I muuuch prefer FC to AC, though granted, I haven't been to AC since they switched Hotels. My reasons for preferring FC may not apply to you, but in general I like the atmosphere at FC much better. Unfortunately, the Doubletree is soldout. :< Still tryin' to figure out what I'm gonna do about that. :/

Wow, that sells out quickly O.o

I've been told a lot that FC has a nicer atmosphere in general. I still dunno though. But I guess I have a while yet to decide..

I prefer FC over AC as well. AC is way too big (the dealer's room is kind of ridiculous in size) and is set away from the rest of things because of the convention center. FC is in a nice location and is big, but not so huge as to be difficult to get around in.

I've only been to AC, since FC is on the other side of the continent and was too soon after Christmas.

I wouldn't say AC is to big, though. It was fun meeting so many people from online, or seeing random fursuits or badges I recognized. Sure, the dealer's room is massive, but that's because a lot of people want to sell and buy stuff. And I still saw dealers who were sold out on certain commissions and stuff anyway. Having multiple resturants within walking distance - and a conveniant store that sold Bawls right acorss the street! - was also nice, considering the 4 other cons I've been to didn't have that.

My only beefs were 1 - the convention center was a bit of a walk away, especially for the overflow hotel. Even then, the center was huge, and I don't think half of that space was necessary. It seemed like the con was only in about a third of the convention center. 2 - the artist's alley was badly planned. They raffled out seats - 80 seats when I think 120+ wanted them - so talent didn't matter, and if you got in one day and didn't finish commissions, you might not be there the next day to give them to the commissioner. That, and it was packed - hardly any space to display minimal artwork, let alone store your art supplies.

Overall, it was the most fun con I've been to, because it was because of the people who were there, not the actual convention.

Yeah, meeting lots of people from the internets is the main reason why I'd want to go. I feel like jumping into the deep end, I suppose.

How far away was the hotel? Apparently FC's hotel is booked out, so it's going to be a bit of a walk for that anyway.
And that kinda sucks about the artist alley :| Hopefully they'll have it better sorted at the next one. I'd like to try selling stuff for a day or so at which ever con I go to. I guess I'm leaning more towards AC though, just for the fact that its further away. Gives me more time to sort out stuff, as well as do more pictures for potential selling.

The hotel was connected to the convention center, but it was a good 5-10 minute walk from there to get to the main area for con activities. The overflow hotel was at least two blocks away (I hope they get a closer one o.=.O).

I've been, and am going to FC and I love it. Good sized but not crazy huge.

I'll be at FC and i liked it far more than AC, overall. :o

I keep hearing FC's atmosphere is a lot nicer than at AC, as well as FC having more in the way of fursuiting :O I still dunno though. Will you be going to AC also?

I hope to. :D

I avoid them due to travel and hotel costs, which would easily add up to a month's rent plus utilities.

I've attended AC since 2004 and I love going. I've never been to FC because it requires too many travel plans and money, and I've always attended with my bf, who isn't into furry art at all. I don't like traveling alone and I usually always rely on him to share part of the expense. AC is roughly 20 minutes from my house now since they moved it to Pittsburgh.

I can't compare FC to AC though. I want to attend FC sometime just to have the experience of going, but the hotels fill up so fast it kinda turns me off.

Yes, I'd much rather travel with someone too. Especially seeing as I live on the other side of the world.

FC's hotel has already filled up, which seems kinda ridiculous to me. Months until the con, and its already booked out. But yeah, I'm thinking AC is sounding kinda preferrable so far.

I try to attend AC as often as I can, and I haven't missed an FC since my first time going. Honestly I prefer FC over AC, and not just cause it's less travel for me ^^' AC is generally really big. Not only are there so many people that it's difficult to hang out with everyone, but there's so much travel time between the dealer room and the rest of the con. Though FC has been growing rapidly in the last couple years, it still doesn't feel quite as hectic.
Honestly I love both cons, but my scales are tipped more toward FC.

Been going to AC twic now, and been loving it both times. Definatly planning a third trip next year. A lot of my friends go.
FC... dunno bout that. I can't accord two america trips a year @___@

I have not been to FC, but I have gone to AC this most recent year. Compared to smaller cons, I honestly didn't like it as much, due to sheer size. I think it's a great con to go to every so often, especially if you just want to dive in and meet a million people. However, the problem with that is that you don't have any real time to spend with folks, since you're always running trying to find everyone you know. Whereas a smaller con would give you time to hang out more.

So it all depends what you're looking for. Tons to do and loads of new people to meet, or hanging with friends in a calmer, smaller environment.

Hope that helps. *smiles*

Meeting people is the main thing for me, but AC sounds almost overwhelming. I just think it'd be a neat experience to see so many LJ/FA/DA icons converted to real people. But... having time to hang out with people is important too. I'd love to be able to attend both cons (or, any of the larger cons for that matter), just to find out what I prefer, but that's not an option, given my location in the world :P

Thanks for the info though :> Is much helpful.

I couldn't really say whichone you should go to ... but whichever you choose I demand to come along :| You can't have all the fun on your own, draggy XD

If you like. Will that actually be a possibility though?
My preference is probably leaning towards AC still, mainly cause there's more time between then and now.

I've been to both, and they're both awesome... AC is much closer to me, so it's easier, but i hope to be able to go to FC again in january too.
One thing i'll say is that any con is a lot more awesome if you have friends there - because the people make it what it is.
AC might be a better bet at this point simply because planning time for FC is getting short... unless you have friends who will let you room with them, there's not really any way to get a room now.
Anyhow, i hope you do get to go to one, i bet you'll enjoy it... bring a camera, and make sure you have access to caffeine, heh.

Yes, I'm still trying to find out who is going to which. FC is coming up pretty quickly, but I'll have a room with friends if I go to that. Apparently the dealer's room is sold out though, and I would like to have a go at trying to sell arts.

As long as caffeine exists, I should be able to survive at whichever I go to :O

Caffeine is plentiful :D

I forget the specifics of it, but i'm pretty sure FC has a first-come-first-serve 'free' selling area like AC does, so if you get up early you can sell art there. People seem to do pretty well, the only major difference is that your name wouldn't be listed or printed anywhere on a dealer's directory.

Good luck with con plans in any event! Maybe i'll see you.

Based on what I've read, it definately seems like AC may be the better choice for you. Since you can't come to the US too often, why not go all out and hit the biggest con we have over here?

Plus, the dealer's den situation really cinches it. I think you would do great at the AC den. If you did FC, then you'd have to make due with artist's alley, which is usually more commishion than print oriented.

Yeah, I think I will be going to AC afterall. I figure by then I'll probably be able to find someone to travel with anyway, and FC is coming up too soon for me.
And I'd prefer to be selling prints or originals rather than working madly on commissions. I draw incredibly slowly, and I don't think I'd do too well if I tried commissions at FC.
Thanks muchly for your thoughts on it!

Come to Megaplex instead? CX Ehe.

go to FC!! 8D

I don't go to AC... XD hahaha. THAT'S A GOOD REASON. Also.. it's less "weird" apparently.

Everyone says FC is nicer but they all still go to AC 8| And while I wouldn't know anything about FC, AC was fun. I got to meet tons of online people, and if that's just what you want to do then AC is your best bet. Because that's the con that everyone goes toooOOOoooo. I'll be going there again in 2008, and I hope to sell some stuff this time xD

Yep, it's going to be AC now. The people who I could have traveled with to FC decided to go over to the states a month prior to the con, and I'd prefer not to be over there that long :| Overall AC sounded the best for me anyway, and yes... more people always seem to go there than FC.
Maybe I will see you there :D