Help for a Frst Timer Please

We strongly recommend staying at the Westin since the success of conventions such as ours are contingent on us filling the room block that we have with the hotel. (Logistically speaking, it also makes getting to the con from your hotel room much easier.) That being said, your best bet would probably to look into sharing a room with others. As we get closer to the con, we'll put the "ride share" and "room share" forums back up for people to use.

As for advice for newcomers, here's some documents that you might find helpful:

Tips for Congoers on Strict Budgets

Tips for Convention Goers

TYVM!

i am starting my plannings on going...but its my first ac and i know about no one. i am talking with a friend...but im not sure about rooms. heh ^___^

really I was that way to alot but, I feel better cause I am already am going to meet new people down there, and one fur is coming from Texas and we are rooming together ^^, but i am always a fellow fur whos always looking to meet friends to meet and hang out with down there so I let me know if you want be friends ^^

YIM-pokemondragonmagic@yahoo.com

http://www.mypace.com/TsumetheGreyWolf

yes that would be a splendid idea ^^, i think in my opionin I will try and be down there early, so me and my other fellow fur coming down from Texas , would have to get up around 2/2:30am, and leave in time to beat the traffic, but I have about a 4-5 hour trip down the turnpike so i think it will be easy cause i would to meet alot of you n.n

hehe oops I meant my fur friend is coming from Texas, I GreyWolf live in Pennsylvania XD my bad

when he logs on to his messengers you might know him I am not sure, but yeah he is coming from Texas and I am driving him up there =), I will see what i can do for you and I am trying to add you to my buddy list on YIM ^^ and if you wanna learn more about me check out my myspace account

http://www.myspace.com/TsumetheGreyWolf

Well, to start - yes, there is a clique of sorts, made up of "Furry Fans". From your post, I'd say that you are one, and therefore a member of the clique. It is something in common that you hold with everyone else attending AnthroCon.

Other Furry Fans from FL attend AnthroCon - I'm willing to bet that some of them are nearby, and within 10 years of your age. There is a Furry Convention in Florida, and I suspect that there are occasional gatherings, called "fur meets", of local fans. Find out about these, attend them, introduce yourself; be friendly and polite, and remember the manners your folks taught you, and you won't need to worry about any "clique".

Alternatively - if there is a Science Fiction or Fantasy Film or Literature convention held within 200 miles of you some weekend, make it a point to go; usually such conventions have parties on Friday and Saturday nights, held in someone's hotel room and usually to sponsor or support some upcoming event or bid for hosting another convention somewhere. Look on bulletin boards at the convention for a "Furry Party", and be prepared to introduce yourself there. Furries can be at their friendliest while eating snacks and drinking beverages at a room party. Take names and notes. The best way to make friends is to BE a friend, but keep your mind and eyes open, and don't get in a position where you allow yourself to be used or taken advantage of; put money in the kitty to help pay for the party, or register for an event, but don't give anyone any money for anything else.

You say that you are going to a college? See if there is an Anime Club or Society or even a loose collection of animation fans there; at least a couple of them may be closet furry fans.

AnthroCon room rate a little steep? Consider either attending for only a night or two, or if you hook up with other FL furries between then and now, sharing room expense. Hotel rooms have either one or two beds; if there are more people than beds, plan on bringing an air mattress and a blanket or two for yourself. Beds usually go to the roomies who contribute the most money. TIP: Bring hearing protectors, either foam or soft rubber earplugs, in case one of your roommates snores. Also your own towel and washcloth. A mini-flashlight wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Travel to-and-from Pittsburgh: You got a couple options here, depending on what you are willing to spend the most of - time, or money. Quickest way would be to fly in and out, also most expensive; train would be cheaper, but takes much more time, I think that you would spend 2 days each way if you took the train, minimum, connecting in Philadelphia; check AmTrak's website to see if my estimate is correct, I may be overstating the time here. Greyhound Bus might be the best deal, money-wise, and perhaps quicker and more direct than by AmTrak; something to consider and research, at any rate.

Finally - there is the option to _drive_ up. I _only_ recommend this if you have done a lot of long-distance driving out of state, and I gather that you haven't. In that case driving will only be practical if you do it with 2 or 3 other furry fans, to share the expense, the driving, and the sleep. This is another reason to find other local-to-FL furry fans, and make their acquaintance; this, and the room expense issue. Get 6 of you together, consider renting a passenger van for the trip. Carries more luggage, easier to sleep in while others are driving.