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WonderCon 2023<\/h4>\n published 1 year ago<\/span>\n
Food trucks at WonderCon<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Holiday Matsuri 2019<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
The food trucks were located near the outdoor pool.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Holiday Matsuri 2019<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
Delicious puffy tacos from one of the food trucks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Holiday Matsuri 2019<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
The Holmat staff really go out of their way to make sure attendees get what they want. You\'ll hear people say that about other conventions, but it\'s very true for this one. Holmat offers a lot of unique events, such as those sponsored by Cosplay Deviants, that attendees love and that you won\'t find at other conventions. They work with the convention facility to setup free overflow parking on the golf course. They ship badges ahead of the event. They live-stream events online. They have food trucks. They even made a great effort to have solid face-time with the attendees through a series of live-streaming sessions before the convention. Most other conventions are either unaware of these things, too afraid to host these kind of events, or lack the organization and staff to put it together.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anime Los Angeles 2020<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
Food trucks!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anime Los Angeles 2020<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
The Ontario Convention Center is clean, bright, and easy to navigate. While not necessarily outdated, it was due for a refresh. There was evidence of remodeling work during the convention, but nothing that really interfered with the event. The building has two floors with easy access by stairs and elevators at both ends. Entry is controlled by security staff and there was a bag check. It was no big deal and the staff seemed to have no problem with cosplay props and bags. I came through with a suitcase full of camera lighting gear with no issues. The bag check and queue area were covered by a large semi-permanent tent. The queue moved reasonably quickly, but did get a little long during the peak times of the day. It made sense to arrive early and try to stay inside unless you absolutely needed to leave. This was made easier by the presence of food trucks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anime Los Angeles 2020<\/h4>\n published 4 years ago<\/span>\n
I\'m a real sucker for food trucks. This usually means unique food items that are reasonably priced which you can sample throughout the weekend. ALA had at least three food trucks every day and they were very popular. They are parked right next to this great outdoor space with lots of sunlight. It\'s the obvious place for everyone to gather to take photos and video of cosplayers and the typical sunny California weather didn\'t disappoint. It was freezing and snowy back home, but 70s and sunshine down in LA. It sure beats Katsucon in February where it has been known to snow.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anime Los Angeles 2022<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
Attendees fill the boardwalk and wait in line at the food trucks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anime Los Angeles 2022<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
Along the exterior of the convention center is a long boardwalk that\'s great for hanging out and taking photos. There were food trucks lined up feeding hungry attendees all weekend as well as a pop-up COVID testing site. The interior of the convention center is well lit thanks to an end-to-end glass wall and light wall colors. Nearby is a really neat pathway called the Rainbow Bridge which has some nice landscaping and sweeping LED lights. Adjacent to the convention center is the Hyatt Regency hotel which offered discounted rates as part of the convention\'s room block.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Holiday Matsuri 2021 Florida Anime Convention<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
Food trucks line the convention center entrance.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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WonderCon 2022<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
Food trucks!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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WonderCon 2022<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
A pedestrian walkway runs past the Anaheim Marriott hotel and leads you to the grand entrance of the convention center. It\'s a massive wall of glass and has the WonderCon sign plastered across it. While perhaps not quite as impressive as the glass atrium of the Los Angeles Convention Center, it\'s still commands your attention.\n\nOf course COVID was a thing during WonderCon 2022, so you had to pass through a tent to show your vaccination card or negative test and get a wristband. This wristband was a requirement to get a badge. You also pass by a bunch of food trucks. I love food trucks and I appreciate that the convention center allows them outside of their building. Some civic convention centers would try to prohibit them and force you to eat their bland, overpriced food. Kudos to the Anaheim Convention Center for allowing them.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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WonderCon 2022<\/h4>\n published 2 years ago<\/span>\n
So how was WonderCon? It really depends on who you ask. For the average attendee, WonderCon is a fun event where they get to see people in cosplay and wander around a big vendor hall. There\'s enough to do and see to last half of the day or more. There are some celebrities at the show, although not nearly as many as on a non-COVID year and less than the San Diego event. They can buy some fun stuff from the many vendors, get a bite to eat from the food trucks, snap some photos of cosplayers, and maybe do another round of the vendor hall before heading home. This is why conventions like this sell one day tickets - the average person will spend just part of their day at the con. Tickets for Saturday were \$55 for adults, \$28 for teens, and free for children with a paying adult. That\'s not too bad.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Weebcon 2023<\/h4>\n published 1 year ago<\/span>\n
Food trucks were parked just outside the convention center entrance.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Weebcon 2023<\/h4>\n published 1 year ago<\/span>\n
Multiple restaurants fill the space so you have some good choices of places to eat. That’s good because this resort is basically an island unto itself. You have to drive to find somewhere to eat outside of the resort. That presents a problem when you realize there is no parking available at the busiest times. There were some food trucks parked outside the convention center, but they weren’t well advertised. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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WonderCon 2023<\/h4>\n published 1 year ago<\/span>\n
The presence of food many trucks is another sign of a convention, and a convention center, that actually cares about its attendees. Not every con does this and not every convention center allows it. Some just want you to buy their crappy, overpriced food. WonderCon has perhaps the largest and best lineup of food trucks with tables and umbrellas offering a comfortable place to sit and eat. The convention center itself is pretty good. Except for the impressive exterior, it’s not going to win any design awards. It’s functional, modern, clean, and easy to access. The vendor hall is directly across from the main entry doors which line the entire west side of the building. This might sound silly thing to mention but when you have tens of thousands of attendees having multiple entry doors becomes an important matter. Some conventions, such as Otakon<\/a> in Washington D.C., limit entrance to just a handful of doors which creates a nightmare. Queues can wrap around the building leading to frustrated and sun-stroked attendees. It’s not a great first impression. WonderCon has no such issues. Also, they mail badges which makes it even easier to get in. There’s no need to wait in line for registration!\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n