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Comic-Con International => WonderCon => Topic started by: Bert Su on March 14, 2016, 08:48:54 PM

Title: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Bert Su on March 14, 2016, 08:48:54 PM
Wondercon should stay in LA. Not only is it 3x easier for me to go to Wondercon in LA, it is still in southern California and closer to northern California so many Comic Con fans can go there . Other conventions like Anime Expo, Comikaze and E3 have stayed in LA. I don't see why WonderCon shouldn't. I suppose people who want WC in San Francisco might say Southern California already has a lot of conventions, but since SDCC gets more attendees in SoCal, it would be a good idea if they stayed here for a while.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Transmute Jun on March 15, 2016, 06:21:32 AM
Speaking as someone from Northern CA, I preferred the Anaheim location because of the proximity to Disneyland. As for being 'closer', that's not really true. if you're flying, you're flying and the difference is minimal. If you're driving, you have to deal with downtown LA traffic and outrageous parking prices. So I'm not sure the 'closer to Northern CA' argument holds water.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: bettiebloodshed on March 15, 2016, 08:26:02 AM
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Wondercon should stay in LA. Not only is it 3x easier for me to go to Wondercon in LA, it is still in southern California and closer to northern California so many Comic Con fans can go there . Other conventions like Anime Expo, Comikaze and E3 have stayed in LA. I don't see why WonderCon shouldn't. I suppose people who want WC in San Francisco might say Southern California already has a lot of conventions, but since SDCC gets more attendees in SoCal, it would be a good idea if they stayed here for a while.

Comikaze was ALWAYS in LA, as were AX and E3, as far as I remember. This is a different situation. Wondercon in Anaheim is easier to get to than LA. The difference in distance is about 30-45 minutes for people in North Cal so the distance is very minor. As for flying, its about the same. The hotel and parking situation in Anaheim is better than in the LACC area, as is family friendly walking area. While it might be easier for you, personally, it isn't easier for others. And I don't feel very comfortable walking around in the immediate distance around LACC, while I feel pretty safe walking around ACC at night. The "family friendly" atmosphere due to Disneyland being so close is a huge plus to Anaheim, while LACC is a spits throw from Skid Row and some really shady areas of Los Angeles.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Mario Wario on March 15, 2016, 10:12:16 AM
I get what you are saying. For example, for me, it means I don't have to go through the 5 between Dodgers Stadium and Anaheim. Due to the construction, certain times of the day, the traffic through this area is terrible. With traffic, it adds another hour+ to the trip. I hate it. But the folks from San Diego will now deal with this, and I will miss the Disneyland stuff. You have more things to do there. And as TJ pointed out, LA traffic is still there, thus I will still hit it coming from the 5.

On the other hand, I like the choices of restaurants at LA Live, rather than, in Anaheim. The Microsoft Theater will be better when comparing it to the arena. You also may have a better chance to see a sporting event that is easier/walkable to get to. But you have way more hotels to pick from in Anaheim. Therefore, once the con is over, we will know more if it should stay or not--our dislikes and likes. Let's see how it plays out.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: malarrya on March 15, 2016, 10:53:08 AM
I haven't been to the LA Convention center since 2013 and 2007 before that so I can't comment on LA Live. I can comment on how the area was, well, to put it mildly, not that pretty. I can relay the info from others I've asked regarding which area is better. They pretty much ranked the 3 convention areas as follows: 1. The Gaslamp Quarter. 2. Downtown Disney 3. LA Live. If you're from the area or from San Fernando Valley you're obviously going to prefer your hometown over another (especially if this preference is sports team influenced). It's no secret that LA greatly dislikes Anaheim and vice-versa (this is why San Diego is so great) but the real test will come once the convention is in full swing.

Here's my pros and "cons" (pun intended) for ANA vs LA.
The hotels are cheaper and much closer in Anaheim
Parking is WAY cheaper in Anaheim
The convention center is bigger -- I've already done the research
The surrounding area is clean and seems much safer.
Downtown Disney is not too close to the convention.
The 91 sucks just about all the time.
LA has Universal and WB studios nearby
I can ride the Metrolink and subway all the way to the Convention Center door.
Being closer to Hollywood may entice more celebrities to attend WonderCon (this is just a theory though).

I'll pass final judgement after the con. :)



Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: dkd on March 15, 2016, 11:20:01 AM
I'm from the East Coast.

The only Wondercon I've been to was in San Francisco and I really enjoyed it.  San Francisco is an easy city to navigate without a car.  I took a long walk from The W Hotel(near the con) to Fisherman's Wharf and took the trolley back right before the con started.

I have been to LA many times and I don't like the reliance on the automobile and the lack of real pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.  LA Cons don't appeal to me at all.  It's the location near the Gaslamp that made me fall in love with SDCC years ago.

Give me a walking town over a driving town anytime.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Mel on March 15, 2016, 01:01:05 PM
I just really loved the ease of Anaheim. Parking was cheap and simple, the area clean and welcoming, very easy to get to from San Diego (you get no traffic of any kind at all), the two hotels right there with all kinds of food and fun options, The Happiest Place on Earth right across the street. Sure LA is going to be more convenient to those who live in LA, but I'm not sure it's more convenient to anyone else.....perhaps as some have mentioned those from the north driving in don't have to drive all the way through LA, but you still got to drive in LA now from any direction, which sucks bigtime.

I'm really gonna miss WC and seeing all my forum friends this year b/c DTLA is just too inconvenient for my needs (I need to be able to easily drive up and back down in a day). So, I really hope it moves back to Anaheim next year. That's just me though and my selfish desires ahaha
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 15, 2016, 02:13:47 PM
One huge pro of LA for me is the ease of getting to via public transportation (or any transit method that’s not driving). It’s the other side of the coin of Anaheim being easier to get to in a car.

I’m taking Boltbus, and it goes directly from San Jose to Downtown LA Union Station (about 1 mile from the convention center -- a walk if you have time, if not, it’s an easy Metro ride.) Also, the LACC is served very well by the Metro which Anaheim doesn’t have. You could even park at a metro station for free (they’re going to start charging $2-$3 per day at some stations in May) and take the Metro in. LAX is usually cheaper and easier to fly into than SNA, and you can take the Flyaway bus directly to Union Station too for $9.

Hotels are more expensive in LA, but they’re also nicer and newer.

While I’ve never had a problem in DTLA I do concur that you have to be careful if you wander in certain directions. But I do find it a lot more interesting. There are stores, bars, boutiques, coffee shops, clubs, museums, breweries all within either walking distance or a very short Metro ride...and the Metro will take you to almost any type of other thing you can’t get nearby. In Anaheim, if you don’t want to pay 3x the amount of WonderCon for a day pass of 2x the amount of WonderCon for night pass to Disneyland, you can get dinner then hang out at a hotel bar. I do like many of the breweries in OC (Noble, Bootlegger’s, Bruery, Bottle Logic are all good), but OC transit doesn’t make it easy to get there and it’s not a good idea to drive to them. Uber has made things significantly easier to get to though.
 
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 15, 2016, 02:14:30 PM
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I'm from the East Coast.

The only Wondercon I've been to was in San Francisco and I really enjoyed it.  San Francisco is an easy city to navigate without a car.  I took a long walk from The W Hotel(near the con) to Fisherman's Wharf and took the trolley back right before the con started.

I have been to LA many times and I don't like the reliance on the automobile and the lack of real pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.  LA Cons don't appeal to me at all.  It's the location near the Gaslamp that made me fall in love with SDCC years ago.

Give me a walking town over a driving town anytime.

Have you been to Downtown LA though (And more specifically, in the last 5-10 years?) It’s very walkable there. If anything’s a driving town, it’s Anaheim.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 15, 2016, 02:17:40 PM
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Comikaze was ALWAYS in LA, as were AX and E3, as far as I remember. This is a different situation.

Comikaze and E3 sure, but AX has been held in Anaheim, Long Beach, and going even further back, San Jose and Oakland :o before moving to LACC in 2008 and being held there ever since: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_Expo
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: epicaz on March 16, 2016, 12:05:56 PM
This argument doesn't really work for me. Just because it's convenient for you doesn't mean it is for everyone else. There are plenty of cons in SoCal, and yes they draw crowds... but so do cons in other big cities! Con goers who actually have to travel sometimes want variation in the locations they visit, and that means new cities and places to try. Now San Francisco is a GREAT city, and if I can get the best of both worlds by having one con I love in SoCal and another one in NorCal, knowing I'd travel for it either way, hell yeah I'd do it! Better than having everything be in the same location all the time imo
I don't support traveling cons necessarily, I rather each con pick a place.. but given the option I think wondercon needs to go back to the bay area
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 16, 2016, 12:53:06 PM
Yeah, no matter where the con is held at, it’s always going to be easier for the locals to get to.

That being said, the main point that’s been hammered into our heads (first after WonderCon left SF, and then Anaheim) is that it’s not about the locals...at least not the ones who drive in or take the subway in and then go back home. It’s about the people who buy hotels from the official hotel blocks.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: TheTFReview on March 22, 2016, 09:31:29 PM
Anaheim is much more accessible and easy to navigate than downtown LA. I hope it moves back to ANA when the big renovation is done. Or even next year when construction should be much slower than it is now.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: StarBell84 on March 24, 2016, 07:29:16 AM
Working as a volunteer at wondercon today. It is confirmed in the program book. Wondercon returns to Anaheim 2017. March 31st to April 2nd. (Not Easter weekend)
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Transmute Jun on March 24, 2016, 07:50:43 AM
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Working as a volunteer at wondercon today. It is confirmed in the program book. Wondercon returns to Anaheim 2017. March 31st to April 2nd. (Not Easter weekend)

Fantastic!
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: malarrya on March 24, 2016, 08:34:48 AM
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Working as a volunteer at wondercon today. It is confirmed in the program book. Wondercon returns to Anaheim 2017. March 31st to April 2nd. (Not Easter weekend)

Thanks for this! This is a fantastic and cutting edge scoop.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Mel on March 24, 2016, 10:07:09 AM
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Working as a volunteer at wondercon today. It is confirmed in the program book. Wondercon returns to Anaheim 2017. March 31st to April 2nd. (Not Easter weekend)

I'd do cartwheels right now if I wasn't sure I'd break something.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Mario Wario on March 24, 2016, 10:31:16 AM
Awesome!  8)
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: semigeekgirl on March 24, 2016, 11:58:04 AM
So far I've been here at the LA Convention Center for less than ten minutes and I already miss Anaheim. Everything seems so far apart and there are no signs outside the buildings!

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Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: StarBell84 on March 24, 2016, 12:11:26 PM
One of the staff said there were signs yesterday but it got taken down. They do have the rfid machines up and working to get it running.

The rfid badge is literally a badge you'd have if you need to swipe in and out your office at work. I use it at my job and I never called it a rfid, it's just a regular old badge to me but I guess to be politically correct...

I do hope they put the signs back though if you go into the exhibit hall they have a huge sign above the door to remind people to tap your badge when you leave or else....

...ok...it doesn't say or else but don't forget to tap out
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: semigeekgirl on March 24, 2016, 12:24:46 PM
Yeah, the RFID is very similar to the parking card I have for work. It's also in a separate part of the badge holder from the card with my name and badge type, which is interesting.

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Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Mel on March 24, 2016, 03:44:14 PM
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The rfid badge is literally a badge you'd have if you need to swipe in and out your office at work. I use it at my job and I never called it a rfid, it's just a regular old badge to me but I guess to be politically correct...



???? What is politically correct about calling an RFID badge an RFID badge? That's what it is. Previous badges were paper that had no chips in them. These have RF chips with identity information and must be tapped. There is a big difference.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 24, 2016, 06:05:46 PM
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Working as a volunteer at wondercon today. It is confirmed in the program book. Wondercon returns to Anaheim 2017. March 31st to April 2nd. (Not Easter weekend)

Dislike.  >:( Well, at least we got one year out of it & I'll get to have my LA fun this weekend. :)
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: CptMyCpt24 on March 25, 2016, 05:47:23 AM
Looks like LA convention center couldn't give them the dates they wanted, "WonderCon will be back in Anaheim next year, Gessner said, as the LACC wasn’t able to book the preferred dates for the event. “Dates were a prime consideration for choosing L.A.” this year as well, WonderCon’s Glanzer said."  Article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/03/23/l-a-auditions-for-comic-con-with-wondercon-2016.html.

All info in a nutshell: http://sdccblog.com/2016/03/wondercon-heads-back-to-anaheim-for-2017/
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: AzT on March 25, 2016, 08:18:42 AM
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Looks like LA convention center couldn't give them the dates they wanted, "WonderCon will be back in Anaheim next year, Gessner said, as the LACC wasn’t able to book the preferred dates for the event. “Dates were a prime consideration for choosing L.A.” this year as well, WonderCon’s Glanzer said."  Article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/03/23/l-a-auditions-for-comic-con-with-wondercon-2016.html.

All info in a nutshell: http://sdccblog.com/2016/03/wondercon-heads-back-to-anaheim-for-2017/

The news made the OC Register too ->

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/anaheim-709596-wondercon-convention.html

Organizers slipped a surprise into the program for this weekend’s WonderCon in Los Angeles: The annual comic book, science fiction and pop culture convention appears to be coming back to Anaheim next year. An advertisement in one of the event’s pamphlets announced that WonderCon will be back at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 31 to April 2, 2017.

Officials at Visit Anaheim, which oversee events held at the Convention Center, referred calls to Comic-Con: International. Requests for an interview with Comic-Con officials were not returned. “While we don’t have anything to announce today, WonderCon has been a great fit for Anaheim, and we would be honored to host the show again and showcase all the great things going on here,” city of Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster said.

Last year, Comic-Con officials said scheduling conflicts at the Anaheim Convention Center prompted the temporary move to Los Angeles.Formerly held in San Francisco, WonderCon had called Anaheim home for four years. The annual comic book convention attracts more than 60,000 people — many dressed as their favorite superheroes or villains — who listen to movie panels, get autographs from television stars, and watch trailers of upcoming movies and television shows. WonderCon, which started in Oakland in 1987, is smaller than its sibling, Comic-Con, which attracts more than 100,000 people.

EDIT -> and the LAT Hero Complex:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-wondercon-back-anaheim-in-2017-20160325-story.html
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: fdiskmbr on March 27, 2016, 11:09:24 PM
I agree with what most have to say in regards to WonderCon being better in Anaheim.  After experience WonderCon in LA I think some things are better then Anaheim. 

The Microsoft theater is much better experience than the arena in Anaheim.  The Microsoft theater layout works so much better for panels vs the arena which is converted to make panels work.  The screen size in the arena is fine for seeing panel guest but when watching clips or a movies on the screen, it is very lacking due to its small size.  Microsoft theater is used to host Hollywood events so its obvious the arena dose not compare to Anaheim's arena.  I did not attend any sporting events but if I did, LA offered NBA Lakers game, NBA Clippers game, and NHL Kings game.  Anaheim would have MLB LA Dodgers a little drive away.  LA Live and all that it has to offer from its restaurants, night life, and movie theater.

Some things were LA is not at as good as Anaheim.  I stayed at one of the closes hotels, JP Marriott, and it was quite a walk getting from hotel to exhibit hall and panel rooms.  Hotel and parking is more expensive. 

Overall, WonderCon just keeps getting better every year.  I was able to attend a lot of awesome panels this year.  Also more of the same companies that are at SDCC are showing up to WonderCon, ie SideShow.  As long as WonderCon stays in Southern California I will be a happy fanboy, sorry San Francisco. 
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Laminas92675 on March 28, 2016, 05:23:53 PM
I'm glad it's going back to Anaheim. Looking at the map it didn't seem like that far to walk but when it came to actually walking to the exhibit hall to Microsoft theatre then back to the one of the signing rooms I was freaking tired and sweaty.
My group stayed at the Marriott it was nice but didn't like the fact that it was a valet only parking and that it cost as much as a one night stay.
One thing I did like was the Microsoft theatre. I thought it was better than the arena in Anaheim.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: loubert on March 28, 2016, 09:48:33 PM
The LA Convention Center wasn't quite the nightmare I expected, but what was the deal with the horrible lighting in the exhibit hall? It was as if someone didn't pay the electric bill. Easily the dimmest lighting I've seen in any convention center exhibit hall ever.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: RSilvaConFan on March 28, 2016, 10:27:42 PM
I didn't care much for the LA Convention Center layout and the meeting rooms and although I liked the Microsoft Theater - there is lot of wasted time walking from the exhibit hall to the theater - also add to the fact that the valet only parking at the hotels made this trip very costly.

Adding all money up - it cost me about the same to go to Wondercon (4-nights total for me) as it does for me to spend a week in Las Vegas (8 nights total) to attend CES.

Also, by car, it ended up taking 4 hours to get to LA from San Diego and about the same amount of time back - the traffic was horrendous.

I am glad Wondercon will be Anaheim next year - I hope it never has to return to the LA Convention Center.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 29, 2016, 01:36:28 PM
http://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times/20160329/282196535088020/textview

It doesn’t look like there’s the possibility of WonderCon in LA in 2018 either: “As to why WonderCon was headed back to Anaheim, Garcetti blamed the time line, ‘I’m sorry the dates didn’t work out. But I think we’re going to be very competitive for 2019, the next opening.’"
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Transmute Jun on March 29, 2016, 01:47:24 PM
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http://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times/20160329/282196535088020/textview

It doesn’t look like there’s the possibility of WonderCon in LA in 2018 either: “As to why WonderCon was headed back to Anaheim, Garcetti blamed the time line, ‘I’m sorry the dates didn’t work out. But I think we’re going to be very competitive for 2019, the next opening.’"

Yeah, it's my understanding that they signed a 2 year agreement with Anaheim, and that Anaheim was suddenly far more accommodating with the dates once they realized that WC was moving to LA for 2016... ;)
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: hikanteki on March 29, 2016, 04:36:04 PM
Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for 2019 then. :D There are some more hotels and other projects in the works, so the area (which I think was already pretty awesome) will be even better.

This was my first time at LACC itself. I’ve been to Anaheim CC, not for WonderCon but for Celebration, so I can’t compare whether the show was different between locations but I can compare the convention centers & locations themselves.

For the convention center...I actually didn’t mind that the LACC was spread out. I stayed at the JW Marriott, the closest hotel (and part of LA Live) and I didn’t find the walk to the Exhibit Hall (the furthest building) bad at all...it was like what, 10 minutes? It’s certainly no worse than the end of the SD Convention Center to Hall H or the Indigo Ballroom...or for that matter the walk from any of the hotels in SD to the convention center (except for the ones actually connected to the convention center). And this spreadoutness means that there’s plenty of room to form lines, should SDCC ever more to LA. However I didn’t like that there was a street with motor traffic between the Exhibit Hall and the Programming Hall, although you could bypass that because there was both an indoor and outdoor second floor walkway. The street between the Programming Hall and the Microsoft Theater was blocked off to traffic, which was nice, and I loved the proximity of the Theater to my hotel. :D

The facility in Anaheim was nicer/better updated, though. LA’s wasn’t bad but hopefully they go forward with their planned renovations/expansion. 

The Microsoft Theater was great. Much better than Hall H, probably because it’s a real theater, and I also liked the setup better than the Arena in Anaheim. I don’t think it ever got full...or that they even had to use the upper level at all. But there’s plenty of space to line up outside of it in case it does.

WonderCon isn’t enough of a force to take over the downtown like SDCC does the Gaslamp, but honestly, I could see it happen if SDCC moves to LA (or if LA gets/cultivates a convention that generates the same kind of excitement.) I talked to people downtown, many of who had no idea WonderCon was happening a few blocks away, but seemed interested. There are a lot of bars/restaurants/stores in an urban setup within the first couple of blocks, and I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to get street space to set up big displays like they have in the Gaslamp outside SDCC. In Anaheim, there’s nothing to take over except Disneyland (although, I’ll admit that would be impressive if that happens.)

I didn’t take a car, so I didn’t have to worry about traffic or parking. I did, however, notice that there were parking garages in the area that charged much less than the ~$45/night that the hotels were charging.

This part of downtown has really come far in the last 5-10-15 years. Hopefully those who had concerns about Downtown LA being unsafe and apocalyptic realized that it wasn’t so bad after all, and that those who feared Downtown LA was boring and/or had nothing of interest found that the complete opposite was true. The immediate area actually reminded me of the East Village in San Diego circa ~2006-7, with a couple of FiDi and Gaslamp-type blocks thrown in. There was plenty of activity, all day through the time I went to bed (around 12/1), at LA Live & the inner layers of downtown near the convention center. Any sort of amenities were really easy to find. Of note; a City Target at 7th & Fig(ueroa), about 3/4 mile from the convention center, and a Smart & Final Extra for groceries & such a block closer at 8th & Figueroa.

Good food was really easy to find and really close. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the convention I walked down Pico (under the bridge) to find breakfast and that stretch has a ton of awesome authentic Latin restaurants. Not just Mexican, but Nicaraguan, Guatemalan, Salvadorean, etc. This area is def. more rundown than downtown though. Places I went to were:
El Parian Birreria - specializes in a saucy, slightly spicy goat soup, and offers free refills on broth. It was good, but not quite a standout.
La Adelita - No English spoken here, so you know it’s authentic! LOL! They have many trays set up behind the counter and you can just point at what you want and hopefully it doesn’t turn out to be too expensive. I ended up getting a very delicious Sopa de Pata (Beef Foot & Tripe Soup) and a split plantain w/ cream & fried cheese!
L.A. 27th - My favorite place of the three! I got the Nicaraguan special, Baho (only available on the weekends) which was seasoned beef, plantains, and yucca steamed in a banana leaf then topped with salad and served with rice. Absolutely delicious.

Some other restaurants I recommend that are on the other side of the convention center (more downtown proper): The Briks, specializing in Moroccan-style savory pastries, and Bottle Rock, a reasonably priced wine and beer bar with bites.

Sunday night I ventured into downtown. It wasn’t as lively as the nights before, probably because it was Sunday and Easter but I still found a bunch of cool places that were open. Various pubs, a karaoke, and Cole’s, the alleged home of the French Dip (I didn’t try it though, since I had already eaten), then ending my night at a cocktail bar. A lot of the cool stuff was down on 6th & 7th, around Broadway. Note: I don’t recommend going below 6th (5th, 4th etc) as things started to look a lot more sketchy. But 6th, 7th, & above I felt fine walking around by myself at night. On the way back, I stopped by a taco truck.

Monday morning, I took the bus to Koreatown to get breakfast/lunch before leaving. I tried a place called Jang Ga Ne, and the restaurant’s name was only in Korean (also a good sign!) Then I walked up to the Metro station which went directly to Union station. All in all, a great, and very convenient, vacation!
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: vegasndn on March 30, 2016, 10:22:24 AM
Our trip to Wondercon was great. We stayed at the JW Marriott and it is was a nice stay. Valet parking was $45 meh I knew that when I booked the room so it was no concern to me. Con room rates looked to be half what the usual rates are and even with parking it was less than normal rates. It was what maybe a 5-10 walk to convention center with the Microsoft Theater next door so it's not far from the convention at all, walking from Hall H to SD Marriott Marquis is probably farther than this walk.

Downtown LA had a nice vibe going on with the Lakers playing on Friday and the Kings on Saturday, we didn't attend any games but it would've been cool if I had planned for it ahead of time. Plenty of places to eat but they were packed and Friday we went to the movies at Regal Live.

Saturday I spent most of my time in rm 408 with the panels I wanted to see, we were there early so that was most of our day in the rm.

Convention floor was nice plenty of elbow room and a lot of areas to just sit down and relax, not having security come screaming at you to get up and move (sdcc) was nice.

Sunday we checked out and valet at JW gave us awesome directions to the beach so that's where we spent our Easter morning.

Overall it was a nice experience nothing bad to say about it being downtown, I ran into Tony Kim aka @Crazy4ComicCon on Twitter and I talked to him for a little bit and he asked me what I thought about it being downtown. I told him it's what you make it if your mindset to complain about it being downtown you are going to have a terrible time, I told him I chose to have a great weekend. If Wondercon does go back downtown I have no problem with it.




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Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: sylent_asassin on March 30, 2016, 01:40:38 PM
My wife and I had a pretty good WonderCon trip (although mired with delays), and while it was fun in LA, I actually prefer Anaheim.

We arrived on Wednesday night from the Bay Area and took SuperShuttle to the Hotel from LAX. Unfortunately, our driver was having a bad day and took it out on a couple of the passengers. First, he picked up a couple of passengers that didn't book their appointments, which wasted a good amount of time, then he kicked an old, disabled man off the shuttle and left him at a bus stop because his addresses were wrong and didn't match the destination (instead of taking him back to the airport). A lady stood up for the elderly guy and the driver said, "Do you want to join him?" and told her to be quiet.

The following day, we had Disneyland planned, so we got up early to take Amtrak to Anaheim, but there was a "suspicious package" at one of the stations that froze all of the train activity. Due to the events in Belgium, the train officials were paranoid. After an hour of just sitting there, they took us back to LAX with no alternative travel assistance, so we had to take an EXPENSIVE taxi ride to Disneyland. Several hours lost.

The next day, we got our badges and I got some of my comics signed by various artists and took photos of the convention center, Staples Center, the Hall of Fame statues and some cosplayers. Later that night, we attended a Lakers game. Even though they lost, we took some nice pics of Kobe, and before the game, I got to take a pic with one of their championship trophies and some of the Laker cheerleaders.

Overall, we had a good trip, but the Amtrak delay really wrecked our Disneyland trip and put a bit of a cloud over the entire vacation. We ended up losing about 4 hours because of it, and by the time we arrived, all the lines for the rides were LONG.

Oh, I never want to see another Smashburger again.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: omraged9 on March 30, 2016, 11:40:51 PM
Also a first-timer to LACC. I had a good experience overall at Wondercon this year and I thought LACC was just okay. I much prefer the Anaheim convention center as far as proximities of the hotels to the convention center and the promixity of the arena to the exhibit hall. LACC felt larger and more spread out and more spaced out which seemed to be the best part of the convention center: less running into other people. Oh also LA downtown has better and more varied restaurants. But otherwise, Anaheim seems superior, imo.

We attended the panels at the Microsoft Theater on Friday. We did not have a good experience initially. First of all, the general outdoors map showing how to get to the Microsoft Theater showed 2 ways to get there from the exhibit hall, one cutting through more inside and one through the outside streets. Because cutting through the inside involved walking through multiple car lanes, we took the outside streets way. Once we got to the venue, we didn't know but crossed the street to the theater too early and they had already blocked off the LA Live square. We walk over to the closest entrance and it turns out to be the entrance only for the disabled. They would not let us through; instead they told us to walk around the entire Microsoft Theater building just to get to the regular entrance that was only 30 feet away on the opposite side. It was ridiculous. Then once we finally got to the entrance and got to security, they told us "no outside food or drink." I don't recall Wondercon ever posting about Microsoft Theater's strict rules? So they wouldn't let us in with a opened bottled of water. I was so pissed that I was ready to say 'screw it' and leave but cooler heads prevailed and I was able to go inside after throwing away my water bottle (but luckily was able to keep my food after I went to another security person). The panels inside were great but the whole experience made me never want to come back. I understand Microsoft Theater have their own security guards and strict rules but I feel Wondercon should have warned us about those rules before we walked all the way to the theater without knowing (unless I missed something that was posted on CCI's page?).

But otherwise, all the panels we saw at the theater and 408AB were great and I hope to go back to Wondercon next year.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Zero on March 31, 2016, 12:04:29 AM
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Then once we finally got to the entrance and got to security, they told us "no outside food or drink." I don't recall Wondercon ever posting about Microsoft Theater's strict rules? So they wouldn't let us in with a opened bottled of water. I was so pissed that I was ready to say 'screw it' and leave but cooler heads prevailed and I was able to go inside after throwing away my water bottle (but luckily was able to keep my food after I went to another security person). The panels inside were great but the whole experience made me never want to come back. I understand Microsoft Theater have their own security guards and strict rules but I feel Wondercon should have warned us about those rules before we walked all the way to the theater without knowing (unless I missed something that was posted on CCI's page?).

But otherwise, all the panels we saw at the theater and 408AB were great and I hope to go back to Wondercon next year.

As far as I'm aware, CCI didn't post any information about Microsoft Theater's strict policies on entering the building.  It's true that they have a "No outside food or drink" policy for other events held at the venue as well.  They always do bag checks, use metal detectors, and have security screenings at the door.  This information is listed on Microsoft Theater's website though (look under letter "F" for details: https://www.microsofttheater.com/guest-services/guest-services-a-z).  I do agree that CCI should have, at the very least, provided a link to that on their website or on the Toucan blog for reference.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Transmute Jun on March 31, 2016, 07:29:08 AM
They were extremely inconsistent about the food and drink policy. Some people got in with food, while others did not. It depended entirely upon which guard you got searching your bag.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Godolphin on March 31, 2016, 02:15:18 PM
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My wife and I had a pretty good WonderCon trip (although mired with delays), and while it was fun in LA, I actually prefer Anaheim.

We arrived on Wednesday night from the Bay Area and took SuperShuttle to the Hotel from LAX. Unfortunately, our driver was having a bad day and took it out on a couple of the passengers. First, he picked up a couple of passengers that didn't book their appointments, which wasted a good amount of time, then he kicked an old, disabled man off the shuttle and left him at a bus stop because his addresses were wrong and didn't match the destination (instead of taking him back to the airport). A lady stood up for the elderly guy and the driver said, "Do you want to join him?" and told her to be quiet.

The following day, we had Disneyland planned, so we got up early to take Amtrak to Anaheim, but there was a "suspicious package" at one of the stations that froze all of the train activity. Due to the events in Belgium, the train officials were paranoid. After an hour of just sitting there, they took us back to LAX with no alternative travel assistance, so we had to take an EXPENSIVE taxi ride to Disneyland. Several hours lost.

The next day, we got our badges and I got some of my comics signed by various artists and took photos of the convention center, Staples Center, the Hall of Fame statues and some cosplayers. Later that night, we attended a Lakers game. Even though they lost, we took some nice pics of Kobe, and before the game, I got to take a pic with one of their championship trophies and some of the Laker cheerleaders.

Overall, we had a good trip, but the Amtrak delay really wrecked our Disneyland trip and put a bit of a cloud over the entire vacation. We ended up losing about 4 hours because of it, and by the time we arrived, all the lines for the rides were LONG.

Oh, I never want to see another Smashburger again.

I was on my own arriving into LAX and I took an Uber to the JW Marriott, it cost $28 total. The super shuttle was around $17 I think but i'd rather pay $11 more and get there without stops.
Also if you are more than one person the super shuttle is more expensive.

I looked on craigslist Wednesday night about an hour before the Clippers game and saw a lady selling a great seat lower section only about 15 rows from the court for $30, so I had a great time at the game, which came down to a buzzer beater for the Clippers to win.

I loved the microsoft theater but i'm still a Disney fan, so I look forward to visiting Disneyland before Wondercon next year
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: SleepyPanda777 on April 07, 2016, 05:32:16 PM
I like it in anaheim better. La is too far for me
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: yoahrene on April 07, 2016, 10:19:58 PM
I heard that on Friday, they were very understaffed and people waited 1 to 1.5 hours to pick up their PRO badges. When I spoke to a staff member about this on Saturday, he said, "And this is why we do WonderCon in Anaheim." -- place is just a well-oiled machine and the convention center takes care of the event in terms of staff training and such. Also, think about how you had to go cross the street and go to a totally different building to get your badges. It was weird.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: NoNoNuni on April 07, 2016, 10:45:35 PM
This was my first year at Wondercon, and though it would be nice to have it stick around, I'm not sure. I work downtown in the complex near the LACC, so no hotel and knowing where to find free parking was a plus, but, the layout of the convention seemed...scattered? strange?

Still had a boatload of fun though. Some terrific finds in artist's alley and I'm hoping they show at SDCC too!
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: furtherforever on April 08, 2016, 01:26:23 AM
I thought WonderCon being in LA was a nice change of pace; I never really liked the convention being at Anaheim because I felt that the general area (other than Disneyland, of course) was pretty boring. When we had picked up our badges on Saturday afternoon, badge pickup was somewhat of a nuisance, as they had us walk through almost the entirety of the badge pick-up room...despite there not even being a line to get badges in the first place. Guidance in the room itself in terms of where to go was nonexistent as well. For the most part though, I did enjoy the layout. A few things can be tweaked for sure, but overall a good time.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: yoahrene on April 09, 2016, 02:47:02 PM
Wonder if being in LA made it easier to get special guests/celebs/panels?? WonderCon already has a difficult time (totally just guessing here) getting guests/celebs/even exhibitors to commit to "working" on a Holiday weekend...

Maybe that's why they're not planning it for Easter next year...
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: omraged9 on April 09, 2016, 04:04:27 PM
I would have thought it'd be true too, that being in LA would mean more TV and movie panels but it wasn't true this year. I'd also like to add that when Wondercon was in SF 4+ years ago, there were a lot more movie panels. I remember Sat's schedule in their biggest room were filled with movie panels and parts of Friday had movie panels too. On Sunday, the whole day was TV panels. So it doesn't seem like the Hollywood promixity has helped in any way. But when Wondercon was in SF, the con was usually in Feb. So I wonder if the timing of the con is making the bigger difference here.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: Iris on April 09, 2016, 05:16:27 PM
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They were extremely inconsistent about the food and drink policy. Some people got in with food, while others did not. It depended entirely upon which guard you got searching your bag.

I can attest to this. I walked straight in with a bottle of soda in my hand at one point. They did make me check my foam cosplay bat though.

As for the topic, I still prefer Anaheim to LA for Wondercon and I'm happy to hear that it'll be back there next year. Though I will say, I did prefer Microsoft Theater over the Arena at Anaheim. Though going through metal detectors etc. really, really bogged things down... and then checking my bat.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: angi on April 10, 2016, 07:00:45 PM
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Wondercon should stay in LA. Not only is it 3x easier for me to go to Wondercon in LA, it is still in southern California and closer to northern California so many Comic Con fans can go there . Other conventions like Anime Expo, Comikaze and E3 have stayed in LA. I don't see why WonderCon shouldn't. I suppose people who want WC in San Francisco might say Southern California already has a lot of conventions, but since SDCC gets more attendees in SoCal, it would be a good idea if they stayed here for a while.

I'd like it if Wondercon became SDCC 2.0 and they split content between the two.  Both could have comics and art and the usual but maybe put more emphasis on movies at SDCC and television (or vice versa) at Wondercon. SDCC has gotten so big and so crazy, it really needs an outflow valve, which Wondercon could be.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: LarielRomeniel on July 04, 2016, 06:35:03 AM
Just did Anime Expo at LACC, and it merely reinforced my belief that the LACC stinks. Bad parking, bad access, horrible surroundings. The ONLY advantage I see with the LACC is the Microsoft Theatre.

I've done (non-fan) conventions in Anaheim and find that a much more pleasant experience than the LACC, so I'm glad Wondercon will be there next year. But both of them pale compared to the San Diego Convention Center and its environs.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: sinester_1 on July 05, 2016, 05:46:00 PM
 ::) got to disagree with this, an event like wondercon needs more room than the LA convention center is set to provide. the microsoft theatre was the achilles heel of wonder con this year. its just to spread out and in a non functional way. plus the con is too big. you would have to shut down that part of downtown as far as moving traffic.  just no flow, its better off in anaheim. the venue is closed off to traffic and people that don't want to be at wondercon. its a moot point they are back to anaheim next year anyway.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: LarielRomeniel on July 05, 2016, 05:55:51 PM
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::) got to disagree with this, an event like wondercon needs more room than the LA convention center is set to provide. the microsoft theatre was the achilles heel of wonder con this year. its just to spread out and in a non functional way. plus the con is too big. you would have to shut down that part of downtown as far as moving traffic.  just no flow, its better off in anaheim. the venue is closed off to traffic and people that don't want to be at wondercon. its a moot point they are back to anaheim next year anyway.

I liked the Microsoft theater, just because it was bigger and more comfortable than Hall H in San Diego. But all the rest... yeah. It's not the same as the spread of Comic-Con in San Diego. You do a lot of walking there, and things are even more spread out than in LA, but most of it's spread along the waterfront, and the gateway into the Gaslamp is closed down at any rate.

If the San Diego Convention Center winds up with a non-contiguous expansion, we may see something similar to the walk to the Microsoft Theater. I didn't find the walk too bad, just the traffic.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: sinester_1 on July 06, 2016, 07:36:16 PM
i know what you are saying and now you are talking about SDCC. Man that is a whole other animal. I think if comic con hadn't been in San Diego it couldn't have evolved the way it did. SDCC basically takes over the convention center, the hotels around that, the store fronts out from there, most of the gas lamp in one form or another. I've heard Downtown San Diego makes 1/4 of its revenue for the year the week of comic con. you are so right with the marina and the gas lamp its just a perfect place. I believe the expansion is back on. it's sort of hard to keep track because they keep starting and stopping. SDCC agreed to another 2 years 2016 being one of them. i really don't think san diego has a choice. their baseball team sucks, their football team want to go to LA. SDCC makes them a lot of money they can't afford to let them go. the Microsoft theatre is great the reason i referred to it is that is where they had the most trouble with the rfid sensors which in turn made a lot of people unhappy. the walking would be nicer in a more scenic part of LA maybe century city. Los Angeles really doesn't have a large enough venue or a large enough nice area next to a convention center. Believe I wish they did, I live in LA. the ambassador hotel was large enough and in a nice enough,(at least functional enough) area but some geniuses knocked it down years ago. its too bad really.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: LarielRomeniel on July 06, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
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i know what you are saying and now you are talking about SDCC. Man that is a whole other animal. I think if comic con hadn't been in San Diego it couldn't have evolved the way it did. SDCC basically takes over the convention center, the hotels around that, the store fronts out from there, most of the gas lamp in one form or another. I've heard Downtown San Diego makes 1/4 of its revenue for the year the week of comic con. you are so right with the marina and the gas lamp its just a perfect place. I believe the expansion is back on. it's sort of hard to keep track because they keep starting and stopping. SDCC agreed to another 2 years 2016 being one of them. i really don't think san diego has a choice. their baseball team sucks, their football team want to go to LA. SDCC makes them a lot of money they can't afford to let them go. the Microsoft theatre is great the reason i referred to it is that is where they had the most trouble with the rfid sensors which in turn made a lot of people unhappy. the walking would be nicer in a more scenic part of LA maybe century city. Los Angeles really doesn't have a large enough venue or a large enough nice area next to a convention center. Believe I wish they did, I live in LA. the ambassador hotel was large enough and in a nice enough,(at least functional enough) area but some geniuses knocked it down years ago. its too bad really.

 :) I work in news in SD. It's not quite a quarter of the downtown revenue, and there are analysts who say the numbers are smoke.

There are a couple of proposals out regarding the expansion and a possible Chargers stadium.
Title: Re: Wondercon should stay in LA
Post by: sinester_1 on July 06, 2016, 08:18:01 PM
sounded a little inflated I'm sure you are right. charger stadium huh? where ? Jack Murphy stadium or Qual Comm or whatever it is this year? I heard that the chargers were evoking
SDCC in their bid for more money. SDCC response was a polite version of WTF. i hope the proposals workout I really can't imagine SDCC anywhere else. That would truly be a sad day.