an escape room with two strangers. It was fun, but with no expectation that we would ever see them again. Also, we signed a waiver stating that we could be exposed to flashing lights in a dimly-lit room. That didn't happen, thankfully.
My mind went to Tailchaser's Song and its assertion that cats weren't meant to live cheek by jowl. Nor, I believe, were humans.
As an aside, I think Vixyy walked by me on Friday, but it didn't, ahem, register.
Well, I guess there's always next year.
Half the reason I love going to furry conventions is to see the suiters being silly, loving and outgoing. People who are afraid to be themselves in the "real" world can be themselves when wearing a head and paws and that's a sad truth about today's environment. Seeing them truly being themselves is a gift that I am always happy to partake in.
Not sure about net year myself , but glad your son had an Sami BFF adult time . Most of the shows were super late in the evening .
As Helix said - seeing friends was the highlight of my con.
Vix
Vix
I hope you can make it next year! Would be great to meet you!