So, your first furry con? Is it also your first con ever?

As someone who has attended a few cons, and even worked conventions, I think myself qualified to offer some advice to those who want it.

My first piece of advice would be one of two things, which is really the same thing worded two ways: Be flexible, and be prepared for some disappointment/frustration. Every convention I've attended had multiple events I wanted to attend/participate in all at the same time. I think they do this on purpose just to annoy me... And if you want to hang out with friends, expect them to be free when you're busy with something, and vice-versa. Generally, decide to go to the convention for one main reason so you can focus on that one thing, and know you won't be able to accomplish everything.

Second: eat and sleep. Make sure you get a good amount of sleep every night. How much you need is something only you will know. Folks say get at least 6 hours a night, and that is a minimum, I think. Eat healthy, but meals may end up being a luxury. Grazing, eating and drinking a little throughout the day and night is another option, and some studies say it may be healthier than eating formalized meals. But not eating right can result in fatigue as bad as not enough sleep. Also, recognize when you're tired and get some rest at that point. Pushing yourself past that point can result in a not-fun con tradition: con crud. It is not fun to be in bed sick instead of walking around the convention.

Third: shower. Saving a few minutes so you can get to the con sooner is not worth the stench. My first convention, on Sunday, the elevator smelled like a herd of deceased buffalo. NOT pleasant at all! Deodorant spray is not a substitute either. Neither is Febreeze, but that may help faux fur smell nicer.

Fourth: budget. Money especially, but also time. See point #1. You'd love to buy that thing in the dealers' room/artists' alley, but there's also that other thing. And don't forget that! Wouldn't that be cool and fun? Yes. Unless that is bankruptcy or not being able to eat. Also, when confronted with the buying choices, focus on one sort of item you'd especially like. Furry books, comics, videos, art. If it is like other cons I've been too, you may also have options for roleplaying accessories (my personal favorite), jewelry, clothing, etc. And save some money to be a donation to the con's charity, if you feel it is a worthwhile charity. They often have simple souvenirs as well. I got a nice car magnet.

Last, and probably most important: resolve to have fun! There will be disappointments and let downs, things you expected or hoped for that didn't happen. So what? Life happens like that. So you can choose to be miserable over missed moments or you can choose to enjoy the moments that did happen. I mentioned volunteering to help someone at the convention, with a promise that I'd get to meet someone specific. Well, someone specific was not there, and I spent my one day at the convention in artists' alley for nothing! Wasted day! Except I got to meet a musician from Scotland, an animator from some company I can't name, and meet a couple of friends of mine whom I did not know would be there, but they were and had tables right next to each other.

Oh, and one other thing, but this is just something I like: go visit the city the convention is in. Sure, the con will dominate your time, but most conventions are downtown, so there will probably be a museum or cultural thing close to hand. Go look at it.

Now I have a question for you: will you be going to Multiple Alternate Realities Con (www.marcon.org) in Columbus OH in May?

Yes, it's my first furry convention, but not my first convention.
I went to PAX East 2015, but I had so much anxiety I ended up mostly roaming around the convention and didn't participate with much.
(also was only there for the one day)
I attended Markiplier's panel (which I was very unfamiliar with him at the time, I'd not really watched much of any of his videos)
And I bought my first MLP comics. (Ironically from a vendor that was actually from close-by to home and I didn't know it until last year)
My friend was the one who bought the passes for us and I had to meet him there.

I'd certainly say that sounds like you're Quite qualified.

Well, I'm currently trying to Find friends to meet with there. As I'm going alone.
Ironically, or sadly, I know more about Brony cons and Comic cons than I do about Furry ones. So IDK what sort of events to expect beyond "Fursuit Parade" and probably some sort of Rave/Dance. I'm currently just hoping I will be able to afford the stuff I'll find i the dealer's den.

Well, hopefully I'll be able to nap on the train ride at some point, or I'll find somefur to crash in their hotel room... but I won't count on that. I'm certainly planning to take the train back home each day.

I'll certainly bring some snacks & drinks and hopefully something substantial to eat. If not I'll be sure to eat at the cafeteria. (I ate something at PAX East's cafeteria/food court)
And I've most certainly heard of ConCrud.
Plus, since I don't have a fursuit yet, I'm not as concerned about being too tired or thirsty. But I'll keep it in mind.

Wait, how do you know what a dead buffalo smells like? Ehhh, maybe I don't Want to know.
I'll be sure to shower every day then. I've not been much of a deodorant spray type of person, but would it be good or bad to use some in addition to showering?

As someone who didn't buy anything at the convention I went to before until we were on our way out (and I would have liked to have bought more things, especially retro games, repro-carts, and briefly tempted to buy the two new DBZ movies Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, I only just bought the MLP comics I thought I'd like.)
Knowing me, I'd probably window shop too long and go back to get something on the last day and it'll be sold out...

Since I spent $100 on Registration, I'm getting a Con T-Shirt and stuff.
Knowing me, I'll be most interested in two types of things, the stuff I can wear to show furry pride and secret private furry things that I'll enjoy alone at home. ^_^

I'm certainly planning to keep the money for the train rides separate, so I won't accidentally spend it.
Though Big question is, do I need to bring my money in cash? or is it okay to pay with my Debit/bank card? (I don't own a credit card)

You have me curious as to what "furry videos" might be... unless you mean like Zootopia on DVD and stuff like that...
(I'd like to get Wolf Children sometime, but I don't need to get it at the furry convention...)

Another thing, at the other convention, I just had a digital camera that wasn't that useful at taking pictures.
From my experience this weekend at the Boston Aquarium for the first time, I took lots of pictures with my 3DSXL. Some of which didn't come out that well, but most of which Did.
It'll also be an easy way of keeping track of what I'm contemplating buying for deciding later.

I wouldn't know how I'd get to Columbus come my birthday. I currently just have a small part time job working for Big Brother Big Sister.
Though I AM planning on looking into getting unemployment money after being let got from Game Stop at the end of the year.
I take it you're asking me cuz You're for sure going to that particular convention?

In reverse order:

I once lived very close to the hotel where MARCon is held, and a friend invited me. I loved it and volunteered for it, and worked my way up to ConCom, convention committee before I moved out of Ohio. I've been invited back to work the convention this year. Not sure I'm going though as I'm saving money for something else.

Furry videos: yes, the movies you name are furry, and others are too. But somewhere I have a movie someone made about racism in the furry community. I have yet to watch it, and I lost the DVD too, so probably won't ever. :P

Cash versus plastic is a debate that applies outside of just conventions. Debit cards (plastic) have the advantage that, if it gets stolen, you can contact the bank and quickly, relatively, get a replacement, and you won't be liable for too much spending on it. However, it doesn't really feel like spending money like handing over cash does. Its a psychological thing that can cause you to overspend. (And I speak from painful experience.) If stolen, cash is gone for good and beyond recovery. Not an experience I had, but once I gave up my ticket to a football game to a friend who wanted to go, and who got robbed, losing the tickets entirely, so no one ended up going.

We watched the game in my apartment, so not a total bust, but ...

Also, helps if your debit card is a branded one (Visa, Mastercard) as far as acceptance. Worst case, you would have to ask the artist/vendor to hold the item while you went to an ATM.

As for how I know what a dead buffalo smells like? I worked on a ranch for a couple of summers. Not a tourist thing, actually worked the ranch and had to deal with a dead animal or two. Except that detail, it was fun. Using some deodorant would be good. You'll be walking a lot for sure so an antiperspirant variety might be suggested.

And as regards MARCon, trying to decide if it will be worth me taking up the offer.

OIC. What's the something else, if you don't mind me asking.

Oh, so there are actually original Furry movies that get sold at these types of conventions? Interesting. I might consider getting one if the price is right.
Though IDK if a topic like That, persay, would be something I'd want to watch...

I had to replace a card I lost at Canobie Lake Park amusement park, it was used to buy McDonalds a town or two over...
Luckily I was able to cancel the card and get the money they spent refunded. But it was also my fault, I didn't put my card away and it probably fell out of my pocket during a ride or something. (I'm rather sure it wasn't lifted from me)
I can 1000% agree that debit cards can be too easy to spend on. (I nearly spent all my money on Black Friday at work)

Just so long as I won't need to use ATMs to take out cash while I'm there, cuz those things charge fees. I'll stick with my card.
I only just started having one about a year ago.
And yes, it's Visa.

I was joking, I didn't really think you knew what that smelled like... It's like when someone says "This tastes like shit!" You don't usually expect that they've tasted shit before. lol.
But still, pretty cool that you've had the privilage of working with animals. That's something most any furry would enjoy. ^_^

Well, as fun as it might be, IDK how I'd get there and I'm still trying to work on having some cash to go to this convention...
So, it all likelihood, I'm probably not going to go.
I currently have $200, though I'll be spending some of that this Friday to get Dragon Ball Fighterz. (hoping to put in a good word at the GameStop and try to get hired there.)
But I have 2 more paychecks before the convention in a month. Gonna try to keep as much as I can.